NBA Mock Draft: 5 surprise prospects who could crash the lottery

2. Bilal Coulibaly, F, Metropolitans 92

Victor Wembanyama might not be the only player from Metropolitans 92 selected in the lottery come June. Bilal Coulibaly has been slowly but steadily gaining steam all season. The 18-year-old is one of the youngest players in the draft and he profiles as a potentially elite wing defender.

Again, measurements: Coulibaly is 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan. He’s built strong with room to fill out his frame even further. He’s an explosive vertical athlete, frequently skying for weak-side blocks or invading enemy airspace to secure offensive rebounds and generate second-chance opportunities.

He’s not as advanced offensively as other lottery prospects, but Coulibaly has a respectable 3-point stroke and enough utility as a play finisher around the rim to get by while the rest of his skill set develops. He shows great promise exploding downhill for finishes, but he will have to make NBA teams respect his jumper to fully unlock his slashing ability.

Coulibaly is switchable and he gives consistent effort on the defensive end. On top of the blocks, he’s excellent at shooting the gaps for steals. His awareness is fairly advanced for such a young player and he’s going to put his imprint on the game by sheer athletic willpower.