There's always a handful of college players who don't get as much national attention as they deserve, but are incredible players that could make an impact at the next level. This is especially true for bigs, who often aren't able to showcase their full potential depending on the college system they're in.
In any case, it's important to uncover the underrated prospects in each class that have a chance to rise up on draft boards leading up to June's event.
For this week’s spotlight, we take a look at Cincinnati center Viktor Lakhin, who has legitimate NBA talent.
Viktor Lakhin (Center | Cincinnati Bearcats)
6'11” | 240 lbs
Season Stats: 12.7 PPG | 2.5 RPG | 2.2 APG | 1.2 BPG | 31.8% 3PT
Background
Known for being a high-IQ player and a smart individual off the court, Lakhin is mentally able to process the game quickly for his position. While he's really established himself as a quality player at the collegiate level, the Russian center spent time playing in his home country with a club and also thrived as a prospect at 2019 FIBA Under 18 European Championship with Russia before becoming a Bearcat.
While he's a strong center at 6-foot-11 that looks like he would play a throwback style, Lakhin's game fits the modern mold. After three years of college experience at Cincinnati, there's reason to believe he has the skillset and pedigree to carve out a role in the NBA.
NBA Upside
In the modern NBA, shooting is a necessity. Lakhin has proven to be extremely efficient on 2-point attempts, but his perimeter shooting is a swing skill. After attempting a total of 11 shots from 3-point range in his first two seasons of action with the Bearcats, he's really begun to shoot a higher volume from deep in his redshirt senior season. He has been inconsistent, but there's reason for optimism as it relates to him being a reliable perimeter shooter at the next level.
On the defensive side of the ball, Lakhin has notched an 86 DSI from Cerebro Sports, which is incredibly impressive. He's produced multiple games with at least seven blocks during his college career, showcasing his rim protection, length and defensive disruptiveness.
At 240 pounds, Lakhin is extremely strong but also possesses length. If teams buy into his shooting and mobility, he has a real shot at being drafted in the 2024 NBA Draft. Especially with his basketball IQ and positional passing upside, there's a lot to like on both ends.
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