2018 NBA Draft - Brew Hoop Community Draft: Duke’s Big Man Bagley Selected Third

After the first picks of Ayton and Doncic, there was an air of mystery over who would get drafted next. There are a host of options at #3 but the community has selected Marvin Bagley III from Duke. Bagley beat out fellow bigs Jaren Jackson Jr and Mo Bamba in what will be a continuation of big men dominating the top ten. There is a lot to like out of the Duke player from California who only turned 19 a few months ago. Bagley was part of the stellar recruiting class Duke had this past year, with their squad finishing just one win away from the Final Four. The big man completed one season at Duke averaging 21.0 points and 11.1 rebounds and was named the 2017-18 ACC Player of the Year.

Bagley has the size to be a high caliber NBA center with his athleticism and post game finishing ability. Bagley brings with him a motor that will not quit, something both coaches and fans will appreciate. He also is an incredible finisher around the rim with a true shooting and effective field goal percentage around 64% and a conference-leading 61% field goal percentage. As mentioned before, Bagley has elite athleticism which can help him become an impact defender, high level rebounder and help side defender if given the right tutelage. Despite not getting a high amount of blocked shots, he was still able to post a 97.4 defensive rating.

Despite the athleticism that he posses, there have been questions about his instincts on defense and his size might give him trouble against centers like Joel Embiid, Karl Anthony-Towns, and Rudy Gobert. The biggest flaw many have against Bagley is his lack of shooting. It’s hopeful that he can develop an ability to shoot off the dribble, but his mechanics are something that will have to be monitored closely. Bagley also is heavily dependent on his left hand which might be an issue for him in terms of playmaking ability.

Overall Bagley has the ideal athleticism to pair with his motor to be on the court. He should be able to have a long career using those abilities. There are questions about his shooting and size, but in today’s NBA, that might not be too much of an issue. For now, let’s see who will end up being selected after him in the poll below.

Brew Hoop Community Draft Board Rankings

1. Deandre Ayton - C, Arizona (The Stepien Profile)

2. Luka Doncic - PG, Real Madrid (The Stepian Profile)

3. Marvin Bagley III - C Duke (The Stepien Profile)