2017 NBA Draft Rankings

Heading into championship week, four players are currently in the conversation for the #1 pick.  I've included my numerical rating for the top 35 prospects, with the rest to follow soon.  Scouting reports at the bottom.

2016-2017 PLAYER RANKING LIST
Rank	Player	Position	Team	Height	Weight	Year	CD	IQ	OFF	DEF	SIZE&ATH	TOTAL
1	Lonzo Ball	PG	UCLA	6'6”	190	Freshman	20	20	20	19	20	99
2	Markelle Fultz	SG/PG	Washington	6'4”	195	Freshman	20	20	20	19	20	99
3	Josh Jackson	SF	Kansas	6'8”	207	Freshman	20	19	20	20	20	99
4	Miles Bridges	SF	Michigan St.	6'7”	230	Freshman	20	18	20	20	20	98
5	Caleb Swanigan	PF	Purdue	6'9”	250	Sophomore	20	19	20	18	20	97
6	Malik Monk	SG/PG	Kentucky	6'3”	200	Freshman	20	19	20	18	20	97
7	Lauri Markkanen	PF/C	Arizona	7'0"	230	Freshman	20	19	20	18	20	97
8	Jonathan Isaac	SF/PF	Florida St.	6'10”	210	Freshman	20	19	18	20	20	97
9	Jayson Tatum	SF/SG	Duke	6'8”	205	Freshman	19	19	20	19	20	97
10	Malcolm Hill	SG/SF	Illinois	6'6”	230	Senior	19	20	20	19	19	97
11	Peter Jok	SG/SF	Iowa	6'6”	200	Senior	20	18	20	19	20	97
12	Johnathan Motley	PF/SF	Baylor	6'10”	230	Junior	20	19	19	19	20	97
13	De'Aaron Fox	PG	Kentucky	6'3”	187	Freshman	20	19	18	20	20	97
14	Jamel Artis	SF/SG	Pitt	6'7”	215	Senior	18	20	20	19	20	97
15	Ben Lammers	C/PF	Georgia Tech	6'10"	227	Junior	20	20	19	19	19	97
16	Dennis Smith Jr.	PG	N.C. State	6'3”	195	Freshman	20	19	19	18	20	96
17	Robert Williams	PF	Texas A&M	6'9"	237	Freshman	20	17	18	20	20	95
18	Jarrett Allen	PF/C	Texas	6'11”	225	Freshman	19	18	18	20	20	95
19	Bennie Boatwright	SF/PF	USC	6'10”	230	Sophomore	20	18	19	18	20	95
20	Justin Patton	C/PF	Creighton	7'0"	230	Freshman	19	19	18	19	20	95
21	John Collins	PF	Wake Forest	6'10"	235	Sophomore	20	19	20	17	19	95
22	Dillon Brooks	SG/SF	Oregon	6'5”	205	Junior	20	19	19	18	19	95
23	Allonzo Trier	SG/PG	Arizona	6'4”	185	Sophomore	20	17	19	19	20	95
24	Luke Kennard	SG	Duke	6'6”	202	Sophomore	20	20	20	17	18	95
25	Josh Hart	SG/SF	Villanova	6'6”	204	Senior	20	19	18	20	18	95
26	Semi Ojeleye	SF/SG	SMU	6'7”	235	Junior	20	18	19	19	19	95
27	Justin Jackson	SF/SG	UNC	6'8”	210	Junior	19	19	20	19	18	95
28	Donovan Mitchell	SG	Louisville	6'3”	200	Sophomore	20	18	19	19	19	95
29	Quinton Rose	PG/SG/SF	Temple	6'8"	185	Freshman	20	17	19	19	20	95
30	T.J. Leaf	PF	UCLA	6'9”	205	Freshman	20	19	19	17	19	94
31	Trevon Bluiett	SG/SF	Xavier	6'5	205	Junior	20	18	19	19	18	94
32	Jaron Blossomgame	SF/SG	Clemson	6'7”	220	Senior	19	18	18	19	20	94
33	Mikal Bridges	SF	Villanova	6'7”	191	Sophomore	19	18	17	20	20	94
34	Moritz Wagner	PF/C	Michigan	6'11"	240	Sophomore	19	19	20	17	19	94
35	Tony Bradley Jr.	C/PF	UNC	6'10”	240	Freshman	19	18	18	19	20	94

