Leading up to the NBA Draft, FOX Sports Wisconsin will take a look at some options for the Milwaukee Bucks with the No. 17 overall pick. Next up in the series is UCLA's Ike Anigbogu
Previously: Jarrett Allen | Terrance Ferguson | Harry Giles | T.J. Leaf
FRAME: 6-foot-9 3/4, 252 pounds (7-6 1/4 wingspan)
POSITION: Center
2016-17 STATISTICAL AVERAGES: 13.0 minutes, 4.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 0.2 assists, 0.2 steals, 1.2 blocks, 56.4 FG%, 0.0 3PT%, 53.5 FT%.
TROPHY CASE: As a senior in high school, Anigbogu was named first-team All-Inland Area and a second-team All-CIF Southern Section. As junior, he was an honorable mention all-Inland Area.
TALE OF THE TAPE: An injury caused Anigbogu to miss UCLA's first five games, but even when he was back healthy he never got off the bench.
Playing in 29 games (he'd miss more games during the season), Anigbogu played 20 minutes or more in a game just twice. One of those, against Arizona State (when he got 20 minutes of court time) resulted in a season-high 12 points -- his only double-digit scoring game -- as well as six rebounds and three blocks.
But, even with a high field-goal percentage (due mainly to the propensity of inside shots and dunks). Anigbogu's game revolved around his defense and boundless energy.
Despite his limited minutes (he was seventh on the Bruins), Anigbogu was second on UCLA in blocks per game and fourth in rebounds per game. Anigbogu averaged 3.7 blocks per 40 minutes, which is an impressive rate.
GET TO KNOW HIM: Anigbogu didn't play varsity basketball until he was a sophomore and then didn't get quality minutes until his junior year.
He missed some time during his senior season due to injuries as well as traveling to Nigera (he was born in San Diego but his parents are Nigerian) for a funeral. When he played, his high school team had a 20-5 record.
WHY IT WORKS: If the Bucks want to get stronger defensively inside and get more rebounds, Anigbogu could fit in immediately in that role. Despite his size (only one player on the Bucks weighed more than Anigbolu -- Greg Monroe -- and he's likely still going to fill out more), he is extremely athletic, able to run the floor and crash the glass.
WHY IT DOESN’T: If the Bucks want offense out of the middle, don't go looking to Anigbogu, who still needs to work on his shot (including free throws) outside of lobs and dunks. At only 18 years old (he turns 19 in late October) and with limited experience, he's also another project that Milwaukee might have to wait on for a couple of years to really contribute.
FILM ROOM: Dunks (especially off alley-oops) and blocks can make for fun highlights. Welcome to the world of Ike Anigbogu!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a5vm4BjB_U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUy03v4-8C0
