Fansided

NBA Mock Draft 2017, Week 14: Markelle Fultz is still no. 1

By Chris Stone

Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dribbles against UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dribbles against UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 30
Next
Jan 18, 2017; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) drives against Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Austin Torres (1) during the second half at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2017; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) drives against Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Austin Torres (1) during the second half at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /
Learn more about Jonathan Isaac at The Step Back.

" >
5

Jonathan Isaac

SF/PF, Florida St.

Anthony Davis deserves better than this. One of the best young talents in recent memory, Davis has yet to find consistent success in New Orleans as he has struggled to stay healthy and the team has struggled to put the right pieces around him. The hope, then, is that Florida State’s Jonathan Isaac can help swing the momentum in a positive direction as one of the draft’s most intriguing prospects.

Isaac, a 6-foot-11 combo forward, has really good per game statistics (12.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals), but they don’t quite paint an accurate picture of how productive he’s been as a freshman. Florida State has 10 players averaging double-figure minutes, so Isaac actually only plays 24.9 minutes per game and his numbers when extrapolated to per 40 minutes becoming incredible (20.5 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 2.0 steals). The 19-year old has a wildly efficient 64.4 true shooting percentage and aggregate metrics like PER (27.6) and BPM (12.3) love him.

An RSCI top 10 recruit, Isaac has the size and athleticism to play either forward spot. His length has allowed him to make an incredible impact on defense at the college level, typified by his massive block of Jayson Tatum in the Seminoles win over Duke earlier this season. On offense, Isaac has made 36.1 percent of his 3-pointers and has free throw numbers (82.9) that suggest he should be able to improve once he gets more volume under his belt. He can attack in a straight line for now, but doesn’t offer a ton in the way of creation for others at this point.

Because of his size at his position, Isaac has a tremendously high upside that could pair well with Davis in New Orleans.

Learn more about Jonathan Isaac at The Step Back.