NFL
By: Melo Williams
MarJon Beauchamp the 24th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft had a solid rookie season for the Milwaukee Bucks.
In limited minutes, MarJon displayed he was capable of being an elite defender. On the offensive end, he showed flashes of being a capable three-level scorer.
Beauchamp’s rookie season was looking promising. Coming into the 2022-2023 season, Milwaukee was widely considered a contender for the NBA championship so Beauchamp wasn’t going to be allowed the time to learn the NBA game and adjust to it on the fly. Minutes MarJon could’ve used for development went to the veterans on the team.
MarJon averaged 5.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game in the 52 games he played. He shot 39.5 percent from the field and 33.1 percent from 3-point range playing 13.5 minutes per game.
We’re here now though and the Milwaukee Bucks finished up 2-2 in the Las Vegas Summer League. The Bucks lost back-to-back games vs. Eastern Conference teams, the Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat after beating two Western Conference teams, the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns.
After watching MarJon in summer league basketball, Beauchamp will make good on improving and getting closer to his potential one day soon. In the 2023-2024 season, Beauchamp will show it on the court in his sophomore season.
In four games at summer league, MarJon averaged 13.3 PPG 4.3 RPG 2.0 APG .5 SPG, and .3 BPG. In the first two games, MarJon stood out. Impactful on both ends. Great decision making playing with poise.
On the offensive end, Beauchamp is a slasher who can get to the rim, finish, and plays above the rim. Has a quick bounce in his jump. MarJon is a good shooter from beyond the arc, but he needs to improve his consistency. When Beauchamp gets more comfortable creating his shot off the dribble his mid-range game will become so effective it’ll take his skillset to another level.
Beauchamp ball-handling skills have improved since last season, as he can be turnover-prone at times. He demonstrated throughout the four games in summer league better decision-making overall but mainly making decisions off the dribble and shot selection.
Beauchamp’s best games of the season came on November 14, when he scored 20 points in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks. He also had a double-double on February 25, 2023, when he scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a win over the Detroit Pistons.
The Bucks drafted Beauchamp initially for his defense. The Buck’s defense took a slight dip after losing P.J. Tucker to the Miami Heat in free agency. So this season if Beauchamp wants more meaningful minutes, he’s going to have to earn it defensively with Bucks 1st year HC Adrain Griffin.
Jae Crowder was traded for last season but didn’t see the court much after the trade. Many around Bucks nation didn’t understand it and contributed that as a part of Mike Budenholzer being fired. Good thing though Jae Crowder re-signed with the Bucks so I’m certain he’ll see more minutes with Coach Griffin.
Beauchamp compared himself to Herb Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans on draft night. MarJon has the potential to be a lockdown defender in the NBA. He’s 6-foot-6 with a seven-foot wingspan and can easily match up with most scorers in the league regardless of position.
According to matchup data on http://NBA.com/stats, Beauchamp held opposing guards to a decent 43.3 percent field goal efficiency when he was the closest defender and playing small forward.
The eye test will tell you that with Beauchamp’s physical tools, he can be an elite defender. He has length, a body type you can pack muscle on, and athleticism to guard multiple positions.
One area where Beauchamp must improve to help him defensively is his strength. Though he makes players work for the position, MarJon isn’t as strong as some of the other small forwards in the NBA so he can get pushed around or picked on in the post.
This coming season, it’ll be important for MarJon to take that leap into a legitimate ball-stopper if he wants to help the Milwaukee Bucks win more games and contend for another NBA Championship.
MarJon isn’t going to be the player he has the potential to be in year two. His three-level scoring potential can be a great asset for HC Adrian Griffin’s second-unit offense with Bobby Portis.
If MarJon Beauchamp can improve his offensive game across the board, he will become a bigger threat on the court to take the load off Giannis Antetokounmpo as the second half of the season begins going into the playoffs.
Beauchamp flew to Greece to work out and train with Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. MarJon spoke highly about the opportunity to train with Giannis. Watching MarJon in the four games at the Las Vegas Summer League you can see some of Gianni’s influence. I’m sure there is more there. What exactly that is remains to be seen. I do strongly feel in two years MarJon Beauchamp will be an All-Star with the potential to be the face of a franchise.
For now, let us be patient with MarJon Beauchamp’s growth and development as a better basketball player.
Follow Melo on Twitter and Instagram: @_MeloWilliams
