2023 NBA Draft: UConn C Adama Sanogo declares after standout NCAA Event

UConn star Adama Sanogo is getting into the 2023 NBA Draft after a legendary NCAA Event efficiency throughout the Huskies’ march to the 2023 nationwide championship. Sanogo was named the Remaining 4’s Most Excellent Participant to cap a standout junior season throughout which he served as a crew co-captain.

Sanogo earned Third Crew All-America honors from CBS Sports activities for the 2022-23 season whereas proving practically unattainable for some opponents to defend. Sanogo averaged 17.2 factors and seven.7 rebounds on 60.6% capturing for the season, however elevated his sport even greater throughout the Large Dance with 19.7 factors and 9.8 rebounds on 66.7% capturing with 4 double-doubles in six double-digit event wins. Sanogo additionally demonstrated his blossoming perimeter contact within the Remaining 4 by hitting 2 of three makes an attempt from past the arc in UConn’s victory over Miami.

Past the measurable, on-court attributes that Sanogo introduced within the 2022-23 season, it was his management that helped maintain UConn throughout a roller-coaster season that culminated with this system standing atop school basketball for the fifth time up to now 25 seasons.

Sanogo’s draft projection

Sanogo is just not amongst CBS Sports activities’ high 50 draft prospects for the 2023 class. He might want to shed the label of “conventional large” with a purpose to rise draft boards and grow to be a rotation participant on an NBA crew.

At simply 6-foot-9 and with good-not-great athleticism, Sanogo is just not an elite rim protector. His greatest weapon for UConn has been his offense acumen within the publish. Nevertheless, Sanogo added the 3-point shot to his arsenal throughout the 2022-23 season by hitting 36.5% of his makes an attempt from the arc and regarded nice as a passer when Gonzaga introduced double groups throughout the Elite Eight. He additionally has the prospect to grow to be a serviceable perimeter defender since he has better-than-expected lateral agility for a participant of his measurement and body.

Finally, the continued improvement of an outdoor shot and a dedication to defensive versatility are excessive on the checklist of abilities Sanogo might want to reveal with a purpose to be chosen within the NBA Draft.

Affect on UConn

Although Sanogo’s 2023 NCAA Event efficiency will go down within the annals of UConn basketball historical past, it turned obvious that Huskies’ coach Dan Hurley might face a troublesome choice with how one can deal with this system’s heart place for 2023-24 season amid the emergence of Donovan Clingan. 

The 7-foot-2 Clingan introduced on April 8 that he’s returning to this system for his sophomore season. As a real freshman, Clingan logged simply 13.1 minutes per sport behind Sanogo, however he shined when he was on the court docket by blocking 1.8 photographs per sport and making 65.5% of his offensive makes an attempt. Clingan’s emergence as one of many high rim protectors in all of school basketball alongside together with his offensive promise and noteworthy athleticism make him one of many sport’s most original bigs. Discovering sufficient taking part in time for each Clingan and Sanogo would have been a problem for Hurley in 2023-24.

After all, if Sanogo opted for a return to UConn, it might be an excellent drawback for Hurley to have. But when Sanogo stays within the draft, as he’s anticipated to do, the Huskies must be completely fantastic at heart with Clingan.