Isaiah Mobley: 2022 NBA Draft Scouting Report

A drastically different player than his brother, does Mobley have what it takes to stick in the NBA?

The two Mobley players may share the same strands of DNA but their games are not very alike. Rookie of the Year candidate Evan Mobley is a long, skinny, springy big man who can be a dominant interior defender someday thanks to his instincts and shot blocking. Offensively, he finishes off the roll, is a long-stride scorer at the bucket and does a great job with second-chance points, athletic dunks and playing through contact.

His older brother Isaiah, who declared for the 2022 NBA Draft after enjoying the winningest three-year stretch in school history at USC, is a very different player. Isaiah’s skill set is one based on offense and perimeter impact. He isn’t a very vertical shot blocker, nor imposing with his length or ground coverage. He isn’t a sensationally strong or quick leaper on the interior.

Instead, Isaiah is a pick-and-pop threat or 3-point shooting floor spacer. He’s a really good facilitator and high-IQ player on offense who should be able to play the 4 in the NBA despite being nearly 7’0” tall — just like his brother. The reasons Isaiah plays the 4 are drastically different, though.

For Evan, both the 4 and the 5 are in play as a dominant defender. At this stage in his career, Evan was physically not ready for the bumps and bruises that come with playing the 5 on a nightly basis. He may have only shot 25% from 3-point range (a clear improvement area in year two with the Cavs) but still only got 31% of his minutes as the center, according to basketball-reference. For defensive reasons, Mobley was great on the perimeter.

While Isaiah is a sturdy perimeter defender against bigger wings (he gets exposed by smaller guards), it’s his offense that places him at the 4. He’s a really good shooter for his size, especially spotting up in the corners. He is a solid passer and facilitator, even in his slow, methodical driving way.

The two play off each other really well; it’s why USC was a really good team when both were Trojans and why many are clamoring for a reunion in Cleveland.

Isaiah’s limitations are clear, though. They prevent him from being a common name associated with the first round, especially at his age.