2018 NBA Mock Draft 4.0

TUCSON, AZ - MARCH 01: Deandre Ayton #13 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts to a foul call during the second half of the college basketball game against the Stanford Cardinal at McKale Center on March 1, 2018 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats beat the Cardinal 75-67. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ - MARCH 01: Deandre Ayton #13 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts to a foul call during the second half of the college basketball game against the Stanford Cardinal at McKale Center on March 1, 2018 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats beat the Cardinal 75-67. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
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Bamba has moved into the top five on most boards, with his elite physical tools and improved offensive production boosting his stock. The fact that somebody with Bamba’s length is stretching his game to the perimeter should pique the interest of NBA teams.

Skal Labissiere is solid and Willie Cauley-Stein has his nights for Sacramento, but neither of them are good enough to pass on the best prospect available. With a 7-9 wingspan, Bamba is already averaging 3.7 blocks per game with Texas. He’d immediately become the longest player in the NBA when drafted, surpassing Rudy Gobert.

Rim protection and finishing is going to be the root of Bamba’s production early on, but he could become a freakish weapon if his jumper becomes even semi-reliable (which it’s pretty dang close to being).