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Minnesota Timberwolves: How Josh Okogie can be the best rookie next season

By Keith Rivas

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 21: Devon Hall #0 of the Virginia Cavaliers and Josh Okogie #5 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets reach for a loose ball in the first half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on February 21, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 21: Devon Hall #0 of the Virginia Cavaliers and Josh Okogie #5 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets reach for a loose ball in the first half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on February 21, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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DURHAM, NC – JANUARY 04: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Duke Blue Devils defends Josh Okogie #5 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 4, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 110-57. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC – JANUARY 04: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Duke Blue Devils defends Josh Okogie #5 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 4, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 110-57. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Let his athleticism do the talking

Even on an off night in the NBA, players that are more versatile and athletic can still have a game-changing impact. CBS Sports wrote about Josh Okogie in a piece detailing things to notice about the latest draft class, and dubbed him the “most impressive athlete” in the group. The fact that he was able to stand out on a team like Georgia Tech in college and then also make his mark at the NBA Draft Combine says a lot about his potential in the league, but also is something that will only be able to be verified if it follows him to the next level.

He tied with Donte DiVinvenzo for the best vertical leap at the combine, going 42 inches and had the fasted three-quarter court sprint. Lightning speed mixed with the type of athleticism that he possesses will be extremely important to his overall development in the NBA. Okogie must be able to show that he can do a little bit of everything while still excelling where his game is most focused.

That would still be his scoring ability, but the Timberwolves will more than likely also need to be able to depend on his ability to put opponents on lock down and also cut to the basket as efficiently as possible.

Because of what he brings to the table, it’s unique in the sense that Okogie won’t lose his own style of play or elements to his personal game by excelling in Minnesota. While there are sometimes cases of players having to give way to a certain coaching system or base their NBA strengths and capacities to who is around them, Okogie is not in that camp whatsoever.

As long as he can use his athleticism to his advantage as well as his speed, the Timberwolves will see an instant impact on the court from their 20th overall pick.

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