3 reasons to like the Milwaukee Bucks’ selection of MarJon Beauchamp
By Dalton Sell
Leading up to the 2022 NBA Draft, it was anyone’s guess who the Milwaukee Bucks would select if they still had their 24th overall selection when the time came.
Ultimately, they elected not to trade the pick and selected MarJon Beauchamp in what was quite a divisive move at first. Fans were torn on what to think of the pick initially, but as time has gone on, it seems like people have started to warm up to the idea of bringing the 21-year-old forward onto this Milwaukee roster, and rightfully so. As the first first round selection since Donte DiVincenzo in 2018 for the Bucks, Beauchamp brings plenty of potential to the table for the Bucks, and it will be fascinating to see how he fares in this league. For now, let us look at three reasons why the fans should be thrilled the Milwaukee Bucks took Beauchamp 24th overall.
No. 1 – MarJon Beauchamp brings incredible work ethic and determination that will help him fit in seamlessly with the Milwaukee Bucks
MarJon Beauchamp’s journey to the NBA has been far from a conventional one. The 21-year-old is no stranger to adversity, having dealt with homelessness previously in his life and almost gave up his basketball dreams entirely during the pandemic. However, he persevered through it all, so when Beauchamp’s name was called 24th on draft night, it was easy to root for him right away for those reasons alone. The youngster boasts an intense work ethic and driven ability to succeed, which will help him fit in like a glove with his new Milwaukee Bucks teammates.
Jon Horst, Milwaukee’s general manager, believes that the adversity Beauchamp has dealt with in his life has helped make him the fantastic player that he is today.
"“I love the kind of the grittiness and the adversity that is part of his background and part of who he is, and his happiness and heart and spirit that he has in spite of all of it and kind of working with it. I think it’s kind of made him who he is today.”"
After being drafted, Beauchamp himself looked back on all of the adversity he had faced in his life and detailed how he would use it as fuel to succeed at the next level with the Milwaukee Bucks.
"“A lot was going through my head,” Beauchamp said. “I feel like I was going through all the phases I’ve been through. Going through my head, just everything I had to sacrifice to be here today. And, man, I’m just blessed to be here. I’m just ready to grow and become a great basketball player and just keep working, because that’s all I do. I work.”"
Some have questions regarding how well Beauchamp’s game will translate to the NBA, but given his relentless work ethic, those concerns should be lessened. The former G-League Ignite forward has flaws, as all players do, but with a desire to improve and a great environment around him, the sky is the limit for Beauchamp as he enters the association. Surrounded by fantastic players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton – who also have rather unconventional basketball backgrounds as the former was an unknown prospect out of Greece that grew up with very little in his life while the latter was a D League player that was a throw in to match salaries in a trade that brought him to Milwaukee – Beauchamp should fit right in.