[Goose]

The big question is can he drive effectively in the pros despite only being 6’ 1.25”? He only needs one team to take the chance, but as a result the projections I have seen are pretty wide. Anywhere from 16 (the ringer) all the way into early-ish rd 2 (ESPN 38). I still most typically see 26-30 in rd 1, but who knows? It’s definitely a bit of a gamble. Second rd picks often don’t get much of a shot at least early in player’s careers; so I admit I am a bit surprised he didn’t decide to stay.

Staying will not make him grow. He will still be 6' 1.25". It is also quite possible that next year his numbers will be well down from this year. Teams now know his skill set and can defend him better. In 2025 nobody knew who he was. That is certainly no longer true. It is also unclear how good Stanford will be next year. Stanford may be "good" but in a way that Okorie gets fewer shots and therefore fewer points. Stanford may also be bad and Okorie is double-teamed everywhere he goes. In an absolute best-case scenario Okorie could solidify his stock as a middle first round pick. He isn't big enough IMO to ever be a 1-15 choice.
 
He may already be a middle first round pick. Weighing the possible down sides against the benefits I can see good reason to go to the NBA now. Worst-case he should be an early second round pick. These days lots of those players are getting guaranteed money. Not nearly as much as a first-round pick, but still "substantial". Since it is never possible to be absolutely sure where you will be drafted rolling the dice now is IMO "safer". The odds are against Okorie having a better year next year than he did this year. Even if he does, things won't change all that much in next year's draft.

[Goose]

The big question is can he drive effectively in the pros despite only being 6’ 1.25”? He only needs one team to take the chance, but as a result the projections I have seen are pretty wide. Anywhere from 16 (the ringer) all the way into early-ish rd 2 (ESPN 38). I still most typically see 26-30 in rd 1, but who knows? It’s definitely a bit of a gamble. Second rd picks often don’t get much of a shot at least early in player’s careers; so I admit I am a bit surprised he didn’t decide to stay.

Staying will not make him grow. He will still be 6' 1.25". It is also quite possible that next year his numbers will be well down from this year. Teams now know his skill set and can defend him better. In 2025 nobody knew who he was. That is certainly no longer true. It is also unclear how good Stanford will be next year. Stanford may be "good" but in a way that Okorie gets fewer shots and therefore fewer points. Stanford may also be bad and Okorie is double-teamed everywhere he goes. In an absolute best-case scenario Okorie could solidify his stock as a middle first round pick. He isn't big enough IMO to ever be a 1-15 choice.
 
He may already be a middle first round pick. Weighing the possible down sides against the benefits I can see good reason to go to the NBA now. Worst-case he should be an early second round pick. These days lots of those players are getting guaranteed money. Not nearly as much as a first-round pick, but still "substantial". Since it is never possible to be absolutely sure where you will be drafted rolling the dice now is IMO "safer". The odds are against Okorie having a better year next year than he did this year. Even if he does, things won't change all that much in next year's draft.