How Ochai Agbaji is trying to improve offensively ... and why that’s important for KU
Ochai Agbaji admits this play is a bit unnatural for him.
All his life, because of his outstanding leaping ability, the 6-foot-5 Kansas guard has been on the receiving end of alley-oops.
That changed in the second half of KU’s 60-53 victory over West Virginia on Saturday, as Agbaji took a few dribbles, drew an extra defender, then became the one tossing the lob over the top — this time to teammate Udoka Azubuike for a slam.
Agbaji says the scenario is something KU’s players drill often in practice.
“When the look is open, all you’ve really got to do is just throw it up,” Agbaji said, “because with (Udoka’s) size and his length, he’s going to go get it.”
From a bigger picture sense, this moment was important for Agbaji’s growth for another reason.
The sophomore wing chose to be assertive in a moment where he easily could have played it safe.
Agbaji spoke to some of this during an interview outside KU’s locker room Tuesday when grading his overall offensive performance this year as a “C.”
“I know I can be a lot more aggressive,” Agbaji said. “But I feel like sometimes I’ll kind of play into the flow of the game and not really trying to force anything. That’s when I kind of become passive.”
In general, Agbaji has the right mindset here. This KU team doesn’t need him to play heroball every night, especially with efficient options like Devon Dotson and Azubuike rightfully taking on most of the offensive load.
So Agbaji — unselfishly — says he worries most about his defense. That, in most games, is the best way he can contribute to winning.
That still doesn’t change the fact that, among KU’s rotation players, Agbaji appears to be the one with the most untapped upside.
An argument could be made that Agbaji has the best pro potential on KU’s roster. He’s the top Jayhawk listed (at 43rd) in ESPN’s latest 2020 NBA Draft board, and also possesses the type of athleticism that would make it seem like he’s capable of more statistical production.
Bill Self is quick to talk about how much he likes Agbaji — he “tries his butt off,” Self said — but the KU coach also would love to see a few areas improved.
Agbaji, averaging 11.2 points per game, could become a more consistent scorer. He also could work to get additional free throws — he’s shot 22 this year, which is tied for fifth on KU’s roster.
Self also would like to see Agbaji become a greater threat on the offensive glass; he hasn’t had an offensive rebound in his last four games.
All three facets seem to share a common theme: Each requires Agbaji to step out of his comfort zone to ensure he impacts each possession.
“My teammates and all that, they’re confident in me making plays aggressively offensively,” Agbaji said. “So I’m just going to stick with that.”
The alley-oop shows some growth from Agbaji in that regard. With Dotson winded late in the second half from playing the entire game, Agbaji took it upon himself to create offense, attacking West Virginia big man Oscar Tshiebwe around a pick-and-roll to create an opening for the pass to Azubuike.
For the most part, Agbaji has done an excellent job of playing his role for the third-ranked Jayhawks. And most games, it’s just fine for him to provide strong defense along with a secondary scoring option.
There will be moments, though, when KU needs someone else to emerge besides its big two.
Just know that Agbaji is best equipped to take on this role.
And it’ll be best for everyone involved if he starts believing that as well.
