Michael Rataj Scouting Deepdive
In today's age of basketball uniformity, Oregon State's Michael Rataj looks to defy the odds with his unique style of play.
More now than ever, the basketball ecosystem is remarkably uniform. Analytics have allowed us to determine what works and what doesn’t, and most organizations and programs have adapted their philosophy to ensure that they’re aligned with these conclusions. This has made evaluating potential NBA prospects easier than ever. Can a player shoot the three? Do they have positive positional size? What about a consistent motor and the ability to play adequate defense? These questions are relatively easy to answer, and if a player is able to check most of these boxes, they are likely capable of succeeding at the next level. That said, what do we do when a player checks these boxes but somehow still doesn’t fit the agreed upon parameters for success? Well, in a lot of cases, that type of player is even more valuable than your typical NBA Draft candidate. Oregon State’s Michael Rataj is one of these players, a unique talent who is looking to use his atypical playstyle to excel at the professional level. Let’s talk about that.
Player Profile:
Michael Rataj is a 6’9” and 220lb junior forward from Augsburg, Germany. He joined the Beavers after a successful international youth career, playing with the German U15, U16, and U18 national teams. He then played for Ratiopharm Ulm, one of the better European prospect factories, in the German BBL. He joined Oregon State in 2022 and immediately cracked the rotation as a freshman, posting season-long averages of 6.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1 assist, .7 steals, and .3 blocks per game. He averaged 20.9 minutes per game throughout his freshman campaign and started 16 of 32 games. His output slightly improved during his sophomore season, averaging 8.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, .9 steals, and .5 blocks per game. He started 23 of 29 games and played 28 minutes a night during his second year with the Beavers.
After the departure of Oregon State’s three-leading scorers, Jordan Pope, Tyler Bilodeau, and Dexter Akanno, Rataj emerged as the team’s primary option on the offensive end for his junior campaign. He has taken this newfound responsibility in stride, as he’s currently averaging 16.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.2 steals, and .8 blocks per game on shooting splits of 48.4% from the field, 36.7% from three, and 79.7% from the free-throw line. He has led the Beavers to a 12-4 start to their season and has emerged as a legitimate NBA prospect in the process. Let’s break down what Rataj has done to push his game to another level, and why his unique style of play may translate well to a professional landscape.
Interior Scoring:
Rataj is a true three-level scorer, not scoring heavily from any one area of the floor. He’s a solid interior scorer, finding his way to the rim in a myriad of ways and finishing at the basket using his strength and impressive defensive manipulation. He actually doesn’t take a ton of layups or dunks, instead choosing to take close-range jump shots, floaters, and push shots on most of his drives to the hoop. That said, he’s an effective operative on layups and dunks, suggesting he’ll eventually increase his volume from this range.
Rataj utilizes impressive first step acceleration from the perimeter to blow past opposing forwards. He’s a decent ball handler who plays within his game and doesn’t try to do too much. He limits his dribbles by covering a ton of ground with big steps, subsequently limiting opportunities to turn the ball over. Finally, he often leaves the ground with off-beat timing, throwing off interior defenders and limiting his opponent’s presence at the rim. He doesn’t have to be a virtuoso finisher to convert on these attempts, as by the time he actually releases his shot he has done enough to make the attempt as easy as possible for himself. His issue is that he isn’t a fantastic finisher, so if his defensive manipulation strategies don’t work flawlessly, he can struggle to convert at the rim.
In-Between Scoring:
I’ve decided to split Rataj’s scoring into four levels instead of three, mostly because his in-between game seems to perfectly bridge the gap between at-the-rim scoring and true mid-range scoring. As I mentioned, most of his shots come from this part of the floor, and he’s clearly most comfortable and confident when taking these shots. His ability to create and convert on attempts from this range while not making evident changes to his playstyle in order to do so is one of the traits that make him such a unique player. He could easily try to take his drives all the way to the rim for more traditional at-the-rim offense, but instead he plays his own game, putting a ton of excess stress on the defense in the process.
His versatility when scoring in this fashion is what makes his in-between game so intriguing. He’s able to generate these attempts in a multitude of ways. When he drives from the perimeter using his quick first-step he’s able to stop on a dime and punish dropping rim protectors. When he finds himself switched onto a smaller defender, he often backs them into the post before receiving a pass and going to work. Sometimes he’ll drift into the paint, finding good court position without the ball before quickly going up for an uncontested look when the ball makes its way to him. He’s even able to slow down on the fast break and take close-range push shots, leaving defenders coasting away from him as he rises for an uncontested attempt. Everything about his in-between game is calculated, yet unpredictable at the same time, making a Rataj a truly sensational scorer from this part of the floor.
