NBA Mock Draft Pick #23 — Keita Bates-Diop, Forward, Ohio State
SB Nation’s Indiana Pacers blog Indy Cornrows explains the pick:
The Indiana Pacers were unlucky to lose the tiebreaker with the four teams to finish the regular season at 48-34. Yet, many would argue they were lucky to be in that tiebreaker in the first place, and many experts deem this draft to be deeper than usual. Plain and simple, the Pacers need wing depth. They take one step forward by drafting the Big Ten Player of the Year in Keita Bates-Diop. KBD averaged 19.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per game for OSU. Bates-Diop was a solid scorer in his senior season, but it’s tough to see him exceling in the NBA without further improvement in perimeter shooting and added strength. His bigger impact is likely on the defensive end as he proved he could guard 1-4 at the collegiate level. His 6’8” height and 7’3” wingspan give him the length to disrupt shots and passing lanes, while his agility allows him to keep smaller players in front of him. KBD should be able to carve out a spot in the rotation as a versatile wing who can switch onto defenders of multiple positions. Plus, you have to admit it would be pretty cool to have a Dipo and Diop Duo.
- Suns DEANDRE AYTON
- Kings LUKA DONCIC
- Hawks JAREN JACKSON
- Grizzlies MARVIN BAGLEY III
- Mavs WENDELL CARTER JR.
- Magic MO BAMBA
- Bulls MICHAEL PORTER JR.
- Cavaliers TRAE YOUNG
- Knicks MIKAL BRIDGES
- Sixers ZHAIRE SMITH
- Mavs MILES BRIDGES
- Clippers SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER
- Magic ELIE OKOBO
- Nuggets KEVIN KNOX
- Wizards ROBERT WILLIAMS
- Suns COLLIN SEXTON
- Bucks LONNIE WALKER IV
- Spurs TROY BROWN
- Hawks DE’ANTHONY MELTON
- Wolves KEVIN HUERTER
- Jazz CHANDLER HUTCHISON
- Bulls JOSH OKOGIE
- Pacers KEITA BATES-DIOP
- Nets GRAYSON ALLEN
- Lakers AARON HOLIDAY
- Sixers JACOB EVANS
- Celtics JEROME ROBINSON
- Warriors KHYRI THOMAS
- Blazers DONTE DIVINCENZO
- Hawks MELVIN FRAZIER