College Basketball Recruiting: Top Big Men to Watch in the Class of 2017

The class of 2017 will begin their senior seasons of basketball soon, and the group is dominated by point guards and talented big men. Earlier this week, we looked over the lead guards who could have a big impact on college basketball a year from now, and the big men of the class of 2017 have a chance to do the same thing.

Much like the point guards who will eventually get them the ball, the top 30 in the national class of 2017 has 10 talented big men who are all capable of making a large impact on the program they eventually play for.

Some of these big men are noted rim protectors who should make a huge difference on the defensive side of the ball, while others are skilled offensive players who are continuing to show the modern basketball evolution of big men who can face up and shoot from all over the floor.

Expect some of these guys to only be in school for one season, while others could be making an impact for multiple seasons of college basketball. This list is sorted by their national ranking on Scout.com, as these guys will continue to compete for spots in the national rankings until next spring. Here's a look at 10 big men you need to know for the future.

Recruiting ratings via Scout.com.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and information were obtained firsthand.

10. Jaren Jackson

AJ MAST/Associated Press

Height: 6'9"

Weight 210 pounds

The Michigan State commit is a talented big man who is just starting to scratch the surface of his potential. With good size and mobility and the ability to be versatile on both ends of the floor, Jaren Jackson is the rare big man who can protect the rim on one end and knock down perimeter jumpers on the other.

This spring and summer was important for Jackson as he established himself as a productive player in the Nike EYBL before making the USA U17 World Championship team that won a gold medal. Young for this class after recently turning 17 years old, Jackson has a lot of room to grow as a player before he gets to East Lansing, and he's an exciting long-term prospect.

9. Malik Williams

Scout.com

Height: 6'10"

Weight: 200 pounds

A Louisville commit who also has a lot of upside, Malik Williams burst on the national radar this spring as a skilled big man who can do a bit of everything. With good size and touch, Williams can score on the interior over smaller players and can also stretch out to the perimeter, where he can easily pump in three-pointers.

Defensively, Williams is capable of rebounding in or out of his area and he can also protect the rim a little bit since he gets off the floor so well. More untested than many 5-star prospects because he didn't play in a shoe-company league during grassroots season, Williams still has to prove himself against elite competition. 

If Williams can prove that he has the strength and toughness to hang with the big boys of college basketball, then he could be one of the better long-term players in a deep crop of big men.

8. Jeremiah Tilmon

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

Height: 6'10"

Weight: 235 pounds

It will be interesting to watch how the Illinois commit plays during his senior season since he missed all of the grassroots season after injuring his shoulder at Dick's Nationals last April. An explosive big man who gets off the floor quickly, Jeremiah Tilmon uses that athleticism to be a good rebounder and rim protector.

Tilmon also runs the floor well for a center, and that enables him to beat some other big men down the floor for some easy baskets. Developing his skill level offensively, Tilmon can sometimes have problems with his motor and always being in position to make a play, but he's incredibly talented and could develop into a recruiting centerpiece for an Illinois program that desperately needs difference-making big men.

7. Nick Richards

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

Height: 6'10"

Weight: 225 pounds

A major defensive presence who takes pride in protecting the rim, Nick Richards is one of the better rebounders and shot-blockers in the class. Since Richards possesses good natural timing and he's quick off the floor, he can erase shots that most big men can't as he can help make up for a blown rotation on the perimeter.

Also a quality rebounder, Richards is at his best on offense when he can keep it simple and work off putbacks and short-range moves. There have been times that Richards pieces together a quality post move that shows that he's gaining a better understanding of post scoring, but he still has a ways to go in that department and lacks a go-to move that is reliable. 

6. Austin Wiley

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

Height: 6'10"

Weight: 235 pounds

Committed to Auburn for a little over a year now, Austin Wiley is a potential program-changer for head coach Bruce Pearl and the Tigers as he's the most important recruit the school has had since Pearl took over. An imposing physical presence who is a good defender, Wiley is a noted shot-blocker and he's also a good rebounder who gets good position and can explode over the opposition with his wingspan and leaping ability.

