5 under-the-radar 2020 NBA Draft prospects Cavs should pay attention to this NCAAB season
By Tyler Meitin
#4: Precious Achiuwa-F, Memphis
Memphis forward Precious Achiuwa is someone that many casual fans are simply unaware of, even with his daunted five-star status as a recruit and 17th overall ranking in his class.
He, alongside fellow five-stars, James Wiseman and D.J. Jeffries, all decided to go to Memphis to play for former NBA great, Penny Hardaway. Wiseman has since gone on to have eligibility issues with the NCAA, though, which has paved the way for Precious to play and be a focal point for the Memphis Tigers this season.
Achiuwa has averaged 15.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 0.9 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game, and is shooting 51% from the floor, as noted by Sports Reference.
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He is now coming off 3 straight double-doubles, and had a near double-double the game prior. The Memphis Tigers have won four straight games since James Wiseman had been declared temporarily ineligible by the NCAA and Precious’ play has largely been the reason.
His game against Ole Miss recently may have been the best of his young career so far. As shown by Sports Reference, Achiuwa had 25 Points, 11 Rebounds, two blocks and three Steals in a close 87-86 win over an underrated, then undefeated Ole Miss team.
Achiuwa has not shown much eagerness to try and stretch the floor, but has solid touch down-low so there is sound logic to him improving on his range, overall shooting, and touch with time and development in the NBA.
He certainly must also elevate his free throw percentage substantially in order to improve and best develop into the scorer he is capable of becoming, but his free throw shooting and shooting in general are both things that can be developed with hard work and great coaching, which is right up the Cavs’ alley under the direction of head coach John Beilein.
Achiuwa’s game and body at 6-foot-9 and 225 pounds are extraordinarily NBA ready and he likely will be either a 3 or a 4 in the NBA, and could be an especially valuable piece for the Cavs in the near future, as KJG’s Corey Casey demonstrated previously.
This allows him to be very versatile and his length and size will allow him the ability to capably defend numerous positions and players, and for the Cavs in this rebuild, revisiting Achiuwa’s possible impact for the Wine and Gold is particularly relevant here.
He would fit perfectly on this Cavaliers team alongside their young core of Sexton, Garland, and Porter Jr. Achiuwa’s versatility, length and frame make him someone to absolutely watch out for this during 2019-20 season as he very well could only get better as the year goes along.