2025 NBA Draft Prospects

[DASMACKDOWN]

Serious question, why would Maluach get more love than say Mo Bamba? Are they not similar?

In fact, Bamba had far more offensive, rebounding and shot blocking prowess at the same age.

We see how Bamba's career is.

[Chi town]

Last 3 games of the tournament without Flagg, Maluach has averaged 11.6ppg, 9.3rpg & 2.6bpg in just 24.6mpg.

Knueppel may have been the MVP but Maluach stepped up also.

Going to bet you didn't watch it

Exactly!

[Jcool0]

Serious question, why would Maluach get more love than say Mo Bamba? Are they not similar?

In fact, Bamba had far more offensive, rebounding and shot blocking prowess at the same age.

We see how Bamba's career is.

Because Maluach has Wemby upside.

[DuckIII]

Serious question, why would Maluach get more love than say Mo Bamba? Are they not similar?

In fact, Bamba had far more offensive, rebounding and shot blocking prowess at the same age.

We see how Bamba's career is.

Bamba was actually a better and much more athletic prospect. It just didn’t work for one or many of the hundreds of reasons incredibly talented prospects don’t pan out. That doesn’t have anything to do with Maluach or any other prospect though.

[2weekswithpay]

Serious question, why would Maluach get more love than say Mo Bamba? Are they not similar?

In fact, Bamba had far more offensive, rebounding and shot blocking prowess at the same age.

We see how Bamba's career is.

Maluach will be a year younger and has only played basketball for 6 years.

[sco]

Serious question, why would Maluach get more love than say Mo Bamba? Are they not similar?

In fact, Bamba had far more offensive, rebounding and shot blocking prowess at the same age.

We see how Bamba's career is.

Because Maluach has Wemby upside.

Wemby? I see no similarities in their games except for being tall. Maluach looks slow footed. Doesn't have good footwork, a handle or shot or intermediate game. Thanks, but no.

[ShouldaPaidBG]

There hasn't really been an example in the NBA yet but based on the way South Sudan played in the last international tournament, I have faith that their program will produce good players. I don't think Maluach is going to have focus or work ethic issues, I think those are more likely in kids that grew up in America.

He'll definitely be gone by the time we're picking.

[sco]

Read on Twitter

I like Wolf, but I think folks need to think about him as a PF and not a C. His game is mainly off the dribble and facing the basket. He is still very skilled for a PF, but if you aren't calling him a C, then a lot of his uniqueness falls away. Honestly if I'm picking an NBA player he reminds me of most, it may be Giddey. I doubt they'd fit well together, but Wolf's skillset in undeniable and may just be the BPA.

[Jcool0]

Serious question, why would Maluach get more love than say Mo Bamba? Are they not similar?

In fact, Bamba had far more offensive, rebounding and shot blocking prowess at the same age.

We see how Bamba's career is.

Because Maluach has Wemby upside.

Wemby? I see no similarities in their games except for being tall. Maluach looks slow footed. Doesn't have good footwork, a handle or shot or intermediate game. Thanks, but no.

Just because Duke isn't asking him to take 3s doesn't mean he cant do it. He was 32% on 57 attempts as a 17 year old pro. He was playing soccer until he was 13-14 years old. He isn't close to a finished product & still learning the game. Which is why for someone with his experience his handle isn't bad, again Duke is just trying to keep things simple for him as they are looking for a National Title not to get him drafted #1. Will he be the next Wemby? Probably not. Just like Matas could be a #1 guy but probably his future lies as a #3 type player. Maybe a more realistic comp is Porzingis. Which wouldn't take a crazy leap to hit.

[TheSuzerain]

Maluach and Bamba are comparable prospects imo. Bamba probably a bit better out of college but clearly his development and hoops iq faltered in pros.

[2weekswithpay]

Unskilled bigs or rim runners rarely become all-stars or all-NBA level talents.

[Guru]

Serious question, why would Maluach get more love than say Mo Bamba? Are they not similar?

In fact, Bamba had far more offensive, rebounding and shot blocking prowess at the same age.

We see how Bamba's career is.

Because Maluach has Wemby upside.

Wemby? I see no similarities in their games except for being tall. Maluach looks slow footed. Doesn't have good footwork, a handle or shot or intermediate game. Thanks, but no.

Ive wanted to like Maluach. Then I started watching Duke. He is the least impactful 7-2 starter I could imagine. I don't see how he's any better than the Creighton C

[Guru]

Because Maluach has Wemby upside.

Wemby? I see no similarities in their games except for being tall. Maluach looks slow footed. Doesn't have good footwork, a handle or shot or intermediate game. Thanks, but no.

Just because Duke isn't asking him to take 3s doesn't mean he cant do it. He was 32% on 57 attempts as a 17 year old pro. He was playing soccer until he was 13-14 years old. He isn't close to a finished product & still learning the game. Which is why for someone with his experience his handle isn't bad, again Duke is just trying to keep things simple for him as they are looking for a National Title not to get him drafted #1. Will he be the next Wemby? Probably not. Just like Matas could be a #1 guy but probably his future lies as a #3 type player. Maybe a more realistic comp is Porzingis. Which wouldn't take a crazy leap to hit.

