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I’m just going to admit to my bias up front: Yoeli Childs played at my alma mater, Brigham Young University, for the last four years so it’s very easy for me to want him to succeed in the NBA. That said, I wouldn’t waste your time reading this post if he wasn’t a legitimate second round prospect who should be considered by the Charlotte Hornets.
As a 6-foot-8, 225-pound power forward Childs had a remarkable four-year career at BYU. As a junior he averaged 21.2 points and 9.7 rebounds followed by his 2019-20 senior season where he put up 22.2 points and 9.0 rebounds. As a four-year stater he became the first player in BYU’s history to register 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.
In addition to his excellent rebounding, Childs is a very productive scorer as both a post player and from the three-point line. As a senior he shot 57.4 percent from the field and a remarkable 48.9 percent (22 of 49) from the three-point line. To give a bigger sample size of his three-point shooting, during his junior and senior seasons combined he hit 37.5 percent (54 of 144) from downtown. He’s got a sweet touch from outside but he can also work over even bigger players in the post. His footwork and body control in the post are excellent.
Childs is a very well rounded player. Per USA Today, Childs’ 1.12 points per possession ranked in the 97th percentile and his defensive rebounding percentage of 27.9 percent ranked among the Top 20 in the country. Another report used Synergy data to determine he was the second best pick-and-pop player in the nation among players with as many possessions as Childs had.
Childs also makes his team better. He led BYU to a 24-8 record and to be ranked No. 18 when the season was put on hold. Childs was brilliant in BYU’s victory over No. 2 Gonzaga by scoring 28 points on 12-of-19 shooting to go along with 10 rebounds. It’s a shame he didn’t get the chance to showcase his skills on the national stage of March Madness. If the NCAA tournament had happened this year I really believe Yoeli’s name would have shot up many of the big boards and mock drafts.
The Hornets have two second round picks and Childs is projected to go somewhere in the second round. USA Today has him projected as the No. 40 overall pick going to the Memphis Grizzlies. Another mock draft at AZ Central had him being drafted at No. 60 at the end of the second round. Other mock drafts have him going undrafted.
The goal of second round picks is for them to make the roster and provide solid backup minutes. Yoeli Childs can do just that, if not more, for the right NBA team. I would be thrilled if the Hornets become that team.