Thunder select Josh Giddey with No. 6 pick
With the No. 6 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder have selected former Adelaide 36ers point guard Josh Giddey.
The 18-year-old turned down offers from multiple NCAA D-1 programs in favor of the NBL's "Next Stars" program, which has produced the likes of LaMelo Ball and R.J. Hampton.
Giddey impressed in his first taste of professional action, averaging 10.9 points and 7.4 boards over 28 appearances this past season. His league-leading 7.5 assists per contest topped the mark Ball set during his lone campaign in Australia.
In April, Giddey became the youngest Australian in NBL history to register a triple-double. He was later named the league's 2020-21 Rookie of the Year.
Bio
Position: G
Club: Adelaide 36ers (Australia)
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 205 lbs
Wingspan: N/A
Max vertical: N/A
Strengths
- Tremendous court vision; he's always aware of cutters and open shooters
- Makes high-level reads out of the pick-and-roll
- Has a variety of different passes in his toolbox
- Elite rebounder for his position
- Uses change-of-pace moves to penetrate the paint
- Crafty finisher around the rim
Weaknesses
- Lacks burst off the bounce
- Needs to work on his jumper; he shot only 29.3% from downtown last season
- Lean frame
- Has defensive lapses from time to time