NBA Draft grades: Atlanta Hawks earn an 'A' for taking Michigan guard Kobe Bufkin
Michigan Wolverines basketball guard Kobe Bufkin was selected No. 15 overall by the Atlanta Hawks Thursday night, after former U-M wing Jett Howard was taken No. 11 by the Orlando Magic. Here’s a look at how the Bufkin choice is being received according to draft grades.
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Mike D. Sykes II and Bryan Kalbrosky, USA Today: A
“Kobe Bufkin’s range in this draft was anywhere from the lottery to the tail end of it, so it’s fitting that he’s going right in the middle,” Sykes wrote. “He came on late in the season for Michigan as the team’s offensive hub. He can play both on and off the ball and is an excellent defender at 6-foot-5 with a 6-foot-8 wingspan. If he can find a consistent jump shot, Atlanta might have a star on its hands.”
Krysten Peek, Yahoo Sports: A
“Bufkin has solid size at 6-5 and showed improved reads of the pick-and-roll during his sophomore season at Michigan,” Peek wrote. “He’s always looking to push the ball in transition and has great body control around the rim.”
Adam Finkelstein, CBS Sports: A-
“A late-blooming guard who some people had in the top 10 made huge strides this year,” Finkelstein wrote. “People need to understand how young Bufkin is as an explanation for his low impact as a freshman in 2021-22 — he’s younger than many one-and-done players this year. Bufkin can play on or off the ball and provide an insurance policy for the Hawks deciding what the future is with Trae Young.”
Zach Buckley, Bleacher Report: A-
“The Hawks maybe didn’t head into the night eyeing a guard, but they were smart to pounce on talent and value here,” Buckley wrote. “Bufkin had a chance to not only crack the lottery tonight, but perhaps nudge near the top 10. Getting him at No. 15 is a potential bargain.
“He was a riser on the predraft circuit, though his stock was trending up even before workout season started. He got better as the year went on for the Wolverines, closing his college career by averaging 19.3 points on 51.9/45.0/89.7 percent shooting over his final eight outings.
“He is a true combo guard, as he’s capable of running an offense or adding value off the ball. He needs to get stronger and keep improving his jumper, but his limitations are things you can live with and maybe coach out of him.
“He’s a good enough defender to share the floor with Trae Young, a good enough shooter to slot alongside Dejounte Murray and a good enough creator to run the offense when both need a breather.”
Brad Rowland, Uproxx: A-
“It felt as if Atlanta might once again benefit from medical questions to nab a falling prospect like Cam Whitmore, but Bufkin is a very strong pick for the Hawks,” Rowland wrote. “He checks a lot of boxes on both ends of the floor with shooting guard size and point guard skills. Bufkin has strong basketball feel and he is already a quality defender that could continue to improve as he gets stronger.”
Ricky O’Donnell, SB Nation: B+
“Bufkin is a 6’5 guard who can play on or off the ball,” O’Donnell wrote. “He was an amazing finisher at the rim, a good shooter from three-point range, and he impressed with his on-ball defense. He’s not an amazing athlete but he’ll have to add strength to his frame, but he is one of the most well-rounded guards in this draft. Bufkin can fit alongside either Dejounte Murray or Trae Young in the backcourt, and it will be fascinating to see if all three can play together.”
Kyle Irving, Sporting News: C+
“The Hawks already have Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, but they decided to add another combo guard in Bufkin,” Irving wrote. “While I do like the Michigan sophomore’s potential as a crafty shot creator and scorer, he gives Atlanta more of what it already has in its star backcourt duo.”
