NBA Draft 2018: 5 targets for the Milwaukee Bucks

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SPRINGFIELD, MA – JANUARY 14: IMG Academy Ascenders guard Anfernee Simons (3) during the first half of the Spalding Hoophall Classic high school basketball game between the Vermont Academy Wildcats and the IMG Academy Post Grad Ascenders on January 14, 2018, at the Blake Arena in Springfield, MA .(Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

5. Anfernee Simons

In many ways, Simons is one of the draft’s biggest wild cards. He elected to play an extra year of high school ball at IMG Academy with an eye towards skipping college entirely. That’s exactly what he’s done with his decision to enter this year’s draft.

Despite all of the mystery surrounding his game, he still projects comfortably as a first round pick. In fact, it’s even possible he won’t be available when the Bucks pick at No. 17. It’s unlikely he’ll go earlier than that, but it isn’t impossible.

The book on Simons is that he’s a knock down shooter with a chance to grow into something more. That’s precisely the sort of player the Bucks would like to acquire. The problem is no one is quite sure how ready he is to contribute at the NBA level.

The fact that it might take a year or two to adjust to life as a pro will push him down the Bucks wish list. They would prefer a player who is better prepared to contribute right away. His lack of experience won’t disqualify Simons entirely though. If the board breaks a certain way, the Bucks will choose Simons based on his talent level. He could grow into one of the draft’s biggest steals in a few years.

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