Alabama’s Charles Bediako Gaining Second Round Interest
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Charles Bediako was one of the most intriguing prospects on this Alabama team yet never was given the credit he deserved. The big man was vital to Alabama’s success this past season as he anchored their defense by being a high level shot-blocker and rim protector. With an all time high of withdrawals and the lack of center depth, we could very well end up hearing Bediako’s name called on draft night.
NBA Team Workouts
The Alabama center has completed NBA team workouts with the Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, Charlotte Hornets, Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors.
Bediako is scheduled for workouts this month with the Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers and New Orleans Pelicans.
The Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons have also asked to bring in Bediako for a workout I’m told by his agent, Daniel Green.
Projected Role
Bediako is comfortably one of the top rim protecting prospects in the entire draft. He measured in with a 9-foot-3.5 standing reach which ranked him first in the G League Elite Camp. His unreal size, instincts, and timing allows him to block nearly two shots in about 20 minutes per game. On the defensive end you’ll get a mobile big who’s very young and projects to be a high level shot-blocker at the next level.
Bediako doesn’t project to have a big role on the offensive end at the next level due to some limited creation skills and some concerns about his touch, but typically centers selected around this range are asked to do the dirty work and simple stuff in which Bediako can do. The 6-foot-11 big man will be a lob threat at all times due to his wide catch radius and good hands. As he continues to fill out his frame, it’ll improve his ability to set screens and finish through contact.
He had an underrated college career as the big man was named SEC All-Tournament Team, SEC All-Defensive Team and SEC All-Rookie Team during his career at Alabama.
Draft Range
Bediako has recently seen his name rise up draft boards due to the lack of overall center depth, the amount of prospects withdrawing their name from the draft, and the upside he possesses. As of today, he could potentially be a mid-second to late second round pick in the 2023 NBA draft. There’s a realistic chance we see a team take a chance on the mobile big man and bet on him maximizing his tools at the next level.
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