Small ball has probably overtaken it at this point, but not too long ago “rim protection” was the biggest buzzword in the NBA. A single elite rim protector can alter a team’s defense in a way no other defensive player can, and completely change the way an opposing offense attacks. As the NBA gets smaller and smaller, finding the balance between big men who can defend in space and those who can protect the rim will be a key decision for every team.
This draft is relatively stacked towards the power forward and center position, and all of these guys can be labeled as “rim protectors” to at least some degree.
Skal Labissiere — Kentucky Wildcats
For all the (justified) hand ringing about Skal’s performance to date, he’s still averaging an impressive 3.4 blocks per 40 pace adjusted. At a true 6-11 with a 9-0 standing reach and above average vertical ability, he’s able to alter any shot in his vicinity. The key for Skal is being in that vicinity, as he could be an even more devastating shot blocker if he more consistently rotated to and protected the rim. Still, as someone with the tools to both protect the rim and defend in space, Skal could have a very bright future on the defensive end.
Jakob Poeltl — Utah Utes
Poeltl isn’t the longest (7-1 wingspan) and has only average explosion for a center, but his 7-0 frame and smart positioning make him a threat at the rim. He only averages 2.7 blocks per 40 pace adjusted, but he does a great job of rotating to the rim and going straight up to alter opponents shots. His grasp of verticality for his age might be the best in this year’s entire class. He’s not going to fly out of nowhere for weak side blocks, but he has the mobility to contest shots and the size to deter them, making him a force at the rim.
Ivan Rabb — California Golden Bears
It is unclear whether or not Rabb has the rim protecting chops to function as a true center in the NBA. He’s only averaging 2.1 blocks per 40 pace and he only stands 6-9 without shoes, but there are still reasons to believe. He’s got a solid 9-0 standing reach, pretty good leaping ability and has already shown the ability to contest shots well by walling up. He’s been forced to play a lot of 4 next to Cal’s huge frontline, which has dragged him away from the rim, but I think he’s got the ability to be the sole rim protector even at the next level.
Diamond Stone — Maryland Terrapins
Stone certainly has the size to protect the rim at any level of basketball. He stands somewhere around 6-10 and 6-11 without shoes, has a 7-3.5 wingspan and 9-1.5 standing reach to complement his height. Stone’s weakness comes with his athleticism — he’s below average from a vertical standpoint and his lateral mobility is a real concern. So far he’s averaging a solid 2.6 blocks per 40 pace, but with his raw size NBA teams might hope for a little more from him protecting the rim. If he’s a poor mover in space and an only average rim protector it’s going to be hard for him to stay on the court defensively.
Cheick Diallo — Kansas Jayhawks
Diallo’s small minute sample so far makes it hard to judge too much about him, but his 3.3 blocks per 40 pace is impressive nonetheless. Diallo’s an interesting case because he is only 6-9 in shoes but has a massive 7-4 wingspan and enough explosion to come up with some highlight blocks. As we see more of him, hopefully we’ll get a better idea of whether he has the nuances of rim protection down, but his performance thus far gives hope that he can protect the rim at a high level despite lacking traditional center size.
Jonathan Jeanne — Le Mans (France)
Jeanne is a bit of a mystery box at this stage with almost no pro experience at high levels, but standing at 7-2 his appeal as a rim protector is obvious. In addition to his lanky frame, he’s actually a fairly fluid mover in space and a good above the rim athlete. He averaged 3.6 blocks per 40 at the U-18 European Championships last summer, and if he ever makes it in the NBA his primary contribution will be protecting the rim.
Stephen Zimmerman — UNLV Runnin’ Rebels
Zimmerman has a lot of the raw tools you would want from a rim protector — solid standing height (6-10.5 without shoes), a 7-3 wingspan and impressive hops for a big guy. However, he is only averaging a decent 2.8 blocks per 40 pace. He seems to lack fluidity extending and locating shots in the air, but his raw ability allows him to make an impact. His baseline is already solid and he could become a powerful deterrent at the rim if he can improve his timing and feel for contesting shots.
Damian Jones — Vanderbilt Commodores
Standing at 7-0 in shoes with an acceptable 7-2 wingspan, as well as the bounciness to play above the rim and fantastic lateral quicks, Damian Jones could be a great rim protector. However, two major things are holding him back right now. For one, he spends a lot of time guarding 4s at Vandy, pulling him away from the rim. But more importantly, when he is playing the 5 or should be the one rotating, he’s slow to pickup on assignments and just doesn’t position himself well to make a play on the ball.
