After coming on strong as a junior, Michael Bramos capped off a strong senior campaign with a nice week in Portsmouth. A powerfully built wing with very solid overall athleticism, he was one of the more impressive players in attendance, looking very comfortable playing a complementary role. Unlike many of the other participants in the PIT, Bramos didnt force anything, which allowed him to perform well and give his professional stock a boost in the process.
The best things Bramos showed this week were good decision-making ability and a high motor. Never known as a great ball handler during his time in Oxford, Bramos never tried to drive into the heart of the defense, earning his trips to the rim in other ways. He ran the floor relentlessly in transition, moved well without the ball, and worked well off of his teammates. His shot selection looked substantially better than it did during his senior season, and he showed good defensive effort. The savvy and high basketball IQ Bramos displayed allowed him to effectively display nearly all of his strengths in the three games he played in.
Though Bramos managed to get some looks at the rim by working hard off the ball, he remains limited as a ball-handler. If Bramos is to improve in the short-term, the easiest way for him to do so would be by improving his ability to create his own shot. He didnt force any drives in Portsmouth, which shows that he fully understands his limitations, but he would benefit from the versatility improved ball-handling would provide him. There were a couple occasions where Bramos received the ball with the shot clock winding down, and he had a tough time shaking his defender to create a good look.
Essentially a power guard, the 221-pound Bramos looked good scoring from the inside and outside this week. Bramos can hit the three, but his form isnt ideal, his release is a bit deliberate, and his consistency still needs to improve. Hell hit some open shots, but should definitely take the time to become a bigger threat from beyond the arc. Bramos did show decent consistency when he got looks around the basket, showing good body control and playing above the rim when the opportunity presented itself. Considering his excellent build, the fact that Bramos is willing to aggressively attack defenders at the rim should serve him well as a pro.
Outside of his scoring, Bramos also showed his basketball IQ in the way he moved the ball on the perimeter. A smart passer with good court vision, Bramos did a good job making the extra pass and hitting the open man. His unselfishness will certainly earn him some playing time as he develops the other parts of his game. The same can be said for his defense.
Bramos showed excellent intensity on the defensive end, and while he has only average lateral quickness, his incredibly long arms (6-11 ¾ wingspan) and excellent work ethic make him quite a stopper. Few wing players block shots as well as he does, and his excellent awareness and discipline are apparent in the way he doesnt take risks or miss many rotations.
At this point, Bramos has a number of very intriguing qualities, which, combined with his Greek passport, make him an excellent prospect for European basketball. If he puts in the work to add more variety to his offensive arsenal, he could be a very effective player on a high-level.
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