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NBA Mock Draft 2017, Week 19: March Madness edition

By Chris Stone

Jan 25, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) goes up for a layup over Arizona State Sun Devils guard Torian Graham (4) during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Sun Devils won 86-75. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) goes up for a layup over Arizona State Sun Devils guard Torian Graham (4) during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Sun Devils won 86-75. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) controls the ball against Louisville Cardinals forward Mangok Mathiang (12) during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sportsat Barclays Center.
Mar 9, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) controls the ball against Louisville Cardinals forward Mangok Mathiang (12) during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sportsat Barclays Center. /
Learn more about Jayson Tatum at The Step Back.

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5

Jayson Tatum

SF, Duke

The Philadelphia 76ers can draft anyone other than a frontcourt piece essentially and this draft will be a success, so picking up Jayson Tatum, a small forward with high creation upside is a good get at the fifth pick.

Tatum has the highest scoring upside of any of the wings in the 2017 class. He’s dominated playing in a small ball power forward role for Duke, averaging 20.3 points per 40 minutes. Tatum does a great job of attacking from the mid-range and is a tough shot maker. His 3-point shooting needs to improve, though. After spending a few weeks near 40 percent on the season, Tatum is back down to 33.6 percent from deep on the year. His free throw shooting suggests that will develop.

Tatum has impressed defensively this season at least in terms of making a box score impact. The freshman is averaging 1.6 steals and 1.3 blocks per 40 minutes. His size is a plus insofar as it makes him reasonably switchable.

Tatum’s opening round of the NCAA Tournament won’t bring much excitement, but he could face Sindarius Thornwell, PJ Dozier and South Carolina in the second round in a game that would put real pressure on him on the offensive end. The Gamecocks are one of the best defensive teams in the country.

Learn more about Jayson Tatum at The Step Back.

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