Chicago Bulls: 5 players to watch in 2018 NCAA Tournament

1. Mikal Bridges, Villanova

Bridges is projected to be a 3-and-D guy in the NBA. Gifted with the ability to get the job done at both ends of the floor, he is considered to be one of the best two-way players — if not the best — in the draft.

The Good

• At 6’7”, possesses ideal length and athleticism.
• Has successfully transitioned from a defensive standout to one of the best shooters at the collegiate level.
• Would be a perfect fit in Fred Hoiberg’s pace-and-space system as 50 percent of his attempts have come from 3-point range, where he is shooing an impressive 43.3 percent.
• Shoots the ball at an efficient clip, converting 52.1 percent of his attempts.
• Has increased is scoring, assists and rebounding numbers in each of the last three seasons.

The Bad

• Weighing just 210 pounds, Bridges does not provide an overly physical presence.
• Doesn’t initiate a ton of contact. Averages just 3.4 attempts at the charity stripe per outing.
• Has the ability to get to the rim, but does most of his damage in catch-and-shoot situations. Over 96 percent of his 3-pointers came by way of assist.
• Doesn’t always rebound well in traffic nor does he generate a lot of shot opportunities for his teammates (2.1 assists per contest).

Next: 2018 NBA Draft - Early March Mock Draft

As far as Bridges is concerned, the good certainly outweighs the bad. If he’s still available when the Bulls are on the board, he would be a solid addition to the roster.