Scouting Reports: Vrenz Bleijenbergh, Ibou Badji, Juhann Begarin, Filip Petrušev, Ariel Hukiporti, Gabriele Procida
2021 NBA Draft Scouting Reports
Every week I’m rolling out in-depth scouting reports on the top prospects in the 2021 NBA Draft.
The full scouting reports are only accessible to paying subscribers. Each report goes in-depth on player strengths, weaknesses, statistical strengths and weaknesses, and rank key player attributes for each player.
This week I tackle some more international prospects including Belgium’s Vrenz Bleijenbergh, Senegals’s Ibou Badji, France’s Juhann Begarin, Serbia’s Filip Petrušev, Germany’s Ariel Hukiporti and Italy’s Gabriele Procida. Below is a free excerpt from each scouting report.
VRENZ BLEIJENBERGH
SF, BELGIUM
Age 20.6 | 6'10" | 210 | Wingspan: 7’1”
Birthdate: 10/14/2000
Primary Attributes: Defense, ballhandling
Bottom line: Bleijenbergh is a sleeper who profiles as a big 3-and-D wing with playmaking ability as a primary or secondary ball-handler and the athleticism to defend multiple positions. His production for Antwerp this season was inconsistent at best, and he’s going to have to become a better rebounder and more reliable shooter, but he has the raw skills, size and athletic ability that NBA teams desire. He feels highly underrated right now. It’s hard to fathom NBA teams wouldn’t want a 7-foot point forward who can shoot and is a good athlete. He plays in front of NBA scouts at another 30-team NBA workout in Minnesota July 8-11. If he opens eyes there, he’s going to shoot way up boards. On talent, he’s a Top 20 pick.
Read the FULL SCOUTING REPORT on Vrenz Bleijenbergh here
IBOU DIANKO BADJI
C, SENEGAL
Age 18.7 | 7’1” | 240 | Wingspan 7’8”
Birthdate: Oct. 27, 2002
Primary Values: Rebounding, shot blocking
Bottom line: Badji has spent most of the year playing with FC Barcelona’s second-division team. He recently played for Spain in the FIBA Under-19s averaging 7 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks per game. Badji’s unusual combination of elite size and explosive athleticism is the main draw here. You don’t find players with the combination of a 7’8” wingspan, elite leaping ability and lateral quickness every day. He’s got an NBA body and an emerging offensive game. He’s a pure upside pick but might be a great long-term draft-and-stash prospect.
Read the FULL SCOUTING REPORT on Ibou Dianko Badji here
JUHANN BEGARIN
G, PARIS
Age 18.8 | 6'6.25" | 214 | Wingspan: 6’11.75” | Standing Reach: 8’8.5”
Birthdate: Aug. 7, 2002
Primary Attributes: Athleticism
Bottom line: Bégarin has always had the athletic profile NBA teams are looking for in a guard. This past season in France’s B League he also started putting up the kind of numbers that might boost his draft stock. He ended up shooting 34% from 3 and averaging nearly four assists per game. His play in the G-League Elite camp was solid, but unremarkable. As a combo guard, if he can continue to improve in those areas, he has some raw tools to excel in the NBA.
Read the FULL SCOUTING REPORT on Juhann Begarin here
FILIP PETRUŠEV
PF/C, SERBIA
Age 21.1 | 6'11" | 225
Birthdate: Apr. 15, 2000
Primary Attributes: Scoring, shooting
Bottom line: Petrušev’s decision to leave Gonzaga to play pro ball in Serbia seems to have paid off. After his strong sophomore season at Gonzaga, the uncertainty around COVID-19 combined with his limited role with the Zags kept him overseas. Scouts have been impressed with Petrušev’s evolution as a player since. For Mega Basket he’s become more a stretch big than a traditional low post big man. Whether he has the mobility to defend bigs on the perimeter is the main question about his game.
Read the FULL SCOUTING REPORT on Filip Petrušev here
ARIEL HUKPORTI
C, GERMANY
Age 19.2 | 7'0" | 245 | Wingspan: 7’2.5” | Standing Reach: 9’3.5”
Birthdate: Apr. 12, 2002
Primary Attributes: Defensive versatility, rebounding
Bottom line: Hukporti is getting love right now based on his ability to defend bigs both in the paint and on the perimeter. His steal rate is especially impressive for a 7-footer, a strong statistical sign that he can cover a lot of ground. He was solid, if a bit unremarkable playing in the NBA Draft Combine. As an offensive player, he’s still a blank canvas. But his defensive ability alone should get his name called in the second round.
Read the FULL SCOUTING REPORT on Ariel Hukporti here
GABRIELE PROCIDA
SG, ITALY
Age 20.2 | 6'7" | 215 | Wingspan: 6’9”
Birthdate:
Primary Attributes: Shooting
Bottom line: Procida projects as a sweet-shooting 2-guard who can stretch the floor and has the athleticism to be a multi-positional defender. He took three 3-pointers in just 15 minutes per game this past season in Italy. He needs to get stronger and round out his game, but he’s an intriguing prospect as a second-round draft-and-stash.
Read the FULL SCOUTING REPORT on Gabriele Procida here
You can find the full collection of 2021 NBA Draft Scouting Reports here
Chad I heard your interview with Ryen Rusillo. Don't ever apologize for being wrong. Nobody is right 100% of the time. 5 teams passed on Steph Curry. Minnesota passed on him twice!
Don't feel bad. It happens.