36	Dedric Lawson	SF/PF	Memphis	6'9”	236	Sophomore
37	Nigel Hayes	SF	Wisconsin	6'8”	240	Senior
38	Sindarius Thornwell	SG	South Carolina	6'5”	205	Senior
39	Bruce Brown	SG/PG	Miami	6'4”	200	Freshman
40	Josh Okogie	SG/SF	Georgia Tech	6'4"	207	Freshman
41	Andrew Jones	SG	Texas	6'4”	195	Freshman
42	Andrew White III	SG/SF	Syracuse	6'6"	210	Senior
43	Kelan Martin	SF/SG	Butler	6'6”	215	Junior
44	Lagerald Vick	SG	Kansas	6'5"	175	Sophomore
45	Tyler Cook	PF	Iowa	6'9"	253	Freshman
46	PJ Dozier	PG/SG/SF	South Carolina	6'6”	185	Sophomore
47	Thomas Welsh	PF/C	UCLA	7'0”	245	Junior
48	Drew Eubanks	PF/C	Oregon St.	6'10”	250	Sophomore
49	Frank Mason III	PG	Kansas	5'11”	190	Senior
50	Marcus Keene	PG	C. Michigan	5'9"	175	Junior
51	Ivan Rabb	PF	California	6'11”	220	Sophomore
52	Angel Delgado	PF	Seton Hall	6'10”	240	Junior
53	Terrance Ferguson	SG/SF	Australia	6'6”	180	Freshman
54	Edrice Adebayo	PF	Kentucky	6'8”	220	Freshman
55	Mike Daum	PF	South Dakota St.	6'9"	245	Sophomore
56	Deng Adel	SF	Louisville	6'7"	200	Sophomore
57	Deonte Burton	SF	Iowa St.	6'4”	240	Senior
58	Jordan Bell	PF/C	Oregon	6'9”	225	Junior
59	Rawle Alkins	SG/SF	Arizona	6'5”	220	Freshman
60	Thomas Bryant	C/PF	Indiana	6'10”	255	Sophomore
61	Shamorie Ponds	PG/SG	St. John’s	6'1"	170	Freshman
62	Alpha Diallo	SF/SG/PG	Providence	6'7”	205	Freshman
63	D.J. Wilson	PF	Michigan	6'10"	240	Junior
64	Dwayne Bacon	SG/SF	Florida St.	6'6”	209	Sophomore
65	Zach Collins	PF/C	Gonzaga	7'0”	230	Freshman
66	Jeffrey Carroll	SF/SG	Oklahoma St.	6'6"	215	Junior
67	Michal Cekovsky (injury)	C	Maryland	7'1"	250	Junior
68	Zach Smith	SF	Texas Tech	6'8"	220	Junior
69	Jacob Evans III	PG/SG	Cincinnati	6'6”	210	Sophomore
70	Jalen Brunson	PG	Villanova	6'1”	180	Sophomore
71	Marcus Foster	SG/PG	Creighton	6'3”	210	Junior
72	KeVaughn Allen	PG/SG	Florida	6'2”	183	Sophomore
73	Devonte Graham	SG/PG	Kansas	6'2”	185	Junior
74	Dusan Ristic	C	Arizona	7'0”	240	Junior
75	Tacko Fall	C	UCF	7'6"	300	Sophomore
76	Zak Irvin	SG/SF	Michigan	6'6”	215	Senior
77	Romelo Trimble	PG	Maryland	6'3”	185	Junior
78	Nigel Williams-Goss	PG	Gonzaga	6'3”	190	Junior
79	Vlad Brodziansky	PF/C	TCU	6'11"	220	Junior
80	George King	SG/SF	Colorado	6'6”	220	Junior
81	Ky Bowman	SG/PG	Boston College	6'1"	182	Freshman
82	Davon Dillard	SG/SF	Oklahoma St.	6'5"	215	Sophomore
83	Grayson Allen	PG/SG	Duke	6'5”	205	Junior
84	Davon Reed	SG/SF	Miami	6'6”	220	Senior
85	Devon Hall	SG	Virginia	6'5"	207	Junior
86	OG Anunoby	SF	Indiana	6'8”	235	Sophomore
87	Kyle Kuzma	SF/PF	Utah	6'9"	221	Junior
88	Esa Ahmad	SF	West Virginia	6'8”	218	Sophomore
89	Rodney Bullock	SF	Providence	6'8”	225	Junior
90	Damyean Dotson	SG	Houston	6'5”	202	Senior
91	Jabari Bird	SG/SF	California	6'6”	190	Senior
92	Wesley Iwundu	PG/SG/SF	Kansas St.	6'7”	205	Senior
93	L.J. Peak	SG/PG	Georgetown	6'5”	215	Junior
94	Yante Maten	PF	Georgia	6'8"	240	Junior
95	Przemec Karnowski	C	Gonzaga	7'1"	305	Senior
96	Justin Jackson	SF	Maryland	6'7"	225	Freshman
97	Kameron McGusty	SG/PG	Oklahoma	6'5”	165	Freshman
98	V.J. King	SF/SG	Louisville	6'6”	190	Freshman
99	Robert Hubbs III	SG/SF	Tennessee	6'5"	207	Senior
100	Kobi Simmons	SG/PG	Arizona	6'5”	175	Freshman

