7 College Teams That Will Steer the 2017 NBA Draft
While college coaches attempt to keep players focused on the next game, seven teams will have a tough time avoiding the NBA draft buzz expected to follow its stars.
For example, given their recruiting class, the Duke Blue Devils will be the leading team to drive the 2017 draft discussion. They could see two freshmen find the top 10 and up to five underclassmen leave early.
But Duke isn't the only squad with more than one future pro. Look for these teams to attract swarms of scouts to every game on the schedule because of multiple first-round pick prospects or one special youngster with top-five potential.
Duke Blue Devils
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Main Attraction: Harry Giles III (PF, 6'11", Freshman)
Duke's entire starting lineup could go first round in 2017, but the main attraction for scouts will be Giles, a consensus top-three recruit (ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports, Scout) who is coming off his second torn ACL.
Given how little he has played over the last three years—along with all the tantalizing upside that was flashed when he did—I'd prioritize Giles as the No. 1 must-watch prospect in the country heading into the season.
A tremendous athlete with textbook measurements (6'10 ¾", 222 pounds, 7'3" wingspan, 9'1" reach), Giles relies on physical tools and explosiveness. He can take over aspects of a game despite lacking advanced offensive skills.
It's scary to think what he'll look like if he adds them over time. With an incredible foundation to build from and enormous room for growth, Giles packs No. 1 overall upside. Scouts will just want to see him back healthy and showing signs of progress with his shot selection, post moves and touch.
Potential Lottery Prospects to Scout
Jayson Tatum (SF, 6'8", Freshman)
Tatum gives Duke a refined go-to scoring option in the half court. He has NBA-caliber tools and athleticism, but also the ability to create his own shot.
With a tight handle and comfortable shot-making ability from all over the floor, Tatum's one-on-one arsenal consists of drives, pull-ups and step-backs.
Shot selection will be something for scouts to watch with Tatum, who tends to settle for tough, two-point jumpers.
Grayson Allen (SG, 6'4", Junior)
Allen led Duke last year with 21.6 points per game.
Explosive athleticism and a 41.7 percent three-point stroke are still his most convincing NBA selling points. He lacks great size and length (185 pounds, 6'4"), and he struggled scoring against quality teams.
This season, his workload should be lighter with a more talented supporting cast. As a result, scouts will be looking to see a more efficient Allen when Duke takes on stronger opponents.
Marques Bolden (C, 6'11", Freshman)
Bolden is mostly all physical tools, which include a 6'11", 250-pound size and a giant 7'6" wingspan. He has a terrific body for an NBA center, along with the mobility and hands to go with it.
But is he anything more than just a finisher and rebounder? And if not, how will that affect his stock? Bolden doesn't turn 19 years old until April, so a limited offensive game won't set off any alarms. Scouts will have to determine whether Bolden looks poised to add skills over the next few years.
Frank Jackson (PG/SG, 6'4", Freshman)
At 6'4", 208 pounds, you won't see many point guards that mix power with bounce the way Jackson does. He'll likely do most of the ball-handling for Duke, and though not a natural facilitator, he's a fine ball-mover with a strong perimeter game.
Of all the new incoming freshmen, he's the most likely to stay a second year. But with NBA tools, above-average athleticism and lethal shot-making skills, it may not make sense for him to delay his career if he can draw some first-round interest.
Kansas Jayhawks
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Main Attraction: Josh Jackson (SG/SF, 6'8", Freshman)
Jackson's athleticism and versatility will translate to across-the-board production and whispers of No. 1 overall potential.
At 6'8", his leaping ability, scoring, passing and defense should draw comparisons to two-way wings like Tracy McGrady and Paul George. Jackson can fly, create off the bounce, find teammates and knock down open jumpers.
He isn't as polished as the other premier guard prospects like Markelle Fultz or Dennis Smith, and chances are, Jackson has some trouble with three-point shooting consistency and halfcourt scoring efficiency. However, his skill set, which he'll continue to sharpen over time, covers a ton of ground.
Expect scouts from organizations like the Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans—all projected lottery teams with holes at the 2 and 3 spots—to track Kansas and Jackson all season long.
Potential first-round prospects to scout
Devonte' Graham (PG, 6'2", Junior)
At first glance, Graham doesn't jump out as an obvious first-round prospect, yet he's a sneaky-good athlete with a strong frame, elite shooting ability (44.1 percent on threes) and an unselfish floor game.
His numbers won't excite while sharing the rock with Frank Mason Jr., but scouts are bound to pick up on Graham's toughness at both ends. One more step in the right direction, and he should emerge as a talking point in the 2017 draft conversation.
