The Top Prospect at Every Position for the 2017 NBA Draft Class

The projected 2017 NBA draft class could put together a dangerous starting lineup. Next year's field is loaded with potential stars or starters at every position. 

The top point guard, small forward and power forward each has the chance to go No. 1 in June. The same could be said for the No. 2 point guard and No. 2 small forward.

Four of the following prospects come from major schools and conferences. The other is an international sleeper bound to make noise this year overseas.

I listed the top prospect (and the next-best player) at every position based on high school development, physical tools, skill level and NBA upside. 

Point Guard: Markelle Fultz (Washington, 6'4", Freshman)

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Early 2017 NBA Draft Projection: No. 1 overall

Next Point Guard Up: Dennis Smith (North Carolina State, freshman)

Markelle Fultz starts the year as my No. 1 point guard and top overall prospect. 

He's strengthened his case with each major event over the past year, starting at the Nike Hoop Summit in April.

Fultz delivered his most convincing pitch to date last month at the Under-18 FIBA Americas in Chile. Named MVP after going for 23 points, five assists, five rebounds and three steals in the USA's final win over Canada, Fultz flashed the entire package of athleticism, scoring, passing and defensive playmaking. 

He operates with solid 6'3 ½" size and a strong 6'9 ¾" wingspan. Assuming he can add another 10 pounds to 185-pound frame, his physical tools would closely mirror John Wall's combine measurements (6'4", 196 lbs, 6'9 ¼" wingspan).

Quick with above-the-rim burst, Fultz is a tough cover off the dribble. He's a high-level shot-creator capable of connecting on contested jumpers and scoring in bunches. But he could just as easily play the role of setup man and facilitate for teammates off screens and penetration. 

Outside of three-point shooting inconsistency, which isn't a serious issue this early when you consider his shot-making skills, it's tough to identify any significant weakness. 

North Carolina State freshman Dennis Smith isn't far behind, and had he not torn his ACL last August, he could have been ranked as our top preseason point guard.

But Fultz's rise over the past year was too convincing. He's going to put up monster numbers running Washington's uptempo offense. 

Shooting Guard: Kostja Mushidi (Germany, 6'5", 1998)

Early 2017 NBA Draft Projection: Mid-first round

Next Shooting Guard Up: Malik Monk (Kentucky, freshman)

There isn't an obvious answer in the discussion about a top 2017 draft-eligible shooting guard. Malik Monk, Kentucky's prized recruit, may be the popular early pick, but with questions over his size (measured under 6'4" since 2014) and length (average 6'6" wingspan), I'm pegging Germany's Kostja Mushidi as the top prospect at his position. 

Up to this point, most of Mushidi's damage has been delivered in flashes. A bunch of them came against Lithuania in the Under-20 European Championships, when he poured in 26 points in 22 minutes. In April, he was named MVP of the Albert Schweitzer Tournament, which features junior youth national teams for players under 18 years old.

Mushidi passes the NBA eye test with 6'5", 210-pound size and high-level athleticism. His physical tools, quickness and energy fuel exciting defensive potential. He can be relentless.

Mushidi covers ground quickly and does a good job of challenging jumpers and shots off drives. He's strong and tough enough to body up with 3s and small-ball 4s, and given his foot speed and length, he can guard both ball-handlers and wings.

Versatility shows up at both ends. Mushidi can create in the half-court with change of speed and direction off the dribble. He's at his best attacking and scoring in the lane, where he likes to adjust midair into easier layups and finishes. 

And though not consistent yet from deep, his shot-making skills are promising. Mushidi's mechanics need some work, but he's proved capable of connecting on spot-ups, pull-ups and step-backs.

After playing last year for Strasbourg's developmental team, he'll play next season in the Adriatic League with Mega Leks, which produced three draft picks—including 2016 first-rounder Timothe Luwawu—in June.

Mushidi is more of a project than the top prospect at point guard, small forward, power forward or center, but long-term, he has a high floor and ceiling as a two-way player.

Small Forward: Josh Jackson (Kansas, 6'8", Freshman)

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Early 2017 NBA Draft Projection: Top three

Next Small Forward Up: Jayson Tatum (Duke, freshman)

Josh Jackson's game screams "versatility." He isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer yet, but if he eventually ties everything together, he could be something special. 

He's a potential stat-stuffer across the board with scoring, passing and defensive ability. Per 40 minutes during last summer's U19 FIBA World Championships, Jackson averaged 20.1 points, 12 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 3.4 steals and 1.5 blocks on 6-of-12 shooting from three. 

As co-MVP of April's McDonald's All-American Game and a recent standout at the Stephen Curry Select Camp, according to DraftExpress' Mike Schmitz, Jackson is on the rise.

A 6'7 ¾" wing oozing athleticism, he possesses solid size and showtime bounce, which helps alleviate some of the concern over his less impressive 6'9 ¾" wingspan.

