A historically productive freshman who eclipsed Zion Williamson's BPM, Boozer is an ultra physical, skilled stretch 4 with NBA ready halfcourt processing - who looks like the reincarnation of prime Kevin Love. With that comes question marks to his rim defense, switchability and finishing ability versus NBA size, but Boozer compensates as an athlete with old school footwork and a below the rim game as old as time. EXECUTIVE_SUMMARY: BEST FIT - ANY Boozer's impact to me is pretty agnostic of draft order because of his passing and physicality. He's going to be able to short roll opponents to death, space the floor and ignite transition plays for his team by walling off crashers and controlling the glass. He can play next to another big or a traditional 4. I like him on the Pacers playing hi-lo with Zubac/Siakam and in PNR w/Hali. But he can also walk into a franchise that's rebuilding and not only blend into the scheme, but elevate it. OFFENSIVE_EVALUATION: Boozer shot 62% on 2s on +8.8 rTS, took 15.6 rim shots/100 and also posted 98th %ile rim assist numbers. He creates immense amounts of rim pressure via hi-lo actions (which in the NBA is an indicator of big-to-big passing skill) and through his below the rim game. In terms of his shot, 77% of his 3s were assisted at Duke so he isn't self-creating yet, but the volume is the bigger concern to warrant consistent closeouts. Overall, his analytical profile is super rare and it's backed by his fundamental skillset. -Highly effective floor game -Elite ground-bound skills, playing off 2 feet -Can quarterback 5-out alignments with his DHO processing and hub game -Can slip ball-screens + short roll playmake -Can make advantage reads to shooters -Advantage creation on hi-lo actions with dunker spot occupier -Can tilt the possession battle on the glass. -Growing as PNP 3-point shooter. Limited volume but efficient -Outstanding outlet passer/transition starter DEFENSIVE_EVALUATION: By no means a bad defender, but a willing one who uses positioning and effort to win possessions. He will be a monster on the glass and will drive some offensive value through his outlet passing after he secures the rebound. He can wall off post-up players and some drivers but in-air battles at the rim he will generally lose. Only in 40th %ile in BLK rate. -Limited tools as a rim protector or rim deterrent due to lack of vertical pop and hip mobility make it challenging to cover interior passing/finshing -Below average switch defender out on perimeter. Avoids fouls with good hand placement but slow feet don't eat -Not an effective screen navigator or chaser due to his size -Strong enough to wall off certain possessions down low and clean glass -Sound team defender within the scheme, spry and attentive on rotations and posted a 5.1 DBPM (96th %ile) with the two main subcomponents being his rebounding value and his steal rate. -Wouldn't anticipate him being a driver of defense, more of a steady cog in a system. Needs to be insulated with some semblance of rim protection and POA pressure. PROJECTION: Despite the concerns on both ends as a traditional athlete in NBA standards, Boozer possesses the deadliest combination of skill/smarts in the class and that will drive his winning impact in his career. Heading into the league, Boozer's biggest question aside from the rim protection for me is his standstill creation/OTD creation. He isn't flexible and struggles with space creation, so I worry about his ability to punish shallow closeouts and generate a shoulder/hip advantage en route to the rim without resorting to bumps and up-fakes. Still, he's surefire top 3 and will shine because of his courtmapping and the overwhelming likelihood he obliterates his team's 4Factors on/off and corner 3 rate. He projects anywhere from 1 to 3 for me, depending on if the team prioritizes a big versus a guard/wing.