ACC Basketball: What will ACC prospects bring to their NBA teams?
By James Bowers
ACC basketball is a powerhouse when it comes to sending players to the NBA. Where is each former star who was selected in the NBA Draft heading?
The first day of summer marked the first day of pro status for several top ACC prospects. Several former stars of the conference were selected in the 2018 NBA Draft in Brooklyn, with Duke products Marvin Bagley and Wendell Carter being the first off the board. The two big men will be paid to play the game in Sacramento and Chicago, respectively.
In addition, increasingly lauded Boston College Eagle Jerome Robinson will take his prolific offensive skillset to LA in the hopes of giving life to the Clippers’ offense. Lonnie Walker of Miami will take his talents to the Alamo, joining a Spurs team in turmoil over the status of star Kawhi Leonard. Lastly, Georgia Tech’s sharpshooter Josh Okogie will help the Minnesota Timberwolves continue their resurgence while Grayson Allen goes to SLC to strengthen the Jazz’ backcourt.
Now that all of the players have been selected and their futures are a little bit less blurry, let’s take a look at each ACC player selected in the draft and discuss how they can impact their first NBA franchise.
PF/C Marvin Bagley, Sacramento Kings
School: Duke
Pick: 2nd Overall
Height/Weight/Age: 6-11/235/19
Marvin Bagley Jr’s hulking measurables and statistical exploits had this “one and done” guy high on everybody’s draft board. Bagley was the ACC Player of the Year for 2017-18. Among the data that won him that crown was a 21.2 PPG scoring average and 11.1 rebounds per contest. There were some that thought Missouri’s Michael Porter, Jr would be Sacramento’s choice but that his medical issues made the organization wary about making that investment. Bagley was considered to be a much safer selection.
The 19-year-old is expected to produce as soon as he hits the floor at Sleep Train Arena. Recent years have not been kind to the Kings. The franchise has not had a winning season since 2005-06, in fact. While no one is ready to put up a giant image of MB3 on a Sacramento skyscraper, he will be welcome to a city desperate for a winner. Bagley may also hit the Billboard chart in the wake of his musical success. He released a mixtape on the eve of the draft.
PF/C Wendell Carter, Chicago Bulls
School: Duke
Pick: 7th Overall
Height/Weight/Age: 6-10/251/19
Wendell Carter, Jr. used his size well during his time in Durham. He was touted for his excellent post defense, and was second only to Bagley in rebounding for the Devils. His shot blocking wasn’t anything to sneeze at, either. Early assessments label Carter as a center in the mold of Elton Brand. It is the hope of those in the Bulls front office that Carter will pair nicely with the similarly sized second-year player Lauri Markkanen. Many expect this duo to be dynamic this season. Their potential is something that has some in Chicago excited, including the players themselves. Carter will join fellow Bull draft grab Chandler Hutchison in a quest to recover from a 27-55 effort last year.
Carter had a workout in Chicago on June 4, which most say sold GM John Paxson and company on the talented 19-year-old. He will add some much needed fresh blood to the Bulls frontcourt. If he has the impact fans expect, it will turn up the volume at the United Center as the Bulls vie for a playoff spot.