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D.J. Wilson Is Rookie Of The Year Candidate With Milwaukee Bucks

By Tyler Fenwick

Mar 9, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward D.J. Wilson (5) prepares to shoot the ball in front of Illinois Fighting Illini guard Te'Jon Lucas (3) in the second half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Verizon Center. The Wolverines won 75-55. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward D.J. Wilson (5) prepares to shoot the ball in front of Illinois Fighting Illini guard Te'Jon Lucas (3) in the second half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Verizon Center. The Wolverines won 75-55. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Milwaukee Bucks took a little gamble when they selected D.J. Wilson in the NBA Draft, but he’s such a good fit that he’s a Rookie of the Year candidate.

With the 17th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Milwaukee Bucks surprised some and grabbed former Michigan basketball star D.J. Wilson. The pick has been almost universally praised because he seems to be a perfect fit for the Bucks’ system, and for that same reason, Wilson is going to be a legitimate candidate for Rookie of the Year next season.

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Head coach Jason Kidd and general manager Jon Horst like to talk about the “Bucks DNA,” which involves length, versatility, hard work and character. To the length and versatility, Michigan fans can definitely see where Wilson fits in perfectly.

As for the hard work and character, Kidd and Horst made the decision that Wilson also possessed those characteristics.

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Together, those four things will make Wilson a valuable rookie asset for the Bucks. He’s probably going to see considerable playing time, and with his current skill set, there are already highlights to look forward to.

It’s well known that Wilson can stretch the floor—he did it so well at Michigan—and make life so difficult for a defense. But his ability to alter shots and guard an array of player types on the other end will also potentially stick out. In other words, his 7-foot-3 wingspan will be put on display.

It’s well known that the Bucks embrace “position-less basketball,” and Wilson is going to fit wonderfully into that system. At his introductory press conference, Horst said Wilson can play two positions right now, and he can see him playing three in the future.

There were obviously some very talented players taken both before and after Wilson at the draft. Josh Jackson (Suns), Lonzo Ball (Lakers) and Markelle Fultz (76ers) will be among favorites to win Rookie of the Year, but the transition for Wilson to the Bucks could be one of the smoothest to be seen from this draft class.

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Wilson has landed in the perfect spot in the NBA. The Bucks are not going to do a thing to suppress the talents and strengths he’s already built at Michigan. Those are going to be prominent in his rookie season, and they’re also going to be developed.

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