Mikal Bridges can solidify top-10 status in Final Four

Villanova Wildcats forward Mikal Bridges is a certain lottery pick in the NBA Draft. However, a great showing at the Final Four will have him in the top-10.

The Villanova Wildcats are the presumptive favorite to win their second national title in three years. Jay Wright has done a phenomenal job in turning this Philadelphia basketball program into a national powerhouse. It helps that he has his best collegiate player since Kyle Lowry in the form of swingman Mikal Bridges.

Bridges might be a junior, but his collegiate game could translate well to the next level. He is seen as a two-way player, who plays sound fundamentally on offense and certainly brings the tenacity on defense.

Overall, Bridges has asserted himself as a lock to go in the lottery portion of the 2018 NBA Draft (top-14). That being said, a great weekend in San Antonio at the Final Four could elevate his draft stock ever so slightly and into the top-10.

Bridges is a 6-foot-7 forward with a 7-foot wingspan. He might need to put on some pounds on that frame, as he is only 191 pounds. That being said, Bridges’ passing ability and sound defensive tactics could help him climb into the top-10.

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His issues at the next level might have more to do with shooting than anything. While he shot 51.2 percent from the field and 43.6 percent from three,

Bridges struggles to create his own shot collegiately. Fortunately, there is a bit of an NBA prototype for him at the next level. He could come  in as a guy in the vein of Kawhi Leonard or Paul George for all we know.

We do know that Bridges is well coached under Wright at Villanova. So this could help him crack an NBA rotation early.

The issue might be system fit. Bridges might be a high character guy, but not necessarily a culture transformer in a losing organization.

Next: Villanova Wildcats should defeat Kansas Jayhawks in Final Four

So why would Bridges’ stock elevate this weekend to maybe a few more spots? Well, Bridges is the preeminent draft prospect still left in the NCAA tournament. NBA owners are more inclined to watch college basketball this weekend than at any point in the year. Should he shine in San Antonio for the Wildcats, don’t be surprised if Bridges cracks the top-10 on many teams’ big boards.