Ranking the top 5 draft prospects for Milwaukee Bucks with 24th pick

Ranking the top 5 draft prospects for Milwaukee Bucks with 24th pick

3. Jalen Williams

School: Santa Clara

Position: Shooting Guard

Height: 6’6″

Jalen Williams has a silky-smooth scoring ability that should eventually carve out a consistent role for him in the league. His playmaking as an ambidextrous ball-handler will also help make him a legitimate offensive threat for years to come. Williams averaged 18.0 points and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 51.3 percent from the field and 39.6 percent from behind the arc last season with Santa Clara.

He’s an efficient shooter with nice touch and an impressive offensive skill set. However, the defensive end will be the wild card throughout his career at the NBA level. The 21-year-old projects to hold his own as an on-ball perimeter defender but could struggle defending stronger, more physical players. If the Bucks invest in him, they would be betting on his brilliant offensive abilities outweighing the lack of impact defensively.

Milwaukee would mostly plug Williams in as a handler in pick and roll situations and utilize him in similar spots that Khris Middleton would be offensively. He’d be able to get open looks, especially if Giannis Antetokounmpo is the one attracting the attention away from him by setting the screens, and he’s persistent at finding a rhythm and knocking down shots at all three levels. He’s intelligent at reading the defense and also serves as a threat off the ball as a catch-and-shoot sniper.

It’s important to note that the Bucks brought Jalen Williams in for an in-person workout earlier this month, so there’s clearly interest in his smooth and athletic ability. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Williams was off the board before the Bucks make their pick but if he’s available, his complementary package and high ceiling offensively could make him a steal at the 24th pick.