2016 NBA Draft: Bucks select Malcolm Brogdon with the 36th pick

After surprising many with their lottery selection, the Bucks went a little more conventional with the 36th pick in the second round, selecting Malcolm Brogdon out of Virginia.

The 23-year-old guard stands 6'6" with a 6'10.5" wingspan, making it zero percent shocking that the Bucks had interest in him. They previously had met with him at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago.

Brogdon may not possess the massive upside that a younger prospect would, but his impact was felt all over the court in his four years at Virginia. Among 2016 wing prospects, Brogdon ranked behind only Buddy Hield in pace-adjusted points per 40 minutes (23.9), led all draft prospects with an exceptional 89.7% mark from the free throw line, and connected on nearly 40 percent of his three point attempts. DraftExpress saw plenty to like from Brogdon after an impressive performance at the Chicago predraft combine:

The 23-year-old two-guard looked like the best pure basketball player among all four 5-on-5 teams as he was able to distribute as the primary ball handler, knock down open shots, and finish over length and through contact all while locking up on the defensive end. 

There's not a ton of flash to Brogdon's game -€” he's not an explosive athlete and he doesn't have the most beautiful shooting stroke -€” but he's been a winner at every level (his team won by 40 points on Thursday) and most certainly stood out as the most NBA-ready player to play 5-on-5. At 6' 5.5" with a 6' 10.5" wingspan and a strong 223-pound frame, Brogdon found some success playing on the ball on Thursday, especially out of ball screens. 

He doesn't exactly turn the corner in isolation situations, but he showed that he's a sound ball handler versus pressure and has the IQ to facilitate against a variety of pick and roll coverages. Brogdon may not be loaded with upside but he has a winning mentality, is a tremendous defender, can make standstill jumpers and knows how to make up for some of his athletic limitations as a half-court scorer. He's a safe pick for a team in the late first or early second round, and could very well rise with more strong performances during the pre-draft process.

The Bucks are done drafting tonight. They sold the 38th pick to the Warriors for cash. We'll have more coverage tonight and tomorrow, as Thon Maker is expected to have a press conference in the afternoon.