Freshman - NC State
6' 3" - 195 lbs
This might come as a surprise to some. Not Markelle Fultz, not Lonzo Ball, not even Josh Jackson. My number one ranked player in this draft class is Dennis Smith Jr. Despite missing out on the tournament, Smith put up great numbers in his one year at NC State, averaging 18.1 ppg, 6.2 apg, and 4.6 rpg. His style of play is reminiscent of a young Derrick Rose crossed with Chris Paul. With both the explosiveness and vision of the two aforementioned all-stars, Smith has all the tools to be the best player in this class and one of the best point guards in the league.
Freshman - Kansas
6' 8" - 207 lbs
I like Jackson a lot. The guy is what many NBA teams dream of--an explosive wing who has the ability to string together individual scoring runs and carry a team. Jackson might be the most NBA ready talent in this class. Think of a Tracy McGrady type of player. With Jackson's lean figure, he can play both the 2 and the 3 well and could perhaps even see some time at point. Ohh, and did I mention he is a force to be reckoned with in the air? You'll be seeing plenty of this guy on Sports Center Top 10.
Freshman - Washington
6' 4" - 195 lbs
Fultz slides in at number three for me. It's not a knock on his talent but rather the fact that I believe there are two players better than him in this draft. With Philadelphia trading up to the #1 spot, all signs point to Fultz being in a Sixer jersey come October. He'll go #1 with good reason. Fultz excels in the open floor, getting to the rim and finishing over bigger defenders. In the half court set, he has the ability to create his own shot, possessing a high release point which allows him to shoot over almost anyone. This is a name that everyone will know about.
Freshman - Kentucky
6' 3" - 187 lbs
After the first three is Kentucky guard De'Aaron Fox. Fox showed an incredible amount of toughness and coveted leadership qualities that have him positioned to be drafted inside the top five. What I like most about Fox is his relentlessness. Kentucky played in a number of close games throughout the year. While fellow backcourt member Malik Monk was known for hitting clutch shots in the final minutes, it was Fox that kept Kentucky afloat in the middle of the game when adversity struck. His jumper needs to improve, but his drive on the court and ability to make those around him better will have him near the top of this year's draft.
Freshman - Duke
6' 8" - 204 lbs
Rounding out the top five is the smooth 6' 8" forward from Duke. Similar to Jackson, Tatum is ready for The Association. There were times that he struggled to find a rhythm this past season in a chaotic year at Duke, but he still managed to finish with a 16.8 ppg average and 7.3 rpg. His skill set and overall style of play remind many of Carmelo Anthony. I see him being more of a Rudy Gay-type with Anthony being the ceiling. As with any player, there are areas that need to be worked on. His long range jumper still needs to be polished and he will have to focus on becoming a better finisher at the rim. However, if you need a bucket in a crucial spot, Tatum will deliver.
Freshman - UCLA
6' 6" - 190 lbs
You were probably wondering by now where I had Lonzo slotted. Ranking Lonzo sixth has nothing to do with his father. It has little to do with the media attention and hype generated over the past eight months. Rather, I truly see Lonzo being the sixth best player in this class. Lonzo does a little bit of everything. He is a master in finding open teammates, is active on the glass, and can hit the outside shot. His jumper is ugly, there's no denying that, but he has made it work up until now. One area that I noticed Lonzo needs to improve on is driving to the right. You would think that would be natural for him, but with the way he shoots, he struggles with floaters and layups on the right side. Still, I believe he can turn out to be a solid point guard that averages 10+ assists per game for multiple seasons.
Freshman - Kentucky
6' 4" - 185 lbs
If I had one phrase to describe Malik Monk, it would be this: clutch scorer that can rise up from anywhere and shoot over anyone. Throughout the entire season, Monk was knocking down big shots over bigger defenders. And it didn't matter where he was on the floor. He'd pull up from a good 5 steps behind the arc and hit the shot with ease. While he does have the ability to create his own shot, he may be best coming off an off-ball screen. At the next level, Monk will provide a team with a valuable scorer that can play both guard spots.
