2017 NBA Draft: 1st-Round Order and Top 2-Way Prospects

Point guards rightfully hog the attention at the top of the 2017 NBA draft. 

What the point-heavy class glosses over, though, is the fact so many quality two-way players also exist in the class and can perhaps make a bigger impact than some of those hyped backcourt prospects right out of the gates.

Whereas a rebuilding team might not mind gambling on a player younger than 20 years old who still needs to develop on the defensive end of the court, others might defer to players who already make headway on both ends. 

It all comes down to fit, though the following guys make a difference on both ends of the court so well that it won't be a shocker to see them come off the board early.

2017 NBA Mock Draft

Team	Player
1. Celtics (via BKN)	Markelle Fultz, G, Washington
2. Lakers	Lonzo Ball, G, UCLA
3. 76ers	Josh Jackson, F, Kansas
4. Suns	Jayson Tatum, F, Duke
5. Kings (via PHI)	Jonathan Isaac, F, Florida State
6. Magic	De'Aaron Fox, G, Kentucky
7. Timberwolves	Zach Collins, C, Gonzaga
8. Knicks	Frank Ntilikina, G, France
9. Mavericks	Dennis Smith Jr., G, NC State
10. Kings (via NO)	Malik Monk, G, Kentucky
11. Hornets	Harry Giles, F, Duke
12. Pistons	Lauri Markkanen, F, Arizona
13. Nuggets	Terrance Ferguson, G, Australia
14. Heat	Justin Jackson, F, North Carolina
15. Trail Blazers	Ivan Rabb, F, California
16. Bulls	John Collins, F, Wake Forest
17. Bucks	Tony Bradley, C, North Carolina
18. Pacers	Jarrett Allen, C, Texas
19. Hawks	Isaiah Hartenstein, F, Germany
20. Trail Blazers (via MEM)	OG Anunoby, F, Indiana
21. Thunder	TJ Leaf, F, UCLA
22. Nets (via WAS)	Dwayne Bacon, F, Florida State
23. Raptors (via LAC)	Moritz Wagner, F, Michigan
24. Jazz	Ike Anigbogu, C, UCLA
25. Magic (via TOR)	Jordan Bell, F, Oregon
26. Trail Blazers (via CLE)	Donovan Mitchell, G, Louisville
27. Nets (via BOS)	Sindarius Thornwell, G, South Carolina
28. Lakers (via HOU)	Jonathan Jeanne, C, France
29. Spurs	Caleb Swanigan, F, Purdue
30. Jazz (via GSW)	Luke Kennard, G, Duke

Top 2-Way Prospects

Josh Jackson, F, Kansas 

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

Kansas' Josh Jackson is by far the best two-way player in the class.

Jackson, 6'8" and 207 pounds, is a high-motor player who works hard on the defensive end of the court, using the athleticism and size to defend anywhere from the point to power forward.

Where Jackson flashes, of course, is on the offensive end. Collegiate stats aren't everything, but it's notable he averaged 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 51.3 percent from the floor.

When Jackson wasn't taking high-percentage looks, he was slashing to the rim and finishing or kicking it to teammates for good looks. Some will point out he still needs to work on a jumper, but combine the defense with the diverse offense and Jackson looks like perhaps the most complete player in the class.

Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz echoed these sentiments: 

High praise, but there is a reason the above mock has Jackson coming off the board third to the Philadelphia 76ers. Point guards are great and all important in today's NBA, but an athlete who can run well in transition to either end isn't easy to find. 

This skill set, at the least, likely means Jackson will play the most minutes of any rookie, giving him a head start in succeeding in the NBA. 

De'Aaron Fox, G, Kentucky 

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

When it comes to viewing this year's point guards through a two-way lens, Kentucky's De'Aaron Fox is the best. 

Fox only comes in at 6'3" and 187 pounds, but he's a combo guard who excels as an on-ball defender. The offensive skills, which helped him average 16.7 points, 4.6 assists and shoot 47.9 percent from the floor, speak for themselves.

No doubt Fox has some work to do on the offensive end, especially as a consistent shooter, but his elite athleticism and talents on both ends have the NBA abuzz, as Schultz noted: 

And to follow up, here's Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman talking about Fox's defensive skills compared to those of Lonzo Ball: "Coaches will be able to use Fox to pick up full court and pressure at half court. His defense isn't a game-changer when comparing scouting reports, but it's a bigger selling point for Fox."

Whereas Fox excels as a defender already, someone such as Ball doesn't have the athleticism necessary to apply the same pressure. Markelle Fultz comes close, yet he is better known for his offensive skill set. 

Maybe Fox doesn't shake up the draft like some might expect—he goes sixth to the guard-needy Orlando Magic in the mock above—but he's got the skill necessary to make other teams wish they hadn't passed on him.

Jayson Tatum, F, Duke 

Chuck Burton/Associated Press

Duke's Jayson Tatum would receive more credit for his two-way skills if he didn't reside in the same class as Jackson. 

Tatum is an elite scorer who used his size advantage (6'8", 205 pounds) to the max at Duke, running isolations and bullying his way to the basket, enabling him to average 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and more than one assist, block and steal per game on 45.2 percent shooting. 

Where Tatum tends to lag in the conversation when compared to Jackson is athleticism and on the defensive end of the court. He's not bad when it comes to the latter, but where a team plays him might ultimately decide if he gets shoved around in the paint by bigger players. 

A scouting conclusion by DraftExpress' Mike Schmitz and Derek Bodner puts it well:

"Jayson Tatum remains one of the more unique players in this draft, with an advanced array of offensive moves, high skill level, and a physical profile that affords him considerable potential, and versatility, on the defensive end as well. While this keeps Tatum's floor relatively high, there's still some question about exactly what his role will be at the next level."

Should Tatum land in the right situation and fill out his frame, he's got all the basic talents on both ends of the court necessary to succeed.

Above, Tatum lands with the Phoenix Suns and gets to slide into a preferable forward spot next to Devin Booker. Not needing to act as the primary scorer right out of the gates is a good way a team can make sure Tatum realizes his potential.  

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.