NBA Draft 2016: Top 5 Power Forward Prospects Heading into CBB Season
Power forward doesn't project as the deepest position in the 2016 NBA draft, but it's tough to argue against the potential star power within it.
We could eventually be looking at three or four power forwards competing for spots in June's top 10. One of them may even be the No. 1 overall pick. Another is an international phenom whose resume continues to strengthen.
Though a few of the following prospects should be capable of playing multiple positions, they'll eventually hold the most NBA value at the 4.
5. Nigel Hayes, Wisconsin, Junior
After expanding his game in 2014-15, Hayes now enters his junior year as a first-round prospect to watch. Having played behind Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker—two top-20 picks last June—it will be interesting to see how Hayes embraces what should be a bigger role at Wisconsin.
It was a little disappointing for him not make the USA roster for the Pan American Games this summer. However, the measurements he put up should work in his favor when viewed under the NBA lens.
| Birthday | Height | Weight (lbs) | Wingspan |
| December 16, 1994 | 6'8" | 237 | 7'3.5" |
In terms of size, length and bulk, his numbers were similar to Draymond Green's at the 2012 NBA combine (6'7 ½" height, 236 pounds, 7'1 ¼" length).
Though there have been questions regarding Hayes' position, at 6'8", 237 pounds, with a humongous 7'3 ½" wingspan, he should check out just fine for an NBA small-ball 4.
Hayes is a solid athlete—just not an overly explosive one. He uses quickness on the perimeter and strength around the basket.
Offensive Versatility
Hayes' offensive game is somewhat unorthodox, as he likes to improvise on the fly instead of rely on calculated moves.
A sneaky post player with his back to the rim, Hayes can be highly unpredictable. His bag of tricks consists of everything from fallaways, up-and-unders, pump fakes and baseline spins.
And with a deceptive first step, he likes to face up and attack the hoop in a straight-line drive.
Still, it was the shooting range he added that ultimately propelled him onto the radar. Hayes hit 40 threes last year at a 39.6 percent clip after not taking any in 2013-14.
Role Player Potential
He averaged 15.1 points per 40 minutes on 49.7 percent with a small 20.4 percent usage rate, per Sports-Reference.com. Hayes has become proficient from just about every spot on the floor without needing to dominate the ball.
The fact that he totaled just 51 turnovers in 40 games while becoming a spot-up three-point threat only enhances his appeal as a role player.
A high-IQ, high-energy presence who can defend both forward positions, it's easy to envision Hayes evolving into an NBA glue guy.
NBA Draft Outlook
He's started to take the shape of a low-risk, low-reward draft option.
Another year of accurate long-range shooting and efficient scoring should be enough to get Hayes into the first round. Becoming an effective go-to weapon for Wisconsin may push him into the top 20.
Hayes' NBA Comparison: Brandon Bass
4. Ivan Rabb, California, Freshman
Scouts should already be familiar with Rabb, who shot 12-of-18 combined between the McDonald's All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit.
He was the first of two high-profile recruits to commit to California (Jaylen Brown came second). Rabb isn't expected to be the major focal point of his team's offense, but it shouldn't be tough to detect the long-term potential tied to his physical tools and athleticism.
| Birthday | Height | Weight (lbs) | Wingspan |
| February 4, 1997 | 6'10" | 220 | 7'2" |
At 6'10" with a 7'2" wingspan, Rabb has good size and length for an NBA power forward while he continues to tone his upper body. He still has a ways to go physically, but Rabb's frame has seemingly already started filling out.
With quick feet and above-the-rim bounce, he's a terrific run-and-jump athlete, which shows up in transition, in space and off lobs and misses around the basket.
An easy-bucket machine, Rabb ultimately has a terrific foundation to build from. The big question is: How fast will it take him to start?
Potential
Rabb should be considered raw in terms of his offensive skill set. Teams intrigued after the year will likely be drawn to his potential—not his production.
Odds are we see glimpses in 2015-16. Rabb has a capable jumper, basic post moves and the face-up quickness that could lead to highlight dunks in the half court.
And with big, sticky hands, Rabb catches and finishes just about everything around the rim.
