Contenidos
Career
Mohamed Kherrazi is a Dutch power forward of Moroccan origin who is 2.00m tall and has just turned 30 (he was born on 29 June 1990).
He made his professional debut in the First Division of Dutch basketball in the 2010-11 season and during this second decade of the 21st century he has been one of the best defensive players in this competition.
Debut at ABC Amsterdam
He started his career in the Dutch basketball elite with ABC Amsterdam and he was named DBL Rookie of the Year in 2011. The following season he signed with ZZ Leiden, where he has played for eight seasons (2011-19).
A classic at ZZ Leiden
With ZZ Leiden Kherrazi, he has won one Dutch League title (2013), two Cups (2012, 2019) and two more Super Cups (2011 and 2012). In addition, he has been voted best defensive player in the league on three occasions (2015, 2016, 2019), something no one else has achieved in the history of Dutch first division basketball.
Moreover, he has played in continental club competitions on four occasions: two editions of the Eurochallenge (2011-12, 2013-14) and another two of the FIBA Europe Cup (2015-16, 2018-19).
New destination: Landstede Zwolle
He signed for Landstede Zwolle this 2019-20 season. With his new team he won his third Super Cup and has averaged 6.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.8 steals in 20 DBL matches. He has also played the FIBA Europe Cup, with solid numbers at both ends: 7.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
Kherrazi plays for the Dutch national team. He debuted in 2014 and has always been selected since then.
Style of play
Mohamed Kherrazi is a power forward (though he can sometimes play as a «3») who can be defined as a team player, a 4×4 with a powerful body and willing to give the 100% in such important aspects of the game as defense or rebounding.
In offense, he is not really a scorer. Throughout his career, he has not averaged double-digits in any of the seasons he has played.
Cuts
We see most of his points come from cuts to the basket. His mobility and athleticism allow him to surpass his opponents and finish close the rim, where he shows his force with ferocious dunks.
Pick & Roll
That same mobility makes him an efficient player finishing pick and roll situations, so he will increase his productivity if he shares the court with a playmaker that’s good creating opportunities in that 2 on 2 game.
Transition
He is a quick player for his strength and position, which allows him to score points in transition, as he is able to run up the court like an exterior.
Post up
He can occasionally score in high-post situations, although he is not a specialist playing with his back to the basket.
Shooting
In current basketball, where power forwards tend to play more open and are usually specialists beyond the 3-point line, Kherrazi has his biggest handicap in the lack of range. He is capable of scoring by shooting from mid range, but he almost doesn’t shoot any 3P shots.
He also struggles with free throws. In his career, he has barely surpassed 50% of success from the line and this season he ended with a questionable 17/44.
These shooting problems decrease his efficiency (44.3 true shooting % in DBL), although his usage is not too high either (17.4 USG%).
Rebounds
Kherrazi fights for every ball that doesn’t go into the basket on both ends of the floor. His physical tools, ability to jump and instincts to get the rebound make him grab a lot of boards.
He was the second best rebounder in the DBL if we look at advanced stats, with a fantastic 22.1 TRB%, only surpassed by the giant Thomas Van der Mars. In terms of defensive rebound percentage, he was number 1 in the DBL with 30.2 DRB% (offensively he was 6th with 12 ORB%).
Defense
Here is where he really shines. He is tremendously intense, supportive and very generous player with his defensive efforts. His combination of powerful body, athletic ability and lateral mobility allows him to be an efficient post defender either against heavier players or those who have great footwork.
He can also defend proficiently the pick and roll and close out open players.
His ability to read the passing lines and his timing to put his hand at the exact moment when the opponent is about to receive the ball should be underlined. He was 4th in DBL with 1.8 steals per game and 3.8 STL%.
Finally, I would like to emphasize his outstanding vision. With 2.5 assists per game and 14.8 AST%, he is Top-5 in this area among big men in the league.
Conclusion
In short, he is a great team player very well renowned in the Netherlands, who could also aspire to play in a stronger league.
He has obvious strengths (rebounds, defense, intensity) that minimise his weaknesses (shooting efficiency, a bit small to play the «4»), so he could become a great rotation player in a higher level league to provide intensity on the court.
