Bassey is another guy I expect to rise, but also the ultimate personification of the fabrication that this draft is top heavy. This draft is super deep, with tons of guys that have an NBA level skill and can use that to fill a role. Bassey is almost instantly a vertical threat with some defensive abilities. Being able to get that in the second round is crazy. He’s pretty agile, with some solid length, and a good defensive eye. He has 0 potential to be a star but that is ok. Think Dwight on the lakers.

Comparison: Bismack Biyombo

Ceiling: Mitchell Robinson, Lakers Dwight

Floor: Epke Udoh, Older Bogut, Lakers Javale

END OF TIER 8

Charles Bassey may have played at Western Kentucky and did not have the best scoring performances against top competition, but I trust his rebounding ability and shot blocking entirely. He''ll bang inside in the NBA and grab the boards (over 11 per game at WKU) and protect the rim (3.1 per game). While he still has to improve his J, his 30.5 three-point percentage on 2.1 attempts and 79% free throw clip shows some potential to be a stretch big. It's a little hard to picture a specific role in the league though, as he doesn't really have a main skill.

Projected draft range: 25-35

Positives

-Extremely athletic, great lob threat from day 1, great at playing above the rim, can finish in all kinds of ways when he gets the ball near the rim, would excel with a good PnR guard

-High motor, great second jump, active on the glass, won't disappoint if his role is being an energy big

-Good rim protector that really shined in C-USA, has real shot blocking instincts, amazing recovery skills

-Wasn't afraid to take some 3 point shots, only 30% but 76% from the line and mechanics that aren't too bad, has upside here

Negatives

-Not the quickest athlete, probably projects as a drop big, has some trouble with quicker players and could have problems in space

-Has a bunch of stuff to clear up offensively, still an inconsistent shooter and should get rid of some jumpers OTD, also needs to make faster reads, not very comfortable in the short roll as a passer

-Doesn't seem to like contact much, can get pushed in too easily on the post or struggle finishing when he isn't above the rim, too strong of a frame for this to be a thing

Likely range: 30-60

Pro Comparison: David West

Stats: 17.7 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 3.1 bpg, 65% TS, 31.5%(2.1A) 3pt

19 yrs old, 6''10", C, 239 lbs

Recruit(2018): 5 star recruit, Rank: 18, Rank C: 3

Tier 5 Prospect

Bassey is another prospect who makes me scratch my head, and it''s got nothing to do with his actual talent. Bassey is a 6''11, muscular 240 big man who was a top recruit in 2018 falling just below big names like RJ Barrett, Zion Williamson, Cam Reddish, etc. And if you just look at Bassey physically, it makes sense. If you watch the magnetic force he seems to compel over WKU games both offensively and defensively, it makes sense. But on most big boards, he''s lucky to get a first round evaluation. And I get the concerns- while he seems to be a composed finisher around the basket, he doesn''t really take his time, and he can be a bit of a black hole due to how consistently he''s been able to just overpower his defender. He''s had a few injuries and he''s not a jump out of the gym, run cost to cost athlete like a lot of teams want their big men to be nowadays. But if you could draft 18 year olds, there''s no doubt in my mind Bassey would have been drafted 3 years ago, quite early too. And right now, I don''t see any reason why he shouldn''t have a similar talent evaluation- at his best, he''ll probably be a big four, small ball five who you can bet to be average to above average at every little thing you need a big man to do but not really excel at anything- and that in a way, is excelling! Anyway, he''s for my money, the second best big man in this draft.

Comp: Gorgui Dieng