NBA Draft 2018: Bucks take Donte DiVincenzo at No. 17
The Milwaukee Bucks start the Mike Budenholzer era by selecting the 2018 Final Four Most Outstanding Player, Donte DiVincenzo with the 17th pick.
After being a glorified sixth man all year for the national champion Villanova Wildcats, Donte DiVincenzo goes to the Milwaukee Bucks at pick number 17. DiVincenzo is a jack-of-all-trades guard, capable of playing on or off the ball and bringing intensity and effort on the defensive end. DiVincenzo made a name for himself by exploding for 31 points against Michigan in the 2018 National Championship game.
For Milwaukee, the team has been trying to find the right pieces to surround Giannis Antetokounmpo ever since he broke through to NBA superstardom. DiVincenzo has had success fitting into a role as his time with Villanova showed. With the Bucks, he’ll be relied upon to do more of the same. Milwaukee has loaded up on talented wings, they currently have Khris Middleton, Sterling Brown, Malcolm Brogdon, and Tony Snell getting regular playing time. DiVincenzo brings a little bit of everything that those four have in their games while being the best athlete of the bunch.
The Michael Jordan of Delaware as he’s referred to, certified his spot in the first round by having a great showing at the 2018 NBA Draft Combine — he played in the five-on-five scrimmages in BOTH days despite being advised to shut it down following the first game. DiVincenzo has an immediate fit with the Bucks but also has the potential to develop into a star that can play alongside Antetokounmpo down the road. We’ve barely seen what DiVincenzo can do outside of his role and the Bucks and Budenholzer system will give him the opportunity to showcase everything he has.
Despite being a late-bloomer in this year’s draft class, DiVincenzo has made a rapid rise up draft boards and the Bucks have to be feeling good about getting him where they did. The Bucks needed someone to help them win right away and DiVincenzo looks the part.