2. Leandro Bolmaro
A highly-touted wing player coming out of Argentina. If only there was an example of this working out in NBA before. All jokes aside, while he may not be Manu Ginobili, Leandro Bolmaro is still turning heads on the international scene. Listed at 6’7”, he is a big guard and is very much in the mold of draftmate Deni Avdija.
He doesn’t get the same hype as his Israeli counterpart, and a cursory glance at his statistics might explain why. Averaging 7.9 points, 2.5 assists and 1.5 boards doesn’t scream high-lottery. But, having his season split between the senior and ‘B’ teams for Barcelona.
Broke down a Leandro Bolmaro pass to show off his manipulative and ambidextrous playmaking: pic.twitter.com/uT0eEnGONG
— Jackson Frank (@jackfrank_jjf) May 2, 2020
At the top level, ACB, he averaged a modest 5.1/1.7/1.0 in a limited role. He got significantly more run in LEB Silver play, posting 14.9 points, 3.6 assists, and 2.7 rebounds.
The obvious concern is whether or not the reduced opportunity is the only thing from putting up a line similar to what his LEB performance in the ACB, let alone in the NBA. But there is so much to be excited about with his versatility, vision, and feel for the game.
His low scoring output at the higher level might be a concern, but his real claim to fame is as a playmaker. That is the aspect of his game that many feel he is just scratching the surface of.
"“Bolmaro is a smooth ball handler who – despite lacking the athleticism needed – easily gets to his spots on the floor through the use of various moves and speeds. He’s one of the few players in this draft class that I believe can make any imaginable pass (LaMelo Ball and Killian Hayes being the others); his talent in seeing and reading passing lanes is vastly impressive.” – Kris Pursiainen/SI Knicks"
In Chicago, Bolmaro would check many of the same boxes as Avdija, albeit in a less shiny wrapping. But with his range being projected anywhere from early-second to the back end of the first round, the Bulls won’t need to be as lucky to get their hands on him.
The aforementioned athleticism is also a concern defensively. With a wingspan equal to his height (just like Deni), he has to be savvier to be in the right position.
This could present a problem with a Bulls team that doesn’t have many plus-defenders on the perimeter. A lot will depend on what happens with Kris Dunn and Shaquille Harrison, but Chicago could be looking at only having Porter to defend the three-point line; an area they struggle in already.
Our next prospect has basketball in his blood and the type of game tailor-made for the NBA today