Golden State Warriors: 5 options for pick No. 28 in 2018 NBA Draft

1. Keita Bates-Diop

• Height: 6’8”
• Weight: 224 lbs
• Age: 22
• Position: SF/PF

At 22 years old, Keita Bates-Diop was one of the most successful players in college basketball last season and brings some of the most talent on both ends of the floor in this year’s NBA Draft. Because he is older, Bates-Diop has a chance to slip, but he can handle the ball, play off the ball, shoot and can play aggressive smart defense.

Last season at Ohio State, Bates-Diop averaged 19.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.6 blocks in 33.1 minutes per game while shooting 48 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from the 3-point line. He was also named the Big Ten Player of the Year.

Bates-Diop could develop into the Andre Iguodala role and be one of the main guys off the bench for a championship team. The Ringer labeled him as a “combo forward who can space the floor and defend multiple positions.” That’s a perfect fit for any NBA team, but for the Warriors, who are going to be tight on money, it’s a need. If Bates-Diop comes in and shows he can contribute right away, he could end up being the steal of the draft.

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The Ringer compared Bates-Diop to Jonas Jerebko and Brian Scalabrine — not super flashy names, but guys who knew their role and were solid role players for their team. Bates-Diop is already a good, mature basketball player, but getting around this championship Warriors organization would only motivate Bates-Diop more to take his game to the next level. Here’s hoping he somehow falls this far.