NBA Draft Combine 2017: Confirmed Milwaukee Bucks’ interviewees

The Milwaukee Bucks joined the rest of the NBA’s teams at the Draft Combine in Chicago, but which prospects did they speak to?

With the 17th and 47th picks of the 2017 NBA Draft, the Milwaukee Bucks have a host of important decisions to make over the next few weeks.

The recent salary cap spike and the increased role of the D-League means that the value of draft picks is higher than ever, even if they are picks that sit outside of the lottery and general share of top prospects.

Although the Bucks have already started their own private workout and interview process with two sessions already completed at their practice facility, the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago this week offered the team further opportunity to get to know multiple players who could be in contention for their selections.

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Speaking to a player at the Combine doesn’t necessarily indicate a definite interest, just as the Bucks not speaking to a prospect at this point doesn’t make them any less likely to be the team’s pick. Milwaukee’s front office and scouts will meet and assess almost every player likely to be in their range at some point down the line, it’s just a matter of when.

That point is further highlighted by a number of players mentioning they didn’t get to talk with the Bucks at the Combine, but are said to be working on scheduling workouts in Milwaukee in the near future.

Still there were a number of players who the Bucks were reported to have talked with in Chicago, so I decided to take a closer look at who they are and what they were saying to the media about their draft experience so far.

Ike Anigbogu

A freshman center out of UCLA, Ike Anigbogu seems like a good example of a player who could see his stock rise from the Combine experience.

At 6’10”, the 18-year-old could easily have been termed as a little undersized for the center position in the NBA, but having impressed in some of the physical testing in Chicago that perception could start to shift.

Draft Express noted how Anigbogu’s physical measurements were a major takeaway from the Combine. In an excerpt where Anigbogu would be compared to Alonzo Mourning in terms of physical profile, Derek Bodner described:

"“18-year-old UCLA center Ike Anigbogu measured 6’8.5 barefoot with a massive 7’6.25 wingspan, giving him the largest wingspan-to-height differential at this year’s NBA Combine and one of the top marks in our database all-time surpassing notoriously long players like Kawhi Leonard and Hassan Whiteside by a comfortable margin.”"

Matt Velazquez of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Anigbogu’s meeting with the Bucks, and was able to provide some further detail on how the discussions went.

In a follow-up article written by Velazquez, Anigbogu spoke about the direction his conversation with Milwaukee’s representatives went.

"“They actually explained to me — if hypothetically I was able to be drafted to them — they explained to me my role and how I would fit in with the team, so I felt comfortable with it.”"

Tony Bradley

Tony Bradley is a good example of just how important the Combine and the interview process can be for young players in the run-up to what can be one of the biggest decisions of their lives.

There hasn’t been a one-and-done UNC Tar Heel since Brandan Wright in 2007, but having picked up a national championship last season, Bradley is considering making the jump to the NBA.

Widely projected to be on the fringes of the first round, Bradley will reportedly return to UNC if he can’t get a first round guarantee. Adam Zagoria outlined that it’s a decision process that Bradley is still involving Tar Heels coach Roy Williams in.

"Bradley is still consulting with North Carolina coach Roy Williams on his decision. “He’s just saying he’s supportive of me whatever decision I make,” he said. “So I told him the NBA is one of my goals and dreams so he’s very supportive.”"

The Bucks were one of seven teams who Bradley met with at the Combine, and now it’s just a matter of time before we find out whether Bradley officially declares or goes back to school.

Dillon Brooks

A player currently expected to be selected in the second round of the draft, Dillon Brooks certainly didn’t hurt his stock at the Combine.

While more highly-touted prospects may skip the event entirely or at the very least limit their participation in testing, Brooks was among those with a point to prove who was incredibly active in Chicago.

Perhaps most notably of all — even after displaying an impressive max vertical — was Brooks’ confident and assertive performance in one of the two Friday scrimmages.

Not possessing a long wingspan or overwhelming size for the small forward position, the Oregon junior is forced to rely on his current skills more than some other prospects.

Having shot the ball well last year with splits of 52.6/40.4/74.4, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that a couple of good interviews may have helped Brooks to leave a lasting impact. With the Bucks among those he spoke to, perhaps he could even garner further attention from Milwaukee.

