SB Nation Blogger Mock Draft: The Philadelphia 76ers select Desmond Bane 21st

With the 21st pick of the SB Nation mock draft, the Philadelphia 76ers select Desmond Bane, guard out of Texas Christian University.

In their never-ending search for perimeter scoring, the Sixers go with TCU-product Desmond Bane. Bane was a four-year player at the NCAA level which may scare some other teams off, but Philly is pretty smitten with how things turned out with Matisse Thybulle (also a four-year player). Bane has the size and athleticism to hold his own defensively, and if his career 43.3% from 3PT translates to the next level, he’ll contribute out of the gate. Longer term, he could be a perfect complement to Ben Simmons as a secondary ball-handler.

As a guard who can play both on- and off-ball, Bane is exactly what the Sixers need in a complementary ball-handler to Ben Simmons, should Bane rise to the level of a starter. He may not be prepared to step into that role immediately, but as a four-year player at TCU, Bane’s poise and experience will help him contribute as a rookie off the bench, a la Matisse Thybulle.

With a career 43.3% mark from beyond the arc at the NCAA level, Bane projects as a steady three-point shooter whether pulling up off the dribble, coming off a screen, or spotting up. (Even with a jumper that’s got a lot of arm action going on.) But Bane isn’t limited to slinging from deep. With a strong frame, good size, and quick burst ability, he’s shown that he can knife his way into the lane at the college level. Once he gets to the rack, he’s comfortable finishing with both hands. These attributes make Bane a nice change-of-pace innitiator in the half court, especially given his knack for passing out of the drive. On the defensive end, Bane’s aforementioned size, high motor, and quickness make him a pesky defender who can hold his own 1s through 3s.

It wouldn’t be a shock to see Bane shoot up draft boards as Draft Night closes in, so getting him at 21st feels like tremendous value given that he could be a rotation player from day 1.

The particulars

Age: 22

Wingspan: 6’5’’

Height: 6’6’’

Weight: 215

Position: Wing — PG/SG