NCAA Tournament 2018: 5 best shooters in the Sweet 16

4. Mikal Bridges  |  Villanova (#25)

Villanova’s Mikal Bridges may be the quintessential wing prospect. He’s 6-foot-7 with a healthy 7-foot-2 wingspan. For perspective, Kentucky’s Kevin Knox is 6-foot-9, but with a 7-foot wingspan.

Bridges is an excellent defender, sporting an elite 3.1 career steal percentage and above-average 3.6 career block percentage, per Sports-Reference. His length is a problem for many opponent scoring threats he gets matched up against.

As good a defender as the redshirt junior from Malvern, PA (just outside of Philadelphia) is, it’s his ability to wear nets out that has NBA front offices taking notice. Bridges is knocking down 44.2 percent of his 3s this season. He puts up 10.7 per 100 possessions, making 4.7. He is converting 84.9 percent of his free throws, after sinking 91.1 percent as a sophomore.

The consistency of the efficiency in the shooting department during his three seasons at Villanova is remarkable. Bridges has the following career shooting numbers:

eFG%: 62.5   2PT%: 64.6   3PT%: 40.1   FT%: 84.4   TS%: 65.7

It simply doesn’t matter where he’s shooting from. The 64.6 percent career mark inside the arc is particularly impressive for a wing with the outside proficiency of Bridges.

He is a huge reason that Villanova leads the nation in both scoring and offensive efficiency, along with Jalen Brunson and company. Bridges puts in 32 points per 100 possessions, yet has a modest usage rate of 23.6 percent for a player with his ability.

The multi-dimensional talents and willingness to buy into the selfless, team-first culture of Villanova has Bridges projected to be taken in the lottery this June. He is ranked as the eighth-best prospect on our NBA Draft Big Board.

Bridges has hit at least four 3s in seven of the past 10 games, including all three Big East tournament games en route to the championship. He hit three 3s in each of the others.

If Bridges gets a Kris Jenkins type opportunity late in a game, I wouldn’t want to be rooting for the other team right then.