Jonathan Kuminga, like Jalen Green, chose to play in the G League rather than attending university. The No. 4 player in the 2020 basketball class on 247sports rankings was able to keep his high status and is expected to be selected in the top six in the 2021 NBA Draft. Let’s take a look at Kuminga’s skill set.
Player Bio
Name: Jonathan Kuminga
Position: Forward
Team: G League Ignite
Age: 19
Position: Forward
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 210 lbs
Prototype: Athletic Forward
Defense (23/30)
Kuminga has all the tools to be a successful defender. He is an athletic forward with good size and incredible length with a seven-foot wingspan. The only problem with Kuminga on defense is that he lacks feel and IQ on that end. He is often caught watching the ball and can lose his man in the process, leading to open shots. Although Kuminga has shown promise with his tremendous physical tools, he should look to improve his off-ball defense to become an elite defender in the NBA.
Finishing (9.25/10)
The best part of Kuminga’s offensive game is attacking the basket. He uses a variety of moves when going downhill and can put defenders on their heels. However, Kuminga lacks some feel for the game and is prone to picking up his dribble early and not understanding which moves to use all of the time. In the NBA, Kuminga should seek to improve his feel when driving to the rim since he has an elite array of moves that he can use when driving to the rim.
Perimeter Shooting (4/10)
The worst area of Kuminga’s game is his shooting from the perimeter. Although opposing defenses will have to guard him beyond the arc, he shot just 24.7 percent from three with the Ignite, which makes him a below-average NBA shooter. Much like Russell Westbrook, Kuminga makes up for his lack of an average three-point shot with success from the mid-range and in the paint, so he will not be a major liability because of it.
Ball Handling (8/10)
Kuminga has good handles but can play out of control sometimes. He does not rely on his handles to make plays, but he is able to use them successfully sometimes to create for himself or his teammates.
Passing (6/10)
Kuminga made some special passes throughout his one season with the Ignite, but overall he is not an elite playmaker. He has shown the ability to pass out of double-teams and accurately made passes down the court, but he is not a consistent playmaker. Kuminga is best as a passer when he draws attention and is able to kick it to the open man. If he is not forced to create for others often, he will thrive when he needs to, but if he is forced to be the primary ballhandler and consistently make plays for his teammates he will likely be in trouble.
[pickup_prop id=”7947″]
Rebounding (10/10)
Kuminga is an elite rebounder. He does a great job of using his length and athleticism to pick up rebounds. Kuminga averaged 7.2 boards per game during his time with the Ignite.
Athleticism (9.75/10)
Kuminga is incredibly athletic. He possesses a seven-foot wingspan, giving him great length. Kuminga is also strong and can finish through contact. He needs to work on his feel for the game as he relies on his athleticism too much, but with an improved feel, his athleticism is his best trait.
Injury (9/10)
Kuminga played in 13 of the 15 games that the Ignite played during the G League season. He missed the games due to a minor knee injury. Aside from the two games missed, Kuminga’s injury sheet is clean.
Bonus: Potential (+4.75/5)
He is a player with a ton of potential to succeed in the NBA. He has an athletic build with talent on both sides of the ball. Kuminga’s lack of feel for the game could hurt his long-term success, but with NBA coaching he could develop into a high-level talent.
Player Summary
Jonathan Kuminga is an interesting prospect and one that will likely be selected with one of the top six picks in the 2021 NBA Draft. He has an intriguing athletic skill set with a lot of talent on both ends of the floor. Kuminga needs to improve his feel for the game in the NBA, but will likely be a starter or sixth-man regardless, due to his elite athleticism.
Final Grade (83.75/100): Top-10 Pick
Check us out on our socials:
Twitter: @PTSTNews and @TalkPrimeTime
Facebook Page: Prime Time Sports Talk
Join our Facebook Group: Prime Time Sports Talk
Instagram: @ptsportstalk
Follow Kamran Nia on Twitter @kamran_nia
Main Image Credit: via Zagsblog
3 Responses