Freshman - Florida State
6' 11" - 205 lbs
Jonathan Isaac is a freak of an athlete. The guy is nearly 7 feet tall yet can drain threes, handle the ball well, and run the floor. He also has a very effective post jumper, liking to back down smaller defenders. One area Isaac will need to improve is creating his own shot. With an effective one to two dribble crossover pull up, he is on his way, but that was the only move he showed consistently while at Florida State. Being able to put the ball on the floor and create in the open floor is the next step.
Freshman - Gonzaga
7' 0" - 232 lbs
Honestly, Collins didn't play much this past season, but he came alive down the stretch and made the most of his minutes. Only averaging 17.2 mpg, Collins was able to finish the season with 10.0 ppg and 5.9 rpg. His Final Four is where he finally caught the attention of the nation. Against South Carolina and North Carolina, he put up lines of 14 points, 13 boards, 6 blocks and 9 points, 7 boards, 3 blocks, respectively. Collins has shown to be active on both ends of the floor. In addition, he also has a deadly mid-range jumper in his arsenal.
Sophomore - Louisville
6' 3" - 211 lbs
At 6' 3", Mitchell is a bit undersized for the 2-guard spot, but boasts a 6' 10" wingspan. He doesn't need to worry about being pushed around at 210 lbs. However, he will have to make up for his lack of height in other ways on the floor. Last season, Mitchell excelled in getting to the rim with a plethora of hesitation moves. He also displayed a much better three point shot as a Sophomore compared to his Freshman year. This is one guy that will rise up the board come draft night.
Freshman - Arizona
7' 0" - 225 lbs
Markkanen is the ideal stretch four in the NBA. He offers just about everything on the offensive end: pick and pop shooter, knockdown three point jumper, and a high motor. During his time at Arizona, Lauri averaged 15.6 ppg on 49.2% from the field and 42.3% from three. However, the talent drops off the cliff on the other end of the floor. He is not the strongest guy and lacks toughness defensively on the interior. With his height, this could be a problem. As more teams continue bringing their bigs out of the paint, though, Markkanen's defensive woes may remain hidden.
Sophomore - Duke
6' 5" - 196 lbs
Being a lefty myself, I like Kennard's game. He's a deadeye shooter from behind the arc and is never giving up on plays. We saw his hustle on full display during his sophomore year. He also showed that he has the ability to put the ball on the floor and create his own shot. This past season, Kennard boosted his freshman year ppg total of 11.8 to 19.5. He was often the go-to-guy in Duke's offense. Kennard's biggest strength may still be catch and shoot off an off ball screen, but he is also crafty with the ball when looking for a shot and finds himself lottery bound.
13. Frank Ntilikina - PGFrance
6' 5" - 170 lbs
The best international player in this class is, hands down, French point guard Frank Ntilikina. Ntilikina has the court vision of a Steve Nash, always looking for and able to locate open teammates. He also has great size for a point guard, standing at 6' 5" with broad shoulders. This isn't a guy that's going to blow by defenders, but instead, Ntilikina operates at a smooth pace. He should get drafted in the top 10 and will be a perfect fit for a team with shooters readily available.
14. Harry Giles - PF/CFreshman - Duke
6' 10" - 232 lbs
By now, most are aware of Giles' reoccurring knee problems that plagued him throughout high school and hindered his minutes this season at Duke. He suffered a torn MCL, ACL and meniscus back in 2013 and then tore his ACL in his right knee in 2015. If that wasn't enough, Giles underwent a left knee arthroscopy surgery last October prior to start of the season. Despite the injuries, Giles began last season as the top prospect in the country. While on the court, we saw glimpses of what made Giles so highly touted in high school. He is very agile and runs the floor well for a big man. Come draft night, Giles could go anywhere from late-lottery to the beginning of the second round.
Freshman - Creighton
6' 11" - 229 lbs
Patton stands out to me as being next in line with his size-agility combination. Numerous times throughout the season, Patton showed that he can be dominant with his back to the basket as well as step out beyond the elbow and knock down deep jumpers. Still, he is a very raw player and will need some time to develop. If he wants to bang around down low, he will also need to add some weight. However, given the right situation, Patton can be a starting center in the NBA.
