Brice Sensabaugh
Frame: 6’6 235 lbs
Position: Forward
Team: Ohio State
2023 draft age: 19
Stats via ESPN, NBA.com, Fox Sports Barttorvik.com

Offense

Sensabaugh’s frame may suggest he’s a well-built tight end coming out of the Ohio State football program, but don’t let his size fool you. He is every bit of a basketball standout. He’s an elite shooter who can come off screens and create offensive mismatches. Sensabaugh has a quick release, can run the floor, and flat-out score.

Currently leading the team with 16.7 points per game while shooting 44.9 percent from the three on 4.5 attempts per game, Sensabaugh is lighting up the scoreboard in just 23.5 minutes per game. His true shooting percentage of 61.1 percent would rank in the top 80 of current NBA forwards. By comparison, Jayson Tatum, Paul George, Pascal Siakam, and Giannis Anetetokounmpo have lower true shooting percentages.

Sensabaugh knows how to get to his spots, whether coming off screens or using his big body to create space for an easy fade away. His effective field goal percentage is 57.3 percent, which would place him in the top 35 of current NBA players listed at 225 lbs or above (out of 140 players).

While Sensabaugh’s playmaking is a work in progress, his elite shooting percentages prove he doesn’t take many bad shots and that his 1.0 assists per game may be an outcome of limited minutes while being such a gifted scorer. Sensabaugh plays with his head down, with one thing in mind, score the ball; he is a talented offensive weapon who can score from anywhere on the floor and will provide instant offense for any franchise.

 

  • 0:16 mark, Sensabaugh comes off a screen and drills a deep three with a defender in his face. 
  • At 1:45, Sensabaugh runs the floor, creates a fast break opportunity, and finishes, showcasing his athleticism for a 240 lb forward. 
  • From 2:43- 3:00, Sensabaugh drives past defenders, gets to his spots, rises and fires over defenders, and uses a floater over a big. 

 

Defense

Known more for his offense, Sensabaugh’s defense will need to improve at the next level. He averages 0.4 blocks and 0.6 steals per game, ranking fourth and fifth on the team. However, as a reserve for 11 of 25 games, Sensabaugh is expected to be an offensive catalyst for the bench unit and stretch the floor alongside other starting forwards (Zed Key and Justice Sueing are both shooting below 30 percent from three).

With great size and athleticism, the framework is there for Sensabaugh to be an above-average defender at the next level. His height and footwork will enable him to keep up with perimeter wings, while his 240 lb bruiser body will prevent him from being backed down by bigger forwards.

According to the T-rank Player Stats website, Sensabaugh’s defensive rebounding percentage ranks fifth out of 70 qualified freshmen. He’s the shortest of any player ranked in the top 20. Sensabaugh’s block percentage of 1.7 percent ranks in the top 30, and just Cason Wallace (Kentucky), Amari Bailey (UCLA), and Lamar Washington (Texas Tech) rank ahead of him at a shorter listed height.

Like many well-known sixth men in the NBA’s history (Jamal Crawford, Lou Williams, Vinnie Johnson), Sensabaugh has more of a scoring role. He has an unusual body type for a three-level scorer, but he should be able to provide a franchise with a formidable defensive presence.

Check the video above:

  • 7:32 Sensabaugh strips the ball on the perimeter, preventing the dribble hand-off, and uses athleticism to finish a fast-break at the other end.
  • 8:10-8:20, Sensabaugh prevents the backdown in the post, creating turnovers on two separate occasions.

Looking Ahead

Sensabaugh already has an NBA-caliber build. Alongside his elite shooting, Sensabuagh may be considered one of the more NBA-ready players in the 2023 draft. Projected to go mid-late first round, Sensabaugh can provide instant offense on the bench for an aspiring playoff-contending team. His 113.5 offensive rating would rank 32nd (out of 140) amongst NBA forwards greater than 225 lbs, and his catch-and-shoot ability off screens, pick-and-pops, and drive-and-kicks will enable him to stretch the floor.

However, Sensabaugh’s “tweener” size may prevent him from playing valuable minutes upon entering the league until he can prove that he can keep up defensively with the speed and pace of the game. While he can score at all thee-levels, 25 games in one year of college on a team unlikely to make the tournament is a small sample size. He might have a similar role to Benedict Mathurin and Desmond Bane as a player that can provide scoring off the bench for much of their rookie year, and once gaining the trust of coaches and teammates, an increased role later in his rookie season (or sophomore campaign).

Today’s NBA values shooting more than ever, and Sensabaugh can provide just that. His willingness to come off the bench in college shows he will do whatever the team needs to win. Couple that with elite athleticism, good defensive rebounding, and excellent shooting, and Sensabaugh may surprise as many scouts in college as he will in the NBA.