Empowered at last, Bol Bol thrives in Orlando

Like Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving, they are several to observe the attraction bowl bowl with a watchful eye. It must be said that, from the height of its 2m18 (for “only” 99kg), this one leaves no one indifferent and never goes unnoticed on a parquet floor.

Especially when he deploys his slender carcass and begins to pull the ball up by releasing a spin move by the way, proof of his undeniable qualities in the handling of the ball. Endowed with the physique of a winger but with an interior size, the player of the Magic stands out in this league full of phenomenon but still devoid of unicorns of its kind.

While the world is enthusiastic week after week for the performances of Victor Wembanyama, announced number 1 of the 2023 Draft, Bol Bol offers in a way — and to a lesser extent — a taste of what the Frenchman could give in NBA from next season.

” Yes, I already had all that in me “, he assures in the columns of The Athletic, when asked if he has always been able to play as he does so far. ” It’s just that I hadn’t really had the opportunity to show it, because I had been on the bench for the last few years. Now that I’ve been given an opportunity [de jouer]I just try to improve every game and I think it shows. »

Stepped out of the shadow of Nikola Jokic

Among the revelations of the season, with his 12.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.7 against average (60% in shots, 41% in 3-pts and 77% in shots), Bol Bol seems to have found Orlando a house where he likes, the ideal place to let his qualities speak for themselves. He who squatted for two and a half years on the Nuggets bench, due in particular to the presence of a certain Nikola Jokic in the same position as him.

Two players drafted in the second round and to say the least strange in terms of the game.

” He can dribble, shoot, drop floaters, that sort of thing. It’s not very orthodox, but it’s unique to him. And I’m pretty much the same, people say the same thing about me: I’m over 2m10, I can dribble, shoot and pass. Our games are different, but our technical background is similar. In a way we each have a weird game “Admits the Sudanese about the Serb.

Precisely, speaking of the aspect of the game, Bol Bol believes that it was his time in the AAU system, where he was outclassed and played against older players (therefore more physically advanced), which allowed him to become the versatile basketball player that he is to this day.

” I developed skills that I probably wouldn’t have had if I had played with people my own age, being much taller than everyone else in height “, he judges in this regard. ” Otherwise, I probably would have stayed under the basket shooting layups, so that worked in my favor. »

The beginnings of something even bigger?

Like Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony or even Jalen Suggs, Bol Bol therefore seems to have the profile to be part of the basic men of the reconstruction of the Magic. Especially since the Florida franchise is willing to put him in the best possible position to shine, given his atypical side.

” We’re still figuring it out “, delivers his coach, Jamahl Mosley. ” At the start, when you looked at him, you thought it was a 4 or 5 position. Except that he can also push the ball on the counter-attack, set the pace, go fast and make the right decisions. So I think we will continue to see different things from him as the season progresses. »

Provided, of course, that Bol Bol remains in good health because, like other frail and tall players, he has not been spoiled by his physique since his arrival in the league. And, this, at the level of his foot, an obviously key and very exposed area in the interiors…