Sixers Select Pair of Big Men With Their Final Picks

After selecting Jaden Springer with the 28th overall pick, the Sixers were back on the clock with a pair of the final picks to conclude Thursday's draft. They used those selections to bolster their center depth. With the 50th overall selection, the team selected Filip Petrusev, followed by Charles Bassey at pick 53.

Petrusev is a 21-year-old big man who spent this past season playing overseas. In the ABA Adriatic league, he posted averages of 23.6 PPG, 7.6 RPG and shot close to 58% from the floor. His game also extends to beyond the three-point line, where he shot 41.9% on three attempts per game.

While Petrusev is an enticing prospect, it does not look like we will be seeing him in a Sixers' uniform anytime soon. Rich Hoffman of The Athletic reported that the team intends to stash him and keep him overseas.

Bassey, on the other hand, is someone that could be a day one contributor. He is a six-foot-eleven, 235-pound center with great two-way potential. Last season for Western Kentucky, Bassey averaged 17.6 PPG, 11.6 RPG, and 3.1 BPG.

Most of Bassey's offensive arsenal is similar to that of your traditional rim-running center, but he has continued to adapt. Throughout his college career, Bassey worked to stretch his game beyond the arc.

Between his sophomore and junior seasons, Bassey saw a massive jump in his three-point percentage. After shooting just 16.7% in year two, he shot 30.5% in year three. It might still be below league-average, but his shot is trending in the right direction.

It is still unclear what kind of deal the Sixers plan to extend to Bassey, but chances are he starts the year on a two-way contract. This will allow him to spend time in the G-League to see extended minutes and continue fine-tuning his game.

Both big men have enticing parts to their games and could be contributors down the line. Daryl Morey continues to find promising young talent in the latter half of the draft.