Thursday, March 28

Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Ochai Agbaji making strong first impression, ready for summer league closeup


INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Ochai Agbaji does not need an introduction. His college resume sparkles.

National Champion. First Team All-American. Big 12 Player of the Year. Final Four Most Outstanding Player. That production, combined with an NBA-ready frame and picturesque shooting stroke, led to Agbaji being a lottery pick, with the Cavs selecting him No. 14 in the 2022 NBA Draft on June 23.

But none of that matters now. This is a fresh start, in which Agbaji is already making a strong first impression.

“He’s been great,” said Mike Gerrity, the Cavaliers’ player development coach who will be running the team at summer league. “Everything about him — his character, his work ethic, his approach. He’s just extremely professional for a rookie.

“There’s no doubt, you can tell the experience that he had at Kansas planted the seeds and prepared him for this opportunity. He’s been really good. He asks all the right questions, he’s very eager to learn, but then as a player, you see the gifts that he has — the athleticism, the shooting ability. He really makes things happen when he’s on the floor. His teammates love playing with him.”

The Cavs completed summer league minicamp Wednesday. Four days. Six total sessions. A pair of two-a-days. For Agbaji — and the other rookies — it’s been a week of adjustment. Getting acclimated to new surroundings, learning terminology, figuring out how to fit within the system, different rules, altered spacing. All the usual stuff.

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All eyes will be on Agbaji when the Cavs open summer league play this afternoon at 5 p.m. ET against the San Antonio Spurs. He’s the headliner of this four-player draft class, and ready for his closeup.

“I’m just going out there to hoop. Go out there and have fun,” Agbaji said. “This is a time where guys gel and get together and be successful and win. I’m just trying to be part of that. I’m enjoying every single day. I just love this organization. Just love being here.”

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Throughout minicamp, Agbaji has been used at the 2 and 3. He said he’s comfortable playing both and called the positions “interchangeable” — echoing what Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff has said for the last few years.

Agbaji’s shooting will be critical for a team that ranked 20th in 3-pointers made, 22nd in attempts and 15th in percentage. He can serve as an off-ball weapon, forcing defenders to go over every screen or try to blow up handoff actions. Camped in the corner, his gravity will naturally create space for Cleveland’s attacking guards, leading to difficult pick-your-poison decisions. It’s the kind of piece the Cavs have been lacking the last few years.

“I think he can be a very good player,” Gerrity said. “We know he is a knockdown shooter, and if you give him any space it’s going up and you believe it’s going in. Can’t say that about every player. But you do believe that when it leaves his hands. We talk a lot about his offense but defensively he really brings something to the table as well. His athleticism, his physicality, versatility with his size and length. He can be a two-way player.”

Despite Agbaji’s shooting reputation — 40.7% from 3-point range this past season and fourth all-time in made 3s in Kansas history — the Cavs have also been giving him playmaking opportunities.

This past week was about preparations for Las Vegas — the five-game, 30-team annual exhibition. But with Agbaji, there’s a big-picture plan. With the Cavs failing to acquire a highly valuable 3-and-D wing in free agency, there’s an expectation for Agbaji to help fill that hole, immediately carving out a place in the regular-season rotation.

“Just being an offensive threat,” he said when asked what the coaches have relayed about his usage. “Being that shooter, spacing the floor, complementing other guys well, playing off the pick-and-roll. Having the ball in my hands a lot more than I did at Kansas.

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“I would say the most underrated thing would be my ability to complement other guys well. I think cutting, moving off the ball, screening for other guys, just playing unselfishly — offensively and defensively — is something I bring that you really don’t see that much. I do have that effect on the game. Just being a good leader, being out there and having a defensive presence, which is how I’m going to find my way to the court once the real season comes.”

Coming out of Kansas, there were questions about Agbaji’s playmaking and shot creation. He averaged just 1.6 assists over his four-year career. But the Cavs believe there’s untapped potential. Gerrity has seen it coming off screens and also in the touch game. During practices, when Agbaji’s caught the ball and doesn’t have a clean look, he will pass and relocate. He’s also looked relatively comfortable operating out of pick-and-roll sets at various points.

“Ochai is able to make plays,” Gerrity said. “He does a great job of attacking the paint. Can tell that was an emphasis in college for him. When he gets downhill, he makes the right plays. Obviously, he’s a great shooter, but has the ability to be a very good playmaker as well.”

Shortly after the draft, Agbaji went back home to Kansas. It was an opportunity to catch his breath following a few hectic months. He reconnected with family and friends. Packed a little bit. Even reflected on his long journey to the NBA — from unheralded high schooler to lottery pick.

Then it was back to work.

Agbaji and R.J. Nembhard, who recently agreed to a two-way deal with the Cavs, spent time together at the facility before the team workouts. Agbaji and Nembhard used to be Big 12 rivals, with Nembhard spending four years at TCU alongside Memphis Grizzlies sharpshooter Desmond Bane — a 2020 first-round pick who Agbaji says he patterns his game after.

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“I played Ochai my whole college career,” said Nembhard. “He’s gotten better and better and better each year. He’s very confident now. He’s super humble, super grounded and excited to be part of the organization. He’s super athletic and he goes super hard. He’s constantly learning. He wants to get better.”

So, what about those Bane comparisons?

“I do (see the comparisons),” Nembhard said. “Des is my guy. I think Des got him on the shot right now. But O I think is more athletic than Bane. They do have similarities. Plug-and-play guys. Put them anywhere and they will be effective. Can get to the rim. Can shoot. Can defend. That’s a hot commodity right now. It’s a huge asset for our organization.”

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