NBA: Profiling the Strengths and Weakness of Bol Bol

Manute Bol was a second-round draft pick of the then Washington Bullets in 1985. He was a tall lean 7’7 and 220-pound center. He was a dominant shot blocker, but not very strong or coordinated. Bol once chipped his teeth on the rim trying to dunk the basketball.

However, he played 10 seasons for Washington, Golden State Philadelphia and Miami. During his time in the NBA Bol was the leading shot block leader in the NBA for 1986 and 1989. Bol averaged 5 blocks per game in his rookie season and averaged more than 3 blocks per game for 5 of his ten seasons played.

When Washington drafted Muggsy Bogues, in 1987, the Bullets, as the Washington Wizards were then known, held the distinction of employing both the tallest and shortest player in the game. Bol was 7’7 and Bogues was just 5’3.

In 10 NBA seasons, Manute Bol only averaged 2.6 points per game and 4.2 rebounds per game for his career. Manute Bol died due to kidney failure on June 19th, 2010. Originally from Gogrial, Sudan, Bol was survived by his ten children.

Bol Bol looks like a younger version of his father. He also plays basketball like his father did. Bol Bol may be a lottery pick at the June 2019 NBA Draft. He is a 7’2 235-pound center playing the same position as his father.

Bol Bol has a 7’6 wingspan and a 9’7 standing reach. Apart from facial features, physique and position, Bol Bol’s game differs dramatically from his father's style of play.

While Bol Bol is a rim protector like his dad he is capable of so much more. He is coordinated, athletic and has a perimeter game. He has a fairly well-rounded game. which is on display, for the Oregon Ducks in the Pac-12 Conference of the NCAA. The Ducks are currently tied for third in the Pac-12 with a 7-3 record. In this article, we will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Bol Bol.

Strengths

Bol Bol displays good defensive skills. He is a rim protector averaging 2.7 blocks per game with Oregon this season. However, he is not only blocking shots around the basket he deflects a fair share of opponents mid and long-range shots too. Bol moves his feet well on defense and can defend out to the three-point arc. He is averaging 9.6 rebounds per game, in nine games, so he uses his length well.

Bol shows an ability to put the ball on the floor attacking the basket from the high post or the wing. He scores in a variety of ways, in the post, turn around jumpers, runners and floaters. Most impressive is his ability to make three-pointers. He is 13/25 from behind the arc for 52%. Bol is averaging 21 points per game so far this season. Bol runs well for a center filling the lane to finish on the fast break. Bol Bol is a solid 75% from the free throw line.

Weaknesses

Bol is tall and lean. At 235 pounds some extra weight or muscle would add needed strength which would help him, with rebounding and battles under the glass, at the NBA level. Bol might shy away from contact so extra muscle could help here as well.

While Bol does run well, he is often the last man up and down the court. Bol is not the slowest center ever, but he could work on his stamina and fitness level. At the moment, he averages 29.8 minutes per game with Oregon.

Bol does not set good screens. Pick and roll is a staple in NBA offenses and its usually the center or power forward setting the screen. The NBA team that drafts him will need to work with him to improve this skill.

In nine games with Oregon, Bol is averaging one assist per game and two turnovers per game. Bol will need to take care of the ball better at the pro level than he is now. One issue in this area may be that he’s thinking about or starting what he wants to do once he has the ball before he actually has it.

One major concern is that in missing this weekends contest against Bosie State Bol’s left foot was in a protective boot. He is out day to day with a lower leg or foot injury. According to Oregon’s head coach Dana Altman:

“Just a lower leg injury,” Altman said. “Just a lower leg injury, we’ll play it day-by-day.”

This could affect his draft ranking going forward if it becomes a long-term injury.

On NBADRAFT.NET, Bol is currently ranked third for the coming 2019 NBA Draft. There is a lot of basketball to be played between now and then, but Bol is a player to watch. If the Atlanta Hawks who will be in the lottery, for the June Draft, were to select Bol Bol it might be a great fit with Trae Young.

The Hawks are young and not very good. Trae Young could use an offensively sound teammate to take some pressure off of his workload. One of the early front-runners for rookie of the year Young has struggled with a low field goal percentage. Bol could allow him to be more selective with his shot and give the Hawks a solid one-two punch they don’t really have right now. However, Bol needs to get back from his foot injury and keep improving his game.