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2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 12: The Lakers keep their pick

By Chris Stone

Jan 12, 2017; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears guard Charlie Moore (13) attempts to defend against Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) during the first half of the game at Haas Pavilion. California Golden Bears defeated the Washington Huskies 69-59. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2017; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears guard Charlie Moore (13) attempts to defend against Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) during the first half of the game at Haas Pavilion. California Golden Bears defeated the Washington Huskies 69-59. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball: Arizona State at UCLA
NCAA Basketball: Arizona State at UCLA /
volleyball spiking passes to them in mid-air. Ball is also an excellent 3-point shooter (43.6 percent) despite having a strange shooting motion that involves pulling the ball up from the left side of his body. His ability to hit shots from well behind the 3-point arc can help bend defenses and is a valuable NBA skill itself as the Houston Rockets have shown this season. Only two freshmen (min. 400 minutes) have posted an assist rate better than 30.0 percent this season while making more than 40.0 percent of their 3s: Ball and Washington’s Markelle Fultz.

Learn more about Lonzo Ball at The Step Back.

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Lonzo Ball

PG, UCLA

Although UCLA suffered the second loss of its season on Saturday, falling 96-85 at home to Arizona, freshman Lonzo Ball continued to show why he’s entered the conversation to be a top three pick in June’s draft. The 6-foot-6 guard scored 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting, dished out eight assists, grabbed six rebounds and committed just one turnover in the losing effort.

Ball has a unique ability to impact a game offensively. The most obvious factor is his passing ability, which is by far the best in the draft class and measures up well to most NBA players. The 19-year old has unbelievable court vision and is almost playful in the way that he creates for his teammates, going as far as volleyball spiking passes to them in mid-air. Ball is also an excellent 3-point shooter (43.6 percent) despite having a strange shooting motion that involves pulling the ball up from the left side of his body. His ability to hit shots from well behind the 3-point arc can help bend defenses and is a valuable NBA skill itself as the Houston Rockets have shown this season. Only two freshmen (min. 400 minutes) have posted an assist rate better than 30.0 percent this season while making more than 40.0 percent of their 3s: Ball and Washington’s Markelle Fultz.

Learn more about Lonzo Ball at The Step Back.

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