18. PF Bam Adebayo, Kentucky
Adebayo comes to Kentucky as one of the more hyped members of this year’s freshman class, presenting a solid 6-10 frame with athleticism to boot. While he’s not all that polished off in terms of his skill set, his presence around the basket gives him one of the more intriguing upsides to watch in the coming weeks.
Defensively and on the boards are the two areas in which Adebayo will make the biggest impact early on, both in college and once he reaches the NBA. He has a lengthy wingspan and solid core that allow him to match competition at either frontcourt spot from a physical perspective, and has consistent showcased excellent shot blocking underneath the rim. He’s mobile for his size as well, and has the flexibility to switch onto the perimeter without being overly embarrassed.
Abedayo’s rebounding will also be a massive benefit, regardless of where he ends up. He’s still raw in a number of facets, but has the instincts needed to find the ball off the shot and the athletic prowess around the basket to grab rebounds at a high clip.
Offensively, there’s some major hitches in his game, but he has the tools needed to carve out an effective role. He plays above the rim with ease, making him an easy lob target and someone capable of finishing off give-and-gos at the basket. His length and physicality allow him to finish through contact with ease, and his aggression on the offensive boards on reassures his ability to contribute on that end.
His arsenal of moves on the block are a bit limited at this point and he doesn’t contribute much outside the paint, but he’s the type of two-way physical force that will always have a spot in the NBA.
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