Pre-Draft Journey: Jonathan Kuminga
Team Ignite's Jonathan Kuminga explains his basketball journey ahead of the 2021 NBA Draft.
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About Jonathan Kuminga
• Jonathan Kuminga is a strong, aggressive forward who showed glimpses of his potential as an explosive scorer as a member of the inaugural G League Ignite team. Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kuminga moved to the United States in 2016. Emerging as one of the top prospects in the high school class of 2021 early in his prep career which included stops at Huntington Prep (WV), Our Savior New American School (NY), and The Patrick School (NJ), Kuminga opted to reclassify and join the G League Ignite program instead of playing a year of college basketball. The 18-year-old forward averaged 15.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game in the G League putting together several impressive performances to help Head Coach Brian Shaw’s team to a postseason appearance.
• Listed at 6-foot-8 with a powerful 210-pound frame to go along with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, Kuminga has terrific size for a wing, the physicality to play some power forward, and the explosiveness to offer mismatch potential at either spot long-term.
• Spending time shifting between the forward spots last season, Kuminga put points on the board in a variety of ways in a featured role. An aggressive scorer with a strong first step, good body control, and developing touch from the perimeter, he had some impressive flashes as he created one-on-one in the post and from the wings, helped space the floor, and hunted opportunities around the rim. Showing promising instincts creating separation and scoring in bunches when his shot was falling, the young forward was not particularly efficient. He nonetheless offered some glimpses into what kind of player his talent and athleticism could allow him to grow into as his game matures.
• Possessing excellent tools defensively with an NBA-ready frame to go along with good quickness, Kuminga had some terrific moments guarding on the ball and competing for rebounds last season but is still learning how to make the most of his versatility consistently.
Advanced Stats
• Using over seven possessions in every play type Synergy Sports tracks across 13 appearances as a rookie, Kuminga did a little bit of everything last season. His fluidity with the ball made him a viable threat in the pick and roll, his strength and footwork helped him create angles in the post, his explosiveness made him a threat to finish lobs, and he showed some promise as a set shooter as well.
• Averaging 1.06 points per shot around the rim [31st percentile], Kuminga showed the ability to finish emphatically with a head of steam or off drop passes, power through contact, and use both hands in close. He attempted some difficult shots over defenders and has room to mature as a slasher and decision-maker, but showed the ability to use his first step to get downhill and the dexterity to spin off defenders.
• Scoring 0.71 points per jump shot in the half court [16th percentile], Kuminga showed solid mechanics as a jump shooter and the ability to get to turnarounds in the post or to his pull-up out of hang dribbles. Lacking a degree of consistency with his shooting rhythm — particularly when pulling up — the young forward has a nice foundation of tools as a perimeter threat, but significant room to improve as a shooter away from the rim.
• Showing a willingness to find the open man on the move in spots even if he was very aggressive looking to score, Kuminga also flashed the potential to use the attention he can draw to create for others.
Defensive Analysis
• Possessing an intriguing combination of length, strength, and agility, Kuminga had some impressive moments when he put everything together defensively last season. Whether he was recovering to block shots, switching on the perimeter, or vying for rebounds, he flashed significant upside on that end of the floor against far older competition in the G League.
• Biting on fakes and lacking a degree of discipline, Kuminga could go a long way towards establishing himself in the NBA if he can cut down on the correctable mistakes that hampered him at times last year.
— Profile by Synergy Sports
