CHGO Bulls 2022 NBA Draft Profiles: Tari Eason

We’re only a few days out from the 2022 NBA Draft and CHGO is examining prospects who could be in the Chicago Bulls range with their 18th pick.

Let’s look into Tari Eason, a sophomore forward from LSU:

• Age on draft night: 21.1
• Measurables: HT: 6’8 | WS: 7’2 | Hand size: 11”
• Sophomore Stats (LSU): 16.9 pts | 6.6 reb | 1.1 blks| 1.9 stls
• Sophomore shooting splits: 52.1 FG% | 35.9 3P% | 80.3 FT%
• Projected range: Late lotto

Here are my notes, including strengths, weaknesses or question marks, and potential fit with the Bulls should they take him at 18.

Strengths

Absolute defensive menace

• Good foot speed and length potentially gives him the ability to guard 1-5
• Super active hands and good timing
• Creates a ton of offense through his steals and blocks
• Really aggressive jumping passing lanes and getting out in transition
• Help side instincts are really impressive, both on perimeter and in the paint
• Chasedown block artist

Shooting improvements

• Huge improvement as a shooter from freshman season at Cincinnati to sophomore season at LSU
• 52 percent from the field up from 46 percent his freshman season
• 36 percent on 2.4 threes per game up from 24 percent on 1.3 attempts per game
• 80 percent on 5.7 free throw attempts per game up from 57.4 percent on 2 attempts per game
• Form is a little shaky (push shot, far from face), but much improved since his first year

Uber efficient

• Monster at getting to the foul line — 51.5 free throw rate. 5.7 attempts per game in only 24.4 minutes
• Outrageous 4.5 percent steal rate, 6.2 percent block rate
• Only player since 2009/10 to record 4.5 STL%, 6.2BLK% and 35% 3s
• Ton of easy transition points

Question marks and weaknesses

How real is the jumper?

• Worried about his shot mechanics and whether he will be able to shoot at the NBA level
• Has a bit of a slow-release push shot that’s far in front of his face. Hard to get off quickly against hard closeouts
• Hasn’t shown great touch or individual shot creation in isolation

Live and die with the hyperactivity

• Can be out of control on drives
• Aggressive activity can lead to picking up a ton of fouls
• Generally could reign it in but his activity is also his biggest strength

Role and potential fit with Bulls

The Bulls sorely need size and defensive versatility, which Eason would provide in spades. But unlike other prospects who fit the defensive-minded power forward role, Eason does have some untapped offensive creation upside that would elevate him above prospects like Mark Williams or EJ Liddell (for me, anyway).

The challenge for Eason in his early career will be to find a situation where he is given the latitude to be himself, while also refining his game. If he can be the 35+ percent three point shooter he was last year, he can have an immediate impact while developing the rest of his skills on the floor. He has the rare combination of being able to play at a decently high level from day one while also giving whichever team drafts him a good amount of upside.

Here’s our video breakdown from our CHGO YouTube channel (which you should subscribe to)