During an interview with Mark Medina of RG.org, Evan Mobley's trainer, Olin Simplis, compared the Cleveland Cavaliers star to three NBA legends. 

Simplis sees a lot of Anthony Davis, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Garnett in Mobley. 

"I’ve known the kid since high school," Simplis said. "He’s been with me since he was at USC. He has that second bounce defensively that KG had. KG is long, athletic and defensively is such a menace. He gets to his second bounce quicker than a lot of players. Evan has that. Like Giannis, Evan can grab and go. Giannis is probably one of my favorite players of all time. Evan also has the toolbox to grab the ball off the rim and initiate the offense and create. I think he’s probably a little bit more skilled and fluid than Giannis. Evan has things that KG can do, but that Giannis doesn’t. Evan also has things that Giannis does and that KG can do. So Evan can be a mold of both of those guys."

Mobley won the Defensive Player of the Year Award last season. He also made the All-NBA Second Team and played in his first All-Star game. 

Mobley appeared in 71 games for the Cavaliers last season. The USC product averaged 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.6 blocks while shooting 55.7% from the field, 37.0% from beyond the arc 72.5% from the free-throw line.

By winning Defensive Player of the Year last season, Mobley triggered a clause in his contract that calls for him to increase the first-year salary of his rookie-scale extension from 25% to 30% of the salary cap.

Mobley enters the 2025-26 season with career averages of 16.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.6 blocks.

"Anthony Davis is one of the best players that has ever suited up," Simplis said. "He’s phenomenal. But the knock is he doesn’t bring it night in and night out. So I don’t want to compare that. You have to bring it every night. So does Evan have that skillset? Yes. But if he has that Giannis and KG mindset with AD’s skillset, that’s a different demon. Let’s be Anthony Davis. Let’s take it off the rim and do everything that he's capable of doing with a little bit of KG and Giannis mindset with the way they attack every possession. They attack every possession."