NBA Draft 2017 Prospect Watch: D.J. Wilson
By Reid Mueller
With Jabari Parker’s future in question, the Milwaukee Bucks may look toward the stretch four position with a player like D.J. Wilson in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Who is D.J. Wilson?
The Sacramento, CA raised D.J. Wilson has been undervalued for many of his basketball playing years. It took new Butler Head Coach LaVall Jordan pulling for the barely recruited forward as a Michigan assistant coach, to get the high upside prospect to Ann Arbor.
After struggling to crack the rotation during his first two seasons at Michigan, Wilson was not on the NBA radar entering his junior season. Now, averaging 24 more minutes per game than his sophomore season, the 21-year-old has been able to show his somewhat raw abilities.
Michigan made a run to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament after finding themselves firmly on the bubble entering the Big Ten Tournament. Wilson was imperative during this run, averaging 16 points, 4.3 rebounds, and three blocks per NCAA tournament game.
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He managed to impact two games in the postseason with a big perimeter block to end regulation, first against the number one seed Purdue Boilmakers in the BTT, and again in the NCAA tournament against the Louisville Cardinals.
Although the Michigan big man has his flaws as a draft prospect, he has the size and mobility to contribute in the current NBA landscape. Standing at 6’10”, with a 7’3″ wingspan, he’ll have the ability to add muscle and compete on both ends.
Wilson turns 22 next February, making him one of the older projected first round picks in this year’s NBA Draft, but for now let’s take a look at his strengths, weaknesses, how he’d potentially fit in Milwaukee, and much more.