Ismael Bako

6'10 Belgian center Ismael Bako warrants mention here for his play today.  Scoring 11 points while pulling down 7 rebounds and blocking 4 shots in the last game of the day against the USA Select Team, Bako was a force inside.  An impressive run-jump athlete who can protect the rim with his 7'2.5 wingspan and 9'3 1/2 standing reach, Bako lacks much in the way of skill and feel, but his energy, lob catching, and ability to switch defensively give him some upside.  Seeing significant rotation minutes for the first time this season for Leuven in the Belgian First Division, Bako averaged 8 points and 4.1 rebounds over 20.1 minutes per game.  Automatically eligible for the 2017 NBA draft as a 1995-born prospect, Bako did himself quite a few favors with his play today.