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk (SG/SF, 6'8", Junior)
Still 19 years old after two quiet years at Kansas, Mykhailiuk has a key year ahead of him.
He was recently productive at the U20 European Championship, having averaged 14.9 points, but it's tough to ignore the fact he also shot 36.8 percent and 19 percent from deep.
A shot-maker with 6'8" size and a capable handle, NBA potential still exists. But to compensate for limited strength, scouts will need to see him shoot with more consistency from deep.
Carlton Bragg (PF, 6'9", Sophomore)
Bragg had trouble earning coach Bill Self's trust in 2016-17, when he played just 8.9 minutes per game. He looks the part with 6'9", 220-pound size, enough athleticism and a promising mid-range stroke, but he'll have to show he can defend (7.2 fouls per 40 minutes) and score in the post with go-to moves.
Bragg should have a much better opportunity to showcase his game and NBA potential in 2017.
Arizona Wildcats
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Main Attraction: Lauri Markkanen (PF, 7'0" Freshman)
Lauri Markkanen suddenly looks like the Arizona Wildcats' main attraction after leading the U20 European Championships in scoring last month.
Seven-foot size, athleticism and a sweet shooting stroke illuminate coveted stretch-4 NBA potential. Slightly older than most freshmen (will be 20 years old by the draft), Markkanen's physical tools and sound offensive game suggest he's ready to make an impact right away.
In 33 FIBA games dating back to 2013, he's connected on 40.6 percent of his 138 three-point attempts. A proven shooter, Markkanen also possesses a quick first step and the ability to put the ball on the floor and finish on the move. For opposing bigs, most of whom lack both his size and foot speed, he's going to be a difficult cover right off the bat.
Arizona has a few NBA-caliber talents, but heading into the season, Markkanen is the most interesting.
Potential First-Round Prospects to Scout
Rawle Alkins (SG, 6'4", Freshman)
A physical scoring guard, Alkins gives Arizona an immediate punch of offense, but also some defensive toughness. His mix of quickness and strength could allow him to guard three positions for Arizona.
Meanwhile, he's shown he can take over games with drives and difficult shot-making.
Alkins lacks traditional size for an NBA 2-guard, but he compensates in other areas. Expect Lance Stephenson comparisons to pop up throughout the year.
Ray Smith (SF/PF, 6'8" Freshman)
Smith returns after missing last year following an ACL tear, though according to CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein, he won't be cleared until sometime in August.
Scouts will zoom in once he's ready. An athletic combo forward and versatile defender, Smith's game revolves around transition, attacking, finishing and crashing the glass. Showing he can stay healthy and knock down open jumpers will be the keys to his first-round chances.
Allonzo Trier (SG, 6'5", Sophomore)
Trier projects as Arizona's go-to scorer after averaging 14.8 points his freshman year. Athletic with a crafty open-floor Eurostep, he's tough in transition and a threat to generate offense from all three levels in the half court, whether he's attacking, separating in the mid-range or spotting up from behind the arc.
On the downside, Trier offers little playmaking ability (31 assists, 27 games, 28 minutes per game), and at 6'5" with a 6'6" wingspan, there are questions as to how effective his scoring attack can be at the NBA level.
Kentucky Wildcats
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Main Attraction: De'Aaron Fox (PG, 6'4", Freshman)
The Kentucky Wildcats landed a handful of freshmen with lottery-pick potential, but De'Aaron Fox is the most exciting.
Fast doesn't describe his hands and feet; Fox's quickness reaches a level most guards can't get to.
He'll make a name for himself with pesky on-ball pressure and the ability to force turnovers by picking pockets. Offensively, he's a shake-and-bake ball-handler who creates open looks for teammates. He'll score off crafty drives, slashes and floaters, and though not a lights-out shooter, he can burn defenses with the pull-up jumper.
Fox must answer questions about his skinny frame (171 pounds), which isn't built for contact at the rim. But heading into the season, with his size, athleticism, defense and playmaking, he's Kentucky's most attractive-looking prospect early on.
Potential Lottery Prospects to Scout
Edrice Adebayo (PF/C, 6'9" Freshman)
While I'd still favor Fox, you could argue Adebayo is Kentucky's main attraction.
At 6'9", 225 pounds, he blends size with extreme power and leaping ability. A force around the rim, Adebayo does most of his damage finishing plays, cleaning up and running the floor. Even as a freshman, there won't be many college bigs that can match up physically or athletically.
However, without a great deal of offensive skill, he doesn't project as a post scorer or shooter early on. Adebayo's calling card will be off-ball activity at both ends.
