Thunderous Intentions
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Mohamed Bamba: The ultimate boom or bust prospect

By Noah Schulte

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: NBA Draft Prospect, Mohamed Bamba poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Combine circuit on May 15, 2018 at the Intercontinental Hotel Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: NBA Draft Prospect, Mohamed Bamba poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Combine circuit on May 15, 2018 at the Intercontinental Hotel Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NBA Draft Prospect Mohamed Bamba
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Mohamed Bamba #4 of the Texas Longhorns looks on against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Honors and Awards

  • Second-team All-Big 12 (2018)
  • Big 12 All-Defensive Team (2018)
  • Big 12 All-Newcomer Team (2018)
  • McDonald’s All-American (2017)

Pro Comparisons

More from Thunderous Intentions

Mo Bamba’s range of comparisons is truly something to behold. He’s been compared from everyone to Rudy Gobert with a three-pointer to Hasheem Thabeet 2.0 to modern-day Ralph Sampson, but the one that seems most likely is a similarly freakishly athletic center, DeAndre Jordan.

Both players are tremendous rim protectors with more offensive skill than they get credit for, and help teams win, ableit in specific ways.

Rankings

  • DraftExpress/ESPN: 5th
  • NBA DraftNet: 4th
  • CBS Sports: 7th
  • Sports Illustrated: 5th
  • Bleacher Report: 4th
  • Basketball Insiders: 7th
  • The Ringer Kevin O’Connor: 4th

Fit with OKC Thunder

Bamba’s fit with the Thunder is detrimental to both sides. On Bamba’s, he likely would have to battle established players like Steven Adams and Jerami Grant for minutes at the center position, and his chances of winning are fairly slim.

On the Thunder’s side, they have enough viable front court options that introducing a lottery pick at the center position doesn’t quite make sense if they might not be better than even Jerami Grant for a few years.

Next: The enigma Trae Young – deciphering superstar potential

If I were Sam Presti, I’d be hesitant to give up anything for Mo Bamba unless I were sure that he would be an immediately impactful player.

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