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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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Dec 11, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Edrice Adebayo (3) dunks during the second half against the Hofstra Pride at Barclays Center. Kentucky Wildcats won 96-73. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Edrice Adebayo (3) dunks during the second half against the Hofstra Pride at Barclays Center. Kentucky Wildcats won 96-73. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
high energy big man with a nose for grabbing rebounds and attacking the rim. The freshman is averaging 20.5 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per 40 minutes in what will likely be his lone season in Lexington. The 20th pick is generally lower than the consensus on Adebayo, but there are some real reasons to be concerned about how well he’ll translate to the NBA.

Those concerns start with his size. The 19-year old is 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan. His ability to compete against centers at the next level and function as a rim protector may be limited by his lack of length rendering a lot of the things that he does well in college somewhat moot. If Adebayo isn’t able to do those things from the center spot, then he’ll be forced to play power forward, but his offensive game doesn’t really suit that position. The big man is at his best running at the rim and although he’s flashed glimpses of a mid-range jumper, it’s not a guarantee right now. Adebayo has great potential to be a rotation big man in the NBA, but his star power seems limited.

Learn more about Bam Adebayo and Kentucky’s other draft prospects at The Step Back.

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20

Bam Adebayo

PF/C, Kentucky

The Charlotte Hornets are firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, but with center Roy Hibbert set to enter free agency and no top tier prospects, there isn’t much happening long-term for their frontcourt. The middle of the first round in the 2017 draft provides some opportunities to shore that spot up.

Kentucky’s Bam Adebayo is a high energy big man with a nose for grabbing rebounds and attacking the rim. The freshman is averaging 20.5 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per 40 minutes in what will likely be his lone season in Lexington. The 20th pick is generally lower than the consensus on Adebayo, but there are some real reasons to be concerned about how well he’ll translate to the NBA.

Those concerns start with his size. The 19-year old is 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan. His ability to compete against centers at the next level and function as a rim protector may be limited by his lack of length rendering a lot of the things that he does well in college somewhat moot. If Adebayo isn’t able to do those things from the center spot, then he’ll be forced to play power forward, but his offensive game doesn’t really suit that position. The big man is at his best running at the rim and although he’s flashed glimpses of a mid-range jumper, it’s not a guarantee right now. Adebayo has great potential to be a rotation big man in the NBA, but his star power seems limited.

Learn more about Bam Adebayo and Kentucky’s other draft prospects at The Step Back.