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NBA draft: Mo Bamba, Lonnie Walker and other local players to watch

Find out what one NBA draft consultant has to say about the local talent.

Mohamed Bamba spent just one season at Texas. His offense is still a work in progress, but he's considered the top defensive big man in the draft.
Mohamed Bamba spent just one season at Texas. His offense is still a work in progress, but he's considered the top defensive big man in the draft.Read moreEric Gay / AP

There are several local prospects who are expected to hear their name in the two-round NBA draft on Thursday.

Ryan Blake, the NBA's draft consultant, gave an evaluation of the local prospects.

>>READ MORE: Meet the men who will be in the Sixers' war room on draft night

Mohamed Bamba, Westtown School

7-0, Freshman, C, Texas

Bamba is considered the top defensive big man in the draft. At the NBA combine, he had the longest wingspan – 7-feet, 10 inches – and, at 9' 7.5", the best standing reach. His offense is still a work in progress after averaging 12.9 points in his only season at Texas. He also averaged 10.5 rebounds and was second in the nation with 3.7 blocked shots per game. Originally from Harlem, he turned 20 in May. In this day when even centers are shooting from perimeter he hit 14 of 51 three-pointers (27.5 percent) and has worked since his college season ended at improving this part of his game. At 225 pounds, he will also need to get much stronger. Despite any deficiencies, it would be a surprise if he is not selected among the top seven players.

Blake comment: "I am not too worried about his offensive games, I think he is a guy who will develop. He doesn't have to be Dirk Nowitzki, not do you want him to be. I know the game has changed, but he has shown the ability to spread the floor a little bit, his size and wingspan is ridiculous. He has unbelievably good instincts and those things at a young age are very difficult at a high level to teach. If he turns into DeAndre Jordan, that is worth it. He has huge upside and you know how smart this kids is. I think he is going to be great in the locker room and a coach's dream."

>>READ MORE: Mo Bamba addressing his biggest criticism and 24 other things to know

Mikal Bridges, Great Valley H.S. and Villanova

6-7, Junior, G-F

Few players in college basketball showed more improvement during their career than Bridges, who is projected to be a top-10 pick. He averaged 6.4 points as a freshman on Villanova's 2016 title team. As a sophomore he averaged 9.8 and this past season the local product of Great Valley High averaged 17.7 points and 5.3 rebounds. He shot 43.5 percent from three-point range after shooting 29.9 percent as a freshman and 39.3 percent as a sophomore. What has helped vault Bridges' stock is his defense: He is among the better perimeter defenders in the draft.

Blake comment: "I think he is a top-10 player. He provides great versatility on both ends of the floor. I would like to see him rebound more, but maybe that is getting picky. He is somebody who can play two positions (shooting guard, small forward) and we think he can defend even more … I consider him an above average athlete who can have a good burst."

>>READ MORE: Mikal Bridges would be a great fit for the Sixers — if they can get him

Jalen Brunson, Villanova

6-2, Junior, PG 

Brunson won several national player-of- the-year awards and it will be interesting to see if his game translates to the NBA. He is among the more cerebral players in the draft, but there is a question whether he has the athleticism to defend NBA point guards. His father Rick played in the NBA for nine seasons and his son's basketball IQ is off the charts. He was a starter on two national championship teams. This past season he averaged 18.9 points, 4.6 assists, 1.8 turnovers and shot 40.8 percent from three-point range.

Blake comment: "I really like this kid. I still think he is a late first, second round guy but I think he is going to be a guy at the very least can be a T.J. McConnell player. What T.J.'s biggest strength is his grit and will to win. With Jalen, he is too smart not to win. He has proven it. He is somebody who can shoot pass, defend, he will need improvement on defense. That will to win and IQ is attractive to a lot of coaches and NBA executives."

>>READ MORE: Scouting Jalen Brunson, and upgrading him

Tony Carr, Roman Catholic H.S.

6-4,  Sophomore, PG, Penn State

He averaged 19.6 points and 5.0 assists and shot 43 percent from three-point range for the NIT champions. Carr was known much more as a scoring point guard.

Blake comment: "I have him as a late-first, second round pick. Most likely a second. I think he is an offensively gifted player, has size for the position, and can shoot extremely well from deep. His shooting form is a little weird, but he has been able to do it consistently. His shot selection can be questionable at times and he likes to get his shot instead of involving his teammates, however he can make that shot. His lateral quickness is questionable, he is not especially explosive but I think he has NBA upside."

Donte DiVincenzo, Villanova

6-4, Sophomore, G

DiVincenzo will always be known for his signature performance – scoring 31 points off the bench in Villanova's 79-62 NCAA title win over Michigan. He shot 10 for 15 from the field, including 5 of 7 from beyond the arc. This season he averaged 13.4 points and shot 40.1 percent from three-point range. He is among the top athletes in the draft. At the NBA combine, he had the best standing vertical leap (34.5 inches) and tied for the best maximum vertical lead (42 inches). He is now expected to be a first-round lock and may not last past the 21st pick.

Blake comment: "There are a lot of intangibles we really like. He is a winner, he plays his role, he is a team player, he is a guy when you have his size his ability to play off the ball and on the ball, he can shoot it from deep, love the size, can play defense, but he has that green light mentality without saying it is all about me and he does so with an inner passion that you sense when teammates and coaches are around him … There are always questions and maybe minor things, playmaking to better defense, little things like that. From an athletic standpoint there are too many good things to like."

Omari Spellman, Villanova

6-9, Freshman, PF

He averaged 10.9 points and 8.0 rebounds while shooting 43.3 percent for the national champions. At the NBA combine he was measured with a 7-2 wingspan. In six NCAA tournament games he averaged 11.5 points and 8.8 rebounds and shot 40 percent from three-point range.

Blake comment: "He is going to be interesting. I think he competed extremely well at the combine and played well, played within himself. I am sort of impressed with his outside shooting and then I am scared to death. There is absolutely no arc on his distance shot, but you see he has the ability to shoot it. He is so aggressive in the paint and then he can step out and spread the floor. He has lost weight and is doing the right things. He is a legitimate shooter and with floor spacing in the front-court, is really valuable. He is a late-first, second round (player)."

Lonnie Walker, Reading H.S.

6-4, Freshman, SG, Miami

His numbers in his only season at Miami were underwhelming: 11.5 points per game and 34.6 percent three-point shooting. Walker was hurt early in the year and played better toward the end. In his last six games he averaged 13 points and shot 36.4 percent from three-point range. His greatest asset is his athletic ability. His stock has apparently risen after his predraft NBA workouts.

Blake comment: "This is going to be interesting. He has an NBA body and good size for a shooting guard and he is long, strong and an explosive athlete. He is a good ballhandler and can score. He wasn't able to prove it this year and I think that is kind of tough….It is hard to ignore somebody like that, but you can't ignore the lack of production. Defensively he has to prove himself."