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2018 Orlando Magic NBA Draft Preview: Who is Elie Okobo?

By Ricky Scricca

France's Elie Okobo (R) is challenged by Belgium's Kevin Tumba during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 qualifying match between France and Belgium at the Palais des Sports Jean Weille in Nancy, eastern France, on February 25, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN (Photo credit should read JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN/AFP/Getty Images)
France's Elie Okobo (R) is challenged by Belgium's Kevin Tumba during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 qualifying match between France and Belgium at the Palais des Sports Jean Weille in Nancy, eastern France, on February 25, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN (Photo credit should read JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN/AFP/Getty Images) /
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The Bad

Elie Okobo’s transition from off-guard to lead guard was not seamless. He is a bit turnover-prone. His 19.8 percent turnover rate is greater than Trae Young, Collin Sexton and many of his other peers. He appears to have found his stride, with his efficiency ticking up in recent months. But that number is still a point of concern.

The turnovers are due in no small part to his decision-making on drives, where he will occasionally drive into traffic and elevate without a plan or pick up his dribble under pressure.

Sometimes it is foul-seeking behavior, other times it is just confusing. Okobo began working with a sports psychologist this year, which may be a reason why his efficiency has improved. But it is clear he knew this was an area of weakness.

These struggles are understandable given the drastic nature of his role change. He nearly doubled the percentage of teammate field goals he assisted on. Okobo went from 18.72 percent in LNB Pro A play last season to 32 percent this season. That is a massive jump in playmaking volume to adjust to, especially for a young initiator.

Equally concerning, and perhaps more frustrating, is the lack of defensive consistency.

He has clear potential on that end with his physical makeup but his effort and execution wax and wane. When he is locked in, he demonstrates good technique, good gap defense and good effort on closeouts and screens. But for a worrying amount of his possessions, he gives up far too easily on and off the ball. And then does not give second efforts.

Much of that is to be expected with a young player with a large offensive load. Plenty of NBA players underperform relative to their tools because of energy conservation. Russell Westbrook is a prime example of that. And even the lower end of his defensive projection is beyond much of this guard class.

That said, the lack of consistent motor and decision-making raises concerns about his floor as a prospect. It is well within his range of outcomes that he just does not make the necessary effort plays or small good decisions frequently enough to be a positive NBA player.

The self-awareness he showed by beginning work with a mental skills coach is encouraging, however.