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Milwaukee Bucks select D.J. Wilson with the 17th overall pick

By Adam McGee

Mar 12, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward D.J. Wilson (5) celebrates in the closing seconds of the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Conference Tournament championship game at Verizon Center. The Wolverines won 71-56. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward D.J. Wilson (5) celebrates in the closing seconds of the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Conference Tournament championship game at Verizon Center. The Wolverines won 71-56. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Milwaukee Bucks selected D.J. Wilson, a forward out of Michigan with the 17th overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft.

On a night where the middle section of the NBA Draft proved to be particularly fluid, the Milwaukee Bucks selected D.J. Wilson with the 17th overall pick.

With the Bucks widely tipped to be interested in taking a big man, and many of the more skilled guards and forwards off the board, the selection of Wilson will come as something of a surprise to many.

While that surprise may be based on less chatter surrounding Wilson’s game than many other prospects in the range, make no mistake, Wilson fits a lot of the stereotypical traits the Bucks have been drawn to in prospects in recent seasons.

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Having only recently turned 21, Wilson measures in at 6’10” and 235lbs, with a 7’3″ wingspan.

A native of Sacramento, Wilson is a highly skilled forward who spent three years at Michigan, although his first became a redshirt year due to a knee injury.

In the time since, Wilson has developed steadily. In his final year with the Wolverines, Wilson averaged 11.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 assists.

Wilson is a very steady shooter, who shot 53.8 percent from the field, 37.3 percent from deep and 83.3 percent from the free throw line as a sophomore.

His length gives him some defensive versatility, and it’s clear from his play that he’s still learning how to use his length and deceptively strong frame. Wilson improved playing through contact in 2016-17 and will be looking to kick on upon arriving in the NBA.

Our own Reid Mueller took a detailed look at Wilson’s game earlier in the week, which you can read in its entirety here. More specifically, though, Reid wrote about Wilson’s fit with Milwaukee.

"“With Jabari Parker’s future in question, new GM Jon Horst may decide to take a risk on a stretch four. It’d be a stretch to take Wilson in the middle of the first round, but that being said, he’d be an interesting addition to this lengthy team.He has a lot of the abilities you’d like to see paired with Giannis Antetkounmpo. Although I’m not sure he’ll become a starting caliber player in the NBA, fit may allow him to do just that in Milwaukee.”"

Wilson should offer solid insurance Jabari Parker insurance, while also being a player with plenty of room to grow and develop in his own right.

Next: NBA Draft 2017 Prospect Watch: D.J. Wilson

Bucks fans will likely get their first look at Wilson in a couple of weeks time at Las Vegas Summer League.

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