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HH Draft Profile: Bam Adebayo

By Alex Eddy

Feb 11, 2017; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Edrice Adebayo (3) plays defense against Alabama Crimson Tide forward Braxton Key (25) during the second half at Coleman Coliseum. The Wildcats defeated the Crimson Tide 67-58. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Edrice Adebayo (3) plays defense against Alabama Crimson Tide forward Braxton Key (25) during the second half at Coleman Coliseum. The Wildcats defeated the Crimson Tide 67-58. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Hardwood Houdini Draft Profiles

Bam Adebayo: Kentucky, PF/C

Height: 6’10″

Weight: 260 pounds

Age: 19

Click on the name for up to date stats: Bam Adebayo

Strengths

Physicality/Body:

Bam is a beast. He is a grown man trapped in a 19-year-old body. He is 260 pounds of muscle, toughness, and strength. He is a force down low, on the boards, and is always a threat for a vicious slam. Bam has a Dwight Howard type body and he is still just a teenager. This will undoubtedly help his chances at gaining NBA minutes.

Defensive Potential:

Due to his physicality, mixed in with some athleticism, Bam has the chance to be a solid defender in the NBA. He is willing to bruise down low with big power forwards and centers. Adebayo also has some rim protecting and shot blocking ability, averaging 1.6 blocks per game this season. He has a 7’1.5” wingspan and 9’0” standing reach. For how strong and physical he is, he moves fairly well. Sometimes he gets caught not moving/sliding his feet, but that will be something that will improve.

Feb 4, 2017; Gainesville, FL, USA;Florida Gators guard Canyon Barry (24) defends Kentucky Wildcats forward Edrice Adebayo (3) during the second half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Florida Gators defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 88-66. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Gainesville, FL, USA;Florida Gators guard Canyon Barry (24) defends Kentucky Wildcats forward Edrice Adebayo (3) during the second half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. Florida Gators defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 88-66. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Weaknesses

Offense/Skills:

Bam doesn’t have a very skilled offensive game, and doesn’t really have a perimeter game at all. Most of his buckets come around the rim with layups, dunks, and put backs. He has a few post moves, but he still needs to improve in that regard. Adebayo only shoots 61.7% from the free throw line as well. He is able to make an impact based on his physical prowess, but he will be facing much bigger and stronger players at the next level. Adebayo is able to bully his way around the paint in college, but that won’t be as easy in the NBA.

Go To Guy:

I don’t see Bam being a go to guy at the next level. Being such a highly rated incoming recruit, I think people expected him to have more of an offensive impact. He will be able to bring positive things to the table, but I can’t see him as a starting center that is going to put up a ton of points consistently. Although he is physical, he is not a dominant offensive player in the paint.

Overview

Bam already has an NBA body. It is ridiculous. I think he will be a solid shot blocker in the NBA and I think he will be able to throw down some crazy dunks every once in a while. However, I don’t think that he is a big that is destined for stardom in the NBA. I see Bam being a late first round draft selection.