Freshman - Kentucky
6' 10" - 242 lbs
It's Bam! Adebayo is a muscle monster. His body resembles that of Dwight Howard. After watching him this past season at Kentucky, I'm amazed at how agile Adebayo is. He moves really well for a big man. His biggest knock is his low post game. He got away with bullying smaller defenders at the collegiate level, but at the next level, he will need to develop good footwork in order to really succeed. He also struggles at the free throw line. But if a team is looking for a big guy that can go up and throw down lobs with authority, this is their guy.
Sophomore - Wake Forest
6' 10" - 225 lbs
One thing you have to admire about Collins is that he works for every bucket. This big man from Wake Forest averaged 19.2 ppg last season while corralling 9.8 rpg. That was an enormous leap from the 2015-16 season, where he averaged 7.3 ppg and 3.9 rpg. Collins also had himself a couple big games against notable opponents, such as a 31-15 game at Duke and 25-11 game two weeks later versus Louisville. Besides his work inside, Collins doesn't offer much. That doesn't rule out room to improve though, as we've seen him grow leaps and bounds over the past two seasons.
Freshman - Texas
6' 10" - 233 lbs
This is a name that wasn't talked about much during the college basketball season, but Jarrett Allen is one of the best bigs in this year's class. He offers the size to match up well against NBA talent and has an array of post moves. He's still young, though, and trying to figure things out. At times, he didn't react well on the floor and looked to be a step behind the competition. This will need to improve at the next level which features a much faster paced game, but with time, Allen could be a force in this league.
Sophomore - California
6' 10" - 219 lbs
Cal's Ivan Rabb planned on entering the draft last season following his freshman year. He was projected as a late lottery pick. However, he made the decision to come back for his sophomore year in hopes of maturing and working on his craft. He did just that, averaging 14.0 ppg and 10.5 rpg, a 1.5 ppg and 1.9 rpg increase from his freshman year. His draft stock dropped though due to the level of talent in this year's class. Still, Rabb is a guy to watch for as a team in the mid to late first round could get a steal.
Freshman - UCLA
6' 10" - 222 lbs
Leaf is an exciting prospect in this year's draft class. Not only is he crafty around the basket, he can also step out beyond the arc and knock down threes. His form is very clean and will provide a club with a solid stretch four option. Leaf needs to improve his strength, especially considering his height and who he will match up with. I still like the potential that Leaf displays and wouldn't be surprised to see him taken right near the lottery line.
Junior - North Carolina
6' 8" - 200 lbs
I've been a fan of Jackson for a long time. As a former homeschool hooper myself and Jackson being the first men's homeschool player to play for a power conference team, I admire his game and the way he carries himself. He has improved drastically, especially this past season. Becoming the focal point of the offense, Jackson averaged 18.3 ppg, winning the ACC Player of the Year award and leading North Carolina to a National Title win. Jackson's game is smooth, possessing a deadly baseline floater. He also became a much better three point shooter last season. Nevertheless, his lack of strength and the physical play of the NBA will test him. He may need a few years to develop behind a solid starting lineup before he assumes a major role.
Sophomore - Florida State
6' 6" - 221 lbs
Who doesn't love the name Dwayne Bacon? I believe his play will translate well to the NBA. He brings with him the ability to create for himself by using his body as well as an explosive leap off the ground. His outside game isn't the strongest and could use improvement to be more effective at the next level. In addition, his defense needs work. At times his defense seems very lazy as he won't always close out hard on his opponent. Still, you have to factor in his ability to create his own shot and the fact that he is a natural scorer.
23. Tyler Lydon - PFSophomore - Syracuse
6' 9" - 215 lbs
Lydon was unheralded coming out of Syracuse, but after watching him play, it's hard to figure out why. The guy has a pretty shot with a strong follow through. He has shown that he has a deep three point shot in his arsenal, often times spotting up a couple steps behind where the NBA line would be. Lydon's also not afraid to mix it up inside. With that being said, the bodies are bigger at the next level and Lydon will need to put on some weight in order to contend down low. Still, with his smooth shot and all the tools to be a solid stretch four in the pros, watch for Lydon to fly off the board in the mid-late first round.
