2017 NBA Draft Big Board v2.0
Welcome to version 2.0 of the 2017 NBA Draft Big Board from The Step Back. The 2017 class is stacked with talent and it reportedly has league front offices excited about the possibilities. Through nearly a half season of college basketball and international ball, we have both clarity and more uncertainty than ever. At this point, names like Markelle Fultz and Josh Jackson have solidified their places as top picks, and the lottery is starting to look well established. But after that, there is a lot of variability between players who could be on the lottery’s fringes and the 2nd round. Previously well-regarded prospects like Isaiah Hartenstein have struggled, while players like Justin Patton have emerged out of seemingly nowhere to gain 1st round consideration.
I’ve gotten back together with fellow writer Chris Stone to put together our list of the top 60 prospects available next June. Let’s get started.
check out his full scouting report."
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1
Markelle Fultz
PG, Washington
Fultz’s biggest concern in preseason was shooting. He’s at 43.5 percent from 3 on 4.1 attempts per game. Might be the best point guard prospect since John Wall. For more on Fultz, check out his full scouting report.
check out his full scouting report."
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2
Josh Jackson
SF, Kansas
The 6-foot-8 freshman hasn’t been tasked with being the go-to guy at Kansas, but his playmaking and excellent defense make him a unique talent at the wing. For more on Jackson, check out his full scouting report.
check out his full scouting report"
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3
Dennis Smith Jr.
PG, North Carolina St.
Smith looks fully healed from his ACL surgery and is an excellent athlete. His shooting has rounded into form, and if he can show some (any) consistent effort on defense, he’s a threat to overtake Jackson. For more on Smith, check out his full scouting report
4
Jayson Tatum
SF, Duke
A 6-foot-8 silky scoring wing, Tatum has great defensive potential and has been filling up the box score since returning to the Duke lineup from injury.
5
Jonathan Isaac
SF/PF, Florida St.
Florida State’s hot start has hinged on Isaac’s all-around ability. He looks like a future super-role player at the three and four at the NBA level.
check out his full scouting report ."
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6
Lonzo Ball
PG, UCLA
There’s no better passer in the draft and although he’s shown better athleticism in college, there are still some concerns about how he’ll translate against NBA competition. For more on Ball, check out his full scouting report .
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7
Harry Giles
PF, Duke
Giles has not looked 100% since returning to the floor for the Blue Devils. He has the talent to be a top-5 pick, but his injuries make his draft stock a mystery. For more on Giles, click here.
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8
Malik Monk
SG, Kentucky
Kentucky’s early success has been keyed by Monk exceeding expectations. He’s small for a two-guard, but makes up for that with shot-making ability and outstanding athleticism. For more on Monk, click here.
check out his full scouting report."
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9
Frank Ntilikina
PG, Strasbourg
A well-rounded French point guard who is developing as a shooter and defender, and can run a high-tempo offense well. For more on Ntilikina, check out his full scouting report.
10
OG Anunoby
SF, Indiana
In an era of positionless basketball, Anunoby can defend just about anyone. Plus, his three-point shooting (38.0 percent) has been very stable.
check out his full scouting report."
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11
Lauri Markkanen
PF, Arizona
The 7-foot Finn has been lethal offensively for Arizona, shooting 49/46/84 and showing potential to score with the ball in his hands. For more on Markkanen, check out his full scouting report.
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12
De'Aaron Fox
PG, Kentucky
Fox looks like a lockdown defender at the one who can run a halfcourt offense well. Shooting (12.5 percent on 3s) is a major concern. For more on Fox, click here.
check out his full scouting report."
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13
Miles Bridges
SF/PF, Michigan St.
Bridges is a 6-foot-6 combo forward who can knock down outside jumpers and plays with a great motor. For more on Bridges, check out his full scouting report.
14
Ivan Rabb
PF/C, California
Rabb’s taken to life without Jaylen Brown, averaging 15.4 points and 10.8 boards per game. A strong rebounder, but will his thin frame limit his ability at the NBA level?
15
Robert Williams
PF, Texas A&M
There’s always an under the radar freshman who breaks out and onto NBA draft boards. This year, it seems to be Williams, a rim protecting menace and excellent rebounder.
16
Terrance Ferguson
SG/SF, Adelaide
Ferguson is currently playing overseas in Australia. He’s got good potential as a 3-and-D wing who can get hot from the outside.
