Continuing an ongoing series breaking down 10 NBA Draft prospects, we'll take a look at Ohio State forward E.J. Liddell. Liddell participated in a private workout with the Denver Nuggets, but he was not available to the media.

Still, Liddell's skillset makes him an intriguing player to cover nonetheless.

Liddell played three years for Ohio State and showed exactly the type of progression one would hope for out of a three-year college veteran. He improved across the board each season, and showed increased efficiency with a larger role.

He led his team in nearly every statistical category in 2021-22, taking the Buckeyes all the way to an appearance in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

It's unclear exactly where he'll land in the 2022 NBA Draft, but the Nuggets hold the No. 21 overall pick, and the pairing may just make perfect sense.

In the modern NBA, switch-ability is a primary concern for many teams. That's exactly what Liddell brings to the court, as he is legitimately capable of guarding five positions.

He has the speed to reliably defend guards on switches, but also has the strength to face up against centers. His shot-blocking is second to none, averaging 2.6 swats per night in his Junior season despite being just 6'7".

Part of Liddell's decision to return to college for his Junior year came from a desire to improve his shooting. He did just that, and hit 37.4% of his threes in the process. It was the third-best figure on his team, among players who played at least 15 minutes per game.

Offensively, Liddell also has skills in the post. As a first option at Ohio State, he got chances to show off these flashy moves in big moments. And in the NBA, he'll be able to excel at a smaller scale.

Due to his role at Ohio State, Liddell didn't have many opportunities to expand on his playmaking. He'll need that in his arsenal when he gets to the NBA, and should have plenty of opportunities to do so as a versatile wing and forward.

When Liddell makes the transition to professional basketball, it's unlikely he'll need to be a primary initiator. However, taking a step forward on his handles could help to transform his game.

There's no doubt that he can find success as a spot up shooter and a post presence, but an extra wrinkle to his skillset would make him a difficult player to defend.

Nuggets head coach Michael Malone has touted defense and versatility as two of his main focuses heading into next season. Within those criteria, Liddell appears to be a remarkable fit.

Liddell represents an archetype that has exponentially increased in value over the past few years in the NBA. Switchable wing defenders that can reliably shoot the three are a must-have these days.

If Liddell can couple the skills he already has with a boost in playmaking, there's no telling what his ceiling might be. Realistically, Liddell could fit on all 30 NBA rosters, beyond just the Nuggets.

Of course, there remains plenty to figure out between now and June 23. Liddell is among several players that fit a need for the Nuggets that could be available at No. 21.

If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page.

NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLC’s Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network