NBA Draft 2017: 5 best perimeter defenders available
By Connor Learn
4. Wesley Iwundu, Kansas State
Iwundu was a late bloomer in both high school and college. Standing only 5-foot-10 as a sophomore in high school, he sprouted up to his current listed height of 6-foot-7 late in high school and drew a handful of DI offers. He became a starter almost immediately in the Little Apple but didn’t register on the NBA radar until his breakout junior season in which he nearly doubled his scoring. Iwundu then improved his scoring and ball handling again during his senior season and flashed a much improved jumper to firmly become a draftable prospect.
Defensive tools are getting Iwundu a long look in the NBA despite being over the age of 22. He used his 7-foot-1 wingspan, solid build, and quick hands and feet to be named to the all Big 12 defensive team. Iwundu should be able to guard almost all NBA wings from day one. He could even handle some point guards and stretch fours, matchup depending. Iwundu led Kansas State in rebounding this past season as well. He should be able to fit defensively next to any players and switch screens effectively, and that boosts his draft status notably.
Iwundu could go as high as late in the first round because of his 3-and-D potential. Currently, the biggest knocks to his game are related to his shooting and intensity. He managed to shoot 37.6 percent on 3-pointer during his senior season, which represented a jump of 17 percentage points from the season prior. That improvement may not be sustained at the NBA level despite improved mechanics. Additionally, Iwundu showed an inconsistent motor at Kansas State and that can’t happen at the NBA level. If those issues are worked through, however, he will become a hidden gem in this coming draft.