Kansas basketball: 3 ways Ochai Agbaji can help his draft stock next year

Ochai Agbaji will return to Kansas basketball for his junior season. Here are three ways he could boost his NBA draft stock next year.

Kansas basketball’s Ochai Agbaji has appeared as high as a first-round pick in the NBA draft; however, his draft stock slipped significantly last season. Agbaji made a wise decision to return to the Kansas Jayhawks for his junior year and work on getting his stock back up into the first round.

Last season, Agbaji averaged 10 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2 assists per game with the Jayhawks. Here are three things Ochai Agbaji can do next year to boost his draft stock back into the first round.

1. Reduce his turnovers per game

While Ochai was dishing out two assists per game last season, he was also turning the ball over 1.9 times per game. That nearly 1:1 ratio is concerning, and becoming not only a better passer but a smarter one too is definitely something he’ll have to work on in order to move up on draft boards.

There were times Agbaji turned the ball over that left you scratching your head and wondering what exactly he saw. His inbound pass from when the Jayhawks played Baylor comes to mind, and that poor pass nearly cost Kansas the win. In that particular instance, Agbaji should have called a timeout (they had two left).

2. Increase his three-point percentage

Last season, Agbaji shot 33.8 percent from behind the arc compared to 30.7 percent in his freshman year. If he can continue to improve at that pace and shoot somewhere around 37 percent next season it’ll make him a much more appealing NBA prospect.

Agbaji has athleticism. No one denies that. He can jump out of the gym and throw down some of the most ridiculous dunks and lobs you’ll ever see. Becoming an even better shooter, especially from deep, will not only help him get drafted higher but also help Kansas basketball spread the floor.

3. Become a leader

Over the past two seasons, Agbaji has always been the third option and never “the man.” That’s not his fault, but next season he should have a chance to step into the limelight for Kansas basketball. If he can become a leader and a top scorer on that team, there’s no way that scouts will be able to ignore him, and Agbaji will start to rise on draft boards.

Barring some unforeseen circumstances, Ochai Agbaji will play in the NBA. He’s too good not to, and he has a chance to become a first-rounder and get the better contract that comes with it.