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The Miami Heat selected former Memphis forward Precious Achiuwa with the 20th pick in the NBA Draft.
Miami is targeting Precious Achiuwa at No. 20, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 19, 2020
With the 20th pick in the 2020 #NBADraft...
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) November 19, 2020
That hat looks good on you @PreciousAchiuwa! pic.twitter.com/sJMXXTF2Ew
Achiuwa worked out with the Heat last week, so the move shouldn’t come as a surprise. Miami passed on potentially selecting their third consecutive Kentucky player, with Tyrese Maxey still on the board. The Heat’s previous two first-round draft picks were Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, both former Wildcats. The Philadelphia 76ers picked Maxey with the 21st pick in the NBA Draft.
Achiuwa has drawn comparisons to James Johnson and Montrezl Harrell. As I mentioned in my article about him working out with the Heat, his shooting numbers from college are a bit concerning — 60 percent from the free throw line, 26 percent on floaters and 30 percent on jump shots.
But he does seem to fit in with the Heat’s switch-heavy defense, as he could defend smaller players. Having Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, Jae Crowder and Achiuwa all as players who can guard multiple positions certainly looks good going against the top big wings in the league.
After Miami picked Achiuwa, Pat Riley said in a press conference that “We were looking for bigs like him that were quick, athletic, that can run, that can handle.” He also said that he sees Achiuwa and Adebayo eventually playing together.
Pat Riley says he felt the Heat did "very well" tonight. Riley: "We were looking for bigs like him that were quick, athletic, that can run, that can handle. ... We were just very, very impressed with him." Said Achiuwa is one of the most underrated players in the draft.
— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) November 19, 2020
Additionally, Kevin O’Connor from The Ringer called Miami’s pick of Achiuwa a “perfect stylistic match.”
Precious Achiuwa to the Heat is my favorite prospect/team fit of the draft so far. Just a perfect stylistic match, he plays so hard, brings versatility on both ends. Miami's player development system should help him improve his flaws. Full scouting report: https://t.co/ccKkAgcPP5 pic.twitter.com/JzZyP7imh6
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) November 19, 2020
ESPN’s Fran Frischilla told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald that Achiuwa has “Miami Heat written all over him” and that he wants to be Kawhi Leonard.
ESPN's Fran Fraschilla told me recently about Precious: “If he falls to 20, it’s a steal. He has Miami Heat written all over him. He wants to be Kawhi..He would love to show everyone he can shoot it from outside; and he may be able to do that [eventually].High level NBA athlete."
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) November 19, 2020
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