Atlanta Hawks NBA Draft: Charles Bassey could be the answer now and long-term
One of the Atlanta Hawks needs heading into the offseason was for a big body off the bench. Oddly enough, most mocks have them taking a scoring guard or wing player in the 2021 NBA Draft on Thursday. There are stretch “bigs” in this class, but most of them need more development physically, with their basketball IQ, or both.
Western Kentucky’s Charles Bassey offers the blend of size and skill that should have him under heavy consideration, but with what pick? Most mocks have him going somewhere before the middle of the second round.
However, a team could easily wait too long and miss out. Bassey could be another option to replace Onyeka Okongu who is out until January.
Atlanta Hawks NBA Draft: Charles Bassey would definitely solve the need for a 3-and-D big man
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Atlanta holds the 48th pick in the second round. Not that they should pass on a clearly superior prospect, but taking him at 20 wouldn’t be the reach it might seem like when you look at everything he brings to the table.
Weighing in at the NBA Combine at 230 pounds, he doesn’t have the size of a Day’Ron Sharpe or some other bigs, most of which are projected to go in the second round.
But he does have a 7-foot-3 wingspan, a ton of skill, and is very athletic.
It’s arguably the best blend of skill and physical profile for a center outside of Evan Mobley, the projected third-overall pick.
He averaged 17.6 points on 59 percent shooting from the floor and 30.5 percent from three. Bassey also snagged 11.6 rebounds and blocked 3.1 shots per game last season as a junior, both of which led Conference USA.
Footage of Western Kentucky's Charles Bassey at the Young Money Pro Day at the NBA Combine. Bassey, named Conference USA Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, has trimmed his frame to a svelte 230 pounds with 5.9% body fat. Measured a 7'3 wingspan in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/QBHVT4ymMR
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 30, 2021
Bassey was fourth in blocks and fifth in rebounds per game in the country.
The Nigerian-born prospect averaged 18 points and 10.8 boards across five games in conference and NIT play.
He is older — he’ll turn 21 in October — but is still just scratching the surface. And, after redshirting his sophomore season due to a knee injury, took a massive step forward in his production and consistency as a junior. We also have recent examples of players like Pascal Siakam who developed as older players under NBA trainers.
Conference USA isn’t exactly a powerhouse either, but Western Kentucky did win a share of the regular-season title and Bassey was their leader.
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If the Hawks don’t like him in the first round either, they could always trade back and recoup another second-rounder for their troubles. They could then get a big combo guard like Illinois’ Ayo Dosunmu as well, solving two issues on the cheap; a key to sustaining a contender.