P.J. Dozier

In spite of a season that certainly suffered from inconsistencies, P.J. Dozier has a lot of the physical tools that NBA teams now look for when scouting wing prospects.

Fluid, fast and athletic with good length for a shooting guard, Dozier could have found himself in the upper echelons of this year’s draft if not for significant late-season struggles from behind the three-point line.

If Dozier had hoped to prove that to no longer be an issue in scrimmages at the Combine, he will have been disappointed with the showing. Dozier went 1-5 from deep, although he did make 6-7 field goal attempts from inside the arc.

While individual workouts may create further opportunities to show more positive signs in regard to his shot, Dozier came to the Combine with a bigger focus. The Milwaukee Bucks are a team who have shown a tendency to draft high character players in recent years, and that was the element of Dozier’s personality that he was eager to get across in all of his interviews.

"“I think character is a big part,” Dozier said. “That’s really what the combine is all about. You get to meet these coaches, talk to them face to face. It’s no more, ‘He said, she said.’ It’s facts. You’re hearing it from the horse’s mouth.”"

Jawun Evans

Measuring in at 5’11” in shoes, the Combine has confirmed what many already expected: Jawun Evans is going to be the smallest player in the 2017 NBA Draft.

At a time when the 5’9″ Isaiah Thomas has proven it’s possible to be a star in the NBA even if you’re shorter in stature, there’s a real possibility that a player like the Oklahoma State guard could pick up more interest than he would have in previous years.

Related Story: READ: Our full profile of Jawun Evans

With the Bucks among the teams still looking to figure out the long-term shape of their point guard rotation, Evans seemed a like a player who would intrigue them in terms of fit. Evans may not be as tall as the rest of Milwaukee’s players, but with a 6’5″ wingspan and a standing reach of 7’11”, he plays much longer than he first appears.

Velazquez elaborated on that tweet when writing about Milwaukee’s interviews for the Journal Sentinel, quoting Evans as saying:

"“I think I fit pretty well with the guys they’ve got on the wings,” Evans said. “They’re pretty long, so me as a point guard I can get the ball out to them and you can move it.”"

Terrance Ferguson

Following in the footsteps of the likes of Brandon Jennings and Emmanuel Mudiay, Terrance Ferguson has gathered plenty attention over the past year for what’s still a relatively unorthodox path to the NBA.

A McDonald’s All-American who attended Prime Prep Academy in Dallas, Ferguson decided to avoid any potential issues that might surround his academic eligibility and spent the past year playing professionally in Australia.

Although that may have led to lesser playing time than Ferguson would have picked up if he’d played in NCAA basketball, at only 18 years of age it already leaves him with far greater maturity, life experience and perspective than many of his peers.

A long wing who is projected to fall in the mid-to-late first round where the Bucks will select on draft night, Ferguson fits the bill of what the Bucks are often thought of preferring in their prospects.

T.J. Leaf

A freshman who managed to make solid contributions across the board on a very impressive UCLA team, in spite of some definite areas of weakness, T.J. Leaf’s offensive skills leave him widely touted as a first-round pick.

Leaf was one of the most high profile players to meet with the Bucks in Chicago, and could certainly be on the top of a number of team’s boards picking in Milwaukee’s range on draft night.

Related Story: READ: Our full profile of T.J. Leaf

Leaf spoke about his meeting with the Bucks on Thursday, and according to Matt Velazquez’s report in the Journal Sentinel, he had a lot of positive things to say about the direction the franchise is headed in both on and off the court.

"“They have a very talented team — you saw it this year, (Malcolm) Brogdon came on strong,” said Leaf, a 6-foot-10, 222-pound forward. “Of course, you have Giannis (Antetokounmpo), a guy who can really push the pace and be a point forward for them. And then when Jabari (Parker) gets back healthy I think they have as good a team as anyone in the East. “I’d love to be in Milwaukee, it’s a great place and that new stadium’s coming in, I believe, two years. It would be a great spot. I could fit in really well with Jabari and Giannis, just in that front court pushing the ball and scoring and being a playmaker.”"

