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NBA Mock Draft 2017, Week 10: Markelle Fultz lands in Boston

By Chris Stone

Dec 11, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) calls a play against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Nevada defeated Washington, 87-85. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) calls a play against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Nevada defeated Washington, 87-85. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s a new year, but some of the same old College Basketball prospects are at the top of our latest NBA Mock Draft.

The calendar has officially turned to 2017, which means that it’s time to start speculating where the top prospects will end up in June’s NBA Draft.

Compared to the 2016 group, this year’s draft class is stacked with talent. The top of the draft features a couple of potential future All-Stars while most of the first round is filled with prospects who project to play a valuable NBA role.

This first round mock draft runs the gamut in terms of experience, including 16 one-and-done freshmen, a handful of equivalent international prospects and a few upperclassmen. The draft order was projected based on the league’s standing as of January 2.

Here’s how the 2017 NBA Draft could shake down.

getting to the rim, can pull up from the mid-range if needed and has shown a quality jump shot from beyond the arc. With a 37.4 percent assist rate, Fultz also ranks as one of the best facilitators in college basketball.

Defensively, there are still a few question marks given that the Huskies have one of the most porous defenses in the nation. Fultz doesn’t seem to be getting pushed to try particularly hard on that end with head coach Lorenzo Romar focusing on playing an up tempo offense to try and outscore opponents. Still, his physical tools, 3.8 percent block rate and 2.5 percent steal rate suggest that Fultz should project to be a perfectly fine defender at the next level.

Learn more about Markelle Fultz at The Step Back.

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Markelle Fultz

PG, Washington

This pick comes to the Boston Celtics via the lowly Brooklyn Nets. Boston owns a pick swap with the Nets as a result of a prior trade involving Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.

Although the Celtics already have a plethora of guards and may end up making a heavy investment in extending Isaiah Thomas after next season, the choice at the top of the draft is clear. Washington’s Markelle Fultz is just a step above the rest of the class.

Fultz fits the mold of the bigger point guard that has taken the NBA by storm. At 6-foot-4 with a nearly 6-foot-10 wingspan, he has excellent size to play the position. Beyond his physical attributes, Fultz combines an impressive set of offensive skills with defensive potential. As a freshman, he has already shown the ability to score at all three levels. He’s excellent probing defenses and getting to the rim, can pull up from the mid-range if needed and has shown a quality jump shot from beyond the arc. With a 37.4 percent assist rate, Fultz also ranks as one of the best facilitators in college basketball.

Defensively, there are still a few question marks given that the Huskies have one of the most porous defenses in the nation. Fultz doesn’t seem to be getting pushed to try particularly hard on that end with head coach Lorenzo Romar focusing on playing an up tempo offense to try and outscore opponents. Still, his physical tools, 3.8 percent block rate and 2.5 percent steal rate suggest that Fultz should project to be a perfectly fine defender at the next level.

Learn more about Markelle Fultz at The Step Back.