Kobe Bufkin’s coaches excited about his shot as NBA lottery pick
Kobe Bufkin scored 1,000 career points during his four years at Grand Rapids Christian. Here he is shown at the Grand Rapids Union Redhawk Showcase on Feb. 1, 2020 (Photo | Lenny Padilla).
ALLENDALE, Mich. - Kobe Bufkin is a hot commodity this week.
The Grand Rapids native continues to move on the mock draft boards leading up to the NBA Draft on Thursday night in New York City. As of Tuesday, ESPN and Yahoo Sports predicted Bufkin as the No. 12 pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder. But by Thursday morning, he was dropped to No. 13 to the Orlando Magic. So things change fast.
Bufkin, who graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School, had a breakout season as a sophomore at the University of Michigan this past year averaging 14 points and 4.5 rebounds.
The coaches who worked with him the past few years are thrilled with Bufkin’s shot at playing in the NBA.
“People are talking about how he’s moved up in the draft,” Michigan assistant coach Jay Smith said on Sunday, while recruiting at the BCAM event at Grand Valley State. “And that’s no surprise. His mom and dad have done a wonderful job raising him and he’s put in the time and effort with his workouts. It’s not a surprise to me.”
Smith said Michigan would love to have Bufkin return for his junior year, but when you have a shot at being drafted in the NBA, you have to go.
“The writing is on the wall,” Smith said. “You have to go. Well you don’t have to go, but you are put in that position because of your hard work. So you have a shot to live a dream. From a selfish standpoint, it would be great to have him back because he makes us a better team. But (the NBA Draft) is about them.”
Kobe Bufkin competes with the Grand Rapids Storm travel team during a tournament in Fort Wayne, Ind., in July 2020. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).
Bufkin was at home in Grand Rapids for a few days to workout with his former high school coach, Eric Taylor.
“It’s been great,” Taylor said on Sunday. “Just seeing it from the beginning in high school to now. Kobe was back in town for a minute. I had him in the gym two days ago. He’s excited about the next step in his journey. He’s getting a lot of interest. I’ve fielded about 20 calls from different NBA team’s GMs and managers. It’s amazing to see him move up this high.”
Taylor said having a player of Bufkin’s calibre come through the program.
“He’s a great story for our young players to see,” Taylor said. “He goes to the University of Michigan and basically sits the bench his freshman year and then has a breakout year his second season and now he’s getting a chance to play in the NBA. To see his dream reach fruition has been great for myself, our program and for Grand Rapids.”
Smith said everyone in the Michigan program is excited for Bufkin and Wolverine teammate Jett Howard.
“The team, his teammates, the coaches … we’re all exited for him,” Smith said. “He’s worked his tail off. So has Jett. They both got invited to the green room (on draft day). So we’re keeping our fingers crossed. Whoever drafts them will have a great player.”
Grand Rapids Christian’s Kobe Bufkin is guarded by Farmington’s Jaden Aikns at the Grand Rapids Union Redhawk Showcase on Feb. 1, 2020 (Photo | Lenny Padilla).
