Wei Zhao Scouting Report
Zhao Weilun is a very steady 6-foot point guard with good perimeter shooting and passing vision playing for the Cold Hearts team in the Overtime Elite league.
This is a guest post written by Harry Zhang.
BORN ON: September 8, 2005
TEAM: Cold Hearts (Overtime Elite)
Zhao Weilun is a very steady 6-foot point guard with good perimeter shooting and passing vision playing for the Cold Hearts team in the Overtime Elite league. This season, he averaged 13.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game in 29.2 minutes.
Wei is a very good three-point shooter who can make catch-and-shoot and movement threes at a relatively high volume. This has been the case since he played at Varese in Italy. His shot is incredibly pure and consistent, as his percentages (42.5 3P%, 91.4 FT%) this year suggest. Wei can also get to the midrange and pull up in pick-and-roll situations.
Despite being undersized even for the point guard position, I think Wei has underrated athleticism and quickness when he drives to the rim. He can create some separation against some slower guards and bigs, especially in pick-and-rolls, and then finish through contact or avoid the contest with a reliable reverse layup. He also has a good floater game in such situations to avoid challenging the big man in drop coverages. However, it’s important to note that Wei doesn’t have elite burst or the craftiest techniques to always finish at the rim.
Wei is also an elite passer who hits quick outlet passes in transitions, and can constantly make the right reads in the pick-and-roll. He passes with both hands and his assist-to-turnover rate is around 2.5 (6.6 AST / 2.6 TOV), which I think is good. He came second in assist numbers per game in OTE.
Wei is a negative defender due to his thin frame and small positional stature. He has a very low floor on this end because of his size and physicality. Bigger and stronger guards can just play through him. His effort on this end is also inconsistent. There are times when he is really focused and can be a pest or disruptive in passing lanes, but there are also times when he isn’t focused enough.
BACKGROUND: Before getting drafted by the Cold Hearts with the third pick of the OTE draft, Wei played for Varese in Italy. He also played in the 2023 U-19 World Cup, averaging 9.9 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. According to a monthly report given by his coach Norm Richardson, Wei is hardworking in practices but not very vocal1. He plays piano really well and was also a very good student at Varese2.
Father played in college in Beijing. Dad moved to Italy due to job, followed by mom and brother. Wei was born in Prato, Italy, and eventually moved to Varese. Says his basketball upbringing took place in Italy.`
Xiaohan Zhang, Harry, is a basketball lover studying anthropology in Hong Kong. He is dreaming of becoming a scout.
Piece edited by Wilko Martínez-Cachero.
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