He's going to create endless eye-opening highlights in transition over the course of his career. Jackson is terrific in the open floor, whether he's initiating the break or filling lanes off the ball.

His handle can be sloppy at times, but he has still flashed advanced moves, from behind-the-back maneuvers and crossovers to hesitation and stutters. And he demonstrates body control to separate and finish tough runners, floaters and challenged layups on the move.

Jackson's vision is another strength and differentiator. He keeps his head up off the dribble and actively looks for cutters and leakers.

He'll have the chance to be a valuable defender as well, between his abilities to contain penetration, guard multiple positions and make plays on the ball (steals and blocks). 

Kansas coach Bill Self has also praised Jackson's demeanor and off-court maturity, per the Kansas City Star's Jesse Newell:

"

Surprisingly, to me, he’s very, very humble and I would say responsible, disciplined. I figured that recruiting him and reputation-wise, he’d be kind of rough around the edges. He’s pretty refined in so many ways. Now his game needs to become more refined, but off the court, he’s got a personality. He’s smart. He’s ridiculously bright, articulate, makes an unbelievable first impression.

"

The biggest knocks on Jackson are his shooting range and consistency. He's also a year older (19) than most freshmen. 

Still, his weaknesses and age aren't threatening concerns this early. Look for Jackson to draw Tracy McGrady and Paul George comparisons and eventually spark debate over who is the top prospect in the country.

Duke's Jayson Tatum could jump into the debate, but I expect Jackson's ceiling to appear higher.

Power Forward: Harry Giles III (Duke, 6'11", Freshman)

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Early 2017 NBA Draft Projection: Top three

Next Power Forward Up: Ivan Rabb (California, sophomore)

Harry Giles III has been on the radar since USA Developmental National Team minicamp back in 2012. Since then, he's managed to win three gold medals and climb into every major recruiting service's top three (ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)—despite having torn each ACL before turning 18 years old.

He's a can't-miss prospect—the type you must bet on to return from serious knee injuries (2013 and 2015) based on the long-term upside he offers.

In terms of natural-born talent, Giles may have the most of any 2017 draft-eligible prospect.

At 6'10 ¾" with a 7'3" wingspan, he possesses textbook physical tools and effortless bounce. He'll need to put some bulk back onto his 222-pound frame, but that measurement (at the Nike Hoop Summit) was taken five months after he went down during Oak Hill's season opener.

Assuming Giles can get back to 235 pounds, which is what he weighed last summer, he'd pack a devastating mix of size, quickness, length and athleticism. 

An animal around the basket, Giles averaged 14 points and 10.6 rebounds in just 21.1 minutes (26.5 points and 20.1 rebounds per 40 minutes) during the U19 2015 FIBA World Championships. 

With a quick first step, a quicker second jump, an aggressive mentality and explosive springs, he puts heavy pressure on the interior defense. He can be an easy-bucket machine off dump passes, lobs, transition and the offensive glass. And he's flashed unguardable jump- and running-hook shots in the lane. 

The potential for him to guard both interior 5s and perimeter 4s is there as well, given his long arms and foot speed.

Giles lacks fundamental polish with his ball skills and decision-making, but once he returns to full strength, scouts can't ask for a better foundation to build from. And coaches certainly can't teach it.

Depending on his post game and mid-range-shooting development—as well as his health—he could eventually be the top player in the class.

Center: Jarrett Allen (Texas, 6'11", Freshman)

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Early 2017 NBA Draft Projection: Lottery

Next Center Up: Jonathan Jeanne (France, 1997)

Center appears to be the weakest projected position for the 2017 draft. It's no knock on Jarrett Allen, who's going to bring a whirlwind of activity to Texas' frontcourt.

Allen is fresh off a productive U18 FIBA Americas for USA in Chile, where he averaged 10.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks in 23.8 minutes.

He manages to make plays and an impact without much offensive polish or skill.

Allen uses every inch of his 6'10 ¾" size and enormous 7'5 ½" wingspan around the basket. He does almost all of his damage by reacting off the ball, as opposed to creating or improvising with it. 

Offensively, he picks up buckets by sprinting the floor, rolling, diving and crashing. Catch-and-finishes, lobs, putbacks, rim runs—each can be his bread and butter for points.

Allen is capable of converting one-handers inside the paint, though his touch and post moves must improve.

Otherwise, he's flashed exciting potential as a rim protector and pick-and-roll defender. He possesses strong shot-blocking tools and instincts, as well as the foot speed to switch onto smaller players around the perimeter. 

And given his liveliness, mobility and length, he should become a routine presence under the boards. 

Allen's ceiling is held down by limited scoring ability and minimal explosiveness off two feet. However, simple-play centers like Steven Adams and Timofey Mozgov have recently been paid big bucks to finish, rebound and defend. Allen has the chance to be a major asset in that supporting role, both for Texas and his future NBA team. 

Measurements courtesy of DraftExpress.