NBA Draft Big Board: Post-Tournament fallout
Chris Stone and I are back with another update to our list of the top 60 prospects available in the 2017 NBA Draft. The NCAA Tournament has come and gone, so save for a few international prospects, we’ve seen the last of the 2017 Draft class in actual games.
The Tournament wasn’t a strong one for the draft’s top prospects, as only three lottery picks on our previous big board made the Elite Eight, and none advanced to the Final Four. Instead, we got a good look at some prospects down the draft, some of whom were able to break away from the pack and solidify much better draft profile than they had previously. Most notable of these was UNC small forward Justin Jackson, whose diverse offensive game was put on display as the Tar Heels captured the national title. South Carolina guard Sindarius Thornwell also established himself as a draft prospect despite previously not being on our radar.
The next stage will be declarations, as players decide whether to test the draft waters or return to school. This process can throw a wrench in the plans of NBA teams as they begin to focus on the draft, and to an extent, it already has. Several expected players have confirmed their status in the draft by hiring agents — Dennis Smith Jr., Harry Giles, Malik Monk, and Lauri Markkanen, for example.
But we’ve already lost a few interesting prospects who have chosen to head back to school. Projected lottery pick Robert Williams will head back to Texas A&M, as will Miami guard Bruce Brown, a projected late-first round pick. More of these decisions will likely come over the next few weeks as the draft class is finalized.
Until then, here is our updated prospect rankings, from Markelle Fultz to Thomas Bryant.
check out his full scouting report."
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1
Markelle Fultz
PG, Washington
Fultz may have solidified himself as the sure-fire number one pick despite missing the tournament. 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 wasn’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 shooting form and lack of separation ability 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
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? For more on Tatum, check out his full scouting report.
check out his full scouting report"
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5
Dennis Smith Jr.
PG, North Carolina St.
NC State collapsed, and it 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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6
Jonathan Isaac
SF/PF, Florida St.
A future super-role player at the three and four at the NBA level. May have the ball-creation skills to be something more, but needs development to get there. For more on Isaac, check out his full scouting report.
check out his full scouting report."
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7
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.
8
Malik Monk
SG, Kentucky
Monk is the best pure shooter in the draft. He’s small for a two-guard, and doesn’t do much outside of scoring, but he has outstanding athleticism and intangibles.
9
De'Aaron Fox
PG, Kentucky
Fox is an athletic defender, and should be a capable offensive point guard. But he has several questions about his halfcourt playmaking, even if his shooting has been better of late.
10
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.
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 49/42/84 and showing potential to score off the dribble. For more on Markkanen, check out his full scouting report.
click here."
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12
Zach Collins
PF, Gonzaga
Collins plays just 17.3 minutes per game, but is posting great per-40 numbers.He looks like the best two-way center in the class. For more on Collins, click here.
13
Mikal Bridges
SG/SF, Villanova
The Villanova sophomore is one of the draft’s best slashers, hitting 69.4 percent on two-point shots and even reaching 39.3 percent on threes. He plays the role he will likely fill at the NBA level, and does it at an elite level.
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..
check out his full scouting report."
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15
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.
check out his full scouting report."
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16
Justin Patton
C, Creighton
The redshirt freshman’s offensive efficiency and rim protection has made him a lottery-level prospect. But he’s still incredibly raw at this point. For more on Patton, check out his full scouting report.
17
Donovan Mitchell
SG, Louisville
A high-energy guard with a strong motor, Mitchell is 6-foot-3, but plays much bigger than his size. An Avery Bradley-type 3-and-D prospect.
18
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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19
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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20
Justin Jackson
SF, North Carolina
Many have fallen in love with Jackson’s offensive game in the NCAA Tournament. But is he strong enough to find a fit defensively? For more on Jackson, check out his full scouting report.
21
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. But his performance in the NCAA Tournament showcased his limited upside.
22
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 enough to show he could still be an NBA-level talent.
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 averaged 19.2 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
Luke Kennard
SG, Duke
He 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.
25
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.
26
Jawun Evans
PG, Oklahoma St.
A solid pick-and-roll scorer whose size will limit his offensive ceiling. But with his creation ability and competitive nature, there’s a role for him as a backup guard.
check out his full scouting report."
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27
Tyler Lydon
SF/PF, Syracuse
A quality floor spacer (39.2 percent from 3) who looks like a bench marksman that can play the three or four at the next level. For more on Lydon, check out his full scouting report.
check out his full scouting report."
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28
Harry Giles
PF, Duke
Recovery from an ACL injury clearly limited Giles this year. Will he ever rebound to his high school form? For more on Giles, check out his full scouting report.
29
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.
30
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.
31
Caleb Swanigan
PF, Purdue
One of college basketball’s most improved players, Swanigan is a strong, powerful forward who may have a role as a small-ball center in the NBA.
check out his full scouting report."
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32
Ivan Rabb
PF/C, California
Rabb regressed late in the season, and struggled to take on a larger role at Cal. 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.
check out his full scouting report."
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33
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. For more on Leaf, check out his full scouting report.
34
Sindarius Thornwell
SG, South Carolina
Thornwell carried South Carolina to the Final Four with his one-on-one scoring and strong defense. If his efficiency translates, he could be an intriguing two-way wing.
check out his full scouting report."
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35
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.
36
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.
37
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.
click here."
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38
Kostja Mushidi
SG, Mega Leks
A German international who is a positionally diverse defender with an evolving offensive game. For more on Mushidi, click here.
39
Devonte' Graham
PG, Kansas
A strong three-point shooter and big-time shot maker, Graham might be the most underrated player in the draft class.
40
Kobi Simmons
PG, Arizona
Physically, Simmons is imposing, and his profile suggest he can be a strong defense-first combo guard. Mentally, though, Simmons will take some mentoring to see the floor..
click here."
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41
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.
42
Tony Bradley
C, North Carolina
Bradley fits the mold of a high-octane offensive big, with a fluid pick-and-roll game and great rebounding numbers. Further development is needed, but his efficiency is promising.
43
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.
check out his full scouting report."
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44
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.
45
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.
46
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.
47
D.J. Wilson
PF, Michigan
A 6-10 stretch four who hit 37.3 percent from three and boosted his FT% this year. His breakout performance in the last third of the season has many excited about his offensive potential.
48
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.
49
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.
50
Semi Ojeleye
PF, SMU
Ojeyele is another combo forward who has offensive versatility at the 3 or 4. The Duke transfer seems like a good fit for a two-way contract.
51
Dillon Brooks
SF, Oregon
A versatile wing who plays good defense and can facilitate offense. Continued development of his outside shot could push him higher.
52
Devin Robinson
SF, Florida
Another older 3-and-D prospect, Robinson’s length and shooting will keep him in the eyes of NBA teams.
53
Jordan Bell
PF, Oregon
Bell is undersized, but his technical skills on the defensive end are fantastic. He’ll have to show he can deal with NBA length, but his skills seem directly translatable to the NBA game.
54
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.
check out his full scouting report."
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55
Aleksandar Vezenkov
SF/PF, Barcelona
The 6-foot-9 Bulgarian is putting on a show 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.
check out his full scouting report."
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56
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.
57
Ilimane Diop
C, Baskonia
Diop has NBA length and has good pick-and-roll potential. He’s been a late bloomer and is a better fit for the NBA game than Europe.
58
P.J. Dozier
SG, South Carolina
19.4 points per 40 and a 3.3 percent steal rate are enough to have him on draft radars.
59
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.
60
Thomas Bryant
C, Indiana
An intriguing 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.