Sophomore - Oklahoma State
5' 11" - 185 lbs
Evans found ways last season to make up his lack of height and strength. At 5' 11", 185 lbs., Evans faced bigger guards at the collegiate level. At the next level, Evans will have to be even more crafty with the way he plays in order to be successful. What makes Jawun Evans such an exciting player is his explosion to the basket off the pick and roll and his ability to finish at the rim with a series of scoop layups and off-hand floaters. Look for him to go in the latter half of the first round and provide a team with a nice spark off the bench that could turn into a starter quickly.
Australia
6' 7" - 184 lbs
Originally intent on going to Arizona, Ferguson decided to take his talents overseas and play in Australia for the Adelaide 36ers. While overseas, Ferguson gave the people of Australia a taste of what he has to offer. The extremely athletic wing put together a number of highlight reel jams. At the next level, Ferguson will need to become stronger and look to create more for himself off the dribble. In terms of comparison, think of a Terrence Ross type of player; bouncy, can score in spurts, and has a decent outside game.
Junior - Michigan
6' 10" - 234 lbs
Wilson was a big reason why Michigan was so successful at the end of the season and in the NCAA Tournament. He took his level of play up a notch, posting 18.5 ppg over three tournament games. Throughout the year, he showed his versatility by becoming a deadly pick and pop player with a clean three point shot. Consistency will be key and some may say that he still has some maturing to do, but I believe Wilson will find himself in a solid role and fit into the league just fine.
Freshman - UCLA
6' 10" - 252 lbs
Despite not starting a single game all year and only averaging 13 minutes of play, Anigbogu showed an incredible amount of potential. While on the floor, Anigbogu was an enforcer on the defensive end, averaging 1.2 bpg including a pair of 4 block games. He is also just 18 years of age, so there is plenty of time to develop and grow into a dominant presence on both ends of the floor. The risk is certainly there but the reward could entice a team to make the move earlier than many may expect.
Sophomore - Purdue
6' 8" - 245 lbs
This guy is a testament of what hard work can do. Back in high school, Swanigan stood 6' 2", weighing in at 360 lbs. He was still a force, but carried a lot of weight with him. Through determination and hard work, Swanigan has since trimmed down to 245 lbs., making him more agile on the court and helping him live a healthier lifestyle off. He is a terrific rebounder who positions himself well on the floor on top of being a high character guy.
Sophomore - Xavier
6' 6" - 176 lbs
A torn left ACL put a damper on Edmund Sumner's sophomore year, but prior to the injury, he was able to post numbers of 15.0 ppg and 5.0 apg. When healthy, Sumner showed great bursts of speed in both the open court and half court. He also has good size for the point guard position. From deep, Sumner shot just 27.3%, so that is something that could use improvement. Had it not been for the injury sustained, we would be talking about Sumner going much higher, possibly mid-first round. I still believe he has the talent to be one of the top 30 athletes in this class.
Junior - SMU
6' 7" - 241 lbs
Ojeleye has the build and strength to play and be effective at the next level. He also stretches the floor well with his ability to hit shots beyond the arc. After transferring to SMU from Duke, Ojeleye finally got his chance this past season to prove himself. He seized the opportunity, scoring 19.0 ppg and grabbing 6.9 rpg in addition to leading SMU to a 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Ojeleye's position in the NBA is still up in the air. He played both the 3 and 4 forward positions at SMU, but at only 6' 7", Power Forward in the pros may be difficult.
Junior - Florida
6' 8" - 189 lbs
If you're looking for a diamond in the rough, a first round talent hidden in the second round, this is your guy. Devin Robinson is an underrated prospect that can rebound against big men and defend wings. Adjusting to the speed and being creative on the offensive end are areas that will take time for Robinson to improve on, but if his three years at Florida are any indication, Robinson should continue to trend up.
Junior - Utah
6' 9" - 222 lbs
The talk about Kyle Kuzma has been rather quiet leading up to the draft. In fact, it was quiet last season despite Kuzma averaging 16.4 ppg and 9.3 rpg. In his third year at Utah, Kuzma displayed great athleticism and control for his height (6' 9"), flaunting his ability to create a shot for himself. He still needs to become a more consistent scorer but can play both forward positions in the NBA.
