For each of the last two seasons, the Auburn Tigers had a very promising wing player that went into the NBA Draft. That will be true if freshman star 6-foot-6 small forward Isaac Okoro winds up declaring for the 2020 NBA Draft. Okoro would reportedly be the first lottery pick in 32 years for the Auburn basketball program if he does declare and got that high in the first round.
Last year, the Orlando Magic almost broke that streak for Auburn by drafting small forward Chuma Okeke with the 16th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. But Okoro looks to have a higher ceiling and more proven body of work coming out of college than Okeke did. Okoro is also healthier than Okeke was coming out of college.
Such a versatile and skilled wing like Okoro would be tremendously fun to watch in the NCAA Tournament. And Auburn was one of the more entertaining teams to watch in both the SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament last year. Seeing that reign fall short is a shame and cost Okoro another opportunity to prove himself on the national stage.
In 28 games played last season, Okoro averaged 12.9 points per game, 4.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.9 blocks, and 0.9 steals, while shooting 51.4 percent from the field and 29.0 percent from beyond the arc. A true shooting percentage of 58.7 was very solid. But his poor outside shooting leaves something to be desired.