2017 NBA Scouting Reports

Lonzo Ball, Freshman PG/SG/SF UCLA

Lonzo Ball has the best court vision in college basketball.  He makes his teammates much better just by being out there, and he has his UCLA squad playing as well as anyone this season.  No one means more to their team than Lonzo Ball.

Ball excels in every aspect of the game.  He's got great size, length, and athleticism at the point guard position.  He has tremendous timing on both ends of the floor, and he has a deep understanding of the game that few players, let alone college freshman, ever possess.  He knows what his team needs at any given moment, and his diverse skill-set gives him the ability to deliver whatever that may be. 

Lonzo is an elite competitor who never takes a play off.  He's a very good shooter with deep range.  He has a great handle, able to easily get by his man at any time with the ability to make the right decision once he does.  He can take it all the way to the rim and finish, pull up for a jumper, or deliver a perfect pass to set up a teammate. 

Along with being a nearly perfect offensive player, Lonzo Ball is a also a great defender.  His length and quickness make him a very good on-ball defender, and his instincts and knowledge of the game make him devastating in help position as well.  He blocks shots, wreaks havoc in the passing lanes, and in general just knows where to be to give his team the best chance to stop the opponent.

Lonzo Ball is extremely clutch in the big moments.  He thrives with the pressure at its most intense, and you just know something good is going to happen with the game on the line and the ball in his hands.  He's capable of playing three positions, but there's no doubt he's most valuable as a point guard.

Markelle Fultz, Freshman PG/SG Washington

Washington guard Markelle Fultz is in the conversation for the #1 spot heading into the new year.  Fultz is an elite scorer and competitor who as a freshman already possesses every skill necessary to succeed at the next level.

Markelle Fultz is relentlessly aggressive on both ends of the floor.  Offensively he is constantly putting pressure on the defense, using his tremendous ball-handling and feel for the game to dissect opponents and make the right play.  Fultz' combinaton of size, strength, and skill allow him to get wherever he wants on the floor at any time, and he's smart enough to make the right decision once he gets there.  

Fultz is an extremely strong finisher at the rim, but he can also kill you from deep and from mid-range.  He can get his own shot whenever he wants it, and he's currently 47% from 3-point range and over 50% overall.  He can finish with a wide array of floaters, step-backs, and fadaways, but he's also more than willing to make a great pass to an open teammate.  He sees the floor incredibly well and nearly always makes the right play, but so far early in the season his teammates have struggled to take full advantage of it.  A coaching staff that has really under-performed despite some solid talent over the years certainly isn't helping.

Markelle can be a tough defender, but like a lot of his teammates he does slack off at times.  His strength, quickness, and competitive toughness make life difficult on opponents, and his knowledge of the game results in him knowing where to be in the team concept.  He's a great rebounder as well, and he always imposes his will on every game in every area.  I don’t like that he seemingly lets up at times on the defensive end, but I understand how it can happen to a young player on a bad defensive team.

