Thomas Ndong — Class of 2023 commit

Offers from Sam Houston State and Virginia Tech. Seems under the radar, but that's weird since he's been at the NBA Academy in MX and played for Canada's FIBA U18 team.

Looks raw in some ways, although his footwork at times looks pretty polished. Here's a video from 3 years ago where he was 15 and clearly still growing into his body, and still looks like a physical specimen.



Here's his highest scoring game in the FIBA U18 earlier this year.
(Number 18 - doesn't start, but finishes the game)

He's filled out quite a bit. Body type is more of a physical post, but likes to play a mix of wing and post. Doesn't have the quickness to play 3 at the Pac-12 level, although defensively he can hang fairly well. Seems like a nice get. He still seems pretty raw physically, but he's clearly been taught how to play the game correctly.

I see no stats, except for the Canadian U18 tournament, which makes me a bit nervous. Does anybody know of the competition level he's played against in high school?

Here's an interview with him from last year.

www.prospectiveinsight.com/post/thomas-ndong

I’m not certain how much time he’s actually spent at a traditional high school — at least not in last 2 years. The NBA Academy Latin America acts as a high school in that the also get academic instruction. As to the quality of players at the Academy or who they may face in outside events, I don’t know. Looking at the video when he was 15, I’d guess he’ll likely be a low to mid 3* if he gets rated. But from strictly an athletic and physical standpoint, he looks like he’s on par with high 3* and maybe even low 4* players I’ve seen. Of course, have to see if his skills have developed into that range. FYI, Ben Mathurin came through that academy. Not saying he’ll be that good, but good players have come through there.

Interesting aside, Mitch Thompson, a player development coach who is also the lead assistant coach and head of player development for the Mexico City Capitanes of the NBA G League, is an Oregon State alum and spent time on Beaver staff as video coordinator and grad assistant. Don’t know if that played a role in Ndong signing here, but developing a relationship with the academy could be a very good thing.

How does an African from Canada wind up in the NBA's Latin American development camp?

Your last sentence is so true. WT and staff have to be able to identify diamonds in the rough who fit the system and culture, and then develop them. They’re not going to get many 4* recruits. Heck high 3* have been tough to come by. But you can win if getting the right lower ranked recruits and developing them. The transfer portal era makes it tougher to keep kids while they’re being developed, but can bring you players too. Again, have to recruit right kind of transfers too.