He excels in areas of the game you can't coach and shows promise where there's plenty of room for growth.
You could argue Rabb has one of the higher ceilings in the class. He just doesn't project as a freshman who's going to dominate right away.
Rebounding
Great hands, length and lift should make Rabb one of the top rebounders in the draft discussion. Through 11 games between the 2014 World Championships and 2013 Americas Championships, he averaged 18.7 boards per 40 minutes. He ripped down 12 in 23 minutes at the Jordan Brand Classic and 20 in the California state title game.
If there is one thing the Bears can count on, it's Rabb's presence on the glass—a big part of his NBA sales pitch. Expect dozens of pretty putbacks from Rabb this season at California.
NBA Draft Outlook
Compared to the other prospects that may generate lottery buzz, Rabb looks more like a project. It may make him a two-year college player. A high-risk, high-reward outlook ultimately creates a wide draft range for Rabb. Depending on the impact and progress he makes, we could be talking about a lottery pick or late first-rounder.
Rabb's NBA Comparison: Chris McCullough
3. Henry Ellenson, Marquette, Freshman
Though he missed most of the summer after breaking his hand in March, it only took Ellenson a week in August to remind scouts and fans what fueled the high school hype. He averaged 21.3 points against international competition, looking the part of a top-10-caliber prospect poised for a monster freshman year.
| Birthday | Height | Weight (lbs) | Wingspan |
| January 13, 1997 | 6'10" | 228 | 7'1.5" |
He doesn't scream explosiveness, but Ellenson's athleticism highlights impressive mobility and agility for a 6'10" power forward.
His body has also made some tremendous strides over the years. Ellenson weighed 261 pounds for USA Basketball back in 2012. Since then, he'd gotten down to 228 pounds in 2014 and is now listed at a solid 245 pounds—a suitable playing weight based on his style of play.
Questionable lateral foot speed may cloud Ellenson's defensive outlook, but with a strong basketball frame and good length, his physical tools should work just fine at the offensive end.
Ball Skills, Scoring Versatility
Ellenson can handle the ball like a guard, something we should get to see plenty of in transition, where he likes to capitalize in the open floor off defensive rebounds. He's a threat to initiate a break by going coast to coast while weaving through traffic.
That handle unsurprisingly translates to threatening one-on-one offense. Ellenson can face up and create shots by separating into pull-ups or scoring on the move.
And though it's unlikely to produce consistent results right away, his jumper has legitimate three-point range (four made threes in Italy). He projects as a stretch 4 that can spot up from deep and work the pick-and-pop.
On top of his inside-out scoring attack, soft hands allow him to finish off cuts and dives in traffic. Strong passing instincts are just a cherry on top of what's a diverse, advanced offensive repertoire.
Rebounding
Willing to throw his body around, Ellenson should emerge as a routine double-double candidate in the Big East. He compensates for bounce with timing and motor. Ellenson averaged 17 boards per 40 minutes during last summer's under-17 World Championships.
NBA Draft Outlook
He should be featured right away at Marquette, meaning a high usage rate, endless touches and lots of production. He'll receive every opportunity to showcase his offensive game, which should cause all sorts of matchup problems.
More of a one-way player, Ellenson's inferior defensive upside keeps him behind our top two power forwards. However, it shouldn't prevent him from generating lottery or even top-10 interest in June. His ball skills and versatility are just too convincing and potentially valuable to the right team.
Ellenson's NBA Comparison: Kevin Love
2. Dragan Bender, Croatia, 1997
Bender's image has continuously grown, particularly over the past year, after he earned MVP honors at February's Basketball Without Borders Global Camp and turned heads during Eurocamp in June. Just recently, he generated excitement from U.S. fans following a pair of promising showings during exhibition games in Chicago and New York.
| Birthday | Height | Weight (lbs) | Wingspan |
| November 17, 1997 | 7'0.5" | 216 | 7'2" |
He's insanely fluid for a 7'1" big man. Bender moves like a wing in terms of north-south running and lateral agility.
And though painfully skinny, it's easy to forget he's still just 17 years old.
