EJ Liddell: 2022 NBA Draft Scouting Report
The Buckeyes big man is mobile and great on defense. Can his offensive game translate to the NBA?
As a coach, I tend to be a sucker for guys who are really smart players. EJ Liddell certainly fits into that category on both ends. He’s a rare 6’7” big man that plays the 4 or the 5 and uses his IQ on both ends. Defensively, he has elite understanding of help rotations, great rim protection/ shot blocking instincts and the ability to guard multiple positions. That versatility, combined with the IQ, is what makes him a really strong prospect on that end.
His natural feel as a passer extends far beyond post-up play on offense, where he was used most frequently with the Buckeyes. Most of his assists come from kickouts when help defenders overhelp and dig down on him. In the times he is used as a popper to the top of the key, he makes good extra passes and has a fair amount of upside in the short roll.
Those offensive areas are most commonly designated to the 5-men in the NBA. Liddell does have a lot of value in the moments he plays the position, but it is likely not a full-time spot he can play. At 6’7”, Liddell is a tad undersized here and would require a ton of work in Drop coverage if he is to play in anything other than full-time switching schemes.
Liddell brings value switching ball screens and guarding multiple positions. But if he’s going to play the 4 in the NBA and be more perimeter-bound, he has a lot of adjustments to make to his game.
The first, and biggest adjustment, for Liddell to make is with his shooting form. Liddell shot a respectable 37.4% from 3-point range this year. The improvement of his shot during his time in Columbus is notable: he was 5-26 from deep his freshman year, 33.8% his sophomore year and took a major leap this season. His form still has a ways to go if it is to be a primary focus of his scoring arsenal in the NBA.
The numbers have greatly improved, though the shooting form still remains a little suspect. As a full-time perimeter player, Liddell will be taking more 3-pointers than his spot in the Buckeyes offense allowed: a sub-30% 3-point rate is really only effective for guys who attack the rim off the bounce.
That’s not Liddell’s role, nor is it an area we have great faith in him improving.