Last Updated on July 19, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

OG Anunoby has earned recognition as one of the NBA’s premier perimeter defenders, using his exceptional strength, length, and instincts to routinely neutralize the league’s toughest offensive assignments. Combined with a steadily improving offensive game and reliable three-point shooting, his two-way impact has made him one of the league’s most valuable and versatile wings.

Here is the information on OG Anunoby:

  • Full Name: Ogugua “OG” Anunoby Jr.
  • Nationality: British-Nigerian
  • Age: Born July 17, 1997
  • Hometown: Originally from London, England; moved to Jefferson City, Missouri, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 meters)
  • Weight: 232 pounds (105 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 feet 2 inches (218 cm)
  • Shoe Size: Size 15 (US)
  • Shoe Brand: Nike KD 16, Nike Kyrie Infinity, Nike Kyrie 6, Nike LeBron 17, Nike Kobe AD NXT FF, Nike PG 2.5, Nike Kyrie 3, Adidas Dame 3
  • Number: Wears #3
  • Position: Small Forward / Power Forward
  • High School: Jefferson City High School (Jefferson City, Missouri)
  • College: Indiana University (2015–2017)
  • NBA Draft: 2017 NBA Draft, 1st Round, 23rd overall by the Toronto Raptors
  • Player Archetype: 3-and-D Wing / Perimeter Stopper
  • Primary Offensive Role: Floor Spacer / Secondary Scorer
  • Defensive Role: Elite Multi-Positional Defender / Primary Wing Stopper
  • Play Style: Low-usage, high-impact wing who spaces the floor, cuts opportunistically, and anchors perimeter defense with physicality and discipline
  • Handedness / Shooting Hand: Right-handed
  • Athletic Profile: Powerful, explosive, and laterally agile with elite strength and length for his position
  • Recruiting Status: 4-star recruit (late riser with strong defensive projection)
  • Draft Status Detail: First-round pick despite ACL injury; valued for defensive upside, physical tools, and long-term scalability
  • Injury Status Category: Moderate Risk — missed time with ACL tear (college), appendectomy (rookie playoffs), and periodic minor injuries, but generally maintains availability
  • Career Stage: Prime Two-Way Starter
  • Comparison Style: Similar stylistically to Kawhi Leonard (defensive dominance and scoring efficiency) with shades of Ron Artest
  • Teams Played For:
    • Toronto Raptors (2017–2023)
    • New York Knicks (2023–present)
  • Championship Rings: 1 (2019 with the Toronto Raptors)
  • Kids: None
  • Siblings: Has an older brother, Chigbo Anunoby, who played professional football (NFL and CFL)

OG Anunoby’s player archetype is that of a 3-and-D wing, built around elite defensive versatility and efficient complementary scoring rather than high offensive usage. Defensively, he operates as a primary perimeter stopper, regularly taking on the opponent’s best scorer and switching across positions using his strength, wingspan, and lateral quickness. Offensively, he functions as a floor spacer and secondary scoring option, contributing through catch-and-shoot opportunities, straight-line drives, and opportunistic cuts rather than advanced shot creation. Physically, Anunoby stands out with a powerful 6’7″ frame, exceptional length, and explosive athleticism that translate directly to both ends of the floor. His overall play style is disciplined and impact-driven, prioritizing defense, efficiency, and team structure while steadily expanding his offensive toolkit.

Scouting Report

OG Anunoby doesn’t ask the game to revolve around him, but he has a habit of making life uncomfortable for whichever player it does. What stands out is how rarely he gets knocked off his defensive line. Wings trying to turn the corner often end up pushed a step wider than they planned, post players struggle to dislodge him with shoulder bumps, and he’ll absorb contact before extending those long arms into the dribble at exactly the moment the ball becomes exposed. He isn’t chasing steals nearly as often as he’s waiting for mistakes to become available. Offensively, his role is much cleaner. He spaces the floor with purpose, relocates along the arc as drives develop and attacks hard closeouts instead of overdribbling into traffic. The straight-line drive is his most reliable weapon because once he gets his shoulders past a defender, his strength usually finishes the job. The trade-off is that asking him to create against a set defense possession after possession exposes a handle that can tighten under pressure, particularly when defenders crowd him early and force multiple changes of direction. That’s why I think his best offensive possessions begin with someone else bending the defense first, allowing him to finish actions rather than start them. Defensively, though, he fits almost anywhere. He can switch across several matchups, peel onto a driving guard when rotations break down, rotate from the weak side without losing track of shooters and make physical scorers work for every catch instead of every shot. To me, his game resembles Ron Artest in the way strength and balance disrupt perimeter scorers, while Mikal Bridges comes to mind because both understand how to provide value without needing frequent touches, although Anunoby leans far more on power than constant movement.

Sources:
NBA.com — OG Anunoby Player Profile
Basketball Reference — OG Anunoby Stats
ESPN — OG Anunoby Bio