Ranking 2024 NBA Draft prospects linked to the Milwaukee Bucks in mocks
2. Yves Missi, C, Baylor (ESPN 23rd Pick)
Another center that could fall to the Bucks is Yves Missi of Baylor, who has a truly incredible story. Growing up in Cameroon before moving to the U.S. in 2021, he has only been playing organized basketball for three years and was a five-star prospect before committing to Baylor, where he played just one season.
He averaged 10.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in his only season with the Bears but is still expected to be a first-round pick. At 6-foot-11, he has great size and uses that to great use as a shot blocker and rebounder. Surprisingly, he is a disruptor on the perimeter, so the switchability would be useful for any team that takes him.
Missi's frame sets him up well, as he is able to absorb contact and finish with the athleticism that can make him a lob threat. At just 20, he is still so raw and has so much room to grow. With what he has done in just three years, the sky is the limit for what he can pick up from NBA players and then through higher-level coaching to develop his game.
With just three years under his belt, he may not be the most league-ready player, but he can certainly improve across the board. He is yet to develop a deep shot, so when it comes to spacing with Giannis Antetokounmpo, it may see the Bucks not go to Missi or look to use the two players in different lineups.
An area of work is his fouling, as he finds himself biting at pump fakes. At the next level, higher-skilled big men will look to bait him to go to the line. Missi only played 23 minutes per game at Baylor, which is of concern when it comes to giving him big minutes at the next level, so he will need to prove that he can handle the workload and intensity at the NBA level.
Yves Missi's stock is incredibly high, as his physical tools are elite already, and his defensive ability can thrive in any scheme. With so much ahead of him and room to grow, there is the potential for him to be molded into an elite NBA center. The Bucks may find him to be a great backup to learn from Lopez and keep that great towering defense while also working on building an offensive game further away from the basket.