Fansided

2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 25: Lakers at No. 1, Knicks at No. 2

By Chris Stone

Jan 18, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dunks against Colorado Buffaloes forward Tory Miller (14) during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Colorado Buffaloes guard Dominique Collier (15) watches the play at left. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dunks against Colorado Buffaloes forward Tory Miller (14) during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Colorado Buffaloes guard Dominique Collier (15) watches the play at left. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 18, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs forward Semi Ojeleye (33) dunks against the Houston Cougars in the first half at Hofheinz Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs forward Semi Ojeleye (33) dunks against the Houston Cougars in the first half at Hofheinz Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
23

Semi Ojeleye

SF/PF, SMU

Draft status: In without an agent

By making trades for Serge Ibaka and PJ Tucker, the Toronto Raptors seem to recognize the value of prioritizing versatile defenders who can switch and handle multiple positions. That’s why SMU’s Semi Ojeleye is the selection here.

At 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds, the junior forward has the potential to do just that. He’s got a strong lower body that allows him to hold position against opponents in the post and is quick enough on the perimeter to guard more traditional wings. Ojeleye didn’t make much of a statistical impact this season at SMU, but did average 2.0 blocks and 2.0 steals per 40 minutes at Duke as a freshman. If he can find that form, he should be a very valuable defender at the NBA level.

Offensively, Ojeleye has some of that same versatility and could present interesting problems as a small ball power forward. After not shooting 3s at all during his first two season, he made 42.4 percent of his attempts this season. Ojeleye fired up 5.8 attempts per 40 minutes and shot nearly 80 percent from the foul line, so that number should translate pretty well despite a deeper in the NBA. Ojeleye also brings some level of playmaking ability as he averaged 1.8 assists per 40 minutes this season.