NBA Mock Draft 2017: 1st-Round Predictions and Top Prospects on the Rise

At this point, we can safely assume that point guards Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball will be going first and second in the 2017 NBA draft to the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers, respectively, but when the Celtics are on the clock at No. 3, it's anyone's guess as to how the rest of the first round will develop.

In the midst of the seemingly thousands of rumors that have dropped on social media this past week, some NBA draft prospects have risen up the big boards and mocks right before the draft occurs on Thursday, June 22.

Here's a look at a new mock draft as well as three players on the rise.

2017 NBA Mock Draft

1. Philadelphia 76ers: Markelle Fultz, PG, Washington

2. Los Angeles Lakers: Lonzo Ball, PG, UCLA

3. Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum, SF, Duke

4. Phoenix Suns: Josh Jackson, SF, Kansas

5. Sacramento Kings: De'Aaron Fox, PG, Kentucky

6. Orlando Magic: Jonathan Isaac, SF/PF, Florida State

7. Minnesota Timberwolves: Lauri Markkanen, PF, Arizona

8. New York Knicks: Malik Monk, SG, Kentucky

9. Dallas Mavericks: Frank Ntilikina, PG, SIG Strasbourg (France)

10. Sacramento Kings: Zach Collins, C, Gonzaga

11. Charlotte Hornets: Bam Adebayo, PF, Kentucky

12. Detroit Pistons: John Collins, PF, Wake Forest

13. Denver Nuggets: OG Anunoby, SF, Indiana

14. Miami Heat: Luke Kennard, SG, Duke

15. Portland Trail Blazers: Donovan Mitchell, SG, Louisville

16. Chicago Bulls: Dennis Smith Jr., PG, NC State

17. Milwaukee Bucks: Justin Jackson, SF, North Carolina

18. Indiana Pacers: Jarrett Allen, C, Texas

19. Atlanta Hawks: Justin Patton, C, Creighton

20. Portland Trail Blazers: Harry Giles, PF, Duke

21. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jordan Bell, PF, Oregon

22. Brooklyn Nets: Jawun Evans, PG, Oklahoma State

23. Toronto Raptors: Ike Anigbogu, C, UCLA

24. Utah Jazz: TJ Leaf, PF, UCLA

25. Orlando Magic: Isaiah Hartenstein, PF, Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania)

26. Portland Trail Blazers: Semi Ojeleye, SF/PF, SMU

27. Los Angeles Lakers: Terrance Ferguson, SG, Adelaide (Australia)

28. Los Angeles Lakers: DJ Wilson, PF, Michigan

29. San Antonio Spurs: Derrick White, PG, Colorado

30. Utah Jazz: Tyler Lydon, PF, Syracuse

Luke Kennard

The former Duke shooting guard shined during his sophomore season for the Blue Devils, averaging 19.5 points per game and shooting 49.0 percent from the field (43.8 percent from three-point range).

Kennard has performed well in between the end of the college basketball regular season and the beginning of the NBA draft, punctuated by a dominant pro-day performance, per DraftExpress:

The 6'5" Kennard, who will be just 21 years old when the 2017-18 NBA season begins, is a hot commodity, especially because NBA teams are more reliant on three-pointers than ever. On average, teams shot 27.0 threes per game last season, or more than one every two minutes. Kennard took 5.4 threes per game last year.

Kennard can step into a team's starting shooting guard spot right away and immediately provide some instant offense. At this point, it looks like his floor is no lower than the top half of the draft, with a late lottery choice being a distinct possibility as well.

John Collins

According to ESPN.com, the former Wake Forest big man had the highest player efficiency rating (36.52) in all of men's Division I college basketball last year, an incredible feat considering there are 351 teams.

A peek at his stats shows why Collins was the most efficient player in basketball last year, as he posted averages of 19.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in just 26.6 minutes per game. Collins also shot an incredible 62.2 percent from the field.

The 6'10" Collins also showed off his athleticism and shooting range at his predraft workout with the Charlotte Hornets:

Collins' college production can't be ignored. The 19-year-old was just a sophomore last year and still led his team to an NCAA tournament appearance with a few incredible performances and key wins down the stretch after the Demon Deacons were on the wrong end of the bubble in February.

Collins' draft floor might be No. 14 with the Miami Heat, but he could even crack the top 10 as well.

Bam Adebayo

Here's the most eye-popping stat of the predraft process: Former Kentucky big man Bam Adebayo, who shot just one three-pointer in his lone season in Lexington, knocked down 13-of-25 threes at a predraft workout with the Charlotte Hornets, per Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer:

Adebayo also starred at his pro day, showing off that three-point range yet again:

If Adebayo can find a way to have success behind the three-point line in the NBA, enabling his future team to spread the floor on offense, then he will have a very long and prosperous pro career.

It also helps that he's proved to be a productive and efficient stat stuffer already, averaging 13.0 points (on just 7.5 shots), 8.0 boards and 1.8 blocks per game last year.

As for now, the 6'10" big man may have vaulted himself into the lottery portion of the NBA draft. At the very least, it's hard seeing him go lower than the top 20.