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The Collective Charlotte Hornets Bloggers 2018 Mock Draft

By Noah Purser

Luka Doncic #7 of Real Madrid in action during the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Play Offs Game 4 between Real Madrid v Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens at Wizink Center on April 27, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by COOLMedia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Luka Doncic #7 of Real Madrid in action during the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Play Offs Game 4 between Real Madrid v Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens at Wizink Center on April 27, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by COOLMedia/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Mohamed Bamba #4 of the Texas Longhorns blocks a shot by Jordan Caroline #24 of the Nevada Wolf Pack during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Mohamed Bamba #4 of the Texas Longhorns blocks a shot by Jordan Caroline #24 of the Nevada Wolf Pack during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

With the fifth pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks select Mohamed Bamba from the University of Texas.

As Jaren Jackson Jr. continues to slip down the draft board, Mohamed Bamba is introduced to solve the Dallas Mavericks’ long-term problem at center. With an eight-foot wingspan, Bamba immediately owns the title of longest arms in the NBA. Bamba will undoubtedly be a strong rim-protecting big for the entirety of his career.

His wingspan proves more than valuable on defense, where Bamba averaged a monstrous 3.7 blocks at Texas. The Mavericks certainly struggle on that end, finishing second-to-last in the league in blocks, and in the bottom half in team defensive rating.

Not only is Bamba a strong defensive force, but he has shown impressive touch on his jumper:

The thought of Bamba blocking shots on defense and trailing plays for wide-open threes should give opposing teams deja vu of Joel Embiid. Bamba has a bright future ahead of him, and what better place to realize it than Dallas?

Other Player(s) Receiving Votes: Jaren Jackson Jr. (3 Votes)