Pelica Debrief
Fansided

Potential Second Round Draft Prospects New Orleans Should Consider

By Christopher Dodson

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JUNE 22: New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry holds up a jersey after Pelicans Executive Vice President Mickey Loomis and Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Dell Demps made the official announcement that Gentry would be the Pelicans new head coach on June 22, 2015 at the New Orleans Practice Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JUNE 22: New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry holds up a jersey after Pelicans Executive Vice President Mickey Loomis and Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Dell Demps made the official announcement that Gentry would be the Pelicans new head coach on June 22, 2015 at the New Orleans Practice Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next

Keita Bates-Diop

22-years-old

Ohio State

Forward

 6’7’’ 235 lbs

19.8 ppg 8.7 rpg 35.9% 3fg

The reigning Big Ten player of the year has years of sample size in a tough conference. Being 22, his development is sound but he could still round out his game. Bates-Diop should be able to contribute a handful of minutes to an aspiring playoff team. He would immediately add length to the Pelicans wing rotation with a 7’2’’ wingspan. Bates-Diop was allowed to play an isolation heavy game at Ohio State. The location and flow of approach into his shots will have to be altered but the 2018 second team All-American should find a rotation spot in the NBA.

His lack of ball handling and limited conditioning could be improved with strength and agility training. he has the tools to succeed as a wing defender. With his leap, length , and sense of positioning refined, Bates-Diop should excel in transition and rebounding. With some finesse, he could benefit a team by altering and blocking shots.

Bates-Diop ran the Ohio State offense. With his smooth shooting stroke he kept help defenders honest and when driving, he could finish strong at the basket. He will have to improve his ball handling skills if he wants to create shots in the NBA.

Next: LeBron James Probably Isn’t Coming To New Orleans, And That’s Ok

Bates-Diop has a few moves with the ball but lacks strength to fight through hard traps or screens. If teams try to put him in the pick and roll on either end, he is liable to get bodied off the ball or lost trying to avoid contact.