Mid-Range Scoring:
Rataj doesn’t take a ton of true mid-range jump shots, but when he does, he looks relatively comfortable attempting them. Much like all other aspects of his offensive game, his versatility is on full display on these shots. Not only can he pull-up off-the-dribble to throw off defenders who assume he’ll continue his drive, but he can also halt all momentum once he’s already penetrated the paint to pull-up for short paint jumpers. Rataj’s ability to generate these shots in an almost identical way to his in-between offense forces opponents to play a glorified guessing game when defending him.
His shot motion isn’t incredibly fluid, but I think he has the right idea overall, suggesting that his mechanics could improve over time. He has a high release point, doesn’t feature a hitch, and makes an effort to utilize his guide hand in the proper way. His mechanics seem to be replicable, a very important trait considering he makes these shots at an above-average rate. All in all, his mid-range game still has plenty of room to grow, but he has already established a legitimate floor. This makes me comfortable categorizing him as a three-level scorer, as I’m not worried about his mid-range game ever degrading to the point where he isn’t able to operate from this level.
Outside Shooting:
He isn’t a volume shooter from beyond the arc by any means, but he’s a solid outside shooter who I think could increase his volume in the future. This season he’s taking three attempts from deep per game, converting on 36.7% of those attempts thus far. His three-point shooting percentage has varied throughout his three years at Oregon State, sitting at 37.3% during his freshman campaign and 28.8% last year before stabilizing this season. For that reason, I can’t make confident claims on exactly how his shooting will translate to the next level. That said, at the very least I expect him to be a capable operative from beyond the arc.
Rataj is primarily a catch-and-shoot agent, which makes sense considering playing this way allows for more opportunities to attack closeouts and get to the rim. Much like his mid-range offense, his mechanics on these attempts look good enough to get the job done while keeping the door open for improvement in the future. As long as he continues to knock these shots down at an average rate, defenses will be forced to respect him from beyond the arc, opening up the floor for him and his teammates to succeed in other ways.
The one indicator that we have which suggests Rataj may have an unexpectedly high outside shooting ceiling is his comfort pulling up off-the-dribble. He doesn’t attempt these often, but when he does, he does so with confidence. He does seemingly present a hitch all of a sudden when attempting threes off-the-dribble, something that suggests he’s still catching up in this department from a mechanical standpoint. Overall, his outside shooting isn’t overly enticing from a professional perspective, but when you consider it alongside the rest of his offensive output it becomes an intriguing “cherry on top”.
Passing & Playmaking:
Rataj is still developing as a passer, with this season being a pivotal one for that development. His new role as a primary offensive option has forced him to act as an offensive hub for the Beavers for significant stretches throughout games. He has shown legitimate flashes of being a very good passing forward this season but has also struggled with turnovers as he works towards being a better overall decision maker. His scoring gravity gives him a ton of assist opportunities, as he often finds himself dealing with double-teams and intense defensive pressure. If he can improve as a decision maker and passer out of those situations he could emerge as one of the better frontcourt offensive hubs in college basketball.
As of today, he is at his best finding teammates near the basket. This is a somewhat strange development considering most passing big men are more comfortable finding open teammates around the perimeter. I would argue that Rataj’s comfort hitting cutters and interior big men for open looks around the rim is an intriguing trait, even if it doesn’t hold a ton of weight quite yet. Based on the eye test and the fact that he has seen clear improvement this season, I do believe that he has a legitimately high passing ceiling.
His kickout passing is something that I hope he actively attempts to develop over the next year or two. I do think that this could be his most valuable trait as an offensive hub, especially considering how often he faces a double-team. He’s also surrounded by good outside shooters; something that should help him build confidence in his kickout passing. In today’s basketball ecosystem, where outside shooting is held at such a premium, it’s incredibly important that someone like Rataj be able to create efficient looks beyond the arc for his teammates.
Defense:
Now that we’ve covered Rataj’s offensive game, let’s move onto his defensive game, where I would argue he’s even more valuable from both a college and professional standpoint. The agility that he showcases on the offensive end directly translates to this side of the floor, which, in addition to his strength and sturdy frame, makes for an intriguing defensive foundation. Even if he wasn’t an instinctual defender, he would be able to rely on his physical and athletic profiles to make a positive impact on this end of the floor. That said, Rataj doesn’t have to worry about that fallback plan, because he has fantastic defensive instincts and feel for the game going on around him. I believe he could make a positive defensive impact in the NBA today, which gives me comfort projecting him as a draft pick this year despite his developing offensive game.
Rataj generates steals at a pro-ready rate, and he does so in a myriad of ways. He’s primarily an off-ball defender considering the positions he tends to guard, but I do think he holds his own as a point-of-attack defender as well. He has quick hands and manages to take up a ton of space, often finding himself in a position to disrupt ball handlers and turn them over. He’s also good at jumping passing lanes, utilizing his natural timing instincts to not only force turnovers, but also create fast break opportunities for himself and his teammates. These skills make Rataj an incredibly unique defender, as most sturdy wings aren’t the greatest at the quick twitch defensive elements while he excels at them.
