2017 NBA Draft Big Board: Post-withdrawal deadline update
The withdrawal deadline for the NBA Draft has again come and gone, as players who wish to return to school made their final decisions.. There was some drama late, as 1st-round prospect Hamidou Diallo waited until the last minute to go back to Kentucky, but otherwise, it was fairly uneventful. Arizona guard Rawle Alkins, Texas guard Andrew Jones, and Maryland forward Justin Jackson were the other major withdrawals. This sets our final draft pool, barring any shake-ups from international prospects, such as Isaiah Hartenstein or Arnoldas Kulboka.
With that in mind, Chris Stone and I have decided to update our big board to reflect the changes we saw. Most shake-ups come in the second round, but we did make a few moves up top, with the discovery that O.G. Anunoby may not be ready at the beginning of next season causing the biggest change. We’ll surely update once more before the draft, but as it stands today, here is our ranking of the top 60 prospects.
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 NCAA 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 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
Ball’s court vision and size are awesome, and he was college basketball’s most productive passer. But can he create enough for himself to be an elite point guard? 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 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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5
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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6
Jayson Tatum
SF, Duke
A 6-foot-8 silky scoring wing, Tatum has an old-school offensive game, but his outside shooting could limit him. 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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7
De'Aaron Fox
PG, Kentucky
Fox is an athletic defender, and should be a capable playmaker. But with no history of a successful outside shot, how good can he be? For more on Fox, 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.
check out his full scouting report."
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9
Lauri Markkanen
PF, Arizona
The 7-foot Finn was an outlier shooter for Arizona, shooting 49/42/84 and showing potential to score off the dribble. For more on Markkanen, check out his full scouting report.
check out his full scouting report."
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10
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.
11
OG Anunoby
SF, Indiana
the Draft Combine seemed to prove O.G. is healthy. If he is, he has the potential to be the best perimeter defender on the board. For more on Anunoby’s injury, check out his full scouting report.
click here."
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12
Zach Collins
PF, Gonzaga
Collins played just 17.2 minutes per game, but posted great per-40 numbers.He looks like the best two-way center in the class. For more on Collins, click here.
click here."
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13
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. For more on Mitchell, click here.
check out his full scouting report"
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14
Jarrett Allen
C, Texas
Allen has potential as a defender and a face-up big man. He’s shown major limitations on both sides of the ball, but his ceiling is the highest of the bigs in this class. For more on Allen, check out his full scouting report
check out his full scouting report."
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15
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.
check out his full scouting report."
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16
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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17
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 and playmaking ability are promising. For more on Kennard, check out his full scouting report.
check out his full scouting report."
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18
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. For more on Evans, check out his full scouting report.
check out his full scouting report."
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19
Justin Patton
C, Creighton
The redshirt freshman’s offensive efficiency and rim protection has made him an intriguing prospect. But he’s still incredibly raw at this point. For more on Patton, check out his full scouting report.
check out his full scouting report."
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20
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. For more on Kurucs, check out his full scouting report.
21
Semi Ojeleye
PF, SMU
Ojeyele is another combo forward who has offensive versatility at the 3 or 4. The Duke transfer had a strong Combine and his strength will give him strong versatility.
22
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.
check out his full scouting report."
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23
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. For more on Hart, check out his full scouting report.
24
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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25
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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26
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.
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.
28
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.
check out his full scouting report."
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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. For more on Adebayo, check out his full scouting report.
click here."
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30
Kostja Mushidi
SG, Mega Leks
Mushidi was excellent during the Nike Hoops Summit. A German international who is a positionally diverse defender with an evolving offensive game. For more on Mushidi, click here.
check out his full scouting report."
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31
John Collins
PF, Wake Forest
Collins’s production took 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 efficiency is too strong to ignore. For more on Collins, check out his full scouting report.
32
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.
33
Derrick White
SG, Colorado
White dominated Division 2 for three years at UC-Colorado Springs, then did the same this year for the Buffaloes. He’s a creative secondary ball-handler who adds unique shot-blocking prowess.
34
Ike Anigbogu
C, UCLA
Anigbogu can protect the rim, which will get him drafted. To stick in the NBA, he’ll have to show prowess at something else, which hasn’t happened yet.
35
Wesley Iwundu
SF, Kansas State
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.
check out his full scouting report."
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36
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.
37
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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38
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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39
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.
40
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.
check out his full scouting report."
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41
Jonathan Jeanne
C, Nancy
A physical freak reminiscent of Javale McGee with his 7-foot-7 wingspan. He had a good Combine, but has significant IQ and feel concerns. For more on Jeanne, check out his full scouting report.
42
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.
43
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.
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
Devin Robinson
SF, Florida
Another older 3-and-D prospect, Robinson’s length and shooting will keep him in the eyes of NBA teams.
46
Davon Reed
SG, Miami
Reed shot 39.7 percent on six three-point attempts per game. His shooting, size, and passing skills make him an underrated wing prospect.
47
Edmond Sumner
PG, Xavier
Sumner tore his ACL, but declared for the draft anyway. If he can return to full health, he’s an athletic two-way playmaker with great size at PG.
click here."
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48
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.
49
Arnoldas Kulboka
PF, Baunach
A Lithuanian forward playing in the German B League, Kulboka has dominated lower competition. He’s a versatile scoring forward who can stretch the floor.
50
Tony Bradley
C, UNC
A raw energy big, Bradley will bank on his 7-foot-5 wingspan and elite rebounding numbers to counteract a lack of footspeed and discipline.
51
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.
52
Sterling Brown
SG, SMU
Another raw but physically enticing wing prospect. May be able to play some small-ball four due to his length and rebounding instincts.
53
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.
54
Jonah Bolden
PF, FMP Beograd
Bolden left UCLA to play abroad this season, and it paid off, as he got to show off his rebounding ability and hit 41 percent from three. His role will be as a high-energy bench swingman.
55
Frank Mason
PG, Kansas
One of college basketball’s best players, Mason excels as a pick-and-roll scorer. But at 5-foot-11 with subpar athleticism, will he translate to the NBA?
56
Tyler Dorsey
PG, Oregon
Dorsey proved a capable pick-and-roll scorer as a freshman at Oregon. With a Greek passport in hand, he may be a candidate to be an American draft-and-stash similar to Aaron White of the Wizards.
check out his full scouting report."
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57
Aleksandar Vezenkov
SF/PF, Barcelona
The 6-foot-9 Bulgarian put on a show in 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.
58
L.J. Peak
SG, Georgetown
Peak is an opportunistic wing scorer with great length and a developing shot. He may find a landing spot as a bench scorer.
59
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.
60
Matthias Lessort
PF, Nanterre
An elite offensive rebounder in France, but needs to develop other skills to stick in the NBA.