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NBA Draft: 4 Forwards the Washington Wizards Should Consider on Draft Night

By Ethan Smith

BERLIN, GERMANY - MAY 14: Sekou Doumbouya, #14 of U18 Insep Paris during the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament game U18 Mega Bemas Belgrade v U18 INSEP Paris at Sportforum on May 14, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Patrick Albertini/EB via Getty Images)
BERLIN, GERMANY - MAY 14: Sekou Doumbouya, #14 of U18 Insep Paris during the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament game U18 Mega Bemas Belgrade v U18 INSEP Paris at Sportforum on May 14, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Patrick Albertini/EB via Getty Images) /
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Washington Wizards Sekou Doumbouya
Washington Wizards Sekou Doumbouya (Photo by Patrick Albertini/EB via Getty Images) /

If you haven’t heard of Sekou Doumbouya, don’t worry, you’re not alone.

Doumbouya hasn’t gotten the March Madness exposure that turns many of the draft’s top prospects int household names. But he’s certainly been putting on a show in France even if you haven’t been watching.

Just 18 years old, Doumbouya is one of the youngest players in the draft, and also one of the most exciting. Doumbouya’s measurables are similar to that of breakout star Pascal Siakam of the Toronto Raptors, and even at such a young age, he shows impressive fluidity for a player his size.

At 6’9′” 210 pounds, with a 6’11” wingspan, Doumbouya has the size, strength, and defensive ability to cover multiple positions, a necessary quality in today’s constantly-switching NBA.

Doumbouya’s ability to grab defensive rebounds, run the fast break, and finish at the other end, will remind Wizards fans of what we saw form Jabari Parker towards the end of last season. Having that type of athleticism and size is something the Wizards have sorely missed for a while. It was fun to watch Parker punish the rims, but Doumbouya’s rookie contract will undoubtedly be less expensive than Parker’s $20 million team option. And he can probably contribute just as much, or more, on the defensive end.

Even without the ball in his hands, Doumbouya runs well in transition. He’s active on defense. He can hit open threes. He’s aggressive on offense and on the boards. He checks a lot of boxes.

However, there’s no denying Doumbouya is raw. He’ll need some time to develop; there’s no doubt about that. But if he reaches his ceiling, the pay off will be well worth the wait.

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