NBA Draft Big Board: Late February edition
Chris Stone and I are back with another update to our list of the top 60 prospects available in the 2017 NBA Draft. With the trade deadline come and gone, we’re getting closer to understanding the landscape of what June’s draft board will look like.
One thing that has been a hot topic has been the sheer number of bigs that could be available in the back half of the first round. Our last board had 14 players between picks 11-40 who could be classified as full-time fours or fives, and not all of them are likely to declare for the draft, given it’s the deepest position in the league.
This time around, we attempted to account for that, by promoting some players at positions that will have more inherent value than a traditional five. Positional versatility and opportunities in the league created by depth are important factors to consider for a big board, beyond just raw talent.
check out his full scouting report."
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1
Markelle Fultz
PG, Washington
Fultz continues to solidify himself as the sure-fire number one pick. It’s hard to find a hole in his offensive game, and any NBA team can likely find a role for him. 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
Lonzo Ball
PG, UCLA
There’s no better passer in the draft and if his outside shot if for real, he looks like a brilliant point guard. However, his form is enough to doubt. For more on Ball, check out his full scouting report.
check out his full scouting report"
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4
Dennis Smith Jr.
PG, North Carolina St.
NC State has collapsed, and it’s painted Smith in a bad light. But the bottom line is he’s a fantastic scorer at every level, and he’s athletic enough that he may not always be this bad on defense. For more on Smith, check out his full scouting report
check out his full scouting report."
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5
Jonathan Isaac
SF/PF, Florida St.
Florida State’s strong season 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. For more on Isaac, check out his full scouting report.
check out his full scouting report."
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6
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. For more on Ntilikina, check out his full scouting report.
7
Malik Monk
SG, Kentucky
Kentucky’s success has been keyed by Monk’s incredible scoring ability. He’s small for a two-guard, and doesn’t do much outside of scoring, but he has outstanding athleticism.
8
Jayson Tatum
SF, Duke
A 6-foot-8 silky scoring wing, Tatum has great defensive potential and an old-school offensive game. Can he fit in the modern NBA?
check out his full scouting report."
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9
Lauri Markkanen
PF, Arizona
The 7-foot Finn has been lethal offensively for Arizona, shooting 50/45/84 and showing potential to score off the dribble. For more on Markkanen, check out his full scouting report.
10
De'Aaron Fox
PG, Kentucky
Fox looks like a lockdown defender at the one who should develop into a decent playmaker. Shooting (17.3 percent on 3s) is a major concern.
11
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.
12
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.
check out his full scouting report"
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13
Justin Patton
C, Creighton
Patton has emerged as a quality big man for the Blue Jays. The redshirt freshman’s offensive efficiency has quickly made him a lottery-level prospect. For more on Patton, check out his full scouting report
14
OG Anunoby
SF, Indiana
Anunoby’s knee injury makes him a total mystery for the upcoming draft. He may not declare this year due to it. If he does, he still will go high due to his potential as a perimeter defender. For more on Anunoby’s injury, check out his full scouting report..
15
Mikal Bridges
SG/SF, Villanova
The Villanova sophomore is one of the draft’s best slashers, hitting 71.6 percent on two-point shots and even reaching 40.2 percent on threes. He also looks like a very capable perimeter defender.
16
Tyler Lydon
SF/PF, Syracuse
A quality floor spacer (42.1 percent from 3) who looks like a bench marksman that can play the three or four at the next level.
check out his full scouting report."
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17
Ivan Rabb
PF/C, California
Rabb’s taken to life without Jaylen Brown, averaging 14.6 points and 10.7 boards per game. A strong rebounder, but will his thin frame limit his ability at the NBA level? For more on Rabb, check out his full scouting report.
18
Josh Hart
SG, Villanova
Hart has the potential to be an excellent role player in the NBA thanks to his defensive acumen and abilities as a pick-and-roll scorer.
19
Rodions Kurucs
SF, Barcelona B
A high-flying slasher who is battling back from a meniscus injury on Barcelona’s lower team. He has owned youth tournaments over the last two years, and recently got a call-up to the Barca senior team for Euroleague games.
check out his full scouting report."
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20
Anzejs Pasecniks
C, Gran Canaria
A Latvian center with NBA size (7-foot-2, 220) playing in Spain. A mobile pick-and-roll finisher and smart defender worth a draft-and-stash pick. For more on Pasecniks, check out his full scouting report.
