A ferocious lob threat with elite defensive instincts, this Virginia Tech standout pairs high-flying finishes with rim protection. See if his athleticism fits Sacramento’s second-round draft plans.
The Sacrmento Kings have two second-round picks -- Nos. 34 and 45 -- expanding the range of prospects to choose from in the 2026 NBA Draft in five days.
Lorenzo J. Reyna and Matthew Feldman of the KingsRoundtable have covered various prospects who are likely second-round picks: Tennessee's Ja'Kobi Gillespie, Purdue's Braden Smith and Arkansas' Trevon Brazile.
Friday's profile will feature Virginia Tech forward Tobi Lawal, a four-year college player. He spent two years at Virginia Commonwealth before transferring and breaking out for the Hokies.
Walking Highlight Reel
Lawal has elite athleticism and finishes in the paint with ferocious dunks. Virginia Tech used his athletic ability as a screener, which turned him into a lob threat.
He always looks to attack the rim, even when left wide open at the three-point line. When Lawal is around the rim, prepare for the cameras flashing to capture his high-flying highlight finish.
Secondary Rim Protector
The 6-foot-8 forward averaged a career-high 1.1 blocks in his final season with the Hokies. His athleticism is the foundation of his rim-protection ability, as he sends shots flying to the stands.
Lawal isn't jump-happy either; he keeps two feet on the ground and times his jump to block shots. He has solid off-ball defensive instincts, covering large spaces quickly to protect the rim.
Areas of Concern
Shooting ability is a significant concern in the London native's game. He shot 25% from beyond the arc last season on 2.1 attempts and 37.1% in the 2024-25 season.
Building a consistent three-point shot is crucial for Lawal to expand his skill set and keep defenses honest, even if he's the most athletic player on the court. Lawal's also a career 67% shooter from the free-throw line, so improvement from deep could help his free throws too.
Draft Range
Lawal has appeared in mock drafts as a late-second-round pick. Yahoo! Sports' Kevin O'Connor has the Atlanta Hawks selecting him with the 57th pick, and ESPN's Jeremy Woo has the Houston Rockets drafting the Hokie 53rd overall.
Sacramento does not have a pick in the 50s, meaning the team most likely won't have a shot at Lawal. It means general manager Scott Perry would have to either draft Lawal with the 43rd pick, trade down for him or hope he goes undrafted.
Are the Kings a Fit?
An athletic wing is a fit for most teams. Lawal's athleticism has cemented him as a lob threat and solid rim protector in college. Those are translatable traits in the NBA.
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