Beauchamp can’t believe his luck in landing with Bucks
It was not too long ago that MarJon Beauchamp thought he wouldn’t end up in a situation like where he was Tuesday afternoon, getting formally introduced at Fiserv Forum as the newest member of the Milwaukee Bucks after being selected with the 24th pick in the NBA draft last week.
The 6-foot-6 Beauchamp had a winding path to the top level of basketball. The Seattle-area native experienced homelessness in his childhood and attended four high schools. He then eschewed the college route to train his body for pro ball, but that was shut down by the pandemic. Not knowing what his next move was going to be, he contemplated giving up basketball before landing back home at Yakima Valley junior college.
Back on track with his hoops career, Beauchamp latched on last season with the G League Ignite, the NBA’s developmental team, and that led him to holding up a Bucks jersey in the Fiserv interview room alongside general manager Jon Horst and head coach Mike Budenholzer.
“There was a point in my life that I really didn’t believe in myself,” Beauchamp said. “That was probably a year ago, a year ago and some months.
“I didn’t have no opportunity and I wanted to be in the league so bad. But I feel like God was telling me it’s not that time. So I just kept going and trusting in God. And a year later I’m here; it’s just crazy that it happened so fast. I’m just thankful that I’m here.”
The Bucks are a good landing spot for a talented-but-still-developing player like Beauchamp, who averaged 15.1 points for the Ignite and showed flashes of being a lockdown defender. Milwaukee still has the core from its 2020-21 NBA championship led by two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, so there is no pressure for a rookie to play a big role right away.
“It couldn’t have gotten any better,” Beauchamp said. “My dad was like I hope you fall down to the 24th pick. It’s a blessing to just be in a winning situation, a winning team.
“Because I feel like I’m a winner. I want to win, too. So I’m excited just to learn, just to grow with this team. And I feel like I can flourish with this team because I’m a fast learner and I want to learn.”
Beauchamp likely will find minutes next season if he proves to be a capable defender. He has the physical tools with a 7-foot-1 wingspan and quick feet. That’s what stood out to the Bucks when they were studying prospects.
“I think we love his size,” Budenholzer said. “And I think his strength, when talking to him and what he did in that year off putting weight on, I think he’s going to get a lot stronger, a lot bigger.
“But I think watching film and watching him guard different positions, I think that’s one thing that Jon’s tried to do, that we’ve tried to do, is build a team that’s versatile. I think that’s one of the things that stands out
with him. Guard bigger guys, guard smaller guys.”
The Bucks also are getting a player who already learned about being a pro with the Ignite.
“You got to make a regimen and you got to stay on it,” Beauchamp said. “I feel like being there I’ve learned new, good habits. Eating right, taking care of your body and really just out-working.”
Beauchamp said he already has heard from Milwaukee’s star players.
“Draft day, Giannis texted me and he was like, ‘Welcome to the team. Let’s go win a ‘ship,’ “Beauchamp said. “I was like, wow, he’s ready. And I’m for it.
“Khris Middleton reached out also. He just welcomed me to the team and I can’t wait to learn from him. I feel like I can be a player like him and I can’t wait to interact with these guys because they seem cool and good people.”
Pretty surreal from where Beauchamp was a few years ago.
“I feel like getting through the adversity and stuff like that, it made me who I am today,” he said. “It made me more thankful for my opportunities.”
Horst talks about acquiring Besson
On draft day, Horst also worked a deal with the Indiana Pacers to get the No. 58 pick, which the Bucks used to draft 6-5 French guard Hugo Besson.
“Strategically, we felt there was a good opportunity to get good value when we bought the pick,” Horst told the Journal Sentinel. “And to get a second-round pick for a guy that we targeted pretty highly.
“We loved him in Chicago (at the NBA combine). Chase Buford (former Wisconsin Herd coach) being over there coaching in the NBL (the Australian pro league where Besson played with the New Zealand Breakers), we really studied Hugo a lot throughout the year.
“A guy we liked in Chicago, brought him into our building and was great in workouts. Great personality. We spent time with him. He was still on the board as we got into, like, 45, 46, so we started figuring, hey, if we can buy a pick at the right price to get this kid.
“There’s no intention of him being on the team this year. He’s going to be a draft-and-stash (in a foreign league). I think he’ll play summer league with us, but we got to work that out.”