17
Mikal Bridges
SG/SF, Villanova
The Villanova sophomore is one of the draft’s best slashers, hitting an absurd 76.0 percent on 2-point shots. He also looks like a very capable perimeter defender.
18
Tyler Lydon
SF/PF, Syracuse
A quality floor spacer (41.5 percent from 3) who looks like a bench marksman who can play the three or four at the next level.
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19
Bam Adebayo
PF/C, Kentucky
Adebayo is the draft’s best energy big. The Kentucky product has all the physical tools you want from a power forward, but few polished skills. For more on Adebayo, click here.
20
Rodions Kurucs
SF, Barcelona B
A high-flying slasher who is battling back from a meniscus injury on Barcelona’s lower team. 17-point and 20-point explosions in the last few weeks could be the sign that he’s rounding into form.
21
T.J. Leaf
PF, UCLA
One of college basketball’s most productive players, Leaf is the ultimate intangibles guy. The hope for NBA teams is that his work ethic helps overcome questions regarding his defensive ability and shooting mechanics.
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22
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk
SG, Kansas
Mykhailiuk has been in college for three years, but he’s still just 19-years old. He’s got potential as a creator from the wing and finally looks to have developed a consistent outside jumper. For more on Mykhailiuk, check out his full scouting report .
23
Thomas Bryant
C, Indiana
He’s been overshadowed by Anunoby with Indiana, but Bryant is an enticing big because of his versatile offensive game. His outside shot looks to be for real.
24
Josh Hart
SG, Villanova
Hart has the potential to be an excellent roleplayer in the NBA thanks to his defensive acumen and abilities as a pick-and-roll scorer.
check out his full scouting report."
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25
Isaiah Hartenstein
PF, Zalgiris
A 6-foot-11 German who projects as a decent rim protector and stretch big. But conditioning and awareness have hindered his ability to see the floor for Zalgiris. For more on Hartenstein, check out his full scouting report.
26
Jawun Evans
PG, Oklahoma St.
A solid pick-and-roll scorer who’s been lighting it up on a high volume, averaging 18.9 points per game. At 5-foot-11, there are concerns defensively that he will struggle in the NBA.
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27
Alec Peters
SF/PF, Valparaiso
Peters is one of the best shooters in college basketball. That’s valuable for someone who projects as a combo forward, but will his defense keep him off the floor? For more on Peters, check out his full scouting report .
check out his full scouting report."
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28
Justin Patton
C, Creighton
Patton has emerged as an efficient big man for the Blue Jays. The redshirt freshman has potential as a two-way bench big in the right system. For more on Patton, check out his full scouting report.
29
Luke Kennard
SG, Duke
He’s surprised as the most effective player on a Duke team loaded with NBA prospects. He’s not a great athlete, but his scoring efficiency is promising.
30
Alpha Kaba
C, Mega Leks
A center prospect from France with promising physical tools and a developing jump shot. He could be a project worth taking a risk on. For more on Kaba, click here .
31
Grayson Allen
SG, Duke
He has the physical tools to contribute at the next level. But his consistent issues with maturity on the floor could make him slide in the draft.
32
Edmond Sumner
PG, Xavier
A long, athletic point guard who can get up the floor faster than just about anyone in college hoops. He fits the trend that the NBA point guard position is heading in.
33
Johnathan Motley
PF, Baylor
The 6-foot-10 big man is a versatile scorer who can rebound well. How he’ll translate defensively is the big question after spending much of his time on the court in a zone at Baylor.
34
Tony Bradley
C, North Carolina
Bradley could be this year’s version of Deyonta Davis. He’s not earning starter’s minutes, but averaging 21.4 points and 14.9 rebounds per 40 minutes is enough to get excited about.
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35
Monte Morris
PG, Iowa St.
The Iowa State senior is an excellent game manager who can run an NBA-style offense. But his physical tools are lacking. For more on Morris, check out his full scouting report .
36
Omer Yurtseven
C, North Carolina St.
Yurtseven hasn’t fully adjusted to the college game yet, but his measurables and finishing will keep him in the sights of the first round.
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37
Kostja Mushidi
SG, Mega Leks
A German international who is a positionally diverse defender with an evolving and developing offensive game. For more on Mushidi, click here .
38
Jarrett Allen
C, Texas
Allen has potential as a defender and pick-and-roll big man. He’s shown major limitations on both sides of the ball, but there’s still hope he delivers on his lofty recruiting ranking.
