NBA Draft 2017: 5 targets for the Atlanta Hawks
By John Buhler
Bam Adebayo
Power Forward, Kentucky Wildcats
Though they didn’t make the 2017 Final Four, the 2016-17 Kentucky Wildcats made it to the Elite Eight thanks to their trio of fabulous freshman. Draft boards have already told you everything you think you need to know about Kentucky point guard De’Aaron Fox and shooting guard Malik Monk. However, one would be foolish to forget the big guy down low: Kentucky power forward Edrice “Bam” Adebayo.
Adebayo was the muscle in the frontcourt for one of John Calipari’s better teams since arriving in Lexington close to a decade ago. The big man from Newark played 30.1 minutes per game for the Wildcats, averaging 13.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per contest.
Adebayo played with a bruising style that made his teammates better. He will rebound and he will score in the paint at the next level. The bigger question is if he can play up-tempo or expand his offensive game to even the mid-range.
Should Millsap walk in his unrestricted free agency, Adebayo is probably the most likely of the players Atlanta could take in the first round that could work his way into the starting lineup at the four for the Hawks as rookie. He’ll need about a year and change to get it right down low, but Adebayo looks to be the type that will take to coaching and will do all the little things to help play winning ball.