Hawks select Omari Spellman with 30th pick

With the 30th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks selected Villanova power forward Omari Spellman.

Spellman will enter his rookie year at age 21, which is rather old for a freshman. This is a result of Spellman's academic redshirt status in 2016-17 for failing to complete his initial eligibility requirements in time.

He made 40 appearances for the champion Wildcats in 2017-18, averaging 10.9 points, eight boards, and 1.5 rejections while converting 47.6 percent of his field-goal attempts.

Omari Spellman bio

Position: PF
School: Villanova
College Experience: Freshman
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 253 lbs
Wingspan: 7-foot-2
Max vertical: 35.5 inches

What the analysts are saying

• "In today’s NBA, Spellman’s ability as a mobile big man is a giant (pun intended) asset. He doesn’t have to stay in the paint and play with his back to the basket on offense. He’s versatile and able to cause matchup nightmares for opponents." - Robert O'Neil, Big East Coast Bias
• "Spellman needs to get in better shape, but is a highly intelligent player with a long frame and deceptive athleticism who has a chance to find an NBA home in the right situation. The draft’s perceived drop-off in role player talent happens somewhere in this range, depending who you ask." - Jeremy Woo, Sports Illustrated