NBA Mock Draft: DeAndre Ayton joins the Hawks

Everything is there for the sophomore to be a great pro — shooting, passing, driving, defense. Bridges is a much quicker and more agile player than most give him credit for, and his shooting will make defenses pay as long as its somewhere near league average. We may know what Bridges is, but he is valuable, someone who plays both ends and attacks advantageous situations.

Michigan State is less talented than some of their counterparts this year, but are of course wonderfully coached and led by Bridges like Denzel Valentine and Draymond Green recently before him. Some team will see the leadership and real-guyness that Bridges brings and see value. He keeps friends close and had the pride within himself to come back for 2018, smelling unfinished business.

He gives coach Tom Izzo a fulcrum from which the offense runs. Josh Langford is a quick playmaker and Jaren Jackson can finish plays efficiently, but Bridges (17 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists) adds an element of the unknown to each possession that will travel with him to the NBA. Teams are constantly looking for players who can pass, shoot and dribble to counter freakish, long-limbed defenders.