I expect Fultz to will his team to a big improvement over the course of the season, but there are many things about his current situation that he just can't control.  I'm sure Markelle is counting down the days until the NBA draft, but I'd be surprised if you ever hear any complaints from him this season.

Josh Jackson, Freshman SF Kansas

Josh Jackson has elite size, length, and athleticism.  He possesses explosive quickness and leaping ability, and he uses these talents to get wherever he wants on the floor.  He has a very good handle for someone his size, allowing him to easily get by his man.  Once he does he can explode to the rim and finish, pull-up for a mid-range jumper, or use his tremendous vision to find an open teammate.  Jackson sees opening that not many players see, and he’s not afraid to squeeze a pass to a teammate in traffic.

Jackson finishes with power high above the rim, but he also has a nice touch in close and finishes well through contact.  He’s a decent shooter from mid-range all the way out to 3-point territory, but he definitely needs to improve in this area.  He’s a terrible free throw shooter at this point, a weakness that will really hurt considering how often he will be getting to the line.  He must get better to become a great scorer, but he’s a fiery competitor with an incredible work ethic so I’m sure he will.

Defensively Jackson is an animal.  His extreme size, length, and quickness make him a terror on the ball and in the passing lanes, leading to many steals, blocks, and deflections.  His ability to turn these plays into immediate offense in transition makes him one of the most dangerous players in the country, and by the end of the season he will likely be in the conversation for the #1 pick.

Miles Bridges, Freshman SF Michigan St.

Miles Bridges is an incredible athlete, potentially the best in college basketball.  He’s extremely aggressive and physical on both ends of the floor, and he never fails to impose his will on the game.  Bridges is a phenomenal rebounder who attacks the ball with a tenacity rarely matched by his opponents.  He plays way above the rim and tries to dunk every chance he gets.  He’s a pretty good shooter with 3-point range, but he definitely needs to continue improving in this area.

Bridges plays with more energy, passion, and intensity than pretty much anyone.  Sometimes this gets him in trouble, but I’ll always take a guy with this mentality and work on helping him channel it.  Bridges sees the floor well and makes great passes, but he turns the ball over a little too much at times and really needs to work on his handle. 

Bridges’ elite athleticism and work ethic make him a great defender, and he’s extremely dangerous blocking shots from the help position.  While he needs to get a little more under control and work on his touch around the rim and his jumper, I love this kid’s game and think he has superstar potential at the next level.

Caleb Swanigan, Sophomore PF Purdue

Caleb Swanigan is an absolute monster.  He plays with great energy and passion and never takes a play off.  Swanigan is a phenomenal rebounder, grabbing more than 20 in a game several times already this season.  He’s extremely physical down low, and he uses his big frame to carve out space and finish nearly everything around the rim.

Swanigan has a solid handle for a big, and he has the great vision and passing ability to go with it.  He’s a good shooter with 3-point range, and there’s really nothing Swanigan can’t do offensively.

Defensively Swanigan is a very hard worker who knows where to be.  He’s lost a ton of weight since enrolling at Purdue, and I expect him to continue getting better year after year.  Swanigan should definitely be one of the top two power forwards off the board.  He reminds me of Zach Randolph with a better jump-shot at this point in his career.

Malik Monk, Freshman SG Kentucky

Malik Monk is one of the most athletic players in the country, as well as arguably the best shooter.  He’s a knock-down shooter off the dribble, off a screen, and spotting up, and his range is as deep as anyone’s.  He’s capable of making all kinds of shots including fadaways, floaters, and step-backs, and he craves the big shot with the game on the line and usually delivers.

Monk is a terror in transition, using his exceptional speed, leaping ability, and body control to finish nearly everything around the rim.  He floats through the air and seems to be able to hang as long as he needs to, and he’s also capable of getting his own shot whenever he wants.

Monk has a great feel for the game, but sometimes he focuses too much on scoring and doesn’t contribute enough in other areas.  Monk can definitely become a much better rebounder, passer, and defender, but he’s already improved a lot in these categories this season and I look for him to continue getting better and better.

