The Milwaukee Bucks selected Michigan forward D.J. Wilson with the 17th pick in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft.
What's good Milwaukee!! https://t.co/PqQtlgCtAp
— D.J. Wilson (@Lanky_Smoove) June 23, 2017
Wilson averaged 11.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season for the Wolverines.
The 21-year-old is listed at 6'9 and 220 pounds, and he has a tantalizing 7'3 wingspan.
Wilson played three years at Michigan, but did not receive regular playing time until this past season.
Even though new general manager Jon Horst has been on the job for less than a week, this selection has a similar feel to recent draft nights in Milwaukee. Wilson's talents - length and versatility - fit in well with current Bucks' forwards Giannis Antetokounmpo and Thon Maker (first round picks in 2013 and 2016 respectively).
"We saw a player that we felt could play the four, maybe someday as he matures and gets stronger, play the five, and has the offensive skill set to play the three. So we really see a lot of positional versatility with D.J.," Horst said.
Wilson also provides the ability to space the floor. As a junior, he shot an above-average 37 percent on three-pointers, but that number could jump even higher in the NBA. Free throw percentage is often a useful indicator for one's shooting stroke; Wilson was a career 82 percent from the charity stripe in college.
"I think you talk about the offensive side," head coach Jason Kidd said. "He can shoot the ball, he can stretch he defense, he is very comfortable with the ball."
The Bucks also selected SMU shooting guard Sterling Brown in the second round.