He is a fantastic help side rim protector who’s excellent at casually drifting into position before swatting the shot of an unsuspecting opponent. He can also utilize his impressive first step to quickly leave his man and offer extra resistance when necessary. No matter the scenario, the block will be emphatic. Rataj is a legitimate mental threat, degrading his opponent’s confidence by sending shots to either the opposite side of the court or the fourth row of fans. I know that sounds like a bit of an over exaggeration, but I wholeheartedly believe that players will avoid taking certain shots if they know a player like Rataj is on the court.
While he rarely operates as a primary rim protector, standing at only 6’9” and not being a fantastic vertical athlete, he can still cause havoc in other ways. He’s really good at recovering in the half court and tracking down opponents on the fast break. His quick feet combined with his wide frame allow him to not only catch up with ball handlers but also provide a ton of resistance around the basket. Even when he doesn’t come up with a block, he’s able to wall up and remain vertical, contesting shots while avoiding fouls. His versatility as a shot blocker makes him a useful weapon in almost all defensive situations, something that I believe will translate to the professional level.
Summary:
Before I summarize Michael Rataj’s game in its entirety, I want to cover any and all of his weaknesses. It’s important to remember that all players have flaws, and that even the best players in the world aren’t perfect. In Rataj’s case, this is a player who is currently adapting to a much larger role than he has seen in the past. Despite him being a junior, he is still somewhat raw, something that has resulted in several flaws you wouldn’t otherwise see in most players his age. However, as long as he looks at these issues as areas in need of improvement, he will be better off for it.
He is inconsistent at getting to the rim with the ball in his hands. While he does have a quick first step, allowing him to attack off the catch and against closeouts, he doesn’t pick up speed afterwords, allowing defenders to recover.
His finishing touch around the rim isn’t fantastic, sometimes strong-arming shots or forcing attempts that he probably shouldn’t take.
He isn’t a great vertical athlete, which suggests he’ll have to get much better at around- and below-the-rim finishing to make up for a lack of above-the-rim opportunities.
He bases a lot of his interior and in-between shot making on his ability to muscle through defenders or go up through arms using his strength. This isn’t going to work nearly as well against bigger and stronger athletes at the NBA level. He will need to continue developing his overall offensive finesse and soft touch shot-making skills.
He’s an inconsistent shot-maker on traditional mid-range pull-up attempts. It doesn’t always show because he doesn’t take a ton of these shots, but I think the biggest reason for that is because he’s far more comfortable taking it to the hoop. He’ll have to get better from this range to maintain his offensive versatility at the next level.
He’s probably a slightly above average catch-and-shoot shooter from beyond the arc, but he’s well below average on off-the-dribble attempts. He doesn’t create much space for his outside shots and isn’t a good enough shooter to make up for it.
His handle needs a lot of work before he’s ever able to be a consistent on-ball scorer at the professional level. He handicaps his own craftiness by lacking skill with the ball, something he desperately needs to develop going forward.
He tends to have the right idea as a passer but still has a lot of work to do as a quick decision maker. He often waits too long to make a pass or does so too quickly before assessing risk, resulting in turnover concerns.
Sometimes he deals with foul issues, but I’m not overly concerned with this. His foul numbers are typical of good defenders, seeing that he often is tasked with guarding high usage players.
His excellent defense seems to depend on if he’s playing well on offense or not. If his shot isn’t falling, he often loses interest on the defensive end, sometimes playing himself completely off the floor because of this.
Michael Rataj is a player who, in some ways, already looks like he could make a positive difference at higher levels of the sport. I believe that he’s ready to defend at the NBA level, something that could see him drafted at the end of this season. However, he’s also a player who has a ton of necessary improvement ahead of him on the offensive end. I’m not sure I think he would survive as an offensive contributor in the NBA as of today and considering he’s already a junior that’s a very real concern. With that said, he has a strong foundation that I believe any player with good feel for the game could build on.
He’s a strong horizontal athlete with a strong and sturdy frame. Combine this with a multi-level scoring toolbelt and you have a guy who is very close to making a professional leap on the offensive end of the floor. His issue is that he’s good at everything, but not particularly great at anything on this side of the court. His strongest offensive trait, his in-between scoring, will be difficult to replicate against professional defenses. So, he either needs to get a little better at everything, or he needs to find a true niche that separates him from similar players.
Overall, Rataj is a player who I would personally take a swing on in the draft if I were working for an NBA organization. He’s somehow both polished and raw, providing a decent floor along with a very high ceiling. He’s already a professional-level defender, which alone nearly eliminates him from total bust contention. If an organization can properly develop him into the versatile two-way weapon that it seems like he’s trending toward; he could go down as one of the bigger steals in the 2026 NBA Draft.