Rashad Vaughn Unveiled By The Milwaukee Bucks

After being selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 17th pick of last night’s NBA Draft, Rashad Vaughn was officially unveiled at a team press conference this afternoon.

The team’s decision to select the 18-year-old may have initially caught many off-guard, but with his abilities as a scorer, and a guard who can create his own offense, there’s little doubt that if the former UNLV man can realize his potential he can be a great weapon for Milwaukee.

Alongside Vaughn at the press conference, which was streamed live on Bucks.com, sat general manager John Hammond and head coach Jason Kidd, undoubtedly two of the key figures in the franchise’s decision to pick the Minnesota native.

Breaking things down pretty simply, John Hammond opened up the press conference by highlighting just how the Bucks felt like they needed to strengthen and how last night’s moves fell in line with that:

"When we talked about the needs for our team going into this off-season, we talked about shooting, we talked about trying to get some more size and maybe the backup point guard spot. And I think as I said last night that every time we’ve mentioned that we’ve mentioned it in that order."

Hammond continued, highlighting how Vaughn was the perfect fit with that top priority:

"Shooting first, we thought that was such a need for us as a team and I can say this, the guy sitting between Jason and I has a beautiful jump shot, and I think will turn into a great shooter in this league, not that he can’t do more things.I think he’ll be a capable ball-handler, he’s going to be able to defend and grow into a great NBA two guard type body, but what we like about him best was his ability to make shots and shoot the ball with a great rhythm and form."

Coach Kidd clearly supported that sentiment also. He indicated that he likes Vaughn due to his fit with the profile of the rest of the Bucks’ roster, as well as for his skill set:

"I think you talk about a competitor. When you look at the boxes, he fits our age group, he’s young. There’s no pressure on him coming into this situation, for him to learn the game at the highest level, being able to talk to him at his workout he’s a great kid coming from a great family.One of the things that we needed was someone who could shoot the ball straight, and so at 18 years old we felt that he could do that."

Rashad Vaughn himself looked clearly overjoyed to have his NBA dream come true, and seemed equally happy that it was the Bucks who gave him the chance to realize it.

As a native of nearby Minnesota, “just down the street” as he put it himself, Milwaukee should offer the perfect opportunity for Vaughn to grow while retaining the support of his family close by:

"I didn’t think this was possible. It’s just a blessing to be here, and to be here in Milwaukee to be sitting next to these two guys and being picked with the 17th pick is just a blessing."

While the pick may have surprised many onlookers, an interesting insight was that Vaughn seemed to have a good idea having worked out successfully with the team last Monday.

"I thought I had a great workout, and just by the positive vibes I was getting when I got here I knew there was interest in me, and I wanted to come here as well. I looked to it being a great fit for me."

Vaughn doesn’t come to the Bucks under pressure to perform straight away, and he understands his role and seems determined to use his rookie season to improve and contribute in any way that he can.

"I just want to come in and try find my niche. Do whatever the team needs me to do, and just work as hard as possible."

Talking of Vaughn, and the team’s move to trade for Greivis Vasquez, Jason Kidd gave out a very positive vibe on the start of the Bucks’ off-season.

"I think we got better last night, I think the Milwaukee Bucks family grew and got better."

Now that the team has got some shooting and a backup point guard, it’s time to look to the other one of the needs listed by John Hammond, and that of course is some size.

With free agency next on the agenda, the Bucks will be hoping to have more introductory press conferences soon, and who knows, maybe someone like DeAndre Jordan could be next for the Bucks!

Next: Milwaukee Bucks To Visit DeAndre Jordan In Free Agency

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