Kentucky Basketball: Players Under Most Pressure In 2016-17

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Oct 14, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Edrice Bam Adebayo (3) shoots the ball during Kentucky Midnight Madness at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

Bam Adebayo

Position: Forward/Center
Class: Freshman
2015-16 Slash Line: N/A
2015-16 Season Averages: N/A

Though he’s been labeled as such, Bam Adebayo isn’t a project player. There’s natural ability to be extracted and developed, but he’s not raw on either end of the floor as much as he is developing healthier habits and tendencies.

Following Skal Labissiere’s unexpected slide down draft boards, Adebayo has no time to waste in pairing upside with immediate contributions.

Physically, Adebayo is built like Dwight Howard—a powerful frame, broad shoulders, and a near 40″ vertical. His skill set may actually be more comparable to Howard’s new Atlanta Hawks teammate: Paul Millsap.

Adebayo can shoot from 16-to-20 feet, put the ball on the floor, and occasionally go to the post against smaller defenders.

Adebayo has the potential to be the best player on the Wildcats in 2016-17 and the best player on the board at the 2017 NBA Draft. His upside is that of a perennial NBA All-Star, but as Kentucky has learned, upside isn’t enough.

Adebayo needs to provide a consistently powerful impact on both ends of the floor during the 2016-17 college basketball season.

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