Chicago Bulls NBA Draft: 3 Giannis-like players to take in the second round

The Chicago Bulls could draft Charles Bassey in the second round

Charles Bassey is one of, if not the most, athletic big man in the draft. Somehow, his stock on NBADraft.net has dropped to the projected 37th spot in the draft, just one choice before the Bulls.

Bassey is 6-foot-11 and his athleticism as a big man is unparalleled for a possible second-rounder. Bassey can run the floor, slide quickly off pick-and-rolls as the big man, and can work as a traditional big man.

The big man is also a terrific rim protector, like Giannis, averaging 3.1 blocks per game in his junior season. He held a career defensive rating of 92.5 and a positive defensive box plus/minus.

As a bonus to his game, he has been working on his jump shot, understanding that that element to his game is critical as a big man. He works better off the catch-and-shoot than he does off the dribble, but that part of his game is still in construction.

In his three years at Western Kentucky, Bassey averaged 15.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 0.8 assists. He averaged nearly 18 points and 12 rebounds per game in his final season as a Hilltopper. He shot just under 60 percent from the field in his career and his final season shot 30 percent from distance on two three-point shots per game — showing his development.

If Bassey is somehow on the board come the 38th pick of the draft, this would be an easy choice for the Bulls. He has hovered in the first round for some mock drafts, so it’s not an easy call.