Offensively, Wiley is still finding his calling, but he has good hands and a relatively soft touch that has helped him improve his jump hook and mid-range jumper. Still working his way into prime basketball shape after battling some injuries during his high school career, Wiley has a high ceiling if he's healthy and continues to develop. 

5. Brandon McCoy

Kelly Kline/Getty Images

Height: 7'0"

Weight: 235 pounds

In an ordinary class, Brandon McCoy could be seen as a candidate to be the best big man. But the depth of this class shows in a prospect like McCoy being No. 8 overall in the national rankings. The good news is that McCoy still has plenty of time to move up the national rankings, and he has a major chance to push top-five status if he can continue to develop.

With a massive frame and an ability to move so well, McCoy is an intriguing long-term prospect who could be a major force on both ends of the floor. McCoy can defend most other big men by himself, rebounds in traffic and he's also become a lot more comfortable playing on the offensive end with his back to the basket. It also helps McCoy that he's shown he can play alongside other elite big men as he played well alongside DeAndre Ayton with Cal Supreme this spring in the Nike EYBL.

4. Mitchell Robinson

Scout.com

Weight: 6'11"

Height: 225 pounds

There are freakishly athletic big men, and then there is Mitchell Robinson. The Western Kentucky commit has truly exceptional end-to-end speed and agility for a 7-footer, and those athletic attributes have helped Robinson become the best shot-blocker in the class.

Leading the Nike EYBL in blocked shots and total rebounds this spring, Robinson has that end of the floor on lock since he can cover so much ground, but he's also improving quite a bit on the offensive end. Robinson showed decent hands and a solid touch around the basket, and he's starting to pull off more nuanced face-up moves that makes him a tough cover. Robinson's basketball IQ can still stand to improve, but the more reps he gets against top competition, the better Robinson has looked over the last six months.

3. Wendell Carter

Scout.com

Height: 6'10"

Weight: 240 pounds

One of the most decorated high school players in the country, Wendell Carter has already captured two gold medals with USA Basketball and also helped the Georgia Stars to the Peach Jam title in the summer of 2015. Carter embraces the big-game spotlight as he enjoys playing against top competition in important games. 

A scoring threat from all over the floor, Carter is skilled enough to score in multiple ways with his back to the basket while also having an ability to face up and shoot from mid-range. Also a tenacious rebounder, Carter crashes the glass on both ends using his long wingspan to snare above-the-rim boards.

2. Mohamed Bamba

Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Height: 6'11"

Weight: 215 pounds

Not many basketball players have been built like Mohamed Bamba, as his imposing 7'8" wingspan and ability to move laterally make him an elite defender. Bamba is long enough to create problems for shooters around the rim while also being quick enough to switch out on perimeter players.

Also running incredibly well for his size, Bamba darts down the floor and gets some easy plays in transition, and he's improving his offensive game. An elite rebounder, Bamba led the Nike EYBL in rebounds per game this spring until he was injured and missed the final two sessions. With loads of long-term upside, Bamba is going to be fascinating to track because he has measurables that aren't often seen.

1. DeAndre Ayton

Sam Forencich/Getty Images

Height: 7'0"

Weight: 245 pounds

Taking the lead in a class loaded with future pros is DeAndre Ayton, a physically dominant center who has put together some awesome stretches of ball over the last few months. Ayton showed that he could dominate on both ends of the floor against top competition at Peach Jam as he beat some of the best centers in the class in consecutive games.

Gifted as a scorer with great shooting touch, Ayton can knock down perimeter jumpers, makes free throws at a high rate and can also score in the post using a few different post moves. As a rebounder, Ayton can jump higher and is quicker off the ground than almost every big man, and his size enables him to get rebounds over many of the game's best. Ayton could stand to protect the rim a bit more, but he switches out onto perimeter players and can stick with them. Ayton has a chance to be a special player if he maximizes his potential.