Malik Monk (SG, 6'3", Freshman)
Monk's high-flying athleticism will generate plenty of highlights and conversation. The question scouts will have is whether he'll be able to score efficiently in the pros, considering he's measured under 6'4" during each event since 2014 (6'2 ½" with USA basketball in 2015).
He can shoot, create shots, attack and pick up easy buckets in transition. From a draft-stock perspective, showing he's a capable playmaker for teammates will be huge, as it will allow him to earn the combo guard label, which will diminish some concern over his size and length.
Wenyen Gabriel (PF, 6'9", Freshman)
Gabriel gives Kentucky a shot of energy. He puts pressure on the interior defense by crashing the glass and using his length and nose for the ball to track it down. Offensively, he's quick out of face-up situations and capable of making open jumpers.
Under the NBA lens, the potential problem lies within his 197-pound frame. He lacks strength around the basket and doesn't compensate with a high skill level away from it.
Indiana Hoosiers
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Main Attraction: Ogugua Anunoby (SF, 6'8", Sophomore)
In just 13.7 minutes a game, Anunoby did enough to return as the Indiana Hoosiers' main attraction for NBA scouts.
He came to life in spurts late last season, having combined to shoot 9-of-11 during back-to-back NCAA tournament wins against Chattanooga and Kentucky after a 6-of-6, 13-point game against Michigan in the Big Ten tournament.
NBA scouts have to love his size, athleticism and motor, which led to easy buckets off transition, cuts, dump-offs and putbacks his freshman year. Finishing off the ball is likely to remain his bread and butter, but in flashes, we did see line drives into slams and promising shooting potential (13 of 29 from three).
This year, in what should be a much larger role, scouts will want to see more creating, as well as a bigger sample size of three-point shot-making. At the least, Anunoby should make noise with his defensive pressure and playmaking. Laterally quick, light on his feet and aggressive, he averaged 2.3 steals and 2.2 blocks per 40 minutes in 2015-16.
Potential Lottery Prospects to Scout
Thomas Bryant (PF/C, 6'10", Sophomore)
Bryant flashed plenty of pro potential, but also has holes in his game that scouts will want to see filled.
He's physically built for the pros with 6'10", 241-pound size, a 7'5 ½ wingspan and 9'4" reach. Bryant also converted at a 68.3 percent clip, showing good timing with cuts, dives, rolls and crashes. And he's looked capable of scoring over his shoulder around the key.
On the other hand, he's not a strong pick-and-roll defender or shot-blocker (0.9 per game) and doesn't demonstrate high awareness. Bryant must take the proverbial next step with his jumper, which he's capable of knocking down. But improving at the defensive end remains the priority.
Washington Huskies
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Main Attraction: Markelle Fultz (PG, 6'4", Freshman)
After producing two 2016 first-rounders in Marquese Chriss and Dejounte Murray, the Washington Huskies now have the potential No. 1 pick for 2017.
Markelle Fultz has looked that good over the past year, particularly in July, having taken home MVP at the U18 FIBA Americas Championship. So far in August, he just averaged 21.2 points through five exhibition games during Washington's trip to Australia.
The stage is set for him to put up wild numbers, after the Washington lost both Murray (16.1 points, 14.3 field-goal attempts) and Andrew Andrews (20.9 points, 13.6 field-goal attempts) in their backcourt. An athletic, scoring playmaker, Fultz now has the keys to an offense that ranked No. 2 last year in tempo, per KenPom.com.
Bottom-of-the-barrel NBA teams will likely have scouts at every Washington game and practice. Look for the buzz to peak when Fultz and the Huskies face UCLA and fellow freshman point guard star Lonzo Ball.
North Carolina State
7 of 7Main Attraction: Dennis Smith Jr. ( PG, 6'3" Freshman)
Smith alone makes the North Carolina State Wolfpack a must-watch team for NBA scouts.
A legitimate No. 1 overall candidate, assuming he bounces back from last summer's ACL tear, Smith projects as a full-service, two-way point guard. So far this offseason, there have only been positive reports filed on his explosiveness.
It's that Derrick Rose-like burst that ultimately helps drive Smith's upside through the roof. He possesses a blow-by first step, shiftiness off the dribble and the jets to bounce above the rim with force. Highly skilled as well, Smith's playmaking is equally threatening as his scoring attack, which consists of heavy penetration and the ability to convert tough layups and floaters in the lane.
As a distributor, Smith facilitates the pick-and-roll game and sets the table for teammates by breaking down defenses with hesitation and change of direction. He's also a hound guarding the ball and should wind up near the top of the ACC in steals.
As long as his health and jumper don't raise any red flags, Smith will be mentioned as a potential top-five pick from start to finish. Make sure to highlight North Carolina State games on your scouting schedules.
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