Anonymous scouts weigh in on Kobe Bufkin ahead of 2023 NBA Draft
The 2023 NBA Draft is just around the corner and one of Michigan basketball’s stars has been a steady riser throughout the process. Sophomore guard Kobe Bufkin decided to take his talents to the next level after two seasons at U-M, and it appears he will be rewarded for it.
Heading into the event, Bufkin is seen as a potential lottery selection that could make a push towards the top ten prospects in the draft. That was not something many thought possible when he hardly played as a freshman in 2021-22.
The Athletic dropped a pair of articles from Seth Davis and David Aldridge on Monday discussing where Bufkin stands heading into Thursday night’s event.
“Love him,” an anonymous scout told Davis. He’s rising big-time. He’s good in the pick and roll, makes good decisions, but needs to become a better shooter. He needs to put on some weight, but you can say that about just about every kid in this draft. I like that he didn’t play a lot as a freshman, but he didn’t pout and transfer. He doubled up his effort and pushed his way into the rotation. He has a scoring mentality but he can also make plays for his teammates, which is intriguing.”
A Big Ten assistant coach went as far as to tell Aldridge that Bufkin was the Michigan player that was respected the most by their staff when prepping to play the Wolverines.
“He’s a really good player. Much underrated,” the coach said. “At the end of the year, he was their best player. He was the guy we respected the most, more than Jett (Howard), more than Hunter Dickinson. … Bufkin is a really good player. They list him at 195 pounds. Left-handed. Very athletic combo guard. And he’s very capable from 3, although he didn’t shoot it great (35.5 percent from deep). You’ve got to make him dribble, you can’t give him wide-open shots. He’s a good, good player. If he can develop his 3-point shot, that’ll determine his future in the league. He’s just got to develop his shot. Being able to play both guard spots, at his size, is going to help him. He can really guard.”
An Eastern Conference executive likes Bufkin’s skill set but believes that his success in the NBA will come down to fit and the expectations around him.
“I think Kobe has a chance,” the executive said. “The thing I’m concerned about with Kobe, and this may be strange, but if he gets drafted too soon, by the wrong type of team, he could struggle a little bit. Because he’s so young physically, and probably a little bit mentally. He’s one of those guys that if he gets drafted a little bit later than where the mocks have him, I think he might not play as quickly, but I think he might be in a better situation. ’Cause he’s probably going to be on a team that has some vets he can learn from. He’s with a team that doesn’t have to throw him out there, that can develop him until he gets better.”
Bufkin averaged 14 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game this past season at Michigan, shooting 54.6 percent on twos and 35.5 percent on threes.
The 2023 NBA Draft tips off Thursday night from Barclays Center in Brooklyn at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast via ESPN.
