Before the NCAA Tournament started, I wrote about five players from each region that Chicago Bulls fans should watch with the draft in mind. Now that we’re down to the Sweet 16, here are five new players to keep an eye on.
Devonte Graham – Guard – Kansas
Devonte Graham is the senior leader for the Jayhawks and he’s had a nice tournament so far. While he struggled to score the ball in the second round, he dominated the first round.
He finished the first game with 29 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals. In the second round game, he finished with only 8 points but still contributed 9 assists. This speaks to his leadership and floor general mentality. Even though he wasn’t getting his shot to drop, he still made plays for his teammates and helped the Jayhawks advance to the Sweet 16.
Bulls fans should keep him in mind as a potential second-round pick and backup point guard. He can shoot the lights out, make plays for his teammates, and control the tempo of the game. Also, his motor never stops and that will surely translate to the next level.
The Big 12 Player of the Year will surely be a big part of Kansas’ tourney hopes going into this weekends action.
Gabe DeVoe – Guard – Clemson
Senior guard, Gabe DeVoe, has been huge for Clemson in the first two rounds of the tournament and if Clemson wants to have any chance against Kansas, he’ll have to show up big again.
In the first round, he scored 22 points on an efficient 10-15 shooting. In the second round, he also scored 22 points to go along with 5 rebounds and 5 assists in only 24 minutes of play.
Like Graham, Bulls fans should look at DeVoe as a potential second-round pick and backup guard.
The Sweet 16 matchup between Kansas and Clemson should be interesting for Bulls fans as DeVoe and Graham face off.
Oshae Brissett – Forward – Syracuse
Freshman Oshae Brissett has really made a name for himself this season and especially in the tournament. In the first two games, he had 15 points and 9 rebounds (both times).
It’s unclear whether Brissett will enter the draft or not, but if he does, he could be another potential second-round pick for the Bulls.
The 6’8″ forward would provide some length and athleticism off the bench and because of his youth, his ceiling is extremely high.
Check out this nasty block on potential lottery pick, Miles Bridges:
https://twitter.com/HoopsHypeCA/status/975490466484506631
If Bulls fans want to watch him they better pay attention when Syracuse plays Duke because I’m guessing that’ll be Syracuse’s last game.
Grayson Allen – Guard – Duke
Senior guard Grayson Allen has had quite the career for Duke. He won a National Championship and has been a phenomenal asset for them. While Allen is only averaging 13 points per game over the first two games of the tournament, Duke hasn’t won by fewer than 22 points so his offensive production hasn’t really been needed yet.
As Duke continues its journey through the tournament, I’m expecting his numbers to pick up considerably. Grayson Allen is a lights-out shooter with sneaky athleticism but the thing that sticks out to me most about Allen is his leadership. If the Bulls could manage to take him with the Pelicans pick in the late first round, I think they’d be getting a steal.
Check out this play against Rhode Island in the second round of the tourney (the Bulls could use some of this):
I think Allen will be a phenomenal pro and Bulls fans should keep an eye on him closely and analyze his potential fit on the Bulls as the tournament progresses.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Guard – Kentucky
The 6’6″ Canadian point guard has had a phenomenal tournament thus far. In the first round, he scored 19 points to go along with 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 steals. Not too bad for a freshman’s first experience in the NCAA Tournament. Then, he followed up that performance with an even better 27 points to go along with 6 rebounds and 6 assists in the second round. He even shot an impressive 10-12 in that game.
Gilgeous-Alexander gets to the rim seemingly effortlessly and his size allows him to make plays in the paint for himself and teammates. Watch him slice and dice and navigate his way to the basket for this crafty finish:
I’m expecting him to declare from the draft and I think he’s going to be a phenomenal pro. He’s a guy the Bulls should be considering with the Pelicans pick (if he’s still around at that point).
Next: Update on potential Bulls draft prospects after the first weekend of the NCAA Tourney
Kentucky has a relatively “easy” path to the Final Four meaning that we should see much more of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Make sure you pay attention, Bulls fans.