Player Profile:
Name: Tokyo Tom
Nationality: African
Listed Height: 6'0
Listed Weight: 160 lbs
College: UCLA
Positions Played: SG / SF
Strengths:
- Potential galore – Very high ceiling
- Ideal size for a wing – Body is SPL ready
- Advanced fundamentals for his age – passing, shooting, dribbling, cutting/spacing.
- Can be a defensive menace when he is focused
- One of the more explosive athletes to come from Africa
- Extremely confident in his abilities – May have the ‘killer instinct’
SPL Projection:
Tokyo Tom is an extremely gifted player with a bright future. One of his most noticeable traits is his swagger, which can ultimately be the reason he excels or busts. It is a gift and curse. He’ll need the right coach to help him channel that attitude towards driving his competitiveness rather than focusing on glitz and glamor. One huge plus on Tokyo Tom’s side is that he is the most offensively polished wing in the Draft, which could entice teams who are in win-now mode.
Cool Statistic:
Tokyo Tom tied a record when he went 8-for-8 on 3-pointers in a single game this year.
Reminds Me Of:
Vince Carter
What Insiders say:
Carl Berman, NetScouts Basketball
"Tokyo Tom is a very strong player, who does a great job penetrating. The African rarely passes it when close to the rim, but prefers to finish in contact. He can shoot from different ranges, but he’s particularly good when doing it from behind the arc. He has a great court vision and dishes some fancy passes on occasions, enjoying involving his partners. However, his decision making is something to be worked on. Tokyo Tom’s real weakness is at the other end of the court though. He, at times, doesn’t seem like he gives a total effort on defense, often loses his man and is not committed to run when his team loses the ball."