Senior - Colorado
6' 4" - 189 lbs
Derrick White from Colorado is another guy that is not talked about as much as he should be. After coming over from Division II University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, White excelled in his one year as a Buffalo, averaging 18.1 ppg. Playing either guard position, White is a smart player who has his head up when bringing the ball down the court, looking to exploit defensive breakdowns. His size allows him to shine in this area of his game. White's explosiveness is not there yet which makes things difficult on the offensive side. Addtionally, he weighs under 200 pounds. Regardless, White has loads of potential.
Freshman - Duke
6' 3" - 201 lbs
Frank Jackson is a fun guy to watch. At 6' 3", he has springs, able to explode to the rim and finish a dunk. He also showed a terrific outside game at Duke and would go on his own scoring outbursts. His position is still unknown though. He's undersized to play at Shooting Guard but didn't show Point Guard qualities last season with just 1.7 apg. In the right scheme, Jackson can be instant energy off the bench and may get his crack eventually at more playing time.
Junior - Oregon
6' 8" - 223 lbs
Oregon's Jordan Bell really came alive this season as a junior. He introduced himself to the nation in Oregon's Elite Eight matchup against Kansas, where Bell swatted 8 shots. The injury to Chris Boucher gave way to Bell, who will now be drafted near the first/second round border. Teams can expect to get an athletic guy who can throw down lobs and protect the rim. However, his offensive games leaves much to be desired.
Sophomore - South Carolina
6' 7" - 200 lbs
Dozier got a lot of attention this past NCAA Tournament when 7th seeded South Carolina made their incredible Final Four run. This attention was well deserved, as Dozier was arguably the best player for South Carolina during the regular season. His size helps him, standing at 6' 7" with long, lanky arms. This allows him to guard and play the 1, 2 and 3. His shot isn't anything special and he struggled to develop a long range game, shooting just 29.8% from deep last season. Dozier will excel in the right fit where he can use his length to cause problems defensively.
Sophomore - Nevada
6' 8" - 238 lbs
The Wolf Pack of Nevada were competitive and a joy to watch this past season. A big part of their success was because of the play from Cam Oliver. Last season, Oliver finished with 16.0 ppg, and 8.7 rpg, leading Nevada to the NCAA Tournament. Oliver's biggest strength are his explosive dunks that are thrown down with power. He is also a fantastic shot blocker, averaging 2.6 bpg. There are worries that his competition was not tough enough in the Mountain West in addition to his inconsistent play at times. When he's on though, there's no questioning his athleticism.
Sophomore - Indiana
6' 8" - 232 lbs
There are those who believe OG could go late in the lottery. After all, before his season-ending knee injury, Anunoby was projected much higher than he is now. But with the injury putting an end to his sophomore season just as conference play was getting started, we weren't able to see as much action from Anunoby as we had hoped for. When it comes to his skill set, his large wingspan translating to his ability to guard all five positions jumps out first. He also is a fun guy to watch in the air, making difficult dunks look easy. However, his offensive game overall is a bit of a question mark and his shooting form isn't refined.
Senior - Kansas State
6' 7" - 193 lbs
Iwundu has the overall skill set to compete at the next level. With a quick first step from the wing, Iwundu can get past most defenders. His jumper isn't the best but it's far from the worst. In four years at Kansas State, he got the feel for playing the 3 as well as both guard spots. It was last season that Iwundu expanded his game by adding the three pointer to his arsenal, converting on 37.6% of his attempts. Watch for a team near the end of the first or beginning of the second to swoop up Iwundu and play him at either Shooting guard or Small forward.
Senior - Kansas
6' 0" - 188 lbs
Frank Mason III, the winner of the Naismith College Player of the Year, comes in next. Mason III exemplifies what it looks like to be a leader. Last season, he consistently took and made clutch shots, finishing with 20.9 ppg, 5.2 apg and 4.2 rpg. He will go down as one of the best college basketball players of all time. Can he do the same in the NBA? His long range shot is there and he can also create for himself and others, stopping on a dime after driving. However, his height and ability to adapt to the NBA are the biggest worries for Mason III.
Germany
7' 0" - 225 lbs
From Germany, Hartenstein is the second international player on my board. At 7 feet, Hartenstein exhibits a deadly inside-out game with a smooth lefty three point shot. Think of Donatas Motiejunas. His biggest knock is a not so aggressive post game and the fact that he almost always leaps off of two feet when finishing.
