2018 NBA Draft: 4 Unheralded Prospects for Atlanta Hawks

By Chris Guest | Jun 17, 2018

KU's Malik Newman (14) celebrates a 3-pointer while acknowledging teammate Devonte' Graham, not pictured, for the assist during the first half in the Big 12 Tournament championship game at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo., on Saturday, March 10, 2018. (Shane Keyser/Kansas City Star/TNS via Getty Images) /

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CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 19: Ajdin Penava #11 of Marshall (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Ajdin Penava

So you like Mohamed Bamba, huh? That nearly 8-foot wingspan giving you thoughts of a stifling Hawks defense? Hold on there, sport.

What if I told you that the NCAA’s leading shot-blocker last season was not the preternaturally gifted physical freak Bamba? Would you be even more shocked to discover that potential Top 3 selection Jaren Jackson Jr., who is only 18 years old and already projects to be a big man who can defend on the perimeter, attack off the dribble, hit three-pointers and block tons of shots also was not the leader?

It was actually Ajdin Penava from Marshall who led the country in blocks. Yes, Penava, a 6-foot-9 junior center from Marshall who was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina actually led the NCAA in blocks per game (3.9) and total blocks (134).

Penava’s wingspan is around 7-foot-5, which is still amazing, but he is extremely thin of frame – only clocking in at 215 pounds. His timing on blocks, however, is immaculate, and his ability to alter and block shots in multiple ways would make him an interesting prospect for the Hawks to look at.