By Coach Boyd

The 2017 NBA Draft in Philadelphia will host the No. 1 pick for the second straight year. The Milwaukee Bucks will add to their roster with the 17th and 48th pick respectively in this year’s draft. Last year, the Bucks selected Thon Maker 10th overall and Malcolm Brogdon in the second round, who was just named the 2017 Rookie of the Year.

Markelle Fultz the 6’4” standout guard was  the Number #1 pick overall out of the University of Washington selected by the Philadelphia 76ers, and as anticipated the L.A. Lakers select 6’6” (PG) Lonzo Ball  out of UCLA. Immediately after the second pick, the Chicago Bulls sent Jimmy Butler to Minnesota for Zach Lavine and Kris Dunn. The # 3 pick went to Boston who selected 6’8” (SF) Jayson Tatum from Duke. The 4th pick on down to the 10th are as followed:

  1. Phoenix – Josh Jackson 6’8” (SG) from Kansas
  2. Sacramento – De’Aaron Fox 6’3” ( PG) Kentucky
  3. Orlando – Jonathan Issac 6’10” ( SF) Florida State
  4. Minnesota via to Chicago – Lauri Makkanen 7’0” (PF) Arizona
  5. New York – Frank Ntilkina 6’5” (PG) SIG Strasborg France
  6. Dallas – Dennis Smith 6’2” (PG) North Carolina State
  7. Sacramento via to Portland – Zach Collins 7’0” ( PF) Gonzaga

The Milwaukee Bucks selected D.J. Wilson 6’10” (PF) from the University of Michigan with their 17th pick in the 1st round by newly hired G.M. John Horst who has been with the organization since 2008 who replaced John Hammond. John Horst commented on this year’s selection said “Operational Versatility, in which the way Coach Jason Kidd coaches. We wanted a player who can play the 4 or 5, but play multiple positions, and have multiple skills”.

Coach Kidd said, “D.J. fits the DNA of the Bucks, being able to play various positions.  We saw D.J. play a lot at the combine and in college. At Michigan he was well coached and can play both ends of the floor”.  Coach Kidd mention he’s very comfortable with the ball before he started growing after his red shirt year from 6’6” to 6’10.

The 48th pick of the Bucks was Sindarius Thrornwell 6’5” (SF) from South Carolina who was later traded for cash considerations to the L.A. Clippers.

The draft set a record of 16 freshman drafted in the first round, while only 2 seniors were selected.

In other news, Giannis Antetokounmpo received the Most Improved Player of the Year and was named All- Defensive second team and Malcolm Brogdon was named to the All-Rookie first team.