CLEVELAND, Ohio — The first Mobley worked out well. So, why not another?
The Cleveland Cavaliers drafted Isaiah Mobley — the older brother of Evan Mobley, the Cavs’ Rookie of the Year runner-up who helped spark a franchise turnaround — with the No. 49 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Cleveland acquired the selection Thursday afternoon in a trade with the Sacramento Kings, giving up the draft rights to international forward Sasha Vezenkov and $1.75 million in cash to move into position for Mobley.
Following a decorated high school career, Mobley signed with USC, playing one season alongside Evan. Known for his high-level defense and versatile offensive skill set — 36% of his 3-pointers and becoming one of the Trojans’ best passers — the elder Mobley was named first-team All-Pac 12 this past season. A 6-foot-10, 238-pound forward with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, Mobley averaged 14.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
Despite having one more year of college eligibility, Mobley declared for the draft and will get another chance to form a twin-tower look with his brother. The two also attended the same high school and college.
Mobley was one of four players selected by Cleveland Thursday night, joining Ochai Agbaji (No. 14), Khalifa Diop (No. 39) and Luke Travers (No. 56). While Diop and Travers will be stashed overseas, sources say Mobley is expected to receive a two-way deal because of the team’s current roster crunch.
The quartet is joining one of the NBA most promising young rosters — an up-and-coming team that won 44 games last season, doubling their previous year’s win total and advancing to the play-in tournament.
Fitting the Cavs
Kansas forward Ochai Agbaji
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