Artūras Karnišovas' second pick is in.
With the No. 44 overall pick in the NBA Draft, the Bulls selected 21-year-old Montenegrin center Marko Simonović, who currently plays for KK Mega Bemax. In seven games in the 2020-21 season, Simonović is averaging 16.3 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game with 51.4-41.4-83.3 shooting splits.
"7-footer who can handle and shoot. Very versatile," Karnišovas said on a Zoom call with reporters of the selection. "Can pass. Runs the floor. Gets to free throw line a lot. High basketball IQ. Can do a little of everything. At that size he’s very unique. He’s a 7 footer who plays with pace, high motor."
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Chicago sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Assuming Denzel Valentine, who was extended a qualifying offer, returns and first-round pick Patrick Williams signs, the Bulls will have 14 roster spots committed. Karnišovas confirmed that the Bulls plan to stash Simonović for "at least" one year.
NBA.com's scouting report for Simonović -- which is well worth a read -- describes him as a skilled, athletic big that runs the floor well and rains from long range. Some highlights in which to indulge, courtesy of draft guru Spencer Pearlman:
Be careful overlooking Simonović. The Denver Nuggets hit big on second-round picks in Karnišovas' time in their front office, from Monte Morris to, most notably, Nikola Jokić. And wouldn't you know, per Peachtree Hoops, Jokić is a Mega Bemax alum, along with fellow NBAers Ivica Zubac, Goga Bitadze, Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot and Adam Mokoka.
It may be some time before Simonović gets a shot to join those ranks. Regardless, along with Williams, he joins a historic draft class in Bulls history.
NBA
