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2017 Orlando Magic Draft Preview: Who is Ike Anigbogu?

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Feb 25, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Ike Anigbogu (13) shoots the ball as Arizona Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen (10) and center Dusan Ristic (14) defend during the first half at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Ike Anigbogu (13) shoots the ball as Arizona Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen (10) and center Dusan Ristic (14) defend during the first half at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Bad

Anigbogu did not get a ton of playing time at UCLA — just 13.0 minutes per game — so it is hard to project too much with him. He did not get a lot of playing time or experience in his lone year with the Bruins.

That also hid a lot of his shortcomings.

Anigbogu does not have a lot of offensive skills outside of put backs and dunks. His footwork in the post needs a lot of work. And if there is a defender in front of him, he is going to struggle. No one is about to send the ball into the post and let Anigbogu go to work.

No one is about to send the ball into the post and let Anigbogu go to work.

Defensively, Anigbogu is a good shot blocker but will struggle against opposing players one on one. At least for now at this stage of his development. Anigbogu committed 2.5 fouls per game in his 13.0 minutes per game — that is 7.6 fouls per 40 minutes.

The bottom line is Anigbogu is extremely raw. His skills are very limited at this point. He relies more on his athleticism than anything else and Anigbogu has to stick to what he does best right now. Those are some very simplistic things at the moment.

He has good defensive instincts and upside. That shot blocking is encouraging. But that is about all that he has right now.

His rebounding was good, but he also did not rebound at an incredibly encouraging rate — 16.9 percent total rebound rate in his limited minutes. It is not dominating in the least. And this is typically a number that translates among center.

The question with Anigbogu is whether he can overcome these shortcomings and develop into a stronger player. His skills are ill-defined.

He has the athleticism to be a good shot blocker and rim runner, finishing around the basket. But he does not have the refined skills to be relied on immediately.