2011 Scouting Reports: Enes Kanter

Player: Enes Kanter
Specifics: 6’11 272 pound
Birth date: 19 years old on May 20   (very interested to see real numbers here)
Numbers: hasn’t played

Game Scouted: 2008 Turkey v. Croatia

BACKGROUNDEnrolled at Kentucky but the NCAA forbid him from playing because of benefits he received while playing in the professional league in Turkey. He was born in Switzerland. The 2010 Nike Hoop Summit was his coming out party when he had 34 points and 13 rebounds.  The 34 points broke Dirk Nowitzki’s Hoop Summit Record.  First played pro in 2008 as a 16 year old in the Turkish league though played very little. 

In the Under 18 European Championships he played against some of the other big names when he was 2 years younger than most of the talent and was the best player. He averaged 24 points, 10 rebounds and shot 74%. 

He turned down long term European deals because he wanted to come to the US.  Comes from a well off professional family. 

OVERALL: 
The video used for this scouting report is from 2008 so much time has passed, but he has played limited in that time frame. 

This is an NBA player.  His elite skill is rebounding. He is going to be a big time rebounder in the NBA. My guess is a 10 rebound a night player if he gets time.  He moves well for his size.  Has a nice bounce to his step.  His body is big enough to hold his own and defend. Not a higher flyer shot blocker but agile enough to move from side to side and cover ground. 

In interview at Kentucky said he wants to play face up rather than back to the basket and wants to be a forward rather than a center.  A little concerned he might be a 5 in a 4’s body.

QUICK SYNOPSIS
Kanter is legitimate NBA big man.  He will be able to play both the 4 and the 5 in the NBA.  Will be an NBA starter. 

OFFENSE
Overall: Lives at the rim with good hands and nice ability to finish.  Post game and drive game are not refined but has the skills for them to become an asset

Post Game: Doesn’t have a go to move or a solid post game.  Has the size to become successful down low.  Makes a nice target in the post and flashes well to the post to get the ball.   He will be a post scorer at some point in his NBA career.

Shooting: Didn’t get a look at any game outside 5 feet.  Has great balance and super hands so he should be able to make the 10 to 15 footer.

Rebounding: This is his NBA skill. He uses his body terrifically.  He goes out of his area for rebounds.  He clears space.  He is going to be a big time rebounder in the NBA.

Passing: Will need to work on getting ball out of the post.  Commits turnovers when in traffic.

Picks: Plays the pick and roll.  Doesn’t use his size well to open up teammates and doesn’t do a very good job of getting open after the pick. Doesn’t open up to the ball handler well.

Understanding: Solid

DEFENSE
Overall: Big enough to hold his own and have an impact.  Moves well from side to side and is not a fish out of water when he is outside the key.  However, he is not an above the rim defender.

Post Defense: Holds ground and forces players to over the top of him which usually means fading back.

On Floor Defense: Strong considering his size and weight.  Recovers well.  Is not a statue.  Moves with the ball handler.

Movement: Very good for his height.

Pick and Roll D: I think he will be able to be a decent NBA pick and roll defender for his size.

Rebounding: Terrific rebounder and will be a rebounder in the NBA.

Shot Blocking: Not an above the rim defender.

SKILLS
Balance: Good balance for his size and age in this old video

Play Hard: This video is when he was 17 years old and he floated through the game for the first part and then clicked in and dominated.   Flashes hard to the post, but has some possessions that are pretty ugly where he could leave more out on the floor.

Feet: Good balance

Pressure: N/A

Attitude: Hard to tell.

PROJECTIONS
Best Case Scenario: Al Horford –  Carlos Boozer if he gets a post move
Likely Case Scenario: Marc Gasol or Marcin Gortat
Worst Case Scenario: Nazr Mohhamed