With 7’1 Aaron Bradshaw Dropping Impressive Double-Double, Has Kentucky Found Rob Dillingham’s Partner in Crime?

Published 12/10/2023, 5:30 AM EST

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Kentucky lately faced off against Penn at the Wells Fargo Center, home of the Philadelphia 76ers. The center is located across the river from Aaron Bradshaw’s birthplace of Camden, New Jersey. Despite an ankle injury in late March, Bradshaw played his second game of the season, scoring 17 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks, and one steal in an unexpected 29 minutes of action. He also did not commit any turnovers. Bradshaw displayed his diverse skillset, including his first 3-pointer made in college. His greatest strength, however, will be on defense, where his size, strength, and speed make him a genuine rim protector.

Coach John Calipari will be able to rely on him to defend against opponents. Bradshaw made his collegiate debut a week prior, scoring three points and grabbing two rebounds in 13 minutes. With such impressive stats in his debut, he is being compared to Rob Dillingham.

Is Aaron Bradshaw the accomplice of Rob Dillingham?

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Rob Dillingham and Aaron Bradshaw, two potential NBA draft picks from Kentucky, played well against Penn State on Saturday. Bradshaw scored 17 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and added three blocks off the bench in his first reliable performance. Meanwhile, Dillingham, who has been consistently impressive in almost every game, contributed 17 points, three rebounds, two steals, and one assist to the team’s victory.

Creating a buzz in the college basketball world, Dillingham previously played for the Cold Hearts in Overtime Elite and was a five-star recruit. He is currently a member of the Kentucky Wildcats and stands at six feet, three inches tall.

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During the previous game, Aaron Bradshaw made his debut for the Cats but was limited to only 13 minutes of play. In this game, Bradshaw played for 29 minutes, giving it his all. With 17 points, he was tied with Rob Dillingham for the team’s highest scorer.

Bradshaw also recorded his first double-double of the year by grabbing 11 rebounds. In addition, the seven-foot freshman blocked three shots and stole a steal, demonstrating why Big Blue Nation was thrilled to have him back. Bradshaw is expected to have a significant role in the Wildcats’ season.

Rob Dillingham and Aaron Bradshaw may not have any comparisons, but their present form will undoubtedly raise the level of the Kentucky Wildcats, and they both constitute an expected tandem promising toughness in future games.

Will Aaron Bradshaw be a valuable NBA prospect?

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Bradshaw, a 7-footer who is a great fit for the modern NBA, could be one of the top centers available in the 2018 draft class. Despite being older for a freshman, as he will turn 20 on the day of the NBA Draft in 2024, he is still a clear first-round pick. With his incredibly long arms, Bradshaw has an enormous catch radius.

He thrives when playing alongside skilled playmakers, as he poses a constant threat to lobs. Whether rolling to the basket or popping out for a three-pointer, this talented big man is a dual-threat pick-and-roll screener. However, due to his small frame and lack of experience in scoring in the post, Bradshaw isn’t quite the dominant playmaker or scorer.

Expanding his repertoire of post techniques would greatly enhance his game. While it’s not always a negative, he sometimes relies too heavily on his outside jumper.

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Given his height of seven feet, one would expect him to utilize his size more effectively inside the paint. Currently, he excels as a play finisher, but there is potential for him to develop into a true offensive leader in the future.

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Written by:

Nima Murugan

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“Basketball isn’t an act of jumping jacks, it’s a sport mirroring life through assists and rebounds”. Before becoming an NBA writer at EssentiallySports, I was drawn to the world of basketball when 'The Chosen One' first started locking horns with 'His Airness' over the GOAT debate. Some discourses shape your imagination and rightly so.
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Edited by:

Bilal Handoo