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NBA Draft 2017: 5 best big men available

By David Austin Bumpus

Mar 18, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2017 NBA Draft class is loaded with talent, and there’s plenty of big men to go around for those looking to fill some needs in the first round.

The 2017 NBA Draft class is becoming known for its guards and small forwards, and plenty of teams are looking for players that can run their offense for them immediately. However, there’s plenty of intriguing big men in this year’s class as well.

A lot of the big men in this year’s draft are coming out of college after their freshman year, but proved in their one-and-done careers why they can succeed on the big stage under the bright lights. Some are defensive superstars, others are offensively gifted, and a rare few provide upsides on both ends of the ball.

Plenty of the players in this draft have the potential to contribute immediately to their respective new homes, while others will become big projects that take a few years to fully develop into an NBA talent.

There’s plenty of talent to evaluate, and a ton of names flying left and right when it comes to lottery teams hosting visits. To help narrow down the field, here’s a list of the five best big men available in the 2017 NBA Draft.

5. Jarrett Allen, Texas

He didn’t have the most impressive freshman year for the Longhorns, but it’s not about how you start, it’s about how you finish. Jarrett Allen definitely matured as his first year of college ball went along, and he proved that he could be a solid big man in the NBA.

He didn’t land higher on this list for how basic his skillset is and how he doesn’t have the same two-way capabilities or offensive abilities as others in his class, but Allen is a promising big man. His scoring totals went up towards the end of his first season, and he upped his averages significantly by the end of the year. He scored 13.4 points a game, and added 8.4 rebounds to his stats to make him a threat down low.

At just 19-years-old and standing at 6-foot-11, Allen is one of the few true centers of the successful big men, and knows his role on the roster is set for whoever he gets drafted by. He doesn’t have the offensive prowess as some of his classmates, as he is a post player through and through, but still had success down low for Texas as a freshman.

Like others on the list, strength is a big issue when it comes to Allen’s weaknesses, and he may struggle coming up against a dominant NBA center like DeMarcus Cousins or someone larger than him. However, he proved that he’s able to improve at a rapid rate, and could grow quickly in the NBA scene for whoever drafts him.