NBA Draft Scouting Report: Arizona's Oumar Ballo

Prospect Profile 

A Malian center, Ballo is a highly productive 7-footer with NBA upside. After spending two seasons at Gonzaga, he transferred to Arizona for a fresh start. Ballo spent his first season as a Wildcat off the bench, winning Pac-12 Six Man of the Year, then followed that up this season by emerging as a permanent starter and earning First Team All-Pac-12 honors this season. Despite being a four-year college athlete, Ballo is still relatively young since he reclassified in high school.

Now a double-double machine, he’s a highly effective rebounder and an efficient scorer. Not only does Ballo have the height to play center at the NBA level, but he’s also got the strength and length. He’s a massive prospect with a good wingspan that can cover a lot of space despite not being all that quick.

Ballo is mostly a traditional center, but does have a lot of potential at the next level. He thrives with his back to the basket, having a variety of moves to generate easy looks. Whether it’s bullying his defender or getting crafty in the paint, he can finish with finesse or power. The 7-footer has great touch and is comfortable with both hands.

He’s not bothered by contact and gets a good number of and-one’s with his ability to fight through fouls and still score a bucket. Ballo is an underrated passer out of mid and low post, but could improve overall as decision maker with ball in his hands.

He’s also a good offensive rebounder that produces second chance points for himself and others. Ballo is a good screener and solid lob threat that makes him reliable in pick-and-role situations.

While most of his work is done in the paint, Ballo isn’t afraid to take midrange shots. With that in mind, he doesn’t really have a formal jumper. Instead, the Arizona prospect uses a one-handed push shot in that range. It’s unorthodox to say the least, but he converts at a decent rate.

At this point he’s not a 3-point shooter at all and is also a poor free throw shooter. This is due to the lack of a real jumper with sound mechanics.

Ballo has been a strong international prospect even before this college breakout. He played for his home country of Mail in the FIBA U19 World Cup in Latvia where he really showcased his upside as captain of the team. He also spent time at the NBA Academy Latin America growing up and was one of the youngest participants in the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp at 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend.

The former five-star is now making a major impact at Arizona playing alongside another 2023 NBA Draft prospect in Azuolas Tubelis. Growing up, Ballo actually played soccer goalie before pivoting to basketball. He has a brother that plays professional basketball in France.

Highlights 

Draft Projection 

Potential Second-Round Pick in 2023 NBA Draft.

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