Senior - South Carolina
6' 5" - 211 lbs
Sindarius Thornwell was really the face of South Carolina's big run to the Final Four last season. During the regular season though, Thornwell was a beast, averaging 21.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg and 2.1 spg. He plays much bigger than his size and doesn't back down from anyone. This mentality will serve him well in the NBA. When he gets an open look on offense, he can knock down the outside jumper. He will need to play smart in order to make up for his lack of quickness of the offensive end.
Junior - Oregon
6' 6" - 220 lbs
Brooks brings a great deal of energy and swagger to the court. At times a distraction, this is what Brooks thrives on. While he doesn't necessarily have to adjust his persona, he will have to adjust his style of play. At 6' 6", Brooks is too small to match up against 4's like he did in college and his lack of quickness will make it difficult to guard 2's and 3's. He will need to rely on his driving ability and his knack of finishing near the rim.
Senior - Valparaiso
6' 9" - 232 lbs
This guy stuffed the stat sheet all year, averaging 23.0 ppg on his way to a 2,348 point career in his four years at Valpo. He also grabbed 10.1 rpg over 29 games. Peters will make his money at the next level because of his shooting. He's a bit slow which could hurt him defensively, but with a smooth stroke as well as a nice post game, he can latch on to a team and provide scoring off the bench.
Sophomore - Oregon
6' 4" - 182 lbs
Dorsey was on fire throughout the NCAA Tournament. He was a big reason why Oregon advanced to the Final Four. He is a deadeye, in your face three point shooter but can also put the ball on the deck and score off the dribble. Defense will be the biggest concern at the next level but with his confidence on offense, you'll see him go early-mid second round.
Freshman - North Carolina
6' 11" - 248 lbs
North Carolina's Tony Bradley is still very much raw. Many agree that he should have stayed at least another year in Chapel Hill. Only seeing 14.6 mpg this past season, his overall value is unknown. What we do know, though, is that he has good size at 6' 11", 248 lbs, and a 7' 5" wingspan, which can disrupt opponents down low.
Junior - Baylor
6' 9" - 238 lbs
Another guy that is long and athletic, Motley helped Baylor to one of their best seasons in program history. With his bounce and length, Motley can be a problem for opponents. He runs the floor well for a big and stretches the half court sets with a decent mid-range game. Down on the block, Motley has struggled. His footwork is not great, needing immediate improvement.
Sophomore - Indiana
6' 11" - 247 lbs
Indiana's Center Thomas Bryant plays with a lot of heart. You can see his passion every time he steps on the floor. Nevertheless, as far as his style of play, it can be awkward and dysfunctional at times. His movement isn't the greatest and he has a difficult time with low post moves. His ability to stretch the defense with a solid jumper though has him in the second round discussion.
Senior - Iowa State
6' 2" - 175 lbs
An extremely smart point guard who excels in making an offense work, Morris will be given a shot by a franchise this coming season. Whether he goes to a team that thrusts him into a starting role or as a reserve, Morris will bring a sense of steadiness and leadership wherever he goes and whatever role he's given.
Senior - Clemson
6' 7" - 218 lbs
Two words: lockdown defender. Blossomgame's game is built on defense. He is one guy that is ready for the NBA and can be a great defender on the wing. He struggles to score at times, but his offensive game is better than people make it seem. He will be picked lower than he should.
Senior - Villanova
6' 5" - 209 lbs
Josh Hart had a phenomenal college career under Jay Wright at Villanova. He was part of a championship team in 2016 and improved significantly each year. Can he continue to improve? Sure, but not as much as some of the other prospects. Regardless, Hart will provide leadership qualities from the get-go and the ability to rebound and space the floor.
Latvia
7' 2" - 229 lbs
The Latvian big man is featured next. At 7' 2", Pasecniks is one of the tallest guys in this year's class. He excels in the pick and roll and enjoys slamming down put-back opportunities. He is still adding muscle and should continue to do so in order to perform against the stronger men in the NBA.
France
6' 9" - 250 lbs
Lessort has the athleticism to play in the NBA as well as relentless play down around the paint. He can finish through contact and finishing dunks with aggression. Besides his low post game, Lessort doesn't offer much else. A mid-range game and a better clip from the charity stripe would add a lot of value to Lessort's game.
