Part of Jeff Peterson’s responsibilities as Hawks assistant general manager is to oversee the team’s scouting process. That’s a particularly important role this year as the Hawks own the No. 3 draft pick in addition to Nos. 19, 30 and 34.
I recently sat down with Peterson to get his thoughts on eight top prospects in the 2018 draft: Deandre Ayton, Luka Doncic, Marvin Bagley III, Jaren Jackson Jr., Mo Bamba, Michael Porter Jr., Wendell Carter Jr. and Trae Young. Over the next several days I’ll post some lightly-edited transcripts of those conversations.
Previous entries: Deandre Ayton, Luka Doncic, Marvin Bagley III, Jaren Jackson Jr.
Mohamed Bamba, C, Texas
Height/weight: 7-foot-0.75 inches, 226 pounds (measured)
Age: 20 (May 12, 1998)
Hometown: New York
ESPN draft projection: No. 5 to the Mavericks.
(Click here for my March report on Bamba from Austin, Texas)
Q. (Cunningham) The obvious thing that stands out about Bamba is his massive wingspan (measured at a record 7 feet, 10 inches at the combine). Does he play to that size?
A. (Peterson) Sure. He blocks shots. He rebounds. He protects the rim. Even some games you watch, he may end up with only one or two blocks, but he changed six, seven, eight shots. Guards get in there and they don't want to try because he's standing there, which is valuable. He has shown the ability to make shots. He needs to get a little bit more consistent in that area if he wants to be known as a shooter, which I think he does. It's an area he can grown in for sure. Going back to the defensive end, there are some possessions where he sits on the perimeter and it's very impressive for him to have his size and be able to sit and move the way he does. With the way the game is being played, that's very valuable because he has shown some signs to be able to switch and contain some penetration.
Q. When I talked to Texas coach Shake Smart about Bamba, he said in high school he could go half speed and still dominate but that he got better at it at Texas. Did you see signs of him being more competitive and intense?
A. That's an area where he definitely got better in. It's hard with some of these guys —especially him, I can't even imagine being that physically dominant — in high school he didn't have to exert that much effort to be dominant. Whereas you get to college and it's a little bit harder. These guys are stronger and faster and quicker. And it's, OK, I have to recalibrate myself and adjust and go a little bit harder. I think the same thing will happen in the league. He's going to be going against even stronger guys and taller and more athletic. He's going to have to say, I've got to step it up to 95 percent, 100 percent if I don't want to get exposed. I think it took him a bit of time but he figured it out.
Q. Do you buy the comparisons to Rudy Gobert (shot-blocking Utah Jazz center whose wingspan measured 7-foot-8 1/2 inches at 2013 combine)?
A. When you look at them from the same age, Mo is better, just from a numbers standpoint. So I don't see why he can't grow into that, a player like Gobert. He certainly has the ability to protect the rim like he does. One thing that makes Gobert very unique and very valuable is that he knows exactly who he is as a player and he doesn't deviate from that. That's a big reason why he and (Rockets center Clint) Capela have been able to be successful. They are happy with their role. They understand that's what they have to do to help their team win.
Q. Does Bamba compare at all to Myles Turner (Pacers center from University of Texas)? He was a defensive prospect who developed offensively.
A. A little bit. I think Myles was a more polished shooter at this stage. I think Myles himself identifies with shooting and I don't think Mo does yet. Myles believes he's a shooter. Mo is trying to get to that point.
Q. How are Bamba’s fundamentals around the basket: footwork, hands, touch?
A. Good. They need improvement. He has big hands, catches a lot. Footwork will definitely need improvement. He's not necessarily a guy you are featuring on the block night in and night out, but if you throw it to him down there he has shown the ability to get a basket. A lot of it is a simple jump hook because he's so much longer than everybody, which is great. If that's his only post movement then, great, if nobody can ever go block it.
Q. It seems like he’s not a quick jumper and has to load up first. Is that just lack of lower-body strength?
A. Yeah, I think it's strength. Once he gets with whatever strength and conditioning team he ends up with, they will work with him on that. I think Texas did a really good job in those areas but it's all about building those habits. There are going to be different ways to help him understand, All right, you just lost a second from college to the NBA. That second you used to get to get (shots) off in college is gone because the gap closes much quicker.
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