21
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.
check out his full scouting report."
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22
Isaiah Hartenstein
PF, Zalgiris
A 6-foot-11 German who projects as a decent rim protector and stretch big. Awareness is an issue, but he’s making strides at the domestic level. For more on Hartenstein, check out his full scouting report.
check out his full scouting report."
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23
John Collins
PF, Wake Forest
Collins’s production has taken a big leap this year, as he averages 19.1 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. He is a bit of a black hole, but his production is too strong to ignore. For more on Collins, check out his full scouting report.
24
Terrance Ferguson
SG/SF, Adelaide
Ferguson is currently playing overseas in Australia. He has potential as a 3-and-D wing who can get hot from the outside, but has struggled to make an impact in a weak professional league.
25
Bam Adebayo
PF/C, Kentucky
Adebayo is a potential energy big. The Kentucky product has all the physical tools you want from a power forward, but few polished skills.
26
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.
27
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.
28
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.
29
Zach Collins
PF, Gonzaga
Collins is the best draft prospect on undefeated Gonzaga. He has great size and potential as an offensive rebounder and rim protector. Plays just 17.6 minutes per game, but is posting great per-40 numbers.
check out his full scouting report."
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30
Harry Giles
PF, Duke
Giles has not looked 100% since returning to the floor for the Blue Devils. He has may have the talent to be a top-5 pick, but shouldn’t he have shown something by now? For more on Giles, check out his full scouting report.
31
Jawun Evans
PG, Oklahoma St.
A solid pick-and-roll scorer who’s been lighting it up on a high volume, averaging 18.3 points per game. At 5-foot-11, there are concerns defensively that he will struggle in the NBA.
32
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 recent play suggests he could still deliver on his lofty recruiting ranking.
check out his full scouting report."
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33
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.
34
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.
35
De’Anthony Melton
PG, USC
Melton has come on in recent weeks for USC, earning some draft buzz behind his streaky three-point shooting and solid defensive potential as a combo guard.
36
Thomas Bryant
C, Indiana
An intruiging offensive big man who can handle the ball and step out to the three-point line. Disappointing, because he hasn’t stepped up in Anunoby’s absence.
check out his full scouting report."
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37
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.
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38
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.
39
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.
40
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 work, but he’s been on a tear in ACC play.
41
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.
click here."
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42
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 versatile scoring from the wing could find a fit at the next level. For more on Bacon, click here.
43
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.
44
Tony Bradley
C, North Carolina
Bradley could be this year’s version of Deyonta Davis. He’s not earning starter’s minutes, but averaging 19.7 points and 14.4 rebounds per 40 minutes is enough to get excited about.
check out his full scouting report."
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45
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. For more on Allen, check out his full scouting report.
check out his full scouting report."
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46
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.
47
Wesley Iwundu
SF, ”Kansas
A late bloomer, Iwundu looks like a versatile defender and can create some off the dribble as a wing. Worth a developmental flier as a 3-and-D forward.
48
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.
49
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.
check out his full scouting report."
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50
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.
51
Dedric Lawson
SF, Memphis
A 6-foot-8 small forward with excellent athleticism and scoring ability, Lawson is averaging 20/10 per game. Will likely need some D-League seasoning before he’s ready for the NBA.
52
Andrew Jones
PG, Texas
An imposingly athletic guard putting up solid per-40 numbers. If he can improve as a playmaker, it’ll be hard to ignore him as a potential primary creator.
53
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.
54
Caleb Swanigan
PF, Purdue
One of college basketball’s most improved players, Swanigan is an undersized power forward who may have a role as a small-ball center in the NBA.
55
P.J. Dozier
SG, South Carolina
19.7 points per 40 and a 3.5 percent steal rate are enough to have him on draft radars.
56
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.
57
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.
check out his full scouting report."
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58
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. For more on Vezenkov, check out his full scouting report.
59
Allonzo Trier
SG, Arizona
Trier missed the first part of the season with a PED suspension. Since his return, he’s been Arizona’s best two-way player. He has scoring talent, and could be a decent bench gunner in the NBA.
60
Bruce Brown
SG, Miami
A brilliant physical specimen who has the tools to be a solid two-way player. Needs more development, but has shown flashes of excellent perimeter defense.