Villanova’s Jay Wright is the hot NBA coaching candidate in college basketball – because of his ability to identify and develop players like Mikal Bridges.
Will Wright jump to the NBA? Bridges will.
Bridges is a first-round lock and probable lottery pick. He’ll likely be the highest-drafted upperclassman.
At 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan and plenty of athleticism, Bridges has the tools to be an excellent and versatile defender. His basketball intelligence makes him one.
He was a very good college 3-point shooter, and his outside shooting will probably be an asset in the pros. But there are some concerns whether Bridges’ shooting stroke will translate cleanly to the deeper NBA arc. If his outside shot is a threat, he can drive to the rim and finish well there. Subpar ball-handling limits his star potential.
But Bridges should slot in nicely as a 3-and-D small forward. That carries plenty of value.