Pure product of Michigan since he is a native of Grand Rapids (like Devin Booker), Kobe Bufkin had started his university career very discreetly under the tunic of the Wolverines, with only 11 minutes per game (for averages of 3 points and 1.1 rebound) during his “freshman” exercise (2021-22).
Propelled by Juwan Howard to start his “sophomore” campaign at the start of the 2022 school year, he then experienced substantial progress, to the point of establishing himself as the engine of his team, both in attack and in defense. A very big second half of the season particularly jumped out at NBA observers and franchises, and helped place him among the “safe bets” of the Top 20, even the “lottery” of the Draft on Thursday evening.
Profile
Job : Back
Size : 1m96
Weight : 90kg
Crew : michigan wolverines
Stats 2022/23: 14 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists.
Strong points
– Attacking the Circle / Finishing the Circle. Tall and agile, Kobe Bufkin actually has no trouble attacking the circle, especially since his dribbling is rather controlled. Even better: he finishes very well in the circle. This season, he has indeed turned 71% on shots taken from the circle, which is impressive for a defender who carries the ball. Left-handed, he particularly loves attacking the circle with his strong hand from the baseline, and he also shines in the attack of the circle on the “pick-and-roll” (45% success this season). A third very comfortable scheme for him is the transition, where he can pick up speed and use his size and long segments to rush into the opposing paint. In the NBA, he will have to adapt to a more substantial physical and athletic dimension than in the NCAA, but his work base is very convincing.
– A big defensive impact. Having to defend leaders and second backs in the NBA, Kobe Bufkin does not have to worry too much. Always focused on this side of the field, with very reactive support and aggressive hands both on the opposing dribble and on the passing lines (1.3 interceptions per game), he will be able to defend well from his debut in the NBA. Especially since he is as comfortable on the ball carrier in individual defense as in more complex schemes in collective defense, such as “closeouts” or weak side assists.
– “Playmaker” effective on simple readings. Not a natural playmaker, Kobe Bufkin is nonetheless a creator. This season with Michigan, he took the reins of the attack over the weeks, and ended up calmly taking on the role of main initiator of the Wolverines attack during the second part of the campaign, concluded individually with almost 3 assists per game. If he does not have, and will never have, Luka Doncic’s vision of the game, for example, he is still capable of executing simple readings in attack, on the “pick-and-roll” in particular this season, with center Hunter Dickinson the favored recipient of his assists. In the NBA, his responsibilities in attack will depend on the team in which he lands, but he will be able to support in this area, certainly as a secondary creator.
Weak points
– Must gain physical power. With his “small” 90kg on the scale, Kobe Bufkin is indeed still a little physically fit to withstand the shock in the NBA. This season in the NCAA, for example, we have often seen him in difficulty in navigating the screens in defense, when the rough screens of certain interiors made him explode on contact. Ditto on certain “drives”, against more powerful players. His basketball IQ and his athletic tools will allow him to compensate, but he will have everything to gain by adding a few pounds to gain serenity in defense, on the physical level.
– creation for him. While Kobe Bufkin’s dribbling is pretty reliable, he’s not a creative and an artist. The young full-back therefore lacks alternative options to beat his defender when his sheer speed isn’t enough. Same observation on his shot, compact and fluid in “catch-and-shoot”, but less sharp when leaving the dribble because his palette in one-on-one is for the moment little varied. This is not necessarily worrying because it works, and it’s a safe bet that he will gain confidence in this exercise once he has thickened.
Comparison
A “combo-guard” profile à la Tyrese Maxey Or Immanuel Quickley for offensive and “playmaking” qualities, or at the Derrick White for defensive qualities.
Prognosis
Its rating has exploded lately, according to ESPN. Invited to the “Green Room”, he could be chosen almost anywhere between 8th and 14th position in the lottery.
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