Bender won't wow with explosiveness or hops. Instead, his identity is built around super ball skills (for a 7'1" forward), versatility and basketball IQ.
Offensive Versatility
Calling Bender a scorer at this stage would be somewhat off base. He's more of a jack-of-all-trades Swiss army knife.
You just don't see many bigs his size that can handle the ball. Bender has control off the dribble, which allows him to get to spots on the floor and set up teammates or loft in floaters.
He happens to have some terrific vision and passing instincts, whether it's from the pocket on the perimeter or on the move in a kickout situation. His passing ability will ultimately be one of the strengths that separates him from others at his position.
Bender has also developed shooting range out to the arc, where he likes to spread the floor and knock down jumpers off the catch.
He isn't quite automatic, but with fairly smooth mechanics, you get the impression Bender's jumper will be a big part of his game.
Defense
He's flashed enormous defensive potential stemming from his mobility, 7'2" wingspan and 9'3" reach.
In rim protection, he gets off the floor quickly for blocks and challenges. Meanwhile, he's difficult for guards and wings to shake, even in space.
Bender covers a ton of ground with speed and grace. Adding strength will remain a priority, but it's not a red flag expected to dent his NBA draft stock. It didn't harm Kristaps Porzingis', last year's No. 4 selection.
NBA Draft Outlook
Regardless of how little production he puts up (as a teenager among pros) for Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2015-16, the damage has already been done. He's established himself as one of the premier prospects eligible in June with a one-of-a-kind skill set and convincing-enough track record to support it.
Like Porzingis and Mario Hezonja were last year, expect Bender to remain a talking point in the draft conversation for the next seven months.
Bender's NBA Comparison (blend): Andrei Kirilenko (defense, passing)/Kristaps Porzingis (mobility, shooting)
1. Skal Labissiere, Kentucky, Freshman
Kentucky seemingly dresses a No. 1 overall candidate every year. This season, it's Labissiere, who's expected to replace Karl-Anthony Towns up front and compete for the title of top prospect in the country.
A steady riser up the recruiting ranks, Labissiere's skills, which reflect those of a power forward, have begun catching up to his excellent physical tools and athleticism.
| Birthday | Height | Weight (lbs) | Wingspan |
| March 18, 1996 | 6'11.5" | 225 | 7'2" |
He's on the skinny side, but Labissiere blends near 7'0" size with length, bounce and mobility.
It's also worth noting he weighed in nine pounds heavier at Kentucky's pro day than he did back in April at the Nike Hoop Summit. He appears to have a frame capable of putting on more bulk.
Otherwise, Labissiere has quick feet on defense and nifty footwork with the ball.
Inside-Out Offense
His versatility may remind some of Towns, given Labissiere's back-to-the-basket game and mid-range scoring arsenal.
He'll immediately give Kentucky guards an option to feed in the post, where he can separate into righty and lefty jump hooks, as well as fallaway jumpers over the shoulder.
And he continues to show promising shooting touch for a big. Labissiere has a high release that is practically impossible to contest. A drive-and-kick target around the perimeter, Labissiere is also a major weapon off ball screens, given his ability to roll to the hoop or pop out into space.
One-on-one with the defender forced to play up, we've also seen him put the ball on the floor and finish off one foot on the move.
Defense
Not many forwards offer rim protection. Labissiere has promising shot-blocking tools and instincts, which we saw at the Summit in April, when he swatted six shots in 27 minutes.
He plays with energy and a sense of alertness around the basket. But Labissiere is also an asset in pick-and-roll coverage, with the foot speed to switch onto wings and guards and contain in isolation.
NBA Draft Outlook
The game just comes easy to Labissiere, who can make it look effortless. And though athletic and highly skilled, there is also a ton of room for growth.
Assuming he's eventually cleared by the NCAA—it's currently looking into Labissiere's guardian for misconduct during the recruiting process—it's tough to imagine any situation in which he's not going to end up a top-three pick.
Flashing the upside, along with the gradual rise in confidence and production (like we saw from Towns), should result in legitimate No. 1 overall consideration in June.
Labissiere's NBA Comparison: LaMarcus Aldridge
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