Timberwolves NBA draft profile: Saddiq Bey

Winter is approaching and the days are getting shorter. That means the 2020 NBA season is almost here!

Due to the redone 2020 season schedule, the NBA draft will be held Nov. 18 while the 2020-21 season will begin Dec. 22.

The Minnesota Timberwolves own two picks in the first round: the top overall selection as well as No. 17. Who might they be interested in at No. 17?

In this edition, we take a look at Villanova forward Saddiq Bey.

OVERVIEW

A four-star recruit coming out of high school, Bey joined Villanova in 2018-19, one year after the Wildcats’ third NCAA national championship in program history. He worked his way into the starting lineup as a freshman before exploding as a sophomore in 2019-20. Bey led Villanova in scoring (16.1 PPG) and logged the best 3-point percentage in the Big East (and fourth-best in the nation), draining 79 of 175 attempts (45.1%). Bey scored 20+ points in 11 of 31 games and nailed 3+ 3-pointers in 13 contests. His best game? Jan. 11, 2020. Bey splashed in 8 of 10 attempts from deep en route to a career-high 33 points in Villanova’s 80-66 win over Georgetown. No other Big East player swished more than seven 3-pointers in a conference game last season.

There has been at least one Villanova player selected in the last three NBA drafts, and it looks like Bey will make it four.

COMBINE

Bey was invited to the NBA combine but his testing results are not available.

MEASURABLES (via nba.com)

Height: 6-foot-8

Weight: 216 pounds

Wingspan: 6-11

FILM ROOM

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

“Bey has nice size for the SF position and a strong build. He’s not an elite run/jump athlete but can hold is own, and shows quick hands on D and a solid understanding of the game, gaining position and seeming to read the play before it happens. His foot-speed and lateral quickness is a bit lacking and could get exposed at the next level. But he thinks the game at a high level, making up for some of his lack of quickness.” – NBA Draft Room

“High motor, versatile player with the size to play the SF position at the next level and with a near 7-foot wingspan. … An overachiever. Bey is a two-way player who stood out on both sides of the ball for the Villanova Wildcats this season. … Knock down shooter from both mid-range and beyond the arc. … Strong and determined defender who can successfully defend 2s and 3s. Physical on both offense and defense.” – Derek Bast of NBADraft.net

“Bey also possesses a valuable ability to connect offense. The forward adeptly moved the basketball for Wright’s system and created opportunities for his teammates in direct and indirect ways. The sophomore averaged 2.4 assists, and consistently made correct reads in the half-court offense. The lost art of a post feed or an extra pass which forces the defense into an uncomfortable position are routine plays for Bey. He plays with a deliberate pace, always under control while surveying the floor. Shot making is the most apparent way the sharpshooter affects offense, but a deeper evaluation reveals that his passing ability subtly enhanced Villanova’s efficiency.” – Lee Branscome of HoopsProspects.com

HOW HE FITS

Minnesota’s last two first-round picks — Josh Okogie (2018) and Jarrett Culver (2019) — haven’t exactly found their 3-point shots in the NBA. Okogie is a career 27.4% shooter from deep and Culver ranked second-to-last in 3-point percentage (29.9%) as a rookie last season. President of basketball operations Gersson Rosas and head coach Ryan Saunders favor the 3-ball in the Timberwolves’ offense. It would certainly help to draft a player who’s a proven outside shooter. Bey would be a great fit with the Wolves as a potential 3-and-D player who spaces out the offense and locks down opposing small forwards with his 6-11 wingspan. Bey can also drive to the hoop with ease, and his passing has been lauded by NBA scouts. One potential issue with Bey is his shooting form. He has a slow release, and his shot begins with the basketball well below the belt. But if he can figure that out, Bey could be a contributor in the NBA for a long, long time.