NBA Draft 2017 Prospect Watch: Bam Adebayo

Fit With The Bucks

Adebayo may just be coming along a year too late for him to really make sense for the Bucks, but he definitely fits the mold of player they were looking for at center prior to drafting Thon Maker last year.

Maker and Adebayo make for an interesting point of comparison, and have gone to head-to-head with each other multiple times at various events in recent years. Adebayo can be best described as lacking the size and shooting touch possessed by Maker, while the Bucks’ current rookie could certainly benefit from Adebayo’s strong 240lb frame.

Chad Ford’s read on Adebayo and the Bucks seems about right, as Adebayo could bring something to the mix as an explosive, energy big, but he likely wouldn’t possess the kind of upside the Bucks usually chase on draft night.

One department where Adebayo certainly seems unlikely to let the Bucks or anyone else down is attitude and work ethic. Generally described as a positive and happy young man, Adebayo surprised everyone at Kentucky with his determination and relentless drive.

As illustrated in that aforementioned SI piece:

"“The Wildcats coach had gathered his team and apparently had addressed, multiple times, the progress the freshman big man had made. Calipari insisted he wasn’t taking digs at the rest of the roster. But he says he asked the group one question: Who’s the hardest worker in the gym? ‘They all pointed to Bam,’ Calipari said. ‘And I said, ‘There you go. My point is made.’ That is why he is making strides that are just crazy.’”"

Next: NBA Draft 2017 Prospect Watch: T.J. Leaf

Adebayo’s draft stock is pretty volatile among experts at present, but he certainly could be available when it’s Milwaukee’s turn to pick. If the Bucks want to add some depth to cover for Greg Monroe‘s potential departure, he could be an interesting option, but would seem unlikely to represent a typical swing for the fences selection from Milwaukee.