Draft Expert Breaks Down Wembanyama, Jazz Rookies

SALT LAKE CITY –  Yahoo Sports NBA Draft expert Krysten Peek joined Jake Scott and Ben Anderson to discuss Victor Wembanyama, and Utah Jazz rookies Walker Kessler and Ochai Agbaji.

Peek was in Las Vegas to watch the G League Ignite featuring phenom guard Scoot Henderson host Wembanyama and the Metropolitan 92s.

Wembanyama, the presumed number one overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, stands well over seven-feet tall, is already an elite rim protector, and has perimeter offensive skills unlike any prospect before him.

“It looks like he was born to be there, he’s a generational type talent,” Peek said on The KSL Sports Zone. “I think he’s going to take the NBA by storm and completely change the game.”

Wembanyama, Scoot, And The Jazz

Wembanyama, 18, didn’t disappoint in his Las Vegas debut scoring 37 points, knocking down seven threes, blocking five shots, and grabbing four rebounds.

The French center had drawn comparisons to this year’s number two overall pick Chet Holmgren, though Peek warned that those comparisons might not be accurate.

“If you think you know what 7-foot-3, 7-foot-4 looks like, in person? You don’t.” Peek said. “You think that Holmgren is tall? Victor’s got him by three or four inches.”

Victor Wembanyama is crazy 🤯 pic.twitter.com/VDsYp3f2DA

— BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) October 5, 2022

But Wembanyama wasn’t the only player who should excite the Jazz in the upcoming draft. Henderson did his best to show he’s not conceding the top overall pick with a full season ahead of him.

The Ignite guard scored 28 points, dished out nine assists, and grabbed five rebounds in the win.

“Victor, by far, I think is solidifying himself as the number one pick but Scoot was giving me serious Ja Morant vibes on the court,” Peek said.

Morant found himself in a similar situation to Henderson in the 2019 NBA Draft when he was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies behind Zion Williamson whose physical profile made him the number overall pick.

Scoot Henderson stepback 3 over Victor Wembanyama 👀🎯 pic.twitter.com/CmeGk8qoZa

— BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) October 5, 2022

The Grizzlies guard went on to win the Rookie of the Year award and was an All-NBA Second Team member last season.

Henderson, also 18, spent last season in the G League with the Ignite and averaged 14.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in his first year of professional basketball.

“I can’t even imagine what he’s going to be at 20, 21, and 22 years old in the league,” Peek said. “Knowing that he’s already gone up against players in the G League for two years — guys that have already had long careers in the NBA, some that are twice his age and he’s the leader. He’s a floor general and he’s dominating players in competition.”

Peek Talks Jazz Rookies

Peek also discussed Walker Kessler and Ochai Agbaji, two Jazz rookies who joined the team over the summer, but neither of who were drafted by the organization.

“H led all of college basketball in blocks,” Peek said of Kessler. “I think he the NBA game is going to take a little bit more time to adjust for him just with the pace and spacing, especially at the pick and roll and guarding bigger, stronger players.”

Kessler has had several bright spots in his first two games for the Jazz filling in as the backup center for the injured Udoka Azubuike.

Here's why I like the Walker Kessler short roll:

1. Timing slipping the screen
2. Soft hands on the catch
3. Good feet to stop abruptly
4. Vision to find Olynyk

A lot of good stuff not too many seven-footers have.#TakeNote | @kslsports pic.twitter.com/akHeUc4hZg

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) October 5, 2022

Meanwhile, Agbaji has been relegated to late game minutes with the Jazz depth at the wing.

“[Ochai] is a guy who tested the NBA waters three times, took the advice from the NBA instead, went back [to college] and got better,” Peek said. “He was one of the most consistent three-point jumps shooters in college basketball — he won a national title, lead Kansas to that — and he’s older. So I think he’s going to have a more prominent role on this young Jazz team.”

You can listen to Jake and Ben on The KSL Sports Zone from 10a-12p Monday through Friday.

Follow @benshoops