[The following scouting report is part of a series on potential 2023 draft prospects from Sports Business Classroom alumni.]

Ąžuolas Tubelis
Frame: 6’11”, 245 lbs
Position: Forward/Center
Team: Arizona
2023 draft age: 21
Stats via: ESPN, Barttorvik

Offense

Tubelis has improved each season at Arizona; the Lithuanian forward averaged career highs across the board (points, rebounds, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, three-point percentage, and minutes) this past year.

He’s a skilled big who can play with his back to the basket, use his soft touch in the paint, and get defenders out of position to create easy layups. This season, Tubelis hit 10 three-pointers for the Wildcats and shot 31.6 percent on 32 attempts. His 32 attempts were a career-low, but his percentage was a career-high, displaying better offensive awareness and shot IQ. 

While Tubelis is yet to become a consistent and reliable outside shooter, the framework is there, and he projects to become more reliable at the next level. His free throw percentage of 76.4 was the best amongst forwards and centers on the team, suggesting an ability to make shots outside the paint.

Capable of finishing with both hands, Tubelis is dominant with his left; he can run the floor well in transition and play alongside a traditional center, just as he did this past year for Arizona (Oumar Ballo). 

Tubelis’s usage percentage of 28.4 ranked ninth of 145 high-major Division I power forwards and centers who played at least 40 percent of their team’s minutes. Tubelis was a focal point on offense while maintaining a solid field goal percentage and efficiency. His turnover percentage was in the middle of the pack, but his assist percentage of 14 percent was second-best of the players with a higher usage percentage (Trayce Jackson- Davis -Indiana) 

Far from the most athletic player, Tubelis moves well up and down the court and knows how to use his size to finish strong in the paint. His 5.1 free throw attempts per game were a career-high and the second-most on the team (Ballo). 

His offensive rebounding percentage of 10.6 was the best on the team and ranked 49th of 224 high-major Division I forwards and centers, who played at least 40 percent of their team’s minutes. Tubelis finished the season with 14 double-doubles and scored double-digit points all but once. His production was amongst the best in college basketball this past season, and his game still has room to grow with a more consistent outside shot and physical paint presence.

 

Defense

Tied for the team lead in steals and second in blocks per game, Tubelis is a capable defender who uses his large frame to disrupt drivers and bigs down low. His defensive rating of 90.9 was second on the team while leading Arizona in steal percentage (out of the six players who played at least 40 percent of their teams’ minutes). 

Tubelis moves well for his size and plays with active hands defensively. Fouling out just once in 35 games for the Wildcats, he can defend and apply pressure without fouling. 

He may be less effective at the four in the NBA, as forwards have developed into outside threats. Quicker forwards may isolate and drive past Tubelis to the rim. He’s far from an elite rim protector and rarely played center minutes this season. His 0.7 blocks per game reflect a lack of athleticism and shot-blocking capabilities for his size. 

Still, Tubelis is a crafty player; he generates steals and can create turnovers with his awareness, discipline, and hustle. He may never become an elite defender at the next level, but his intangibles and size allow him to compete admirably defensively. 

Looking Ahead

Expect Tubelis’ jumper to continue to improve at the next level. He possesses pick-and-pop capabilities and can slash to the rim while finishing above and through contact. 

Despite an awkward left-handed shot, Tubelis has a strong offensive game. He knows how to finish in the paint and should expand his range as his career develops. 

Projected to go in the second round, Tubelis is one of the more polished bigs in the draft but still has plenty of upside offensively. While he may not be or ever become an elite lob threat, he is skilled in the paint and is an excellent finisher in traffic. 

Tubelis will be a quality big off the bench for any franchise. He has sufficient size and won’t be a liability late in games with his free throw shooting.