Thomas Sorber - NBA Mock Draft Roundup 1.0

Sorber's freshman season was cut short due to a season-ending foot injury, but he did look like a first-round pick in the 24 games he appeared in. Sorber showed promise as a solid rim protector after averaging 2.0 blocks per game. His shooting numbers from beyond the arc (16.2%) is one aspect of his game he can improve on.

Sorber is about 10 weeks post-surgery from a foot injury that limited him to 24 games with the Hoyas and will prevent him from working out with teams this draft cycle. He established himself as a dominant presence in the paint with his athleticism and motor, and showed that he can space the floor some. He measured in with an absurd 7-foot, 6-inch wingspan at the combine this week, which would rank among the league leaders. Sorber initially declared for the draft while maintaining his college eligibility, but the All-Big East third-team selection told Andy Katz that he is "all-in" at this point in the process. This pick seems to be his floor at the moment.

The Timberwolves have some questions forthcoming in the frontcourt over the next couple of years. Julius Randle has starred in the playoffs but has a player option this summer. Naz Reid is a free agent. Rudy Gobert turns 33 in June. Sorber is an absolutely massive body that I think would tick some boxes for head of basketball operations Tim Connelly. He's fluid and coordinated at 6-9 to 6-10, but moreover possesses a mammoth wingspan that I wouldn't be stunned to see land in the 7-4 range. His frame is massive with broad shoulders.

Beyond that, he has this innate feel for the game as a passer and playmaker that Connelly has tended to value in his big men going back to even Denver, when he selected Nikola Jokić. It's easy to see Minnesota valuing Sorber as a big man with real feel for the game as a developmental project next year who could hopefully step into a more substantive role in his second and third seasons.

Pro Comparison: Onyeka Okongwu

A foot injury on a big guy will draw extra attention during predraft and medical reviews. Teams will be hopeful to watch Thomas Sorber work out, since he hasn't played since February 15 and was often kept in check against ranked or NCAA tournament teams.

His finishing tools, post skill and passing were noticeably advanced throughout the season. He was disruptive defensively (2.0 blocks, 1.5 steals) and despite poor jump-shooting percentages, the confidence/comfort he showed to keep taking mid-range shots and threes was still encouraging.

Scouting report: Sorber isn't expected to conduct much on-court activity during the predraft process as he recovers from foot surgery in February. Still, his strong feel for the game, defensive versatility, length, physicality and skill level as a pick-and-roll finisher are attractive qualities at 19 years old that should draw plenty of attention in this portion of the draft. -- Givony

NBA intel and fit: The Hawks acquired the Lakers' pick as part of the Dyson Daniels-Dejounte Murray trade, their second selection in the first round. With Clint Capela an unrestricted free agent, it makes sense for the Hawks to think about drafting a successor to back up Onyeka Okongwu at center. -- Givony

Sorber is a physical big man who sets screens, crashes the glass, protects the paint, and offers some playmaking from the five. He outperformed his RSCI ranking during his freshman year at Georgetown by having more substance than style in his skill set. He's a tad short for an NBA center at 6'10 but makes up for it with strength, length, and a bruising style of play. He's not the most explosive leaper, and he's not yet a threat to shoot from three, but Sorber's old school game feels built to last in the league.

My guess is that Sorber won't explode in an obvious way in his NBA career but will rather have the kind of subtle impact that ball knowers and League Pass obsessives love to champion. Sorber can move the ball well for a player of his size. He can also be a presence in the paint and switch onto smaller forwards. He'll quietly garner support because he makes winning plays. The Hawks should entertain pairing this pick with 14 to try to move into the top 10 and make a run at Khaman Maluach, but if they don't, Sorber would address their need for defense in the frontcourt.

Sorber was quietly one of the most productive freshmen in college hoops this season, averaging 14.5 points and 8.5 boards at Georgetown. He's a natural scorer inside with soft hands and a natural shot-swatter on the other end to boot.

Al Horford turns 39 this summer and Kristaps Porzingis can't stay on the floor. The Celtics need to start thinking about the future of the center position, and Sorber could absolutely be a steal at this part of the draft. Sorber is unlikely to participate in on-court workouts due to a foot injury that ended his freshman year at Georgetown after just 24 games, but he still projects as a first-round pick due to his brick-house frame and the throwback skill-set to match. He sets strong screens, scores with soft-touch finishes, and has gritty drop-coverage instincts.