Portland Trail Blazers: 4 upside players at No. 25 in 2019 NBA Draft
By Ty Delbridge
4. Bol Bol
Position: C
Age: 19
Height: 7’2.5″/7’7″ wingspan
Weight: 208 pounds
The son of NBA legend, Manute Bol, Bol Bol is one of the most exciting players in the entire 2019 NBA Draft class. He is a massive 7’2.5″ with a standing reach of 9’7.5,” and before he suffered a season-ending injury in college, he was averaging 21.0 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game while also shooting 52 percent from the 3-point line ( 25 total attempts).
Bol has the physical tools to be an elite rim protector on the defensive side and a weapon on the offensive end with his ability to handle the ball, knock down 3-point shots, catch lobs and hit free throws. What he does on the court translates very well to today’s style of play in the NBA and he could be the next “unicorn” type player in the league.
The biggest questions surrounding him are his medical records and being physically ready for the NBA. Bol suffered a fracture in his navicular bone in his left foot and only played in nine college games. He is a frail 208 pounds, and there are questions about him developing a stronger body. Bol won’t be the guy setting hard screens, playing through contact or banging around down low with guys like Nikola Jokic or Steven Adams.
If he slips to the Blazers at No. 25, his physical gifts and basketball skill may be too intriguing for them to pass up on. They have some good big men on the roster right now, so they can take some time with Bol and let him get completely healthy and get his body NBA-ready. It’s not often a team can get a guy in the back half of the first round with superstar potential.
Portland could play him alongside Jusuf Nurkic or Zach Collins, and that way he wouldn’t have to worry about playing a ton below the rim on both ends. He could play more out on the perimeter and be a pick-and-pop guy on offense. Bol has a quick release on his jump shot, and that makes him deadly in catch-and-shoot situations.
He could become a threat over time playing with guys like Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum and Anfernee Simons, but more than likely, he’ll be gone by this point in the draft.