European Prospects

The NBA Draft 2014 is coming closer and we take a look at the German big guy Philipp Neumann. The former player of Brose Baskets comes off an interesting season in Germany and was awarded best Power Forward of the recent Adidas Eurocamp.

Profile

• Name: Philipp Neumann (GER)
• Date of birth: 20th February 1992
• Current Team: EWE Baskets Oldenburg (GER)
• Stats: 33gms, 6.9ppg (52.9% FGs – 68.6% FTs), 3.3rpg, 0.5bpg

Body Measurements (from Adidas Eurocamp)

• Height with shoes: 2m10 – 6 feet 10.5 inch
• Wingspan: 2m23 – 7 feet 3.75 inch
• Reach: 2m74 – 9 feet 2.5 inch
• Weight: 106.5kg – 234 lbs

Athletic testing results (from Adidas Eurocamp)

• 3/4 Court Sprint: 3.527 seconds
• Lane Agility: 11.924 seconds
• Reaction shuttle: 3.050 seconds
• No step vertical: 48cm – 19 inch
• Approach vertical: 60cm – 23.5 inch

The German big guy has made an interesting development over the last years. After playing mainly in a stretch-four do-it-all role during his career in the Youth categories, Neumann has fully concentrated his game on the Center position with Brose and Oldenburg recently. He got some good minutes with the German semi-finalist this season as a loan and showed how valuable he can be with his energy in the paint. Lacking the necessary explosiveness, Neumann can though beat his oppoenent on the dribble with a very long first step that gives him the necessary advantage for the score. He rarely uses his outside touch at the moment but he knocks down the jump shot around the key on a regular basis.

Defensively, he struggles to keep the big guys in the low post out of the paint at moments but he can hold his position against equally strong players. He will probably never become a great shot blocker but he is present in the help defense situations. What is interesting though is that he played a lot of Power Forward during the Adidas Eurocamp. The 4 position would be his role in the NBA if he gets signed by a team as he can knock down the three point shot and his ball handling is good enough to beat someone of the dribble from outside. Additionally, his lateral speed is not superb but he has the necesary pride and will to keep his opponent in front of him with all posible tools. Neumann has also made a big step forward in his mental approach to the game as he was quite a head case to the outside during his younger years. He looks now a lot more focused on the actual game and with his still interesting upside potential as a PF, he is a player that is still a good step away from where he can play in the future.

NBA Draft 2014 Outlook

Workouts: Philadelphia 76ers, Washington Wizards

Philipp Neumann could be a player drafted at the end of the 2nd round as he combines a good combination of size and basketball skills. His full potential as Power Forward remains untapped so far which makes him a long-term project candidate who could contribute immediately. I would not be surprised if he gets a Summer League spot even when going undrafted.