Mo Bamba’s the NBA’s newest shot-blocking machine for the Magic

Mo Bamba may have the highest ceiling of any player in the 2018 NBA Draft. The question is if he can actually reach it. Magic fans will have to wait and see he was worth the No. 6 pick of the night.

Bamba has the look of nobody we’ve ever seen before. However long the longest arms you’ve seen before, his are longer. He stole headlines at the draft combine with his 7’10 wingspan, which is now officially the longest in the NBA. He also stands 7’ tall.

At the University of Texas, Bamba was the anchor of the No. 12 defense in the country. His defensive rebounding rate was the 15th-best of any in college basketball, and his block rate was fifth-best, according to KenPom. He swatted four shots per game with his endless reach and brought down 11 boards. Few protected the rim near Bamba’s level.

It’s his offense that’s a work in progress. Bamba merely finished inside the paint and on lobs in college with few true post moves. He scored 13 points per game on 54 percent shooting. His upside lies in how he develops as a three-point shooter. He wasn’t afraid to pull up from range at Texas, and form didn’t look bad. The results were sub-par though, as he hit just 14-of-51 attempts (27.5 percent).

He’s been working with player development specialist Drew Hanlen, though, and his shot already looks better.

If Bamba can put all aspects of his development together, he could be the Next Big Thing like Kristaps Porzingis and Giannis Antetokounmpo before him. There’s a lot to love about where his game could be, but for right now he won’t be a high impact player from the get-go. He’s a project that’ll take patience.

But it the wait just might be worth it.

Mo Bamba is the NBA Draft’s freakish defensive star
By Matt Ellentuck, May 17, 2018

A 7’ big who measured in with a 7’10 wingspan (the longest recorded length since 2000 at the combine, and 1.5 inches longer than Rudy Gobert), Bamba is an unmatched physical freak whose size should raise as many eyes at the next level. Few in the world are built like him, and he averaged 12.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks because of it.

2018 NBA Draft scouting report: Mo Bamba
By Greg Willis, Peachtree Hoops, June 13, 2018

In terms of shooting, Bamba shows a willingness to shoot without forcing shots when defenders are challenging him. He demonstrates a presence and a patience that are ahead of his offensive game. He looks comfortable shooting the ball, even from different spots on the floor. He has a mid-range jump shot to go with his long-range jump shot, and both look natural coming out of his hands, even if he is not yet proficient in making those shots.

5-star recruit Mohamed Bamba must be seen to be believed
By Ricky O’Donnell, Oct. 7, 2015

For as impressive as Bamba’s measurables are, it’s his athletic fluidity that makes him special. During one sequence, he dribbled the ball up the court for a transition slam, which elicited an enthusiastic response of, “Get it, Big Mo!” from several other campers. When he rebounded a missed layup by top 2016 point guard Troy Brown and effortlessly flushed it for a reverse dunk in one motion, the opposing big man looked on as if there was nothing they could do.

Mohammed Bamba has all the tools to become an NBA superstar
By Wescott Eberts, Burnt Orange Nation

A requirement as Bamba makes the transition to the NBA will be demonstrating the ability to switch onto any other player on the court. Due to Bamba’s agility, he can defend multiple positions. In pick-and-roll defense, that agility helps him recover into the paint to challenge and block shots.

Bamba’s defensive ability caused [coach Shaka] Smart to compare him to Rudy Gobert, who has the second-longest wingspan in the NBA and has emerged as the league’s top rim protector.

To truly reach that level, though, Bamba will have to become more physical and consistent boxing out to finish possessions.