Latvia
6' 8" - 190 lbs
After Pasecniks and Lessort, I have another Latvian baller, Rodions Kurucs. The 6' 8" forward has had playing time at both the 3 and 4 and likes to mix it up inside. He too needs to add weight before the NBA, but Kurucs is a terrific athlete that works hard.
Senior - North Carolina
6' 8" - 233 lbs
Hicks had his moments of greatness last season but also faded away completely at times. He's not the greatest shooter but is efficient from the floor, shooting 57.6%. It's a fair question to ask if he will hear his name called Thursday night. If you're asking me, I believe it will somewhere near the end of the first round.
Freshman - Arizona
6' 4" - 166 lbs
Simmons made the big decision to declare for the NBA Draft despite only playing 23.5 mpg. A five-star recruit out of high school, Simmons thrives with the ball in his hand. He can both score off a screen and create shots for himself. Moving forward, Simmons will need to look to get teammates involved and not have tunnel vision.
Senior - Oregon
6' 9" - 182 lbs
Picking Boucher will be a bold move for a franchise but one that could pay off. After a season-ending knee injury sidelined Boucher for the NCAA Tournament, many wondered what would happen to the senior. He offers a strong interior presence with an average of 2.9 bpg his junior year and 2.5 bpg last year, but the injury may have done enough to keep teams away. We will see if he gets a shot.
Senior - Notre Dame
6' 8" - 193 lbs
Beachem is an athletic wing who has a good first step and explodes towards the basket. His three point shot is solid. To earn a bigger role in the NBA, Beachem will need to add muscle to his frame and continue working on his offensive game.
Senior - Iowa
6' 6" - 202 lbs
Jok is a pure shooter who can put up points in a hurry. Left open and he will torch the opposition. He can put the ball on the floor but isn't as efficient and sometimes takes bad shots. To withstand the level of play in the NBA, Jok will need to add weight as well.
Slovakia
7' 5" - 220 lbs
He's 7' 5". Seven foot, five inches. That along gets him attention from NBA scouts. On the court, he is solid on defense around the rim, using a 9' 8" standing reach to his advantage. He is still young and the game is newer to him. He also must add weight to survive the pros.
61. Melo Trimble - PG
Senior - Maryland
6' 2" - 195 lbs
62. Damyean Dotson - SG
Senior - Houston
6' 5" - 202 lbs
63. Davon Reed - SG
Senior - Miami
6' 6" - 220 lbs
64. Luke Kornet - PF
Sophomore - Vanderbilt
7' 0" - 240 lbs
65. Sterling Brown - SG
Senior - SMU
6' 6" - 230 lbs
66. L.J. Peak - SF
Junior - Georgetown
6' 5" - 215 lbs
67. Nigel Williams-Goss - PG
Junior - Gonzaga
6' 3" - 195 lbs
68. Charles Cooke - SG
Senior - Dayton
6' 5" - 195 lbs
69. Shake Milton - PG
Sophomore - SMU
6' 5" - 195 lbs
70. Nigel Hayes - PF
Senior - Wisconsin
6' 7" - 245 lbs
71. Vlatko Cancar - SF
Slovenia
6' 8" - 210 lbs
72. Antonio Blakeney - SG
Sophomore - LSU
6' 4" - 177 lbs
73. Jonah Bolden - PF
Australia
6' 10" - 215 lbs
74. Alpha Kaba - PF/C
France
6' 10" - 226 lbs
75. Wesley Alves Da Silva - SF
Brazil
6' 7" - 189 lbs
76. Jaylen Johnson - PF
Junior - Louisville
6' 9" - 230 lbs
77. Bronson Koenig - PG
Senior - Wisconsin
6' 3" - 190 lbs
78. George De Paula - PG
Brazil
6' 6" - 194 lbs
79. Xavier Rathan-Mayes - PG/SG
Junior - Florida State
6' 4" - 208 lbs
80. Chance Comanche - PF/C
Sophomore - Arizona
6' 11" - 215 lbs
So, there it is. Thank you for taking the time to read or skim through my big board for the 2017 NBA Draft. Like I said before, I'm expecting big things from this class. There are a number of intriguing players available. I hope you all enjoy tonight's draft!
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