Bucks select Donte DiVincenzo with 17th pick in NBA draft

Matt Velazquez | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The Milwaukee Bucks have spent the past few months engaged in preparations that were kept both under wraps and behind closed doors.

Coming off a 44-win season that ended sooner than they'd hoped, facing a critical off-season and hoping to keep their trajectory on the way up, the Bucks entered Thursday's NBA draft aiming to get a player who could complement their solid core and make an impact on the court sooner than later.

So, with the 17th pick in the NBA draft, the Bucks selected Donte DiVincenzo, a guard out of Villanova whose stock surged during the NCAA Tournament. That's when the do-it-all junior guard was named the most outstanding player of the Final Four after posting 31 points — including 5-of-7 shooting on three-pointers — along with five rebounds, three assists and two blocks in the national championship game.

DiVincenzo, a 6-foot-5, 205-pound guard, seems to fit all the characteristics that Bucks general manager Jon Horst laid out to the media Tuesday. That's when Horst said the team was looking for a player who could shoot, defend and rebound and do all of that while having good size for his position. A home-run pick would be someone who could do those things quickly, making an impact on the Bucks' as soon as his rookie year.

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Horst wasn't just referring to DiVincenzo's skills when he made those comments — he was talking about DiVincenzo with the hope the Bucks would get a chance to draft him.

“Obviously we had a group of guys that we target when we go through this process," Horst said. "Donte was our guy. If you were up there and saw the elation in our room when he got there — we were worried about it. We thought he was going to go a bit before us.

"But for us to be able to get him and (him to be able) to do the things that you said, a guy that has positional size, that can shoot, pass, dribble, defend at a high level, compete and, again, to win at a high level, he’s proven he can do that. Very excited to have him.”

Milwaukee, which didn't have a second-round pick but according to a source got close to trading back into the mix, had plenty of intriguing options at No. 17 and almost had to make alternative plans. The Phoenix Suns reportedly were eyeing DiVincenzo at No. 16 but then took Zhaire Smith in order to work out a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers, who took Mikal Bridges at No. 10.

That trade was the Bucks' gain as it left DiVincenzo on the board. As a combo guard with range, toughness and versatility, DiVincenzo fits some of the Bucks' needs, including adding more offensive weapons around star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

DiVincenzo shot over 40% on three-pointers last season and averaged 13.4 points per game for the national champion Wildcats. He also built a reputation as a hardworking, aggressive player who battled inside for rebounds, made smart plays and hustled on defense.

The defensive aspect of DiVincenzo's game is something that is of particular interest to Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer.

“He’s going to take the challenge," Budenholzer said after the conclusion of the draft. "He feels like he can guard multiple positions. He’s not afraid to take on a bigger player. … If he wants to get on the court as a first-year player he’s going to have to be good defensively. It’s a big part of what I believe in.”

During the predraft process, DiVincenzo starred at the NBA draft combine, including tallying a 42-inch vertical leap, which tied for the best among this year's participants. He learned enough from that experience that he decided to forgo his senior season at Villanova and keep his name in the NBA draft.

"I tested well, I played well," DiVincenzo said Wednesday during predraft interviews about the combine cementing his decision to stay in the draft. "I kind of showed something playing the second day. I showed my competitive nature. I think teams really bought into that and they understand I’m not just saying that I’m competitive; I showed that I’m competitive."

Toward the end of the predraft process, DiVincenzo made a visit to Milwaukee. There he met with the front office as well as Budenholzer and his staff. Malcolm Brogdon was also in the building working out, so DiVincenzo got a chance to talk with the former rookie of the year.

"Everyone was just welcoming, everybody was great," DiVincenzo said at the podium in an interview after being drafted. "They were great people, and they really took interest in me. They treated me great there. I'm just thankful to be a part of their organization."

That meeting helped push DiVincenzo over the top for the Bucks.

"When you get to spend time with these young men and go through this process with them, and learn about them and every facet of their life, not only as athletes but as people, Donte really surfaced as an elite competitor, really genuine, high-character person and someone that has a high intellect on the court and off the court," Horst said.

"So I think a lot of guys in that group have similar skill sets and similar abilities, but his ability to compete with the game, and he's proven to be part of winning at a high level, it's really important to us. We think that gives him a chance to possibly help us this year, and more importantly, going forward."

Antetokounmpo wasn't one of the players around when DiVincenzo visited, so the two have yet to talk. However, DiVincenzo did note that Antetokounmpo was at his pro day.

A player known as "The Big Ragu" — a nickname the redhead got from none other than Bucks broadcaster Gus Johnson — DiVincenzo did have a message for Antetokounmpo on Thursday night. The two-time all-star, who has gone viral this summer by trying corndogs and Kool-Aid, has something new to try.

“I’ve got to tell him to try my mom’s homemade pasta," DiVincenzo said.

On a more serious note, DiVincenzo knows how much of an opportunity it is to join a roster that includes one of the league's stars in Antetokounmpo.

"Unreal," he said. "I mean, you talk about a superstar, one of the best players in the league right now. Like I said, my job is just go in there and make sure he has all the confidence in the world (when) I'm on the court with him."

Now the challenge for DiVincenzo will be to develop into the kind of player the Bucks hope he can be. One that can make an impact on both ends and do so quickly.

Horst, who placed a premium on this year's first-round pick being a player with the potential to jump in right away after D.J. Wilson went from No. 17 pick to barely playing last year, is betting DiVincenzo can do that. DiVincenzo is ready to get going.

"My job is just coming there with no ego and just be the hardest worker and just build confidence in the people around me," DiVincenzo said.