The Sixer Sense
Fansided

2018 NBA Draft Big Board 7.0

By Christopher Kline

Real Madrid's Slovenian Luka Doncic reacts during the Euroleague Final Four finals basketball match between Real Madrid and Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul at The Stark Arena in Belgrade on May 20, 2018. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/Getty Images)
Real Madrid's Slovenian Luka Doncic reacts during the Euroleague Final Four finals basketball match between Real Madrid and Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul at The Stark Arena in Belgrade on May 20, 2018. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Bamba has always been praised for his work ethic and willingness to learn. He’s a smart player who has already shown off some significant improvements during pre-draft workouts, especially with his jumper. Oh, and his wingspan is 7-foot-10.

While Jaren Jackson Jr. is probably the more ready-made defensive prospect, Bamba’s ceiling is unmatched. He’s longer and quicker than Rudy Gobert, and far more skilled than the Frenchman was at 19. He can block shots exceedingly well and use his length to stick with quicker players off the bounce.

He still needs to add more to his game offensively, but Bamba projects as a rim-runner who can finish with excellent efficiency around the rim due to his soft touch and long arms. He showed flashes of spot-up shooting and seems to be working on that this summer, but there’s no guarantee that it’s a reliable weapon at this stage in his development.