NBA 2017 News and Rumors: Markelle Fultz Leads Next Year's Draft Class Favorites; Player Stats and Wildcard Picks
Fultz may find himself in the ranks of Hakeem Olajuwon, LeBron James and Karl-Anthony Towns.
The last two NBA draft classes stocked the league with potentially game-changing talent. 2015 and 2016 brought fans the likes of future All-Stars Karl-Anthony Towns, Kristaps Porzingis, Devin Booker and the intriguing talent of this year's No. 1 pick Ben Simmons.
The two drafts are already behind team scouts, however, as their jobs demand them to scour the pool of talent for the next big thing in the American basketball. The 2017 draft stage is already filled up with interesting performers, and a recent poll of NBA evaluators reveal the top college stars that could make it to No. 1 overall next year.
1. Markelle Fultz
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This whole list is composed of freshmen, and this man tops the young guns. Fultz had shown his astonishing offense at the U18 FIBA Americas Championship, bringing home the Most Valuable Player award for Team USA.
The Washington standout turned in impressive averages of 13.2 points on 54.7 shooting, 5.2 assists and 3.2 steals per game. His overall performance fits the modern point guard position in the NBA—a player who not only has the passing ability to run an offense, but could also create shots out of nothing and finish at the rim. Fultz also sits as the first overall pick on DraftExpress rankings.
2. Harry Giles
The legendary Coach K is looking to produce another superstar in Giles, who committed to join the college team last year. The 6'10" power forward had an impressive high school career, becoming the No. 1 prospect of the Class of 2016, and helping Team USA get the win in last year's FIBA U19 World Championships, finishing with 14 points on 46 percent shooting and 10.7 rebounds per game.
What's stopping scout from picking him first overall in this list? His health. Giles had suffered his second ACL tear last year, and had to sit out his senior season at Oak Hill Academy. If he can get back in safe shape and come up big with the Blue Devils next season, he may still have the chance to overcome Fultz.
3. Dennis Smith Jr.
Here is another guy with tremendous upside and a bad knee. However, in Smith's case, he had been recovering nicely from his torn ACL last summer and may be huge in the ACC next season.
The point guard from NC State averaged 11.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.3 steals per game, while shooting 47 percent. Smith definitely has explosiveness on both ends of the floor, but he has to gain traction next season and pray he does not miss games for the Wolfpack.
Wildcard picks
The list also includes Josh Jackson, Jayson Tatum, Ivan Rabb and Jonathan Isaac. Jackson is still considered one of the favorites to reach the No. 1 spot, but most scouts could have him at No. 2.
He has upside and defensive skill to his advantage, but he would have to improve on his shot-making. As for the others, they were considered long shots in the poll, and may land later in the Top 5.
