Whoever said hard work and perseverance are underrated hasn’t met Chinemelu Elonu.
Throughout his career, the recent graduate and former Texas A&M basketball player hasn’t received the same attention as recent area players who made the jump to the pros. Nonetheless, his grit, determination and heart caught the eyes of NBA scouts.
And fresh off his best season with the Aggies, Elonu entered his name in this year’s NBA draft — and stayed in, surprising a lot of people.
It was thought by many that Elonu would withdraw and return to lead the team he helped to a 24-10 record and the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Those thoughts were wrong.
“Graduation was the deciding factor for me, just being able to know that I graduated from one of the top schools in the nation,” said Elonu, who graduated in May with a degree in agricultural leadership. “Knowing that there aren’t too many big men in the draft, I felt I was ready.”
Seize the opportunity
In doing so, Elonu (6-10, 235) will forego his final season of eligibility and more than likely take advantage of a draft that has few big men with his skill set. According to nbadraft.net, only four centers are slated to be selected. Only UConn’s Hasheem Thabeet is regarded as a better shot blocker.
If Elonu had stayed at A&M, scouts predicted him to be a first-rounder in 2010.
Still, the former Elsik standout, who averaged 10 points and seven rebounds last season, could be drafted late in the first round or early in the second. Other projections list him as a possible late second-rounder.
“I just go in and give my all in each and every workout,” Elonu said. “I’m trying to let these guys know that I’m going to go in there and be tough and not give up on anything we’re doing. I want to let them know whatever they want me to do, I can fulfill for them.”
According to an NBA scout, Elonu “transitions well from college to the NBA because he’s a hard worker and tough rebounder.”
The scout also said this is the perfect time for Elonu to declare because “he’s been doing well in his workouts and his game seems to be getting better with time.”
Last season, Elonu was an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection and was named the league’s most improved player after setting a school record by shooting 66.5 percent from the field. Not bad for the former soccer player who didn’t play basketball until the ninth grade.
“He’s got a pretty good upside,” one NBA scout said. “He plays strong. He can run, protect the rim and plays with no fear.”
Those aspects of his game are known all too well by his former assistant coach at A&M, Byron Smith.
“His character is impeccable; he’s one of the better kids I’ve been around,” Smith said.
In each of his three seasons at A&M, the school posted 20-win seasons and advanced to at least the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
“I have never in my life been around a kid that works as hard as Chinemelu,” Smith said. “He is head and shoulders above a lot of kids when it comes to work ethic and passion for the game. He comes early to the gym and leaves late, and he spends a lot of time in the weight room. He’s a tireless worker.”
Elonu, who exceeded expectations in predraft workouts, has catapulted himself into the discussion as a legitimate draft choice.
Defensive presence
“He’s an athletic kid that’s becoming a complete player,” Smith said. “He’s a very good shot blocker and defensive presence, but his offensive skills are catching up to those on the defensive side of the ball.”
Smith says Elonu’s game resembles that of Cleveland’s Anderson Varejao, Denver’s Chris Andersen and Philadelphia’s Theo Ratliff.
“There’s an abundance of teams that could use him,” Smith said. “He does a lot of the dirty work, plays tough defense and can help out when guys get beat on defense.”
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