Soaring Down South
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3 reasons Bol Bol would be a perfect fit with the Atlanta Hawks

By Michael Walton

Oregon Ducks center Bol Bol (1) (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Oregon Ducks center Bol Bol (1) (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Oregon Ducks center Bol Bol (1) reaches to block a shot by Houston Cougars forward Brison Gresham (55) (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

He was an elite shot blocker in college

Bol finished his NCAA career with a block rate (12.7%) over double that of 2018 No. 1 pick DeAndre Ayton. And Bol’s shot block percentage actually is comparable to those of former NCAA bigs Greg Oden (12.7%), Karl-Anthony Towns (11.5%) and Anthony Davis (13.7%).

In Atlanta’s system that likes to have one big play drop-back coverage in the pick-and-roll—so as to be stationed closer to the basket—Bol would be in the perfect environment to curb his exposure to being attacked on the perimeter, as he lacks the fluid hip movement needed to be a capable switch defender.

But when it comes to being a deterrent around the rim, Bol excels. He finished his NCAA career with 24 blocks in 9 games and would’ve surely put his name in the Oregon record books had he had a full season.

His defensive positives were on full display in the biggest game he played in this season, a 15-point when over the No. 15 ranked Syracuse in which he had 4 blocks. In that game, the Ducks (led by Bol) held Syracuse to 35% shooting from the field, while out-rebounding them by 7 boards.

Despite not having tremendous quickness or lateral movement, Bol shows the instincts of a great NBA shot-blocker. At 7-foot 3 with a 7-foot 8 wingspan, he projects to be a solid rim protector for the duration of his NBA career, a skill that will make him a useful in the pros even if he doesn’t reach his absolute ceiling.