Krivas is one of the most imposing defensive centers in this class. His size, length, and timing allow him to protect the rim at an elite level, suppress opponent shooting around the basket, and control the paint with minimal mistakes. He dominates the glass, deters shots at the rim, and moves seamlessly within team schemes, projecting as a highly impactful defensive presence from day one. With his physical profile and defensive instincts, he has the tools to be a cornerstone piece in any rotation, capable of anchoring a team’s interior defense. EXECUTIVE_SUMMARY: I recently did an analysis on Burries, and now I’m shifting over to Motiejus Krivas I guess you could say I’m locked in on the Arizona guys right now. Who’s honestly one of, if not the best defensive centre in this class. Most mocks I’ve seen have him going early second round, but I’ve got him comfortably in the mid to late first. The defensive impact is just too strong to ignore. His defensive game is already elite at the college level. He posted a 99th percentile DEF RAPM, 100th percentile opponent eFG% suppression, and 98th percentile rim protection that’s absurd production. On top of that, he brings a 7’2 frame with a 7’7 wingspan, and you really see it in how he alters shots and controls the paint. He’s not just blocking shots either — he’s deterring them entirely, which is what actually translates at the next level. Offensively, he’s definitely more limited right now. The usage is low (around 19%), and he doesn’t generate much rim pressure for someone his size, which is a bit concerning. But the efficiency is real 64% TS and nearly 79% from the line, plus elite midrange touch (98th percentile). That at least gives you something to build on long term. Year one, I think he can step into a role similar to a Ryan Kalkbrenner type a defensive center off the bench who protects the rim, plays within himself, and doesn’t need touches to impact the game. If the offense develops at all, especially with his touch indicators, there’s definitely more upside here than people are giving him credit for. OFFENSIVE_EVALUATION: The midrange efficiency at the 98% is genuinely elite and probably the most underrated number on this entire sheet. A 7'2" center shooting 53.4% on midrange jumpers means he can operate at the free throw line extended and defences have to respect it. The 78.5% FT at the 97% is the clearest evidence of real shooting touch for a big his size. The 30.8% three point shooting on first season of attempts shows the perimeter game is being deliberately added. The on/off net rating differential of +13.8 at the 79% means he makes the team better when he is out there even at low usage. The rim frequency at the 7% is the single most alarming offensive number on this board. A 7'2" / 260 pound center who only gets to the rim 6.5 times per 100 possessions is not using his size advantage at all. Only 24% of his rim attempts are unassisted which confirms he is not creating anything near the basket by himself. The USG% at the 21% and OLOAD at the 17% tell you he is operating in a deeply supportive role. The score of 0.56 at the 27% reflects a shot diet that is still not optimised despite the efficiency. The box creation at the 26% means he is not making teammates better in any meaningful way. DEFENSIVE_EVALUATION: This is legitimately one of the most dominant defensive profiles in this entire draft class. DEF RAPM at the 99%, opp EFG% at the 100%, rim protection at the 98%, opp 2P% at the 99%. These numbers are not just good they are historically rare. The 7'7" wingspan at the 93% and 260 pounds at the 86% give him the physical tools to anchor an NBA defence from day one. The foul discipline improvement is the most encouraging development trend going from an FC/40 at the 3% as a freshman to the 37% as a junior shows he is learning how to defend legally at the highest level. The DEF RAPM of -5.0 is the same level as Lendeborg and Steinbach, and Krivas is doing it as a true rim protector at the highest leverage position. PROJECTION: Floor Hasheem Thabeet The offensive game never develops, he stays a pure rim protector with no perimeter threat, NBA guards punish the mid-range diet, and teams stop playing him in the fourth quarter. Defence alone keeps him in the league but he never sticks anywhere. 8 points and 6 rebounds in 18 minutes as a career bench big. ------------ Median Jakob Poeltl Defensive anchor who plays 24 minutes, protects the rim, rebounds, and does not hurt you offensively. The FT% and mid-range touch translate into just enough offensive production to keep him on the floor. 10 points, 8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks in a starting role on a contending team. ------------ Ceiling Marc Gasol The perimeter shooting develops over time, the playmaking IQ grows into real passing ability, and the defensive dominance translates directly to the NBA. A legitimate All Star calibre centre who anchors a championship defence and contributes offensively without needing heavy usage. Requires 3 to 4 years of development but the tools are all there. ---------- Krivas is the most interesting defensive prospect in this class and probably the most undervalued one too. The DEF RAPM at the 99%, opp EFG% at the 100%, and rim protection at the 98% are as clean as you will find anywhere. The 78.5% FT and improving mid range game confirm real touch for a 7'2" body. The offensive ceiling is capped by the rim frequency being almost non existent and the playmaking being essentially zero right now, but the Gasol path is a real path for a European big with his size and touch. Mid to late first round. Any team that needs a defensive anchor and has patience for offensive development should take a long look at this profile.