Monte Morris

A senior out of Iowa State, Monte Morris arrived in Chicago with a lot of the same labels attached to Jawun Evans. As one of the shortest players in the class, and lacking the added wingspan that Evans possesses, for many the questions were going to focus on what this near 22-year-old could offer as a pro.

Morris’ performance at the Combine could go toward simplifying that discussion significantly, though. A reliable and efficient distributor in college, it was the Michigan native’s shooting that shone the most in recent days.

Morris showed himself to be incredibly comfortable shooting off the dribble, and comfortably racked up the best percentages among the players who competed in those drills.

Having interviewed with at least seven teams, Morris noted how his conversations with multiple teams, including the Bucks, tended to stay away from specific basketball talk and instead focused on who he is as a person.

"“Just the background I come from, my mom and things like that,” Morris said regarding the questions the Bucks asked. “What did I do growing up, what do I do for hobbies; they know my basketball and my play. They asked me some questions about me and my teammates and what they would say about me and things like that.”"

Justin Patton

Considered to be close to a lock for the top-20, Creighton’s Justin Patton was one of the players with a little bit less to prove at the Combine. That might beg the question of why he attended at all, but when Patton explained his reasoning to Jon Nyatawa of Omaha.com it all seemed very simple.

"“I’ve never been in this (setting), in the limelight, with other guys who’re going to end up in the same spot you’re going to be in,” Patton said. “It’s good to see everybody grinding and everybody with the same goal.”"

Related Story: READ: Our full profile of Justin Patton

As a big man who has shown glimpses of being able to step out and make three-pointers and long twos, and also has the kind of quickness, physicality and athleticism that’s demanded of modern NBA centers, Patton spoke with more teams than most at the Combine. His official measurements certainly wouldn’t have hurt his stock either.

Patton created some buzz when he revealed on Thursday that he was asked a question about whether he would slow down or speed up when approaching a yellow light, and by answering that it would depend on where he was going, he demonstrated a level of thoughtfulness that he’s applied to the process overall.

"“Everything I do I think about it,” he said. “I do the pluses and minuses. I’m thinking like a businessman.”"

Ivan Rabb

Widely projected as a potential top-10 or lottery pick in 2016, Ivan Rabb’s decision to return to Cal for a sophomore season certainly hasn’t done anything to help his draft stock.

Rabb had a good season with the Golden Bears, but didn’t necessarily do enough to convince most draft experts that he had taken any kind of major leap with the extra year in college.

With that in mind, the Combine offered the 20-year-old an opportunity to prove that perhaps the biggest benefit of his extra year is how it has helped to round him out as a person away from the court.

The Bucks were among the teams who Rabb would have hoped to impress in terms of his skill and personality, and at least in terms of physical makeup, he was able to identify similarities between him and some of Milwaukee’s young bigs.

"“I was impressed with them and they told me they were impressed with me, too,” said Rabb, a 6-foot-10, 220-pound forward. “(On Milwaukee) I see several bigs who just all play with tenacity, they play hard, they’re all long and athletic, but they’re skilled, too. I feel I can fit right in with them.”"

Sindarius Thornwell

Arguably the star of the South Carolina Gamecocks’ underdog run to the Final Four this year, Sindarius Thornwell’s stock has taken a dramatic shift in the right direction in recent months.

Thornwell carved out a reputation for himself as a capable scorer and a game defender during a senior season that ended with up picking up the SEC Player of the Year award.

Although he may be lacking a little in height for an NBA two guard, Thornwell has a 6’11” wingspan and a tenacious energy that mean he can’t simply be dismissed as undersized.

Having been arrested and suspended in December, the interview process likely carried a little more weight for teams assessing Thornwell than it did for some other prospects. As he was quoted by Dwayne McLemore of The State:

"“I don’t have anything to hide,” he said. “I’m a talkative guy. I like having conversations. … These interviews are easy. It’s just a conversation. It’s easy to talk and have a conversation. I enjoyed it.”"

Next: NBA Draft 2017 Big Board 1.0: Taking a look at the top 30 prospects

As workouts look set to pick back up in Milwaukee next week, watch out for our regular roundups of prospects looking to impress the Bucks, as well as our more general draft profiles.