Former Arizona center DeAndre Ayton has not been shy about declaring his status as the Phoenix Suns' No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. However, there is another big man, Mo Bamba, that has caught the eye of general manager Ryan McDonough.
Texas center Mo Bamba is one of the most intriguing prospects in this year's draft. According to The Associated Press, McDonough suggests that he is further along in his development than Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert was at his age:
“Mo had a really good workout,” Ryan McDonough said. “His wingspan, his standing reach, is off the charts. His ability to protect the rim I think will be elite at the NBA level, in addition to his ability to rebound the ball.”
McDonough also said that “at 20 years old he's ahead of where Rudy (Gobert) was.”
Needless to say, that is some high praise coming from McDonough. They are backed by the similarities between both players. Aside from their physical traits, their focus on protecting the rim and cleaning the glass makes them an immediate anchor for any frontcourt.
However, from an offensive standpoint, McDonough's comparisons are not saying much. Despite establishing himself as a formidable rim protector early in his career, Rudy Gobert did not start averaging double figures in scoring until his fourth year in the NBA.
That said, it is clear that McDonough is intrigued by the possibility of selecting Mo Bamba given his potential. However, it is still difficult to imagine Phoenix selecting the former Texas product over Ayton with the first overall pick at this time.
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