2019 NBA Mock Draft: Tankers beware

As a Phoenix resident, I can’t describe how excited I am to see Bol’s freshman season up close. The legendary Manute Bol’s son has the potential to carry on his father’s ahead-of-his-time style in the NBA, and he’s already well on his way to doing so.

Take the 2018 Nike Hoop Summit, in which the youngster blocked six shots, grabbed 14 rebounds and shot 6-11. Those are numbers you’d expect from a 7-3 player among amateurs, but what sets him apart is his shooting touch and face-up ability. Bol can take and make 3s and attack hard closeouts when teams overplay his jump shot.

With Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac and Mo Bamba, there is a ton of length and versatility already on Orlando’s roster. But they will be bad again, still a couple years away from competitiveness. Adding Bol to that core puts the Magic truly on their way to building an uncommonly malleable, modern team, and protects them in case Gordon leaves.

Ducks coach Dana Altman has already said the Ducks will play a more-competitive non-conference schedule this season, in addition to the Pac-12’s increased competitiveness. “Because of our incoming freshmen, there is a lot more interest from TV people and neutral site games,” Altman told 247 Sports.

Count me as one of those who is highly interested.