Matt Williams
Competing for Impact Basketball Academys post-graduate program this past season, Zambia native Patson Siame was limited by an apparent ankle injury all week, ultimately only playing a few minutes on game day. Siame is still new to the game and while he is certainly a project at this point, he has some interesting tools that could bode well for his long-term future.
Siame's potential is rooted primarily in his impressive physical tools. Standing 6'11 with a 7'2 wingspan and a frame that has plenty of room for growth, Siame has excellent size for a post player. He'll need to add some muscle to hold position on the block in the WCC, a point of interest as he heads off to Loyola Marymount next season. A somewhat mechanical athlete to begin with, Siame's injury undoubtedly impeded his ability to use his size to his advantage in Portland, though he did show impressive mobility and leaping ability on a few notable occasions.
On the offensive end, Siame was a mixed bag, appearing to be in the early stages of his development in some areas. Struggling to catch the ball and finish dunks at times, Siame has poor hands at this stage, making it difficult for him to take advantage of his efforts. His best moments came when he was crashing the offensive glass, as he clearly has a very good motor.
Defensively, Siame had a few emphatic blocks over the course of the week, showcasing what his athleticism can add on that end of the floor. He'll need to continue improving his fundamentals to reach his potential as a defender, as he has very little concept of positioning and shows poor awareness, but he has the tools to make an impact down the road as he continues to gain experience.
At this point, it is too early to pass judgment on Siame. Considering that he was not entirely healthy and competing against a number of players with extensive experience competing at the professional level in Europe, this was far from an ideal setting for a player of Siame's background. Considering his physical attributes and youth, he could a prospect worth keeping an eye on in the coming years Depending to see how he continues to improve.
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