2018 Orlando Magic NBA Draft Preview: Mohamed Bamba looking to add to Orlando Magic’s long history at center

Draft Sites Say

Kevin Pelton, ESPN

"One concern about Bamba: his projected assist rate (1.3 per 100 team plays) ranks among the bottom 25 in my projection database. It’s possible to become an effective offensive player despite that issue — fellow Longhorn LaMarcus Aldridge had a weaker assist projection, as did Hassan Whiteside, though Greg Oden and Emeka Okafor were similar — but it limits Bamba’s offensive value."

Kevin O’Connor, The Ringer

"Combines length with excellent coordination, allowing him to block or alter shots with either hand all over the court. Mobile; a potential five-position defender if he masters fundamentals. Long strides enable him to cover a lot of ground when closing out on shooters or sprinting in transition. . . . Lacks the intensity you’d hope for in a defensive anchor. Gets pushed around by stronger players inside the paint. Not the quickest leaper when battling for contested rebounds; usually needs time to gather and launch to elevate."

Jackson Hoy, The Stepien

"Bamba has been labeled by many as a potential unicorn thanks to his burgeoning three-pointer and world-eating wingspan that allows him to affect shots all over the floor. While he theoretically has that sort of upside, adding a considerable amount of strength, particularly in his lower body, will be imperative for Bamba’s success at the highest levels. NBA space should help him look better as a dive man and cutter, but he’s going to struggle with the physicality of professional big men and his inconsistent motor as a finisher, rebounder, and rim-runner will have to improve. That said, players as coordinated and as gigantic as Bamba only come around once every five years or so. Barring injury, it would be a shock to see him make it out of the top 10 come June."

Dave Ray, NBADraft.net

"A truly elite physical specimen in terms of length, Mohamed Bamba jumps off the page with his 7’9” wingspan and 9’6” standing reach … This kind of size allowed him to immediately burst on to the NCAA scene as an elite rim protector with the measurables to translate this skill to the NBA … Blocking 3.7 shots per game during his regular season stint at Texas doesn’t even take into account the countless shots he altered or drive attempts he thwarted. . . . As obvious is as length is, it’s also not hard to notice he’ll need to continue to add strength to play the paint in the next level … At the 2017 Hoop Summit, he only weighed in at 216 pounds … Ideally, you’d like to see Bamba at least around 240 in a year or two, or possibly 250."