Swedish ahead Bobi Klintman, a projected first-round decide, advised ESPN on Friday that he has submitted paperwork to make himself eligible for the 2024 NBA Draft.
“I imagine I’m prepared for the subsequent problem, which is the NBA,” Klintman mentioned. “It’s been a objective since I used to be younger. I’ve all the time tried to problem myself to play on the highest degree I can, whether or not in Europe, in highschool, school, or now the Australian NBL.”
Klintman is ranked No. 22 within the ESPN 100 amongst NBA draft prospects. He’s anticipated to grow to be the primary Swedish participant drafted within the first spherical. Different Swedes to play within the NBA embrace forwards Damir Markota, Jonas Jerebko, and Jeff Taylor.
At 6-foot-10, Bobi Klintman has spectacular measurement, size, and explosiveness for a wing, providing versatility as a 3-point shooter, above-the-rim finisher, and playmaker defensively. He was productive in opposition to high-level competitors within the Australian NBL this season. https://t.co/215rKqlbeZ pic.twitter.com/nRcxaNa4DM
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) March 8, 2024
Taylor was the final Swede drafted by an NBA group. The 6-foot-7 wing was born in Norrkoping and performed three seasons (2012-15) within the league. The Vanderbilt product was chosen thirty first total by the Charlotte Bobcats within the 2012 draft.
Moreover, Bobi Klintman is a top-rated perimeter prospect. “He can play the small ahead or energy ahead positions whereas providing versatility as a 3-point shooter, above-the-rim finisher and defensive playmaker,” wrote ESPN NBA draft evaluation Jonathan Givony.
Klintman, 21, spent the 2023-24 season in Australia with the Cairns Taipans as a part of the NBL’s Subsequent Stars program. He averaged 9.7 factors, 4.8 rebounds, and 21 minutes per recreation whereas taking pictures 36% from 3-point vary. The younger standout joined Cairns after stepping away from Wake Forest College after his freshman season.
First-round 2024 NBA Draft prospect Bobi Klintman performed abroad for RIG Mark Kinna, Boras Basket
“I hope that NBA groups that watched me noticed I wasn’t afraid to tackle a problem,” Klintman mentioned. “The trail I took is one just a few gamers are keen to take. It’s more durable than the school route. Hopefully, NBA groups noticed that I’m robust. I’m able to play by means of ache if wanted. I needed to show I might excel enjoying a bodily model of basketball, and I imagine I did that.”
The 6-foot-10, 225-pound ahead started his enjoying profession with RIG Mark Kinna of the Basketettan, the third-tier league {of professional} basketball in Sweden. He appeared in 13 video games through the 2019-20 season.
Nonetheless, the 2020-21 season was cancelled in February 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He performed six video games for Boras Basket of the Basketligan, the first-tier league, to shut out the season.
Rising up the ranks 📈
Subsequent Star’s Alexandre Sarr and Bobi Klintman featured in @espn‘s Prime 25 prospects listing 🔒 pic.twitter.com/NUzH9sdEZj
— NBL (@NBL) March 6, 2024
As a school freshman in 33 video games (5 begins) with Wake Forest within the 2022-23 season, Bobi Klintman averaged 5.3 factors, 4.5 rebounds, and 20.5 minutes per recreation. Plus, he shot 40.7% from the ground, 36.8% from deep, and 74.3% on the foul line.
Klintman completed thirteenth in whole rebound share (13%) within the ACC, nineteenth in offensive rebound share (6.2%), tenth in defensive rebound share (19.4%), and fifteenth in block share (3.2%).
For a aspect observe, Klintman is an enormous Harry Potter fan. When he performed for the Sweden under-20 group within the 2022 FIBA U20 European Championship Division B, he elected to put on No. 7 in honor of the seven Horcruxes.
The 2024 NBA Draft is scheduled for 2 days in New York Metropolis on June 26 and 27. The primary spherical will probably be held at Barclays Heart in Brooklyn, adopted by the second spherical the subsequent day at ESPN’s studio in Decrease Manhattan.
