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2018 NBA Mock Draft: A full first round following National Championship Game

By Maxwell Ogden

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats cuts down the net after defeating the Michigan Wolverines during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Villanova defeated Michigan 79-62. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats cuts down the net after defeating the Michigan Wolverines during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Villanova defeated Michigan 79-62. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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BOISE, ID – MARCH 15: Keita Bates-Diop #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 15, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID – MARCH 15: Keita Bates-Diop #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 15, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Forward. Ohio State Buckeyes. Keita Bates-Diop. 21. player. 86.

Age: 22 (1/23/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’7″, 235 pounds, 7’2″
Slash Line: .480/.359/.794
Season Averages: 33.1 MPG, 19.8 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 1.5 ORPG, 1.6 APG, 1.6 BPG, 0.9 SPG, 1.8 3PM

The Minnesota Timberwolves are in a position where any selection made would be focused on the need for depth. The starting lineup is set in stone from both structural and financial perspectives, which makes the improvement of the second unit the top priority.

There are other options at this point of the 2018 NBA Draft, but Keita Bates-Diop could fill every role the Timberwolves need to be filled along the second unit.

Bates-Diop is a capable three-point shooter who can play without the ball in either a motion or ISO-based offense. He’s also a capable shot creator who can get past the first defender or play from the interior with a solid post game.

What’s most likely to define Bates-Diop’s NBA career on offense, however, is his combination of three-point shooting and passing ability.

Defensively, Bates-Diop has a massive 7’2″ wingspan and adequate athleticism that enables him to defend every position from 2 to 4. He’s also a productive rebounder who ranked a more than respectable No. 53 in the country in defensive rebound percentage—as a hybrid forward, no less.

Bates-Diop can play and defend every position from shooting guard to power forward, which should make him an appealing prospect to Tom Thibodeau.

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