Hybrid Bigs Are The Future Of Basketball
With the NBA beginning to see bigs coming back into style, the hybrid big archetype is going to get a stronger and stronger grasp over the NBA’s economy.
Once again, it’s time to get to work on another deep dive into multiple players. This time I am taking a look at combo bigs. These prospects are going to be interesting to contend with. One-way bigs tend to have a harder path to NBA minutes and that will be factored in in these evaluations. With the NBA beginning to see ways that big men are coming back into style, the hybrid big archetype is going to get a stronger and stronger grasp over the NBA’s economy.
Derik Queen
C | 6’10” | 245 lbs | Maryland | Freshman
The 19-year-old 6’10 C from Maryland is having a fantastic year so far, posting per 40 minutes averages of 25 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, and 3 turnovers on a 65.4 true shooting percentage. While he's only 2-15 from 3, his 78% number from the charity stripe is encouraging for him to develop that three-pointer and his mid-ranger is already looking great. In my opinion, Queen is dangerously close to being the best big man in the class, let alone the best of this group. He’s listed at 246 lbs with a +3 wingspan, but he looks longer than that to me. It is going to be interesting to see where he fits; to me, he plays like an early 2000s PF like Zach Randolph, LaMarcus Aldridge, Paul Millsap, or modern guys like Alperen Sengun or Domatas Sabonis. He isn’t the post-up force that Randolph was and doesn’t have the Aldridge’s jumper, or Sabonis’ passing, so he’s not a perfect combination of those guys, but he’s in that vein. Encouragingly, he would be on the higher end of defenders for this group, especially as a switch big over a drop big. He shows some unique ability to not bite on pump fakes while also using his wingspan (seriously, it has to be more than 7’1) to block shots. I am going to get wild and say that I like Queen in the top 10. Indiana, Philly, and Chicago are great fits for him.
Asa Newell
PF | 6’10” | 240 lbs | Georgia | Freshman
The 19-year-old 6’11 big out of Georgia is not at all as good a playmaker as the other guys in this list, but he’s much more of a play-finisher. He’s posting per 40 minute averages of 24 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, and 1 turnover on a 57.8 true shooting percentage. Despite making one more three than Queen (3-19), given his more pedestrian 62% from the free throw line and his overall touch, I am less bullish about his shooting projection. That being said, Newell is a great athlete who uses his size well to scrap for rebounds and is a putback machine. He can get out and dribble the ball in the open court but doesn’t have the vision to consistently lead breaks. He is an excellent offensive rebounder, coming away with putbacks when you think he was boxed out. He has an excellent and effective motor. The comps for him are Marvin Bagley III or Brandon Wright. Newell seems like a clear first-rounder to me, though not in the lottery at the moment. The Clippers, Celtics, Nets, and Warriors should all be looking into grabbing him if he’s there.
Noah Penda
PF | 6’7” | 225 lbs | Le Mans (France) | 2005
The 20-year-old 6’8 French Forward from Le Mans is in a different context as a pro. His per 40 minute stats are 16 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks, and 2 turnovers on 54.5 true shooting percentage. He's shooting a nice 39% from three with a healthy 5 attempts per 40 but only 66% from the free throw line so there is some worry about the touch. His body is just extremely ready for the NBA, as he has wide shoulders and can cope with physicality. Penda is not at all worried about taking smaller opponents into the post but yet is also comfortable taking jumpers. I will say his numbers do look worse than the other guys but he is playing against professionals, so the context is different. I wish his handle was better and he would be more of a wing than a big, but it so far hasn't gotten there. He’s like a Thomas Robinson with a jumper; as someone who was a big fan of Robinson’s, I hope he can translate that game into the modern era. I have him solidly in the mid-first round. Penda has the upside of being a wing-ish player on defense or a big-ish player so teams that prioritize switching should look into him. Houston, San Antonio, and Oklahoma City could make big splashes with him.
Thomas Sorber
C | 6’10” | 225 lbs | Georgetown | Freshman
Sorber is a 19-year-old 6’10 C from the big man breeding ground of Georgetown who is posting per 40 minutes averages of 23 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks, 2 turnovers, and a 66.0 true shooting percentage. He’s shooting 33.3% from deep on low volume, but adds a good 79% on his free throws. Sorber has the most impressive stats out of all these prospects. However, I think he’s going to struggle outside of drop defense and that could hold him back with his average height. That being said, Sorber can stretch the floor and set teammates up while also doing all the normal big man things. He doesn't blow me away with any specific skill but he is willing to try everything. He reminds me, as someone who grew up in Nigeria, of Nigerian big men Chimezi Metu or Ekpe Udoh but with maybe more upside and consistency. I think he is probably in for a late first or early second round draft range. Boston, Dallas, and Indiana should all desperately hope he falls to them.
Zvonimir Ivisic
C | 7’2” | 225 lbs | Arkansas | Sophomore
The 21-year-old 7’3 Croatian big from Arkansas is probably an unexpected inclusion in this ‘combo big’ list, but his playing style is that of a power forward despite his immense size. With per 40 minute averages of 22 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 5 blocks, 5 turnovers, and a 77.8 true shooting percentage. He’s shooting a blistering 56% from long range and a more pedestrian 69% from the stripe. The rebounding numbers are concerning for a full-time five, but he was significantly better in that regard last year at Kentucky so maybe there is hope. Players of his height aren’t supposed to consistently hit the shots he hits, and his size also allows him to dominates on defense by protecting the rim. He compares well to Bol Bol and, hopefully, is more consistent and working his way up to be a Kristaps Porzingis lite. The durability and rebounding concerns could drop him into the second round, but I think Big Z will get drafted this year. Atlanta, Cleveland, the Lakers, and the Magic could all make great use of Zvonimir Ivisic in their lineups.
Conclusion
These prospects are a lot of fun and this is a great year for teams needing combo bigs to target one in the draft. There are options all over the draft that can make a difference for an NBA team. The much-lamented death of the NBA big man has been slowly turning out to be a false prophecy; hopefully, this class can shut that door for good.