2018 NBA Mock Draft: Full first round before 2018 NCAA Tournament

Age: 19 (3/21/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’6″, 225 pounds, 6’9″
Slash Line: .463/.369/.883
Season Averages: 31.2 MPG, 16.9 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 2.8 APG, 0.8 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 2.0 3PM

If you asked me about Miles Bridges before the 2017-18 college basketball season, I’d tell you to stay away. Prior to his sophomore season, he was a severely undersized power forward who desperately needed to establish himself as more of a perimeter threat.

As of early March, however, he’s proven that his work ethic and skill level are strong enough for him to become a full-time wing in the NBA.

Bridges is 6’6″ with a 6’9″ wingspan, but he’s developed into a legitimate two-way player along the perimeter. He’s defended multiple positions for Tom Izzo in 2017-18, which is exactly what an NBA franchise would ask him to do.

Bridges has also improved his three-point shooting, with a percentage that fails to display how far he’s come in terms of creating his shot and moving without the ball.

What’s solidified Bridges’ draft stock is that he’s doing an excellent job of getting to his spots from midrange. The ability to drive from 24 feet is critical for a perimeter player, and Bridges has displayed the ability to do so and either pull up or power his way to the rim.

Throw in Bridges’ explosive athleticism and he becomes a perfect fit for a Hornets team that needs a two-way player to help Kemba Walker and Malik Monk.