39
De’’Anthony Melton
PG, USC
Melton has come on in recent weeks for USC, earning some draft buzz behind his 41.2 percent three-point shooting and solid defensive potential as a combo guard.
40
Jonathan Jeanne
C, Le Mans
Another prospect who’s played at the junior level, Jeanne hasn’t yet broke through onto Le Mans’s senior team consistently. A physical freak reminiscent of Rudy Gobert with his 7-foot-7 wingspan.
41
Devonte' Graham
PG, Kansas
Graham shares point guard duties with Frank Mason at Kansas, but he’s plenty capable of commanding an offense and making big shots.
42
Dedric Lawson
SF, Memphis
A 6-foot-8 small forward with excellent athleticism and scoring ability, Lawson is averaging 20/11 per game. Will likely need some D-League seasoning before he’s ready for the NBA.
43
Anzejs Pasecniks
C, Gran Canaria
A Latvian center with NBA size (7-foot-2, 220) playing in Spain. A mobile, developing rim protector worth a draft-and-stash pick.
44
V.J. Beachem
SF, Notre Dame
Beachem has cooled off after a hot start, but he’s a decent off-ball scorer. He projects as a 3-and-D small forward in the NBA.
45
Donovan Mitchell
SG, Louisville
A high-energy guard with a strong motor, Mitchell has been a high riser in recent weeks. 6-foot-3, but plays much bigger than his size.
46
Ike Anigbogu
C, UCLA
A physically imposing 6-foot-10 freshman with the potential to be an excellent rim protector at the next level.
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47
Dwayne Bacon
SG/SF, Florida St.
Bacon is an older prospect who was overshadowed a bit last season by Malik Beasley, and this year by Jonathan Isaac. His bullyball scoring from the wing could find a fit at the next level. For more on Dwayne Bacon, click here.
check out his full scouting report ."
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48
Chris Boucher
PF/C, Oregon
Boucher is a 6-foot-10 3-and-D center. That alone should be enough to get his name called next June. For more on Boucher, check out his full scouting report .
49
Jaron Blossomgame
SF, Clemson
Blossomgame is a creative playmaker from the forward spot who has defensive potential. But he’s already 23, and his shooting limits his upside.
50
Dillon Brooks
SF, Oregon
A versatile wing who plays good defense and can facilitate offense. He doesn’t have much of an outside shot, but playmaking often comes at a premium.
51
Mathias Lessort
C, Nanterre
A high energy offensive rebounder who could provide rim protection at power forward. Has been on NBA radars since he was discovered as Clint Capela’s teammate in 2014.
52
Justin Jackson
SF, North Carolina
Jackson is a tall, lanky wing who can score in plenty of ways inside the arc. His three-pointer shooting needs to improve to make him more viable player, though.
53
Devin Robinson
SF, Florida
Robinson is struggling to shoot the 3 this year, but his strong mechanics and great length make him an enticing 3-and-D forward. Looks fully healed from stress fracture in his foot.
54
Cam Oliver
PF, Nevada
A 6-foot-8 forward who has been an above average 3-point shooter, rebounder and shot blocker over two seasons at Nevada.
55
Keita Bates-Diop
SF, Ohio St.
Another forward prospect with excellent physical tools. He’s averaged 16.6 points and 9.0 rebounds for 40 minutes at Ohio State as a junior, but has yet to show consistent 3-point range.
56
Marko Guduric
SF, Red Star
Best described as Europe’s answer to J.R. Smith. The Serbian is older at 21, but has an NBA body and unlimited range and a heat check mentality to boot.
57
John Collins
PF, Wake Forest
Collins’s production has taken a big leap this year, as he averages 16.4 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. A prototypical offensive bench big.
58
Nigel Hayes
SF/PF, Wisconsin
Has the luster worn off the Badger leader? Hayes still has NBA size and defensive potential, but it’s hard to project where his role is in an NBA offense.
59
P.J. Dozier
SG, South Carolina
41.9 percent from three and a 4.8 percent steal rate are enough to have him on draft radars.
60
Aleksandar Vezenkov
SF/PF, Barcelona
The 6-foot-9 Bulgarian is finally seeing major minutes at the Euroleague level. He’s an assassin from deep who’s developing the strength and defensive awareness to play small-ball four.