This is actually a great artcile by Denton. Has some really good quotes from Drew Hanlen:
https://www.nba.com/magic/news/prominent-skills-coach-helping-bamba-become-more-polished-20180710
Drew Hanlen, the most prominent skills coach among budding NBA stars and someone who has played a major role in the successes of Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Bradley Beal, Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine, drilled tirelessly with Bamba for the three months between the end of his college career at the University of Texas and the June 21st NBA Draft. That work not only allowed the 20-year-old Bamba to be the No. 6 draft pick by the Magic, but it has given him the confidence that he can ultimately become the kind of transformational player who might redefine how centers play in the NBA.
Hanlen, CEO of the California-based Pure Sweat Basketball skills academy, is certainly willing to give his endorsement to Bamba and the 7-footer’s pursuit to be the best player from the draft class of 2018.
``A hundred percent, he would be up there with the most improved guys that I’ve ever worked with, for sure,’’ Hanlen said candidly. ``We kind of looked at (his offseason workouts) like this was his Day 1 and his first day of training, and he came such a long, long way.
``I’ve been quoted as saying that he came longer in three months than any pre-draft guy I have had,’’ Hanlen added. ``That wasn’t a marketing strategy; that the truth because he has come so far. He’s in a good place and he’s still got a long way to go in getting better.’’
The star-starved Magic certainly agree with Hanlen’s praise and they are eager to reap the benefits of the growth that the rookie seems certain to make in the seasons to come. Bamba already possesses the longest wingspan ever recorded in NBA history (7 feet, 10 inches), and when you combine that with his willingness to work, his smarts on and off the court and his desire to be special, the Magic feel that they could have nabbed the jewel of the 2018 NBA Draft.
``We have a great, great group of scouts and they saw Mo do things that he wasn’t always able to show in (University of Texas) games,’’ said Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman, who was overjoyed when Bamba was available for Orlando in the NBA Draft at No. 6. ``They saw him in practice. We all kind of projected him out from where he is now and liked it. And, as we always say, `If the person is of high character, then the talent will be there.’ We always felt that he had both boxes checked.’’
Bamba, the well-spoken, well-travelled and well-read type rarely seen in the NBA, thinks it’s only a matter of time before his physical tools, raw talent and desire allow him to reach the league’s top tiers of big men. He’s shown glimpses of those abilities in this week’s MGM Resorts NBA Summer League, leading the Magic to a 2-1 mark so far with his scoring (26 points), rebounding (16 boards), 3-pointers made (two), blocked shots (seven) and countless defensive denials with that towering wingspan. This, he insists, is just a small sample of what’s to come in the years ahead.
``I’m focused on Summer League now, but I’ve definitely already set lofty goals for myself that are within reach,’’ Bamba said following his strong start in summer play with the Magic. ``I want to be the guy who comes in and has an impact immediately. One of my goals is to be Defensive Player of the Year. One of my goals is to be Rookie of the Year. And one of my long-term goals is to be walking across that stage with a jacket on and a nice, little patch on it that says `Hall of Fame.’
``There’s definitely some work to do between here and there and one thing that I learned from Coach (Shaka) Smart at Texas is that there is really never a finish line,’’ he added.