Cavs: Ricky Rubio has already been impressed with Evan Mobley’s growth

Back at the time near the 2021 NBA Draft, I was pleased when the Cleveland Cavaliers ended up selecting Evan Mobley at #3 overall. One shouldn’t have given them a big pat on the back for it, but it was the right call.

In his lone collegiate season at USC, Mobley had 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists per contest, and he was a crucial reason why the Trojans made a surprising run to the Elite Eight.

Now, Mobley needs to get stronger in coming years, and he’ll need to show further growth as a three-point shooting threat. He shot 30.0 percent from three-point range at USC, but there were a number of instances of him demonstrating catch-and-shoot abilities in high school/AAU play to indicate there’s more potential there.

His defensive prowess, to go with his touch in other areas, and his passing should translate from the outset, though, and I’ll be more than satisfied with him in coming years.

Overall, even early on, Mobley should be able to help the Cavaliers in a variety of ways, and while it has been only preseason thus far, his play has jumped out. And Cavs offseason trade acquisition Ricky Rubio, who is set to enter his 11th season, recently praised Mobley’s play, which I don’t discount.

Here was more on that from Rubio after Cleveland’s 102-101 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Sunday, via the Cavs.

Cavs: Rubio’s comments show that Mobley looks to be a star in the making, and the veteran seems to be very bullish on the rookie.

Mobley looks to be a potential franchise guy for the Wine and Gold, and Rubio’s comments just highlight how he’s not even scratched the surface of what he can become. He had a double-double on Sunday, and although it was just preseason action, he was all over the place, making things happen on both ends.

The USC product had 15 points on seven-of-13 shooting, to go with 10 rebounds, and he had four assists, and we’re seeing the playmaking and on-ball potential pop from him.

Additionally, while it’s not necessarily been a huge shock, given the fluidity he has, even as a 7-footer, it’s clear that Mobley is going to be a defensive dynamo for years to come. He had three blocks and two steals versus Chicago on Sunday, and he should be another difference maker for Cleveland moving forward, much like Jarrett Allen and I’d imagine Isaac Okoro.

For only a 20-year-old, Mobley’s feel, ability to time up, contest and even at times block opponent jumpers without fouling, let alone for a big, has been something else. Even game-to-game in preseason, his defense has gotten better and better, which is something that’s been along the lines of what Rubio was alluding to in the clip above regarding the rookie’s growth.

Circling back to the other end, however, that praise coming from a player like Rubio, who has had a heck of a career, shows to me that Mobley looks to be, even in today’s NBA, a rare big with guard-like abilities.

In the past two preseason games, regardless of it not being the regular season yet, he’s made some eye-popping plays, and this play from him initiating in transition had Cavs fans especially pumped for what’s to come. I’d imagine Rubio, who has just been adjusting well it seems, and has made his share of highlight reel plays in the open floor as a playmaker, was in the same boat after this against Chicago, too.

https://twitter.com/cavs/status/1447350821235142667?s=20

Others appear to have been impressed with the rookie, too, and this bit from Lauri Markkanen, via Kelsey Russo of The Athletic, who detailed more on what Mobley has shown (subscription required) has to have plenty extremely bullish on Mobley, also.

It’s just awesome to have seen how much of an impact Mobley can make for this Cavaliers team, and I don’t disagree with Markkanen.

Now, it will still take time for Mobley to develop further in other areas, get stronger and to round out his game, but the potential is clearly there for him to be a star in the near future. Rubio and the team seem to see that already, too, which is telling this early.