Each day until the 2025 NBA Draft, Pippen Ain't Easy will profile one prospect who makes sense as a fit for the Bulls in either the first or second round. These players could fill a need, such as on-ball defense or rim protection, or could fit an archetype that Chicago lacks on its current roster, like an athletic big man or 3-and-D wing.
A surprise one-and-done, Georgetown's Thomas Sorber came to Washington, D.C., as a consensus top-60 recruit, but wasn't ranked better than 40 on any scouting service. Despite the relatively low attention rate paid to Sorber, he began his collegiate career with a bang, scoring 20-plus in his first two contests.
Sorber finished his freshman campaign averaging 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game. His impressive inaugural season at Georgetown was cut short in February. Sorber hurt his left foot in a contest against the Butler Bulldogs and subsequently underwent surgery to remedy the injury.
Because of the injury, Sorber couldn't compete in any athletic or shooting drills at the NBA Combine. Nevertheless, he impressed NBA Front Offices with his standout measurements. Sorber measured a tick over 6 feet 9 inches barefoot, but he more than made up for his so-so height with a monstrous 7-foot-6 wingspan, the second-best in the draft class. The 19-year-old also weighed in at 263 pounds, making him the heaviest player at the combine.
Thomas Sorber's scouting report
Elite measurements combined with outstanding counting stats make you wonder how Sorber isn't projected to go higher in next week's draft. However, a season-ending foot injury and a throwback game make Sorber one of the riskier prospects in the draft class.
Offense
Throwback is a terrific way to describe Sorber's game. He is far from a modern, rim-rolling center, but doesn't fall into the floor-stretching big bin either. Of 133 made field goals, only 22 were dunks and six were three-pointers.
Sorber's preferred modus operandi is with his back to the basket. He's extremely physical in the low-post and does a terrific job sealing defenders to make himself available for an entry pass. He utilizes post-hooks, quick-full and half-spins, and drop-steps. Sorber isn't necessarily a wizard in the post with a vast arsenal of moves, but his physicality and insane length are apparent. Improbable hook shots over taller defenders are made to look easy using his 7-foot-6 wingspan.
While a low-post, back-to-the-basket game was most often utilized by Sorber at Georgetown, his face-up game sparked NBA intrigue. Sorber is a baseline specialist who appears more comfortable scoring under the basket, using the rim as protection. He uses the backboard better than most and somehow finds the correct angle even when it appears impossible.
When facing up, Sorber is more dangerous, taking a few dribbles and getting to his spot rather than shooting a jumper. He didn't lack confidence shooting from the mid-range, but his shot was inconsistent, especially his touch. Sometimes, careening shots of the backboard or the rim. Still, there's hope he'll become a reliable jump-shooter—he shot 72.4 percent on 4.4 free throw attempts per game.
As a spot-up shooter, Sorber is a work in progress. He converted merely 6-of-37 three-point attempts. It's possible the 6-foot-10 big doesn't shoot much, if any, three-pointers as a rookie in the NBA. That brings us to Sorber's pick-and-roll/pop proficiency. He's not the most adept in either scenario as a modern center. For what it's worth, Sorber didn't play alongside crafty pick-and-roll playmakers in college.
Yet, producing in the pick-and-roll is almost a prerequisite for today's centers. Sorber is a massive target and sturdy screen-setter, but he's not a lob threat due to his subpar athleticism. The 19-year-old works best as a short-roll playmaker. He's more comfortable taking a dribble or two to feel his defender and weaving passes to his cutting teammates.
Sorber averaged 2.4 assists per game with a 15.6 assists percentage. At this stage in his development, he's far from a passing hub, but he falls in between fellow potential first-rounders Danny Wolf and Derik Queen as a passing hub.
Defense
Although he isn't the best vertical athlete, Sorber rejected 2.0 shots per game, 0.7 blocks per game more than Duke's Khaman Maluach. His pterodactyl-like wingspan comes in handy when defending shots at the rim.
Sorber is often in the right spot and puts his defensive IQ on notice with his well-timed rotations. He's aware of not only where his matchup is on the floor but also cutters and penetrating guards. Sorber's superb positioning leads to plenty of deflections and keeps his foul rate relatively modest. The New Jersey-native averaged only 2.8 fouls per 40 minutes.
Sorber's defensive playmaking doesn't end with his shot-blocking ability. He averaged 1.5 steals per game, second on the Hoyas behind Micah Peavy. Sorber intercepted quite a lot of passes for a lumbering big man. His anticipation and ability to read opposing guards played to Sorber's strengths as a defender.
In the NBA, Sorber will consistently be involved in a slew of pick-and-rolls. He showed promise in drop coverage, using his IQ and long limbs to jump passes and deter shots at the rim. But he's not the most mobile on the perimeter. Sorber isn't one to switch onto ball handlers and get stops. Whenever the switch is more methodical, i.e., his opposition sizes him up, he does a nice job of staying in front. However, blow-bys are typical when he's tasked with rushing out to defend the opposing player.
Lastly, as a physical, 260-pound, long-limbed big man, Sorber is a great rebounder. He plays with a high motor and actively seeks to snatch a rebound. The former Hoya averaged 5.8 defensive and 2.7 offensive rebounds per contest.
Thomas Sorber's fit with the Chicago Bulls
While the Bulls have a pressing need for a starting-caliber center of the future, it's unclear whether Sorber fits the bill. He's almost similar to a young Nikola Vucevic the way he operates offensively. His best skill is his post scoring, which is seldom used in today's NBA.
Furthermore, like a young Vucevic, he can score in the mid-range, but isn't a true floor spacer. Vucevic didn't convert one three-pointer as a collegiate freshman, but did connect on 29-of-83 triples as a junior. It wouldn't be surprising for Sorber to carve a similar path if he had remained at Georgetown.
Where Sorber differs from Vucevic is his defense. Although not the most mobile, he makes up for it with his wingspan and IQ. Sorber would be an immediate upgrade over all of the Bulls' bigs on the defensive end. His ability to block, contest, and deter shots is much-needed on a squad that saw rookie Matas Buzelis pile up a team-leading 75 rejections.
The conundrum with selecting Sorber all comes back to fit. Is he mobile enough to succeed in Billy Donovan's space-and-pace offense? There's no telling. Vucevic found success as a pick-and-pop partner with Josh Giddey and as a trailer. Vooch sank 129 triples a season ago. It's bold to assume Sorber would convert even 25 as a rookie.
Chicago's picture-perfect big man is ideally a rim-rolling, defensive anchor. Sorber is ultimately more skilled than this archetype, but his play style isn't cohesive with the run-and-gun nature at which the Bulls play.
For more prospect profiles and all things draft-related, check out Pippen Ain't Easy's Chicago Bulls draft page. A new prospect's scouting report will be added daily.