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From Sam Vecenie (The Athletic) back in July:
Akok Akok, Forward, Mass Rivals (Class of 2019): Considered a consensus mid-tier four-star prospect entering the event, Akok quickly showed that he’s more than that over the course of the event. At what looks to be around 6-foot-9 with a plus-six wingspan, he was arguably the best defensive prospect in attendance.
His timing for blocking shots is impeccable. He swatted at least five shots in four separate games over the course of the weekend, and did it in all sorts of different situations. He blocked them in recovery when trailing a driving guard, swatted them in help on weak-side rotations, and even had a few blocks where he got stuck on an island with a guard, moved his feet, and blocked a jump shot. He can defend up and down the lineup, too, due to his ability to slide with opposing guards.
Offensively, Akok also presents an interesting skill set for a 6-9 player. He can shoot it for a big man, possessing a terrific release that is clean and gets great rotation on the ball. He takes the occasional bad shot as the best player on Mass Rivals, and he’s still a bit streaky. But there’s plenty of reason to believe he’ll be a consistent shooter in time. He can also handle a bit, and he knocked down a few fadeaway jumpers off the dribble.
Indeed, that ability to move his feet and protect the rim while also shooting it is what makes Akok such an intriguing long-term talent given the way the NBA is going. He’s not a lottery prospect at this stage or anything, but he’s a guy worth tracking as a potential first rounder down the road if he keeps rounding out his game.
Right now, there’s not much in the way of wiggle in his game, and he’s not someone who looks completely comfortable attacking closeouts. He profiles more as a 4-man as opposed to a 5 due to his lack of height and his inconsistency as a rebounder. However, he’s not quite comfortable enough as a playmaker for others yet to be a true perimeter 4. This is something that Wenyen Gabriel struggled with throughout his two years at Kentucky, and there are definitely some similarities between their games.
In that way, there’s a bit of tweener to him as an NBA prospect. Overall, his offensive feel isn’t great unless he’s trying to create a jumper for himself — part of the reason he ended up shooting slightly below 40 percent while leading Mass Rivals to a championship game appearance against Compton Magic — where he struggled against the size and length the Mobley brothers and Onyeka Okongwu presened him. This is where he needs to improve.
Still, Akok put himself on the radar in a substantial way over the weekend, and likely will be seen as a borderline 4/5 star prospect for colleges chasing him. Northeastern schools such as Connecticut, Providence and Syracuse are currently seen as the favorites for the Putnam Science Academy student.
Akok Akok, Forward, Mass Rivals (Class of 2019): Considered a consensus mid-tier four-star prospect entering the event, Akok quickly showed that he’s more than that over the course of the event. At what looks to be around 6-foot-9 with a plus-six wingspan, he was arguably the best defensive prospect in attendance.
His timing for blocking shots is impeccable. He swatted at least five shots in four separate games over the course of the weekend, and did it in all sorts of different situations. He blocked them in recovery when trailing a driving guard, swatted them in help on weak-side rotations, and even had a few blocks where he got stuck on an island with a guard, moved his feet, and blocked a jump shot. He can defend up and down the lineup, too, due to his ability to slide with opposing guards.
Offensively, Akok also presents an interesting skill set for a 6-9 player. He can shoot it for a big man, possessing a terrific release that is clean and gets great rotation on the ball. He takes the occasional bad shot as the best player on Mass Rivals, and he’s still a bit streaky. But there’s plenty of reason to believe he’ll be a consistent shooter in time. He can also handle a bit, and he knocked down a few fadeaway jumpers off the dribble.
Indeed, that ability to move his feet and protect the rim while also shooting it is what makes Akok such an intriguing long-term talent given the way the NBA is going. He’s not a lottery prospect at this stage or anything, but he’s a guy worth tracking as a potential first rounder down the road if he keeps rounding out his game.
Right now, there’s not much in the way of wiggle in his game, and he’s not someone who looks completely comfortable attacking closeouts. He profiles more as a 4-man as opposed to a 5 due to his lack of height and his inconsistency as a rebounder. However, he’s not quite comfortable enough as a playmaker for others yet to be a true perimeter 4. This is something that Wenyen Gabriel struggled with throughout his two years at Kentucky, and there are definitely some similarities between their games.
In that way, there’s a bit of tweener to him as an NBA prospect. Overall, his offensive feel isn’t great unless he’s trying to create a jumper for himself — part of the reason he ended up shooting slightly below 40 percent while leading Mass Rivals to a championship game appearance against Compton Magic — where he struggled against the size and length the Mobley brothers and Onyeka Okongwu presened him. This is where he needs to improve.
Still, Akok put himself on the radar in a substantial way over the weekend, and likely will be seen as a borderline 4/5 star prospect for colleges chasing him. Northeastern schools such as Connecticut, Providence and Syracuse are currently seen as the favorites for the Putnam Science Academy student.
