2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 23: The NBA Playoffs are upon us
By Chris Stone
Bam Adebayo
C, Kentucky
This is the final of three first round selections for the Portland Trail Blazers and they use it to find some bench depth at the center position behind Jusuf Nurkic. With Nurkic out injured, the Trail Blazers have struggled to replace him, so finding some backup should be helpful.
Kentucky’s Bam Adebayo has declared for the draft, but has yet to sign with an agent. Still, a return to school looks unlikely given the amount of frontcourt talent the Wildcats are bringing in next season. As a freshman, he averaged 17.3 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per 40 minutes. Adebayo’s best attribute is his defense, which helped Kentucky finish as one of the 10 best defenses in the country according to adjusted efficiency. Adebayo’s athleticism and 7-foot-2 wingspan make him a serviceable rim protector while he has the lateral mobility to give a coach some options in how he defends pick-and-roll.
Offensively, Adebayo is best as a pick-and-roll finisher. He tries to dunk everything and is capable of playing well above the rim. He’s not an elite post option, but he does have a bit of a mid-range jumper that can help create a little space.