#3 – Keita Bates-Diop
If the Utah Jazz are simply looking for a safe, NBA-ready 3-and-D choice, it would be hard to go wrong with Keita Bates-Diop. Bates-Diop is one of the more mature players in the draft and has a well-established skill set that could help him contribute from Day 1, but also still has room to grow.
In his final season at Ohio State, Keita proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he can score, putting up nearly 20 points per game. He did so shooting 48 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from deep. Obviously he still has room to improve on his 3-point shot, but combine his scoring prowess with his already stellar defense and there’s a ton to like about this prospect.
He performed well at his pre-draft workout with the Utah Jazz and his skill set appears as if it would mesh seamlessly with Utah’s style of play. With so much to like about his game including his ability to be a difference maker immediately, it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Jazz go with the Ohio State standout.