Suns will have third solo draft workout with Mohamed Bamba on Saturday
Jun 8, 2018, 7:58 PM
Texas forward Mohamed Bamba passes under pressure from Nevada guard Kendall Stephens (21) and forward Caleb Martin, right, in the first half of a first-round game of the NCAA college basketball tournament in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The Phoenix Suns will continue their solo NBA Draft workouts on Saturday with Texas center Mohamed Bamba.
Bamba is one of the most physically impressive centers the draft process has seen. His wingspan of 7-foot-10 set an NBA Combine record and helped him block 3.7 shots per game for the Longhorns, along with 12.9 points and 10.5 rebounds a game.
His primary value will be as a rim protector, where Bamba could drastically help make over a team’s defense by providing a true defensive presence inside. Despite his size, Bamba was limited offensively compared to most of the prospects at the top of the draft, scoring 20-plus points only four times last season.
On Evan Daniels’ podcast The Sidelines, Bamba was outspoken with how much he believes in himself as a great fit as an instant-impact rookie for the Suns at the No. 1 pick.
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“I truly believe I’m a guy that can get up to speed the quickest and have the most immediate impact,” he said. “That franchise is honestly … I believe they’re a playoff contender with me in that lineup.”
Bamba is ESPN’s No. 3 ranked prospect.
The Suns worked out Arizona center Deandre Ayton on Wednesday and Duke big man Marvin Bagley III on Friday.
Suns general manager Ryan McDonough said Friday the names included in the group the team will consider at No. 1 are Ayton, Bagley, Bamba, Michigan State’s Jaren Jackson Jr. and Real Madrid’s Luka Doncic.
The Suns will have another solo workout on Sunday.
Doncic has had his agent say he will not work out for any teams. His Liga ACB season is still ongoing in Spain. McDonough said Friday the team plans to try and bring him into the facilities, but will still have a conversation with him at some point before the draft if that is not possible.
