Scouting Potential Top-5 NBA Draft Pick Jonathan Isaac

Everything about Florida State freshman Jonathan Isaac screams "NBA potential."

Prepare for flashes of exciting athleticism, step-back jumpers and swoops to the rack that mirror star wings and forwards. But also bank on bricks, sloppy turnovers and other signs of underdevelopment. 

By June, Isaac should emerge as one of the draft's most polarizing prospects.

It seems like a near certainty he'll declare, having previously explored draft eligibility as a fifth-year high school player. Isaac told Bleacher Report in April there was first-round interest had he been allowed to enter in 2016. 

Instead, he'll play next season behind proven producers like Dwayne Bacon and Xavier Rathan-Mayes in the Seminoles' pecking order, unlikely to register the same usage or big stats compared to other top prospects.

Between his smaller projected role and the enormous gap between where he is now versus where he could be, Isaac is the type of prospect who could divide scouts with a boom-or-bust outlook. 

Physical Tools/NBA Transition

NBA Positions	Size	Weight (lbs)	Wingspan	Standing Reach
SF/PF	6'10"	210	7'1.25"	9'0.5"

Isaac started his high school career at 6'3" but begins college as a 6'10" combo forward. Given his guard skills, Isaac's size, length and quickness immediately stand out under the NBA lens. 

He'll play extended minutes at power forward with Florida State, where his value will spike if he convinces scouts it's a position he'll eventually play in the NBA. Isaac's agility and perimeter game fit the hybrid 4 spot in today's small-ball era. 

Traditional bigs would have difficulty containing him in space. Notably fluid, he glides toward the hoop off first steps, cuts and transition opportunities. 

However, scouts have noted the 19-year-old's lack of strength around the basket. 

"Jonathan is physically gifted but will have to continue to improve his upper body strength and become better at handling contact," one scout told Bleacher Report. 

"Can't finish through contact," another scout said. "Direct finisher, not a lot of savvy inside." 

Isaac indeed allows bumps to knock him off track and challenges to alter his shot too easily. 

Scoring Skills/Potential and Weakness 

Concerns over Isaac's finishing potential in traffic should be mostly overshadowed by his face-up skills—it's still uncommon to find players his size as smooth and comfortable off the dribble. 

A controlled ball-handler, he uses hesitation, crossovers and pullbacks to blow by or separate into a jump shot. It's this kind of shot creation and execution that fuel scoring potential and drive his ceiling through the roof.

Isaac's jumper looks promising and should play a huge role in determining draft projection. He isn't ready to shoot 40 percent from three-point land, but he's clearly established himself as a deep threat with the shot-making capability to convert improvised pull-ups and fallaways. 

"Nice-looking jump shot," the second scout said, reciting notes he took from last April's Jordan Brand Classic practices and game. "Nice jab and fadeaway, knocking down mid-post J from a jab." 

Isaac does have the tendency to settle for tougher attempts despite routinely owning a size and quickness advantage. If too much time passes without him getting off a good look, he'll rush a jumper the second he gets any separation. 

That mixes sweet outside makes with bad misses way wide or short.

"Does he pass?" the second scout also asked.

We've seen glimpses of Isaac moving the ball or finding a teammate off penetration, but he doesn't project as a playmaking weapon. And though he will contribute under the boards, being a non-assist man just puts more pressure on his scoring ability.

Defensive Upside/Fixes  

Terrific tools and foot speed help create defensive upside that should buy him time offensively with scouts. Isaac's value gets another boost if he converts length and mobility into versatility and rim protection.

He should wind up blocking his fair share of shots while offering the flexibility to guard multiple positions.

He covers ground fast and can stay in front of smaller assignments using lateral quickness. However, lapses in judgment and effort are bound to occur. Isaac can get caught flat-footed or making silly gambles; physical bigs could also expose him down low. 

Expect ups and downs from Isaac on defense, but as long as the downs appear correctable, the flashes of perimeter defense and playmaking should ignite two-way promise.

Final Takeaways

Scout No. 1: "High upside, obviously. He's an inconsistent shooter and player, and despite how fluid and skilled he is, he's going to need to be able to hit shots consistently in order to impact the game."

Scout No. 2: "Looks like an NBA player but needs to push himself more and become great at something."

Scouts appear worried with Isaac's flickering light and master-of-none identity. He doesn't specialize in any one area. For every glimpse of Brandon Ingram, there is another that reminds of Moe Harkless, Quincy Miller or Perry Jones III. 

On the other hand, Isaac's a teenager with unteachable measurements and athleticism, along with a skill set and level that could transform him into a mismatch. 

He'll rise into the top-five discussion with consistent shooting, patient shot selection and encouraging defense/motor. But inefficiency caused by scouts' concerns could knock Isaac down big boards and draw red flags.

He'll enter the season with one of the widest draft ranges of any 2017 NBA prospect.