Overview
Aaron Nkrumah started his college career at Nichols College, a Division III program, before transferring to Worcester State, where he earned MASCAC Player of the Year and NABC Division III All-Region First Team honors. He then made the jump to Tennessee State, where he blossomed into an OVC Player of the Year and one of the most productive two-way guards in the mid-major ranks. As a senior, Nkrumah appeared in 33 games, averaging 17.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.8 steals per game on 44%/35%/79% shooting splits. His performance earned him an invitation to the G League Elite Camp and eventually a spot at the NBA Draft Combine, where he measured 6-foot-5 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, an 8-foot-8 standing reach and a 35-inch max vertical.
Analysis
At Tennessee State, Nkrumah was the engine on both sides of the ball, operating as a primary ballhandler and lockdown defender. His combination of length, quickness and instincts make him an intriguing defensive specialist prospect. Offensively, he can get to the rim and score in the mid-range, though his three-point shooting is streaky and his decision-making can be sporadic. He’ll be nearly 25 on draft night, which limits his developmental upside, but his physical tools can’t be overlooked.
Projection
Nkrumah will likely go undrafted, but his combine performance and G League Elite Camp showing suggest he’ll get looks as a two-way player or training camp invitee. The most realistic path to an NBA roster runs through his defensive utility, which draws comparison to Matisse Thybulle.
— Profile by RotoWire.com