2017 NBA Mock Draft: The 76ers lock up a point guard

If Nancy’s Jonathan Jeanne is drafted by the Utah Jazz with the No. 24 pick and he turns into a productive NBA player, he won’t be the first French center taken by the team late in the first round to turn into gold. Rudy Gobert was drafted by the Jazz with the No. 27 pick in 2013 and he shares an agent with the 19-year old Frenchman entering the draft this season. Jeanne is a significant project, though, and despite the similar physical measurements, the comparisons to Gobert are extremely premature.

At 7-foot-2 with a near 7-foot-7 wingspan, Jeanne is absolutely massive (although he still needs to add strength to his frame). That length is an intriguing canvas for an NBA team to paint on as he has the potential to be an elite rim protector. It’s translated somewhat for the 19-year old already as well as he posted a 6.0 percent block rate this season in all competitions. Jeanne combines his length with a unique athleticism and mobility that is rarely seen in players his size. The combination of length and lateral athleticism is what could make Jeanne a special defender in time.

On offense, there’s still plenty of development to be had. He averaged just 3.0 points in 10.4 minutes per game this season. Most concerning is his miserable 47.2 true shooting percentage. Jeanne has been lauded for his potential to stretch the floor, but his sub-50 percent free throw shooting (admittedly only on 30 attempts) is not a promising measuring stick for that.

Learn more about Jonathan Jeanne at The Step Back.