With the second pick in the NBA draft, the Sacramento Kings selected Duke power forward Marvin Bagley III.
Bagley was dominant as a freshman, earning consensus first-team All-American honors after averaging 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Blue Devils. He showed the same tenaciousness around the basket that gave NBA-level players fits at the Drew League last summer. Bagley's effortless athleticism and elite second jump ability allowed him to bully collegiate competition. He even shot 39 percent from 3-point range on limited attempts.
However, the weaknesses in Bagley's game also started to show. He continued to be an inattentive defender, which could be a major impediment at the next level. Bagley has also yet to fill out his frame, so he will likely be pigeonholed as a power forward until his bulk allows him to guard centers, similar to how coach Mike Krzyzewski paired Bagley with Wendell Carter.
Marvin Bagley III Bio
Position: PF/C
School: Duke
College Experience: Freshman
Height: 6-foot-10
Weight: 221 lbs
Wingspan: 7-foot
Strengths
- Aggressive scorer around the basket. Tenacious offensive rebounder with a quick second and third jump. Great instincts and will to score. Tricky to guard since he's left-handed.
- Not necessarily explosive, but an extremely capable and fluid athlete. Light on his feet and could presumably hang on switches.
- Promising jump shot and a decent handle. Can rip a rebound and take it coast-to-coast.
- Can become an Amar'e Stoudemire type of scorer if he improves his pick-and-roll game. Playing in the NBA with more spacing should improve his production.
Weaknesses
- Poor defensive awareness. Will be a struggle to hide him. Needs more coaching on that front.
- Strange release on his jumper, although he releases at the peak of his jump and puts solid arc under his shots.
- Likes to hold the ball in the post before deciding on his move. Needs to be quicker at the NBA level.
- Doesn't finish with his right hand, which will be scouted quickly.
