NBA Draft 2017: 5 best perimeter defenders available

3. Donovan Mitchell, Louisville

Rick Pitino’s teams have established an identity around being unrelenting, aggressive defensive juggernauts. Recent NBA guards who have come out of Louisville reflect that identity: Terry Rozier, Russ Smith, Peyton Siva, and Jerry Smith all brought that mindset to the court. While Rozier has shown promise in Boston, there has been a lack of success among the other Louisville products lately. Donovan Mitchell seeks to change that and could become the most successful Louisville product in years.

Mitchell prides himself on his defense. He committed to Louisville to learn from Pitino, and that influence shows up in his game. Mitchell unrelentingly pressured opponents over all 94 feet of the floor with the Cardinals.  He was inconsistent during his freshman season, but blossomed as a sophomore and earned First Team All-ACC honors, as well as first team All-Defense. Mitchell’s defensive efforts didn’t lose intensity as his offensive output increased either; he became the rare Pitino product to leave school two years early this spring after his improvements.

Mitchell’s defense earned him the nickname “Spider” at a young age. He possesses 6-foot-10 wingspan on a 6-foot-3 inch frame and moves swiftly; it is understandable how sometimes some may think he has to be using more than four limbs. Mitchell’s athletic gifts shone at the NBA combine and helped him establish himself as a lottery selection. He weighed in at a chiseled 211 pounds and turned in the top standing vertical and the fourth best max vertical. Mitchell also posted the fastest sprint time and a strong agility score. He possesses all of the tools and the right mindset to wreck havoc defensively at the next level, and could turn around Louisville’s track record of late.