Post by zeropointzero on Sept 23, 2010 19:59:42 GMT -5
Patrick O’Bryant
Age: 20
Height: 7’0’’
Weight: 255
Position: C
Inside = C+: O’Bryant is very tough to stop once he gets the ball close to the basket, as he is very strong finisher. Using that potent combination of strength, size, and athleticism, he can power up and dunk where most post players would have to rely on a finesse move. He is either bigger or more athletic than almost anybody he could face at the college level. As far as a back to the basket game, O’Bryant is still raw, but progressing. He utilizes hook shot and drop step moves, and appears to have a basic understanding of how to score on the low blocks. With his ability to gain position close to the basket and his wingspan, O’Bryants jump hook could be particularly devastating down the road.
Outside = D+: O’Bryant is clearly lacking a perimeter game. This isn’t a big deal right now for a player that is likely to make his living within five feet of the basket, but at some point he should probably add a 10-15 foot jumper to his arsenal. He also completely lacks a left hand at this point.
Handling = D+: O’Bryant is not likely to flourish in an uptempo offense, while he is decently athletic for his size, he isn’t nearly as skilled as some of his peers. Conditioning is also a big concern.
Defense = C+: For all of O’Bryant’s deceptive fluidity and raw power, his game still comes off as a bit mechanical at the moment. He tends to struggle against stockier, more athletic big men that can knock him off balance a bit. This also shows up on the glass, where he oftentimes fails to gain position against more athletic big men, and on the defensive end, where he sometimes struggles to rotate quickly.
Rebounding = C+: See “Defense”
Potential = A: O’Bryant is your classic late bloomer, after a non-descript high school career and very little high-D1 recruiting interest (local school Minnesota didn’t offer him). He has made a stunning turnaround at Bradley, developing into a force as a rebounder and shot blocker, and dramatically improving his all-around game. Obviously, improvement like this doesn’t come without a lot of hard work and dedication. For this reason, it is likely that O’Bryant will continue to improve down the road.
