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The Milwaukee Bucks drafted Ignite of the G League pick MarJon Beauchamp to the No. 24 overall pick in Thursday night’s NBA draft. Beauchamp is Bucks general manager Jon Horst’s first first-round pick since he picked Donte DiVincenzo in 2018, ranked 17th overall.
Journal Sentinel analysis
A rookie needs to prove to Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer that he can defend first, and Beauchamp appears ready — and able — to do so. It also offers tremendous range to perhaps challenge larger opponents. Beauchamp isn’t asked to score when he plays, so he’ll be able to work on his three-point shot while focusing on contributing defensively.
Marjon Beauchamp Vitals
Age: 21
Height: 6-6
Weight: 199
Span: 7 feet.
need to know
- Played at four different high schools and sat out a season to train before playing 12 games for Yakima Valley College before signing with Ignite.
- Averaging 15.1 points while shooting 30% behind the three-point line.
An emotional moment
“Yeah man, I had a lot on my mind,” Beauchamp said of the moment. “I feel like I’ve been through all the phases that I’ve been through. I just thought about everything I had to sacrifice to be here today.
“And, man, I’m just blessed to be here. I’m just willing to grow and be a great basketball player and just keep working because that’s all I do. I am working. I can’t wait to get to this new city.”
What he said
Beauchamp was at the Barclays Center in New York meeting with the media after being selected.
About how the Ignite prepared him
“I feel like I’ve found myself. I’ve found new ways in my game, not just on the pitch but off the pitch too. Building good habits and really, like I said, finding a defensive engine and the Learn defensive terminology I would give this advice to any kid who wants to go pro I feel like I’m a step ahead of the guys who are coming in.
About playing in Milwaukee
“I’m so excited. Playing against one of the greatest to play the game and a great team, learning from them and learning from Khris Middleton and all the vets they have is amazing. And I feel like God put me in this position to grow and become one of them. So that’s my plan, just learn and keep growing.”
Say the goats
CEO Jon Horst
How MarJon addressed the team off the court
“He’s a really, really good person. He loves basketball and wants to be great. And he’s willing to make sacrifices and put in the work and really care about an environment and a culture that will grow and develop him into a great person. So I think it’s the determination he’s shown and the spirit. He has a big heart. He’s a great young man. And I think that’s what (head coach Mike Budenholzer) and I and our staff really felt spending time with him.
Seeing enough of Beauchamp despite having played little past high school makes him feel comfortable with the choice.
“It’s just my employees’ network. Ryan Hoover, who runs our scouting group, Ronald Dupree, who backs him up, and sort of walks through our group, Dave Babcock, who’s been with us forever, we have a common staff, Milt Newton, some of our assistant coaches, folks We’ve worked with us before, we have a network of people and that’s part of what you’re trying to build as employees who live in the world of basketball. And you get as much information from as many different areas as possible. There is a former Wisconsin Herd coach who is very close to us and who knows MarJon very well. And that was really helpful for us. That’s just one example of many, you’re really just trying to connect the dots, and you’re really figuring out where your web is, how far it stretches, and learning as much as you can, looking at as much as you can, everything catch up and make decision. We’ll see if we’re right.”
Deputy General Manager Milt Newton
On what they got at Beauchamp
“We have a player. Versatile, can defend several positions, very athletic, great defender. He will suit our plans and big competitors. A player that we really wanted. We didn’t think he would be there at 24 and we tried desperately to step up to make sure we could get an agreement on where to get him but he was there and we’re happy with that selection.
On Beauchamp’s jump shot
“We believe it will get better. His shooting mechanics are really good. We have this drill called “Bucks 100” which is shooting 101 3 point shots and I think he was shooting in his mid 60’s which is pretty good, on the move, after his practice he’s tired but the Mechanics are there for him to improve as a shooter and we think he will definitely improve with the coaching staff we have.
Draftniks say
USA TODAY’s Jeff Zilgitt: “Has the size and talent to immediately emerge as a versatile defender who can defend multiple positions on the wing as well as larger players down the field. He uses that range to create turnovers, block shots, and rack up rebounds.”
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor: “Definitional defender who plays hard regardless of the score. … With a 7ft 1 wingspan and great lateral quickness, he can swarm ball handlers. He has solid technique, struggling through screens both on and off the ball. On a switch against a post player, it has the frame and length to absorb bumps and compete. Not to mention he’s an excellent rebounder. … He needs to improve as a 3-point shooter to become a regular in the NBA.
The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie: “He defends the ball well and is really switchable thanks to his 6ft 11 wingspan. He is aggressive at smashing the glass. He cuts and makes things happen. It’s not necessarily an ideal fit for the Bucks, but that pick was also widely speculated in league circles, potentially being pushed back on draft night.
Highlights by MarJon Beauchamp
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