Scouting Report – Victor Oladipo

Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Name:  Victor Oladipo   Age:   21    School: Indiana

Height: 6’4   Weight: 213   Projected Position: SG            

2012-13 Stats:

13.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 2.2 spg, 2.3 tpg (28.4 minutes per game)

59.9 FG%, 74.6 FT%, 44.1 3FG%

 67.1 TS%, 64.8 eFG%, 22.2 USG%

 

SKILLS & ATHLETIC BREAKDOWN

Offense

Perimeter Shooting

Oladipo has good form on his jumper.  He has a high release, good follow-through, and improving range.  He has the ability to hit his jumper off the pass or dribble, and if he has time to get set, he is an above-average spot-shooter.  While he gets square to the basket quickly off the catch, he needs to work on not rushing the shot and making sure he has a clean look, but at the same time, working on improving his release time. He needs to work on using his dribble to create space for his jumper.  Oladipo also needs to work on moving without the ball, especially using screens and cuts well to create space.  He should come off the screens tighter, giving him more separation to shoot.  Shot selection has improved, though he can actually pass up open jumpers at times.    

Penetration

Oladipo can be effective when he looks to get into the lane and to the basket.  He uses long strides and his body to shield the ball from defenders.  He has the ability to finish above the rim, and can finish with either hand.  He needs to look to go to his left more often instead of trying to force the action to his stronger right hand.  He also needs to continue to improve seeing where the help defense is coming from.  He will try to force plays through traffic, leading to turnovers or bad shot attempts.  Oladipo does a great job catching passes and getting into triple threat position, keeping the defense honest. He has a strong mid-range jumper if he chooses to only take a few steps past his defender, and he has shown a decent short jumper/floater if he sees the help rotate to stop him quickly.  Oladipo uses screens well to attack the basket.  Oladipo needs to work on his ballhandling and his first step to help him get to the basket easier in isolation situations.  

Ballhandling/Passing

Oladipo is an average, though improved, ballhandler, able to use both hands and developing some advanced dribbles to keep the defense off balance.   With his right hand, he has good control, keeping the ball low and close to his body, though he does need to watch forcing his dribble through traffic.  However, Oladipo doesn’t have as good control with his left hand, and he will often try to force the action to the right.  While he can use his left hand for short distances, I would like to see him look to attack the basket more with his left hand, which will mean improving it.  He is a strong passer from the perimeter, though he can look to improve his ability to make passes off the dribble, especially if he draws help defense in the lane.

Free Throw Shooting

Oladipo is an average free throw shooter, with a consistent routine, good shooting motion and follow-through.  He needs to watch a tendency to rush his shot at times and make sure he gets his normal extension and follow-through.  Oladipo really needs to improve on getting to the line more, including looking to attack the basket more in the halfcourt. 

 

Defense

Perimeter Defense (On/Off Ball)

Oladipo’s biggest strengths come on the defensive end. He is a very good on-ball defender; he positions himself well between his man and the basket, and moves well laterally.  He does a good job getting low and not getting caught standing straight. He reacts well to his man’s movements, and he can play physical on-ball defense.  He has quick hands and feet, and players can’t get lazy with their dribble near him, because he has the timing and speed to take the ball. Oladipo is capable of guarding either guard position, and if needed could be a serviceable defender against smaller forwards. Oladipo uses his long arms well to disrupt passing lanes and close on shooters.  Oladipo needs to do a better job getting over the top of screens against shooters, often choosing to either go under the screen or switching, which can lead to poor matchups.    Off the ball, Oladipo generally positions himself well, and again, he uses his long arms to disrupt passing lanes if he looks to pressure off the ball.  He does a good job navigating through screens off the ball, and finding angles so he can catch up with his man.  He has very good defensive awareness, and sets the tone on the defensive end for his team. Oladipo is also a capable shot-blocker for his size, and if he is around the basket, he will challenge shots. 

Rebounding

Oladipo rebounds really well for his size on the defensive side, using his athleticism to get up quickly after missed shots.  He also does a good job boxing out, and he has a good knack for anticipating where misses will go and getting to the spot.  He is quick after long rebounds and looks to either push the ball or outlet it quickly to get the team moving up court.  Oladipo also uses his athleticism well on the offensive glass, and he especially has to be watched charging in from the perimeter. If he gets a running start, Oladipo is capable of catching and finishing above the rim.  

Transition

Oladipo is very good in transition, especially running one of the wings.  If running on the wing in transition, Oladipo is capable of spotting up behind the 3-point line or making a line to the basket.  His shooting needs to be more consistent, but if he takes the ball to the basket, he can finish in a variety of ways. He is capable of pushing the ball himself in transition, but if you pressure him, you can force him into a bad decision, and his ballhandling isn’t really up to dealing with good transition defense.

Intangibles/Summary

As I mentioned, Oladipo has made his name on the defensive side of the ball, but he has improved markedly on the offensive side. Still, he is far from becoming a capable scorer at the NBA level unless he works on becoming a more consistent shooter and a better ballhandler. He is ready to defend NBA players, and he with the ability to guard multiple positions, he could allow teams to be flexible with their rotations. He provides energy, and there is no doubting his work ethic. He is coachable and he should be able to make a seamless transition to any team or system. 

Draft Value:  Early 1st – Late Lottery– #9-14

Oladipo can defend, and he should be able to play right away based on that, but there is a sense that he is going to be no more than a career role player/specialist, not that there is anything wrong with that. But, in the right offensive system (up-tempo), Oladipo can find ways to put up points, so the right fit may be essential to his continuing offensive development. No matter where he goes, there is no doubt he will continue to work hard to improve.

 

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