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Picking in the top-six for the fifth time in six years, the Orlando Magic selected University of Texas center Mohamed Bamba.
After DeAndre Ayton, Marvin Bagley III, Luka Doncic, Jaren Jackson Jr and Trae Young went in the top five, the Magic took the best player on the board. Bamba, who projects as one of, if not the best defensive big men in the draft, will fit right in to the Magic’s core of Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon. The trio could form one of the best defensive front courts in the league, and make the Magic one of the best defensive teams in the league.
Bamba possess’ a massive 7-foot-9 wingspan, and has some of the best defensive instincts of anyone in the draft. Bamba could have trouble defending in space, but with continued work on his footwork could become more than serviceable.
SB Nation’s Matt Ellentuck wrote that Bamba is the draft’s most freakish defensive star.
But Bamba doesn’t just force shot adjustments and swat away on the interior. He’s a threat from anywhere inside to the three-point extended. He reads the floor incredibly well for someone who has only played a handful of college games, and is an expert at hedging out to stop the ball.
Add in his potential on the offensive end, and Bamba becomes an even more tantalizing prospect. He can step out and shoot the ball some, and is going to be a force in the pick-and-roll, as well as the lob game.
The Magic currently hold two more picks in tonight’s draft at 35 and 41 in the second round.