The key for Jones is his awareness and recognition of threats. If he realizes he needs to help, he’s more than capable of rotating and altering a shot.
Zhou Qi — Xinjian Tigers (China)
Qi would be my pick for best rim protector in this year’s class. His raw measurements of 7-2 height, 7-6.5 wingspan and 9-6.5 standing reach are basically only matched by Rudy Gobert in today’s NBA. Surprisingly, he’s not stiff either — he’s reasonably mobile and elevates well for a man of his size. He translates his tools onto the court well and is currently averaging an insane 4.2 blocks per 40 in the CBA. The question for Qi is whether or not NBA defenders will be able to just power through his ultra skinny frame. I’m a Qi optimist and think it’s entirely realistic that he could be one of the NBA’s premier rim protectors down the road.
Thomas Bryant — Indiana Hoosiers
Bryant is somewhat of a contradiction when it comes to protecting the rim. His 6-9 height without shoes isn’t great for a big man, but his 7-5.5 wingspan and 9-4 standing reach should more than make up for his lack of height. He’s a mediocre leaper, but still good enough to expect his length to be constantly apparent. However, he’s averaging only 2.2 blocks per 40 pace, a dissapointing number for anyone with his length. He doesn’t have a good feel for contesting shots in the air and he is even worse about moving his feet and putting himself in position to contest shots. You can’t teach his length, but he’s got a long way to go to actually be an effective rim protector.
Ivica Zubac — Cibona Zagreb (Croatia)
Length measurements for Zubac aren’t available, but he’s a big 7-footer and has more explosion going to the rim than his heavy frame suggests. On a tiny (65 minute) sample for Cibona this year he’s averaged 3.8 blocks per 40 pace. He also averaged 2.6 blocks per 40 across last summer’s U-18 European Championship and U-19 World Championship. Like Diamond Stone, questions surround Zubac’s ability to move his feet, but when he meets opponents at the rim his size and strength can snuff most shots out.
Deyonta Davis — Michigan State Spartans
Looking at just Davis’s measurements one wouldn’t expect too much. He’s not even 6-10 in shoes, according to his last measure in 2014, and has a fine but not superlative 7-1.5 wingspan. However, Davis is averaging an insane 5.1 blocks per 40 pace, and has done it over a fairly sizable 290 minute sample so far this year. The Michigan State freshmen is flying under the radar, but he bounces out of the gym and has great insintcs for aggressively rotating over and altering shots. Current projections have him as a second rounder who will likely stay in school, but I believe his potential as a rim and roll stud is being significantly underrated.
A.J. Hammons — Purdue Boilermakers
Hammon is already 23-years-old, making everything about him a lot less enticing, but he’s been a great rim protector his whole college career. He’s a 7-footer in shoes with a 7-3 wingspan and a thick frame but some real explosion despite his stockiness. As a result, Hammons is averaging 4.6 blocks per 40 pace, and there’s little reason to think he wouldn’t be a good rim protector at the next level. Guys his size with above the rim ability and some offensive skill are intriguing no matter their age.
Chinuanu Onuaku — Louisiville Cardinals
Rick Pitino’s sophomore big man is around average in terms of physical tools — 6-10 in shoes, 7-2.5 wingspan, 9-1.5 standing reach and average leaping. Nonetheless, he manages to average an impressive 3.7 blocks per 40 pace. He’s got very nimble feet for someone with his frame, and has great timing and instincts for disrupting his opponents. Onuaku is a particularly interesting defensive player because he averages 1.4 steals per 40 pace despite being an interior-oriented big man.
Luke Kornet — Vanderbilt Commodores
The reason Damian Jones is often playing the 4 at Vandy is because he plays next to another 7-footer in Kornet. After averaging less than 2 blocks per 40 pace his first two years in college, Kornet has emerged this year with a stunning 5.5 blocks per 40 pace. Length measurements aren’t available for Kornet, but he’s not a great leaper and I tend to think his shot blocking numbers so far this year are mostly an aberration. However, he does a good job positioning himself at the rim and there is definitely hope he could be an effective rim protector at the next level.
Marcus Lee — Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky’s other big man only stands 6-9 in shoes but has a 7-3 wingspan and is quick and bouncy off the ground, allowing him to serve as a rim protector. He’s frequently guilty of falling for pump fakes and trying to block shots he has no chance at. As an undersized 5, it is even more important he gets those skills to a high level. That being said, he averages a solid 3.3 blocks per 40 pace and is able to make some impressive plays due to his ability to get off the floor.