Kentucky center Bam Adebayo had a productive, but inconsistent freshman year. A raw talent on both ends of the floor, the 19 year old has plenty of time to develop.
Playing for the Kentucky Wildcats usually means the player has to sacrifice minutes with other high-profile recruits or upperclassmen who waited their turn.
This season for Kentucky seemed a little more traditional. There was a clear starting lineup that played a bulk of the minutes. The team was not as interchangeable as past Kentucky teams. That says a lot for the players leaving Kentucky for the NBA this year.
While De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk are getting a majority of the hype as sure-fire lottery picks, Edrice “Bam” Adebayo might be a steal later in the Draft.
Adebayo is considered little undersized as a center in the NBA at 6-foot-10, 250 pounds. But he has great agility and a 7-foot-3 wingspan to help him hold his own from day one. Being 19 years old he also has potential to grow a little more.
Being more of a traditional big man at Kentucky, Adebayo does not get much publicity for doing the dirty work. He got most of his baskets in the paint from pick and roll, dives or cuts to the basket off of penetration.
Adebayo did not show much of a perimeter game while at Kentucky, but that was not his role. During a recent workout with the Charlotte Hornets, Adebayo showed some range by hitting 13 of 25 shots from 3-point range.
This added weapon to his arsenal can only help Adebayo going forward as the NBA transitions to shooting being a premium at all positions.
Adebayo can be a late first or early second round pick. Like most Kentucky products the upside is pretty good.