[The following scouting report is part of a series on potential 2024 draft prospects from Sports Business Classroom alumni.]

Jalen Bridges
Frame: 6’7″, 220 lbs
Position: Forward
Team: Baylor Bears
2024 Draft Age: 23
Stats via www.basketball-reference.com

Offense

Throughout the season at Baylor, Bridges showed his ability to be that Swiss Army Knife type of player, able to do many of the little things teams look for in a role player. He was in constant motion offensively, which allowed him to get free of defenses and find open looks in catch-and-shoot situations. Per SynergySports, Bridges connected on 60 percent of shot attempts in those situations, which placed him in the 85th percentile in points per shot rank, with 1.20 points.

Bridges concluded the 2022-2023 season on a hot streak shooting the three ball. This season, he showed that was no fluke as he hit 41.2 percent from deep on a career high 5.1 attempts. When Bridges was left alone beyond the three-point line and had an open catch-and-shoot opportunity, he connected on those shots at a 50 percent clip. He has a quick release on his shot, a very compact shooting form and cannot be left unattended on the court as Bridges will make defenders pay.

The fact that Bridges is also ready to shoot (knees bent, hands at the ready at his chest when receiving a pass) shows the prep that goes into his game and overall mindset. He doesn’t have to load his shot up if he’s poised and prepared at all times on offense. His basketball IQ also plays an integral part in his game and his success this season.

Not only was Bridges able to shoot the ball exceptionally well from deep, but he incorporated a multitude of cuts and slashes to the rim for looks this season as well. If the three-point shot was falling, defenders had to play him honestly at the three-point line. In those matchups, he’d cut to the basket when he caught them off guard, and he connected at a rate of 60 percent within five feet of the rim.

What Bridges has shown this season on the court lends itself to success at the next level from a work ethic standpoint, as well as his inherent understanding of the game and finding those soft areas on the court where he can flourish in his offensive role. On the break, he sprints to the corners and has had a good dose of transition threes this season. He also may have an untapped screen-and-pop game that didn’t see much use at Baylor but could be a helpful wrinkle at the NBA level.
Being a low-usage player who can still heavily impact the game at both ends will be where Bridges finds his Goldilocks situation. He has an array of moves to find open shots. His pump-fake side step has gotten defenders to bite and frees up his vision for more open three-point attempts. Bridges can put the ball on the floor if needed as well. He can make the right pass even though his assist number did not jump off the stat sheet. Again, Bridges was not asked to handle for extended periods but has shown enough understanding to be serviceable and show potential for better assist numbers at the next level when moving the ball in the motion of an NBA offense.

 

Defense

As the 3-and-D prototype gets thrown around frequently, Bridges truly breaks that mold. His defense is built around his tenacious hustle all around the court. His lateral quickness is well above average and he does a great job of opening his hips to keep the offensive player in front of him on matchups.

Bridges has shown success defending one through four, and his versatility should help him continue to grow and find a sustainable role at the NBA level. Once again, his IQ on the defensive end is also a significant factor as he uses a combination of his 6’10” wingspan and speed to fight through screens and be at a point to contest the offensive player. In the cases where he gets beat, his speed of recovery and effort have allowed him to close some gaps and still be in an area to contest or deter the offensive player.

His rebounding increased this past season as well. Bridges’ activity around the rim in grabbing rebounds helps solidify the team’s defensive foundation. His awareness and IQ allow Bridges to position himself in a great location to secure rebounds and jumpstart the offense. Using his length to his benefit and combining the rugged athleticism Bridges has gives confidence in his ability to rebound, translating well to the next level. If he can increase his offensive rebounding to extend possessions, that would get him more minutes on the court.

Looking Ahead

Bridges has shown improvements in his shooting and defensive skills every year. He has the athleticism on both ends of the court to find success, and most importantly, Bridges knows he has a role and tries to excel in his lane as best he can. As a 3-and-D player, he doesn’t need to create his own shot often, which works to his benefit as his ball handling needs some improvement. Still, Bridges already has a high-level understanding of moving without the ball and finding the areas in defenses that will allow him to find open looks and flourish.

Being a low-usage player who can still heavily impact the game at both ends will be where Bridges finds his Goldilocks situation. He has an array of moves to find open shots. His pump-fake side step has gotten defenders to bite and frees up his vision for more open three-point attempts. Bridges can put the ball on the floor if needed as well. He can make the right pass even though his assist number did not jump off the stat sheet. Again, Bridges was not asked to handle for extended periods but has shown enough understanding to be serviceable and show potential for better assist numbers at the next level when moving the ball in the motion of an NBA offense.