After a strong junior season in which he averaged 13.1 points per game for Nebraska, Keisei Tominaga tested his draft status before ultimately deciding to return for his senior year.
That choice looks to be a good one. The Cornhuskers have improved dramatically thanks to Tominaga’s leadership and development. He’s increased his scoring up to 14.6 points per game and shored up some of his major weaknesses.
Tominaga has already proven that he is a terrific college basketball player, earning second team All-Big Ten honors this year. Can that translate to the next level?
Here’s how Tominaga looks as an NBA prospect.
There has never been any doubt about the shooting ability of the player nicknamed “the Japanese Steph Curry.” He’s hit 37.1 percent of his 3s this year for Nebraska, which is a slight dip from his 40.0 percent last season.
Tominaga clearly has supreme confidence in that shot. He’s a threat to let it fly as soon as he crosses halfcourt.
Tominaga has also upped his shot attempts and scoring, taking some difficult looks as the focal point of Nebraska’s offense. He’s expanded his game, becoming more than just a shooter.
“I think my most improvement thing from last year is attacking the basket, cutting. I think I play on ball more than last year too,” Tominaga told reporters in March.
Tominaga has been a good finisher at the rim, hitting 58.0 percent of those attempts. He’s shown some great touch around the basket.
Nebraska plays an NBA-style offense under coach Fred Hoiberg, who had coached and played in the league previously. Through that system, Tominaga has become adept at shooting off multiple screens, attacking the basket with the floor spread and making great reads out of pick-and-rolls.
Hoiberg agreed with his star player’s assessment.
“The biggest area of improvement in Keisei’s game is his ability to get to the basket,” Hoiberg told the Huskers Radio Network.
Hoiberg also mentioned Tominaga’s underrated screening and cutting as keys to Nebraska’s success.
The one thing that Tominaga couldn’t improve on is the biggest factor holding him back — his 6-2 height. Of the 443 players to log at least 100 minutes in the NBA this season, only 42 of them were 6-2 or shorter.
Tominaga’s height is going to make him a big target defensively. While he can’t get any taller, he has gotten stronger.
“He obviously had an adjustment period when he first got to Nebraska, and there were some games that he really struggled with the physicality,” Hoiberg told the Huskers Radio Network. “That’s where I give him so much credit, is how he has gained his strength that has allowed him to bang against bigger, stronger opponents, and ability to get his shot off even though he’s basically getting face-guarded out there against a lot of teams.”
At age 23, Tominaga still has time to add even more muscle. He has the offensive ability to hang in the league, but he will have to prove that he’s not a defensive liability.
Tominaga looked like a fringe second-round pick after his junior season. That still looks to be the case. He doesn’t show up on mock drafts at ESPN, The Ringer, Bleacher Report, The Athletic, SB Nation or any other major outlet.
That doesn’t preclude Tominaga from getting drafted or signed by an NBA team. A great showing during the NCAA Tournament or the NBA Draft Combine in May could boost his stock. He should also be able to receive an invite to the Las Vegas Summer League, where he could garner enough attention to sign with a team if he is undrafted.
Hoiberg, who also has experience working in NBA front offices, is a big believer in Tominaga’s NBA prospects. He made a case for Tominaga to On3 which is difficult to argue against.
“Never count out a competitor. Never count out a guy that can make shots. That’s what Keisei can do.”
