Strengths
Right-handed… Mbakwe was a potential first-rounder, even top-20 pick, flying under the radar before suffering yet another set-back in his six year college basketball career. Albeit slightly undersized for the 4-spot, the senior has always had the above-average/great athleticism for the position, allowing him to take advantage of mismatches against centers or most power forwards. He can turn and face-up, utilizing a quick first step to beat his man with one or two dribbles or use his muscle to back his way into the paint and finish with a baby hook shot over his inside shoulder… See his perimeter notes below, but Mbakwe does have some skills to play from 12-feet and in and that's where he is most effective. While matched up against some of the Big Ten's better bigs, Mbakwe has relative ease taking them to the rim with one or two dribbles, finishing with either hand at the rim… He is one of the better rebounders in the country when on the court thanks to a high-quality motor, energy and overall aggressiveness attacking the rim. He is an above-the-rim player, soaring above the traffic to corral the ball with two hands. Mbakwe uses his hustle and athleticism as well as any other player to put himself in the right place, at the right time.
Weaknesses
Mbakwe has to improve his footwork, especially considering he is undersized for the power forward position. On the perimeter, Mbakwe turns his back to the ball-handler in pick-and-roll settings, instead of rolling to the rim. His perimeter skills as a whole are still a work in progress as his handle is shaky, definitely needing improvement, and he still appears uncomfortable, picking up the ball without pressure, creating five-second countdown from the referee… While playing inside, Mbakwe needs to improve his lower body strength to hold his positioning better. He can get moved off the blocks if he isn't playing aggressively and planting himself. Mbakwe does not have a great, developed low-post game with scoring moves, but instead, most of his offense comes by way of hustle-plays or Mbakwe just using his quickness and athleticism to create opportunities for himself.
