There's reason to be excited about Zeke Nnaji and RJ Hampton

For the last six months Zeke Nnaji worked out twice a day at Impact Basketball’s Las Vegas compound. Since May, the 19-year-old added 20 pounds of muscle to his frame while maintaining 5.9% body fat while on a vegan diet.

Heading into the first round of the draft Wednesday night, the Nuggets weren’t sure that Nnaji was going to last until pick No. 22. The 6-foot-11 big man had been shooting up draft boards during the pre-draft process and worked out for eight teams picking in the top-20. When the Nuggets went on the clock at around 8:05 p.m. MT, they were surprised Nnaji was still available.

Tim Connelly and his war room didn’t think twice.

“I’m ready,” Nnaji said shortly after Denver made him its pick at 22. “I’m a worker. I’m someone who’s coachable, who’s disciplined, who brings energy. And I’m just excited to be a part of this Nuggets organization.”

Looking at Nnaji’s profile, it’s no surprise that he was a Nuggets draft night target. He fits everything that Connelly and his staff look for in someone that they want to bring into their organization.

Nnaji is a no-nonsense grinder who lives in the gym. While at Arizona he averaged 16.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, and his motor never stopped running. Since his college season ended in march, Nnaji has been intent on getting more explosive and improving the weaknesses in his game.

Per a team source, the Nuggets were attracted to Nnaji’s defensive versatility and the fact he’s a high-character kid. Denver also likes his ability to stretch the floor with his shooting. Even though Nnaji wasn’t a three-point threat in college, he possesses a smooth jumper that scouts think will allow him to be a capable shooter at the NBA level.

The Nuggets are really high on Zeke Nnaji's defensive upside. This defensive possession where Nnaji makes five different rotations all over the perimeter and finishes by blocking Killian Tillie's shot at the rim demonstrates why.

Great find by my guy @AndreSimone pic.twitter.com/RbewxXMAQb

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) November 19, 2020

“I feel like people have been doubting me since my high school days,” Nnaji said. “I feel like I have a chip on my shoulder. There’s so many things that motivate me.”

“I’m just ready to work hard for the Nuggets. I’m just so excited.”

After picking Nnaji 22nd, the Nuggets added another prospect who fits a similar profile to one Denver has targeted before. Prior to journeying to New Zealand to play for the New Zealand Breakers last season, RJ Hampton was the No. 5 ranked recruit in the country. But his draft stock dipped over the last year after an up-and-down season playing professionally at just 18-years-old. Still, his talent is clear.

It’s a familiar tale to Michael Porter Jr. and Bol Bol’s pre-draft stories. Both highly-touted high school prospects saw their stocks dip heading into the draft for a number of reasons including health. The Nuggets ended up taking a chance on both of their talents and relying on their player development program to bring them along slowly. I’d say both are working out well in Denver.

The Nugget will likely use a similar approach with Hampton, who Denver traded a future lottery-protected first-round pick to New Orleans to acquire at No. 24 overall. Also only 19-years-old, Hampton’s offensive game is raw and needs refinement, but he oozes potential. The 6-foot-5 spring-loaded guard can fly up and down the court, soar at the rim and has an unbelievably quick first step. Hampton was one of the best athletes in the draft and comes with one of the highest ceilings too.

The biggest question surrounding Hampton’s game has to do with his three-point shot, and the Dallas, Texas native spent the pre-draft process working with former Nuggets sharpshooter Mike Miller on his jumper. Miller was an assistant coach at the University of Memphis last season and struck up a relationship with Hampton when he recruited him out of high school. Hampton also has to improve his defense and add more weight to his wiry frame, but the ceiling is obvious.

The Nuggets’ draft-and-develop model has been fruitful before. Six out of the nine players that logged rotation minutes during the Nuggets’ run to the Western Conference Finals last season were either drafted by Connelly and his staff or signed their first NBA contract with Denver. If there’s one thing the Nuggets know how to do, it’s identify and harvest talented players.

The Nuggets were excited about their draft-night haul in Nnaji and Hampton. Based on Denver’s track record in the draft, you should be excited about them too.