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NBA Draft 2017: Pro comparisons for prospects

By Cody Williams

Feb 4, 2017; Gainesville, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) points against the Florida Gators during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Gainesville, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) points against the Florida Gators during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 18, 2017; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) drives against Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Austin Torres (1) during the second half at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2017; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) drives against Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Austin Torres (1) during the second half at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /

Jonathan Isaac, F – Florida State

Comparison: Longer Andrei Kirilenko (game), Kevin Durant/Brandon Ingram (length, size)

Perhaps the most ridiculous comparisons that have been thrown out belong to Florida State stud Jonathan Isaac. The first comparison he gets is to Durant. While their body types may be similar, Isaac isn’t the elite scorer that Durant was and him reaching that type of upside would be a long-shot. Then the other comparison, also due to his frame, is that of Brandon Ingram. However, Ingram was looked at as a defensive-potential guy coming into the draft, still needing to develop on that end. Isaac is a much more complete product than Ingram was on defense, and not nearly as polished or versatile as Ingram was on offense.

When watching Isaac, the player that comes to mind for me is Andrei Kirilenko with the length and physical profile of a Durant or Ingram. Like AK-47 in his prime, Isaac has the ability to affect the game in every facet. While he may not be spectacular in any of those regards, he has the ability to perform at well above-average levels in those aspects of the game. Much like Kirilenko, Isaac has the IQ and complete game to be 5-by-5 threat every time he takes the floor.

The only difference between Kirilenko and Isaac is that their offensive game is a bit different. For one, Isaac has a bit more of a reliable shooting stroke from long-range, shooting over 34 percent on 3-point attempts at Florida State last season. More importantly, Kirilenko was a much more consistently physical player. However, with physical development in regards to strength, Isaac has the game to develop into the same type of player on offense.

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