Chinemelu Elonu

Chinemolu Elonu - 59th pick, 2009
Not a bad player on the interior, but never was NBA calibre. With his skill set, to stand a chance he would have to be 7’2, not 6’9.

Chinemelu Elonu (59th pick, 2009)

- Elonu was an optimistic late pick in 2009, a senior with little upside and without NBA talent. He is making his money in Europe as a post anchor, and will do so for a while. Starting with Panionios in Greece, Elonu averaged 7.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 3.8 fouls in 21 minutes per game; now with Pau Orthez in France, Elonu averages a frighteningly similar 7.6/7.9/1.4/3.4, also in 21 minutes per game. Self-evidently, he can rebound and challenge around the basket. But there's not a lot of shot making talent, no ability to create, no passing game, no ability to defend the perimeter, no great athletic traits. And more importantly, there's no NBA centre size. Elonu will play for a while, but not in America.

Chances of making the NBA expressed as an arbitrary percentage: 1%

- Chinemelu Elonu

Lakers draft pick Elonu is in Spain, playing for Zaragoza. He is averaging 6.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in only 19 minutes per game, shooting 60% from the field. That's the good news.

But why's he only playing 19 minutes per game? It's not because there's a more talented player in front of him, for Zaragoza are in the Spanish second division. Instead, it's because he's fouling 3.6 times per game, in a league where only 5 fouls are allowed in 40 minute games. Elonu has fouled out 6 times in 21 games, and has played no more than 27 minutes in any game (which, not coincidentally, is also the only game he had less than 3 fouls in). Elonu declared for the draft after his junior season, despite still not being ready; given that he turns 23 in 6 weeks and can't play half of Spanish second division games, he's got a ways to go yet.