NBA Draft 2022: Live scouting report of top Big Ten Basketball prospects

E.J. Liddell – Junior – Ohio State – 6’7, 240 lbs – December 2000

One of the more well-known players in the Big Ten, Liddell clearly took feedback from when he tested the NBA waters last season. Playing a little more on the perimeter, Liddell has gotten to show his ball skills and his improvement as a shooter.

Liddell was questionable to play with the flu, but toughed it out and finished with 21 points on 7-15 shooting. Liddell hit one of his two threes, but the mid-range, high-post area is where he’s best. Liddell can face up a defender and drive past, or turn it into a post-up and hit some tough jumpers.

The shot is a little flat and his release could be sped up, but with his good touch and free throw percentage, I buy his projection long-term as a shooting prospect. He needs to improve at making reads with the gravity he draws, especially to make plays in the short roll.

Despite being undersized, Liddell is an elite college rim protector, especially from the weak side. He has elite timing and understanding of when to rotate and jump. Liddell is strong, but only 6’7 in shoes (his official combine measurement last year), so what level of rim protection he offers will be the key. If he can be a small-ball five, that maximizes his value but I’m not sure he’ll be able to alter enough shots.

Regardless, Liddell should fit most schemes as a traditional four on both sides of the court. I worry about the lateral quickness to guard threes that play up, and would like some more passing. But, Liddell has shown tangible improvement each year in college and is regarded as a hard-working, good kid, which is always something I want to bet on. I have some reservations about taking an undersized, junior-aged player in the lottery, but I think he’s comfortably a first-round pick.