VITALS: 6-3, 204, Xavier OVERVIEW: Sato is a classic example of a player who players taller than his height. The 6-3 Sato averaged 8.0 rebounds in his senior season after playing four years at Xavier. Sato started all 130 games of his college career, but saw his scoring dip from his junior to senior season. Sato does most of his scoring inside and has shot 35 percent on 3-pointers each of the last two seasons. His biggest strength is his strength, which allows him to muscle bigger opponents on defense and on the glass. The native of the Central African Republic came to the United States not knowing a word of English before enrolling in high school in Dayton, Ohio. LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Sato is a projected second-rounder. Some NBA officials love him, others do not think he has a chance. Sato's average play at Chicago did nothing to change the opinions of the latter. COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Ruben Patterson COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: Corey Benjamin ROLE PROJECTION: Reserve POSITIVES: Sato is a physical specimen. He has huge biceps, a long wingspan and a set of legs that allow him to explode off the floor. His athleticism and strength allowed him to play like a power forward at the college level. That toughness should translate in the NBA in the form of defensive prowess. Sato has the ability to become a lock-down defender. SHORTCOMINGS: Offensively, Sato lacks NBA ability. His ballhandling needs improvement and his shooting is marginal. Furthermore, Sato measured just 6-2 without shoes at Chicago, three inches under his listed height. Any of those circumstances alone could slam the door shut on his NBA career.
