2017 Orlando Magic Draft Preview: Who is Ivan Rabb?

Final Word

Ivan Rabb is certainly a very talented player. He has a knack for hitting the glass and rebounding. That is a skill that typically translates to the NBA from the college game. That will serve him well as he takes this big step into the NBA.

He has a knack for hitting the glass and rebounding. That is a skill that typically translates to the NBA from the college game. That will serve him well as he takes this big step into the NBA.

Rabb has a lot of skill around the basket that will make him useful. If he can accept his role as a bit of a scavenger, digging out rebounds and cleaning up putbacks.

Otherwise, Rabb has a lot of work to do to turn himself into a quality player in the NBA.

His lack of length and athleticism is going to hurt him as the quality of player he goes up against increases. Without a solid post game, Rabb’s game will rely almost wholly on attacking the glass. And there, with his slight frame, it is unclear whether he can bang around.

Rabb has a developing jumper too. It is unclear how involved he could be in the pick-and-roll game and how much more room he has to grow that jumper with his poor free throw shooting. It shows plenty of promise. But it is not NBA ready. Rabb will need some time to grow. That was what his sophomore year was supposed to provide.

It is just unclear how much of his game will translate.

And that is the story for Rabb. What will translate for him?

He showed a ton of promise his freshman year and seemed set to continue to grow as he decided to head back to California. Instead, his production stagnated. He did not seem to take his game to the next level.

That raises only questions in this futures game called the NBA Draft.

Next: Orlando Magic Second Round Draft Targets

Ivan Rabb can still grow. He has one skill that should help him translate to the NBA in some way. But he will have to work hard to prove that will help him stick in this league.