How does Sima compare to Obekpa as a freshman thus far?
Obekpa: 3.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.0 blocks, 1.1 assists, and 1.3 turnovers in 26 MPG while shooting 39% from the FT line and 45% from the field.
Sima: 8.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.2 blocks, 1.2 assists, and .8 turnovers, in 29 MPG while shooting 69% from the FT line and 43% from the field.
The difference that clearly stands out between the two is the poise and maturity Sima possesses over Obekpa in any year. He never seems rushed while CO was always going 100 MPH and was a constant candidate to do something stupid when he had the ball. The FT shooting is probably the next biggest difference. Sima is very solid there and draws a sh*t ton of fouls. It's actually kind of funny how many he draws. CO didn't draw contact and was historically bad at the line. It's a huge positive to have a center that you can rely on to make FTs so you don't have to do offense-defense subs late. Sima also has a little more to offer on offense than the nothing Obekpa provided his first two years. Obekpa is clearly the better shot blocker of the two and Sima's #'s will likely fall as the season goes on, but Sima is more of a presence inside that CO ever was. CO was a block or nothing player his first two years. Sima doesn't budge even when he goes for the block.
Both guys showed good passing skills early, but the edge has to go to Sima there. Sima has a big edge in rebounding and boxing out and I think this tournament was a good crash course in that. He seemed to battle every shot. Even though he came back to Earth in Maui and was facing a future NBA big today, he out-rebounded Bryant 7-3. That was quiet and pretty impressive given that Bryant seemed to have himself a day with 19 points Half of those points probably came against AA and Jones when Sima was out, though.
There is a lot of season left, but Sima looks like a better player to me right now. It's a good measuring stick because CO was the #69 RSCI player in his class and I think we could all agree he played to that ranking on the court--especially as a freshman.