The Cavaliers selected Ochai Agbaji with the No. 14 overall pick and the 22-year-old is expected to contribute right away to an up-and-coming team in Cleveland.
“First off, I just want to thank the organization and Cleveland for drafting me, believing in me,” Agbaji told the media after being selected. “I’m going to give you 110 percent every single day and a positive attitude. That’s really all. I’m just going to be a hard worker, come in, be humble, and represent my city well.”
The Cavaliers believe in Agbaji’s skillset with president of basketball operations Koby Altman calling the wing a “finished product.”
#Cavs President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman called Ochai Agbaji a "finished product" and said that due to Cleveland's position as a near playoff team, it made it more justifiable to take the former Jayhawk at 14.
— Evan Dammarell (@AmNotEvan) June 24, 2022
At 22, the Cavs’ Ochai Agbaji is older than Evan Mobley and Isaac Okoro and the same age as Darius Garland.
— Joe Vardon (@joevardon) June 24, 2022
More From Cleveland
- The team was very interested in Ousmane Dieng and would have considered him if he fell to No. 14, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com hears. Dieng, who arrived with the Thunder via the No. 11 pick, was linked to Cleveland leading up to the draft by multiple outlets. Fedor also notes that the decision to go with Agbaji came down to experience.
- No. 39 overall pick Khalifa Diop is likely to stay overseas and develop for at least a year, Fedor relays. The 7-foot-1 center previously competed for Senegal in the 2021 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. No. 49 pick Isaiah Mobley is expected to receive a two-way deal while Luke Travers, who was the No. 56 selection, is likely to play overseas.