All your favorite teams and sources in one place

Build your feed

Your Teams.
All Sources.

Build your feed

© 2024 BVM Sports. Best Version Media, LLC.

No results found.
Sam Merrill sneaks into NBA Draft with the last pick to the Milwaukee Bucks
Sam Merrill looks ready to show his talents on the Bucks this upcoming season. (Photo: Utah State Athletics)

Sam Merrill sneaks into NBA Draft with the last pick to the Milwaukee Bucks

LOGAN, Utah (BVM) – It is not often to have a 25-year-old drafted in the NBA draft. In fact, since 2000, only two people over 25 have been drafted: Florida State’s Bernard James and Auburn’s Mamadou Ndiaye. This year, Sam Merrill out of Utah State became the third person to join this not-so-prestigious list by getting drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks with the last pick of the 2020 Draft.

Don’t let the fact that he stayed at school all four years take away from what he was able to accomplish during his time as an Aggie. Being the second-leading scorer and second in assists in Utah State history is no small feat. On top of that, Merrill is the first Aggie drafted in the NBA since 1968.

The NBA has become a developmental league for the last 20 years, as teams are looking to bring in the youngest players possible with high potential and hope to build them into their franchise player. But do not let this detract from the fact that Sam Merrill can play. Among scouts and executives, there is the joke that Merrill is the Luka Doncic of the Mountain West because of his step-back 3s, deception and forceful change of direction and strength.

Clearly, Merrill is no Luka Doncic, but there are qualities that are needed in the NBA, mainly his clutch gene, his consistent three-point shot, and ability to run the offense for stretches. It is going to be a wonderful opportunity for Merrill to learn and improve as a spot-up shooter on the Bucks with Giannis Antetokounmpo dominating the opposing team’s attention.

Merrill may not have the pure athleticism like other NBA players, or the domineering appearance, but the NBA is no longer solely run by that kind of player. The rise of Stephen Curry has opened up the door for smaller, less physical players to dominate through their shooting and elusiveness. It is going to be exciting to watch and see what Sam Merrill is able to accomplish in his time as a Buck and how far his skill will take him.