2016 NBA Mock Draft: Drafting For Need

Dragan Bender, a professional Croatian basketball player currently playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Israeli Basketball Super League attends a training session at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv on March 16, 2016.Bender's name is not yet well known beyond hardcore basketball fans, but that may soon change. Bender is expected to be highly sought after by US professional basketball teams in the coming months. / AFP / JACK GUEZ (Photo credit should read JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images) /

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Mar 5, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Colorado Buffaloes forward Josh Scott (40) defends against Utah Utes forward Jakob Poeltl (42) during the second half at Jon M. Huntsman Center. Utah won 57-55. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Jakob Poeltl, Utah Utes

Position: Center
Age: 20 (10/15/1995)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 7’1″, 242 pounds, 7’1″
Slash Line: .646/.000/.689
Season Averages: 30.4 MPG, 17.2 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 2.8 ORPG, 1.9 APG, 1.6 BPG

There’s nothing the Milwaukee Bucks need more than a genuine defensive anchor. Greg Monroe is an offensive force, and John Henson is a wonderful shot-blocker, but the Bucks lack a player who can protect the rim and hold their own offensively.

Jakob Poeltl is the right player to step in and potentially fill that role.

Poeltl wouldn’t be the first international player to be drafted by the Bucks after a stint with the Utah Utes. Much like Andrew Bogut, Poeltl has a unique combination of size, defensive potential, and value as a solid offensive player who passes well, scores from the post, and dives hard off of the pick-and-roll.

Poeltl was already on draft radars as a freshman, but after a sophomore season during which he dramatically improved offensively, it’s not hard to see why he’s widely regarded as a Top 10 prospect.

Statistically, Poeltl improved his free throw shooting from a mark of .444 in 2014-15 to .689 in 2015-16—a difference of 24.5 percent. He boosted his scoring average from 15.7 points per 40 minutes to 22.7 points per 40, and he did so by improving his post game and developing a more reliable face-up attack.

Poeltl is nowhere near a finished product, but he could be the defensive anchor Milwaukee needs.

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