2021 NBA Draft Scouting Report: SF Jonathan Kuminga

PSO’s original Scouting Reports strive to be uniquely valuable in evaluating a player’s future outlook by focusing on the four main subjects that summarize a player’s likelihood of succeeding at the next level including: Natural Athleticism, developed NBA-Caliber Skills, proven Production, and overall Risk that each individual player presents to a team drafting him. For a full breakdown of PSO’s Scouting Reports, click here.

BIO

Pos: SF

Hometown: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

School: G League Ignite

DOB (Age): 10/6/02 (Age 18)

Height: 6’8″ | Weight: 210 lbs.

Wingspan: N/A | Vertical: N/A

INTERESTING FACTS

Kuminga grew up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and began playing basketball at age 2
Jonathan is cousins with former lottery pick and current Utah Jazz guard Emmanuel Mudiay
Moved to the US at 16 for high school and reclassified in order to enter the G League after his Junior year

ATHLETICISM

Pros

All around fantastic athlete; checks all of the boxes teams want for a modern NBA wing
Great leaper, very explosive around the rim with the ability to play above the cylinder
Moves like a freight train; combination of size and speed on his drives to the basket
Very strong with a good build; should have no problem guarding most players in the league
Plays low to the floor despite great size; has no issue changing directions and has good hip rotations
Good dexterity; can finish with both hands, usually made easier by the fact he is so close to the rim
Great height, frame, and wingspan; one of the main reasons his potential is so high

Cons

Could gain more strength with his frame; will need to learn to put everything together with the ball in his hands

Grade: A

NBA SKILLS

Pros

Very active on the glass; always a threat to come in for put-backs and boxes out very well
Slashes well to the basket; uses combination of strength and quick first step to elevate to the rim
Runs the floor well; will be a good fit into high pace offenses
Creates high quality shot opportunities with his shiftiness and consistent driving threat
Good passing potential; can move quickly after the pass and keep offense flowing
Solid handle for someone his size; can keep the ball through a flurry of athletic moves

Cons

Shooting is not consistent yet, percentages were poor and he did not make great decisions when pressured
Not a great foul shooter; form is not bad, but that number does not inspire confidence for the future
Does not have a plethora of go-to moves; rather just one or two which he repeats over and over
Had an issue with turnovers playing in the G League; needs to break this habit
Major project overall, oozing with potential but there will be growing pains in the process

Grade: B+

PRODUCTION

Pros

15.8 PPG; solid on a team full of talent playing against G-League competition
7.2 RPG; very good for a wing player attacks the glass and will be a force in the paint
2.1 fouls per game; lots of potential on the defensive side of the ball so keeping this number low is a good sign

Cons

38.7 FG%; needs to bring this up at least 10 points, will have to shoot better and improve selection
24.6 3P%; will not survive in the modern NBA with this number, must get more confident with his shot
Nearly a 1:1 AST/TO ratio; taking care of the ball will be a priority in his first season
62.5 FT%; a key indicator in his lack of shooting quality at this stage; must improve all parts of his shot
.258 FT Rate; not getting to the line frequently enough for a driver

Grade: C+

RISK

Pros

Fantastic athleticism which should give him an instant advantage in the league
Defensive ability will always keep him in the rotation, even if offense lags
Takes most of his shots from high efficiency zones, knows his role
Plays with a high level of energy that few can match, even at the professional level
Still only 18 so there is plenty of time to develop him into the great player he can be

Cons

Will need to fix his shot or he might just be a freak athlete/defensive specialist
Free throw numbers do not bode well for his future shooting success
Questions about what his contribution level will be and whether he is a starter or a rotation guy
Will not be an instant impact player; more of a project with a low floor

Grade: B+

OVERALL

Perhaps the most mysterious prospect in recent memory, Kuminga comes into draft night with an equal amount of potential and questions. After ascending the ranks of the prep school and AAU circuit, the native of the Congo decided to reclassify and join fellow top prospects on the G League Ignite.

With the Ignite, Kuminga had some great moments, and a few head scratching decisions. His athleticism is already at an elite level and he uses it cut to the basket and rise up over defenders at the rack. The questions circle around his jump shot and offensive savviness. His defensive abilities will always be his strength, and if he can bring his offense around he will be quite the find in the mid-lottery.

Pro Comp: Jaylen Brown (BOS)

Projected Rd/Pick: Mid-Lottery

Prime Destinations: MEM, SAC, ORL

OVERALL Grade: B+