NBA2K15

Mauricio Afolabi

 

 

Player Profile:

 

Height (shoeless): 7'1.5"
Listed height: 7'2"
Listed weight: 265
Wingspan: 7'10"
Vertical: 34in

Current Position: C
NBA Position: C

Possible: C

Best Case: Wilt Chamberlain
Worst Case: Dwight Howard
Draft Projection: 1st Overall

 

Analysis:

 

When your worst case scenario is "Dwight Howard", you know you're something special.

Mauricio Afolabi is a 7'1" center (7'2" in shoes) with a 7'10" wingspan. At that size, he can touch the rim simply by going on his tippy toes. The man is massive. He's one of the strongest young players we've seen, weighing in at 265 pounds. And he isn't too bad of an athlete either; he posted a 34 inch vertical at the Nike Hoop Summit.

He was born in the Congo, but moved to his father's native country Italy when he was 7 years old (and 5'3"). He started playing basketball at around the age of 13, where he was immediately moved up within various feeder programs. Mauricio was still dominating against players significantly older than him, and it was only a matter of time before word got out.

 

Using that 7'10" wingspan, Mauricio is able to block shots that you wouldn't even think could be altered at all. Even if he doesn't necessarily get the block himself, his presence alone is enough to scare players away from the rim. Mauricio also can easily swallow up any and all rebounds -- evidenced by his 36 rebound game against an inferior but competitive opponent. Offensively, he's still a bit raw, but he is very coordinated and finishes lobs with ease. If he catches the ball close to the basket, watch out.

 

Part of what makes Mauricio so coveted is that not only does he possess a physical profile that surpasses most NBA players, but he also has a great character and desire to learn. Mauricio knows 5 languages -- English, Italian, French, Lingala, Spanish -- and he's working on adding his sixth, German. On the court, he's still learning the game itself and keeps improving his jumpshot day by day.

 

"People tend to forget that I've only been playing basketball for five, six years. I'm still new to this game and I want to learn more."

 

Between his physical tools, athleticism, ability to learn, and his overall dominance on the court, Afolabi brings a skillset that hasn't been seen since the great Wilt Chamberlain himself. He's got a whole lot to work on to reach if he wants to reach that status, but he appears to have unlimited potential.

 

Projection:

 

Mauricio Afolabi will be the 1st pick of the 2016 Draft. This shouldn't come as a surprise; it's been known for quite some time now. Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, LeBron James -- Mauricio Afolabi hopes to be the next name added to the list of legends drafted 1st overall.