Ralph Sampson believes that Phoenix Suns forward Bol Bol has the potential to be a top player. The Hall of Famer made these comments during a recent interview. Sampson, who once played alongside Bol’s father, Manute Bol, sees a higher ceiling in the younger Bol.
“Bol Bol is an elite talent,” Sampson told Arizona Republic. He compared Bol’s skill set to his father’s, noting that Manute didn’t have the same ability. Sampson emphasized that Bol’s potential lies in his hands.
The former Houston Rockets star stated that Bol has the power to change the game. However, Sampson also highlighted that this would only happen if Bol put in the work. “You gotta want to get it done, and you gotta have that grit,” Sampson said.
He further elaborated on Bol’s need to avoid settling for outside shots. He made a direct comparison to Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs’ rising star. “He can’t just settle for the 3, and Wembanyama can’t just settle for the 3 when the game’s on the line,” Sampson said.
Bol Bol, known for his 7’3” height and shooting ability, averaged 5.2 points per game last season. His performance included an impressive 42.3% accuracy from beyond the arc. These numbers are remarkable given Bol’s limited 10.9 minutes per game.
Despite his shooting, Sampson stressed that Bol’s real potential lies in his ability to attack the basket. Sampson believes that finding his niche will be key to Bol’s success in the NBA. “You gotta find your niche and you gotta make it to the basket, you gotta score,” Sampson said.
Bol’s raw talent has been widely discussed since his college days at Oregon. His size and agility have made him a player to watch in the league. Yet, questions about his consistency and effort remain. Sampson’s comments highlight these concerns.
