Draft Prospect Outlook

Strengths: 

Mobile and versatile big man with improving perimeter skills; good shooting touch; capable of spacing the floor as a 3-point shooter; physical finisher around the rim who embraces contact; strong mid-range game; grab-and-go potential with serviceable handles; long wingspan


Weaknesses: 

Passing and playmaking still a work in progress; decision-making overall still shaky; still raw and lacks feel for game at times; capable of becoming switchy defender, but slow to make reads and coverages; not a crafty finisher around the rim


Deeper Dive:

• Combine: Did not attend NBA combine

• Pro comparison: Glenn Robinson

• Did not take up organized basketball until he was 14-years-old


• Expected to be first Japanese player drafted in NBA's first round


• Grew up a baseball player; his name, Rui, means "baseball base" in Japanese