2018 Rookie class expects big things from Mohamed Bamba
The rookies got together in New York for their photo shoot and transition program. They also shared their big expectations for Mohamed Bamba.
It is hard to miss Mohamed Bamba when he walks into a room. Even when he is in the room with other NBA players, and especially this center-filled draft class.
Bamba gained a reputation in his time with the Texas Longhorns as a great shot blocker and defender. It is hard not to have that reputation with a 7-foot-10 wingspan, the longest wingspan ever recorded at the NBA Draft Combine.
He showed what he can do with that incredible length during Summer League, averaging 2.3 blocks per game. He still has plenty of work to do, averaging 8.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in 19.7 minutes per game. The Magic kept his minutes down and seemed to keep his offensive responsibilities simple.
That is likely how things will translate to his role for the Magic in his rookie year. Bamba will have plenty of growing pains in the meantime.
His peers though see a player who is going to make a difference and be a difficult player to deal with throughout their entire careers.
Last week, all the NBA rookies were in New York for the Rookie Transition Program and photo shoot with Panini Cards. It was a chance for most of those players to don their team’s jersey for the first time and hang out.
It is also where NBA.com conducts its annual Rookie Survey. It gives everyone a sense of how peers feel about each other. They would know, most of these players grew up playing together. The poll last year saw Donovan Mitchell as an underrated player and that proved to be more than true.
In the rookie poll, Bamba got plenty of love.
Mohamed Bamba finished fifth in voting for who rookies think will win Rookie of the Year (top overall pick Deandre Ayton and point guard Collin Sexton finished as the favorites). He also finished third when rookies were asked “Which rookie will have the best career?” and second in “Which rookie is the best defender?”
Bamba even received votes for which rookie was a steal for his draft position.
Without a doubt, there are some big expectations for Bamba to meet both in his rookie year and in his career. There is a lot of hope and expectation in Bamba. The Orlando Magic have certainly drafted him to make him a key player in the team’s future.
At the very least it seems Bamba’s peers see him having a very special career.
That is what the Magic need for sure. They saw a player in him who could help change their identity defensively. And with his growing outside shot, there is perhaps a chance he can be a dangerous offensive weapon too.
No one is afraid to say he has a lot of work to do. The criticism for him was his slight build. Bamba will have to add strength for sure. And that will likely limit some of his minutes early in his career.
Next. Orlando Magic have a few options for future All Stars. dark
But the future is bright. Magic fans feel that future is bright. And it seems Bamba’s peers believe that too.