Most of these guys who have barely played are raw but show athleticism. He's just big and awkward. If he played for Dayton we would be calling him a mid second round stash

[AshyLarrysDiaper]

Read on Twitter

I didn’t know Queen was that old. Turns 21 in December. Huh.

[rosenthall]

Serious question, why would Maluach get more love than say Mo Bamba? Are they not similar?

In fact, Bamba had far more offensive, rebounding and shot blocking prowess at the same age.

We see how Bamba's career is.

I think a more interesting question is: Why does Mo Bamba suck so hard?

As a prospect he had all the traits you would look for. It's still surprising to me how bad he's been.

The two things I would boil it down to are simple but explanatory:

- He didn't actually like basketball that much, was just born tall
- Despite his impressive measurables and workouts, his instincts are not good enough to play in the NBA

Those two things are enough to derail any prospect.

The opposite is also true. If Malauch likes basketball and has good feel for the game he should stick in the league. Still not sure I like him in our range though.

[Jcool0]

Because Maluach has Wemby upside.

Wemby? I see no similarities in their games except for being tall. Maluach looks slow footed. Doesn't have good footwork, a handle or shot or intermediate game. Thanks, but no.

Ive wanted to like Maluach. Then I started watching Duke. He is the least impactful 7-2 starter I could imagine. I don't see how he's any better than the Creighton C

Read on Twitter

[Jcool0]

Serious question, why would Maluach get more love than say Mo Bamba? Are they not similar?

In fact, Bamba had far more offensive, rebounding and shot blocking prowess at the same age.

We see how Bamba's career is.

I think a more interesting question is: Why does Mo Bamba suck so hard?

As a prospect he had all the traits you would look for. It's still surprising to me how bad he's been.

The two things I would boil it down to are simple but explanatory:

- He didn't actually like basketball that much, was just born tall
- Despite his impressive measurables and workouts, his instincts are not good enough to play in the NBA

Those two things are enough to derail any prospect.

The opposite is also true. If Malauch likes basketball and has good feel for the game he should stick in the league. Still not sure I like him in our range though.

He was a 7'1" shot blocker with a nearly 7'10" wingspan. He swatted 3.7 shots a game, made 14 treys, shot over 60% inside the line and had a double-double in half of his outings. He looked dominant defensively while possessing a tantalizing trait on offense with his shooting. He would be Rudy Gobert, 2018 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, with a jump shot.

While Bamba hasn’t been an All-Star or even a consistent starter in the league, it still feels strange to call him a bust. The issue was with my strong mischaracterization of how valuable the role he’d fill really is.

The game shifted away from one-dimensional rim protectors rather quickly; defensive versatility is en vogue from bigs as much as their anchoring dominance. Gobert struggled in series against the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers or Denver Nuggets, two innovative offensive groups, despite being a First-Team All-Defense selection....

...Big men worth high picks in today's draft landscape need to be mobile on defense and skilled enough to play a versatile role on offense. There was no way anyone scouting Bamba at Texas would have seen him and said "switchable upside" or "would be fine guarding a team that plays five guards", and definitely no chance of seeing him as an “offensive hub” or “high-volume scorer.”

Bamba's attempts to tailor his offensive game to the NBA have seen tradeoffs in where his production comes from. His scoring and rebounding numbers dip (particularly offensive rebounding) as he spends more time on the perimeter. The increases have come from more consistent 3-point shooting (though not enough to make him elite) and better assist-turnover numbers.

But the biggest issue has been the lack of synergy between one of his pre-draft strengths (finishing) and improvement areas (offensive polish). One would have to give throughout the process, and we mistakenly thought that a young player would simply keep improving, therefore the polish would arrive.

It hasn’t.

https://theboxandone.substack.com/p/mo-bamba-throwback-scouting-report

[Jcool0]

Wemby? I see no similarities in their games except for being tall. Maluach looks slow footed. Doesn't have good footwork, a handle or shot or intermediate game. Thanks, but no.

Just because Duke isn't asking him to take 3s doesn't mean he cant do it. He was 32% on 57 attempts as a 17 year old pro. He was playing soccer until he was 13-14 years old. He isn't close to a finished product & still learning the game. Which is why for someone with his experience his handle isn't bad, again Duke is just trying to keep things simple for him as they are looking for a National Title not to get him drafted #1. Will he be the next Wemby? Probably not. Just like Matas could be a #1 guy but probably his future lies as a #3 type player. Maybe a more realistic comp is Porzingis. Which wouldn't take a crazy leap to hit.

Most of these guys who have barely played are raw but show athleticism. He's just big and awkward. If he played for Dayton we would be calling him a mid second round stash

Well there is a reason he is going 7-10 and not 2-4. He is a risky bet. If he pays off he is an All NBA center if not he might not be in the league. 95% of the players drafted is based on what they can do not what they have done. But there is a reason 247Sports had him #4 and it wasnt just because he was 7'2".

[NecessaryEvil]

At this point, I’d be thrilled to come out of this draft with Maluach.

Future starting front court would be set & both are shot blockers.

[Ice Man]

Because Maluach has Wemby upside.

Where's your green font? And Maluach isn't all that much of a shot blocker. I haven't run all the numbers, because the stat program makes me do one conference at a time, but he lands about 25th among Power Conference players this year in blocks per 40 minutes. It's not as if he's out there in uncharted territory; he's just another big in that respect.