Lauri Markkanen, Freshman PF/C Arizona

Lauri Markkanen is an extremely coordinated big man with a high IQ.  He’s a great shooter with deep range and a nice touch around the basket, and he nearly always makes the right play.  At 7’0” he has the ability to create his own shot off the dribble.  He can take it all the way to the rim and finish, pull-up or step-back for a jumper, or find the open man for a better look.  Markkanen runs the court extremely well, and he plays the game with energy, passion, and intensity at all times.

Markkanen has a Dirk-like game but seems to move better than Dirk ever did.  He’s a solid rebounder with great timing when contesting shots, and he’s especially good at getting help-side blocks.  Markkanen is stronger and more coordinated than most bigs in their freshman year of college, and he’s a guy who should be in the conversation for the #1 pick.

Jonathan Isaac, Freshman SF Florida St.

Jonathan Isaac is extremely long and athletic.  He’s a phenomenal competitor who plays with great energy and intensity at all times.  Isaac shows glimpses of everything you’d want from an elite small forward, but he’s still a little raw offensively.

Isaac has a very good handle for his size and sees the floor extremely well.  He’s able to get by his man and finish at the rim with power, pull-up for the jumper, or find an open teammate for an open look.  Even though he’s still very thin, Isaac plays much stronger than his frame and has the mentality to dominate opponents.  His toughness makes him a great rebounder and results in much more physical play than you would expect.

While he’s capable of doing all these things, he’s still not ready for the next level.  He’s a decent shooter from mid-range and can make the 3, but he’s not consistent with either one.  Sometimes he’ll show a nice touch around the rim, then other times he’ll completely miss the basket.

Issac is an elite athlete who can finish high above the rim.  He’s an extremely good defender, able to challenge almost anyone at the rim and deny them with his length.  He’s tenacious both on the ball and in the passing lanes, and with a little more development he could be a star.

He’s a high IQ player who knows where to be on the floor, but he can be a little sloppy at times.  Isaac has huge potential, and I’d love to see him stay in school to add more muscle and fine-tune his immense skill-set.  Unfortunately with the way NBA teams draft these days, I don’t think that will happen.  Despite this I’d still take him if he was available in the mid-first round.

Jayson Tatum, Freshman SF/SG Duke

Jayson Tatum has a great skill-set for a player his size.  He has incredibly long arms that give him a big advantage in several different ways, and he reminds me a lot of Charlotte’s Nicolas Batum.

Tatum started very slowly this season, oftentimes failing to impose himself on the game.  Whether he was feeling out his spot on a Duke team with veteran players or it just took him a while to figure out the college game, Tatum seems to have hit his stride late in the season.

Tatum is a phenomenal shooter with very deep range.  He has a pretty good handle for someone his size, making him capable of getting his own shot and creating for his teammates.  He’s shown an ability to take over a game and knock down huge shots in the clutch.  While he needs to get a lot tougher, his size and length make up for a lot of his deficiencies.  He rebounds very well despite often shying away from contact, and his ability to start the break himself makes him a valuable weapon.

I don’t like the fact that he can sometimes be taken out of the game by a very physical defender, but his extreme length covers up his lack of toughness and makes him a difficult matchup on both ends of the floor.  He does everything well offensively, and his effort combined with his length makes it easy for him to recover on defense and make life difficult on opponents.

While I don’t think Tatum is the kind of player who can carry a team at the next level, he can certainly be a big part of a winning organization and a good second or third option.

Malcolm Hill, Senior SF/SG Illinois

Malcolm Hill will likely be a steal in this year's NBA draft.  He was stuck on an incredibly dysfunctional Illinois team for a long time, but despite this he always managed to play well.  Late in the season they’ve started playing well together, and Hill certainly deserves a lot of credit.

Hill has great size, strength, and skill at the wing positions.  He has a good handle that allows him to get his own shot and create for his teammates, and his high basketball IQ and great vision lead to consistently good decisions with optimal timing.  He’s a great mid-range jump-shooter with 3-point range, but he’s also capable of getting to the rim and finishing or finding open teammates for a better look.  Unfortunately his teammates haven’t usually made the most of his good play, which will likely result in him being undervalued.

Malcolm Hill sees the entire floor and has a knack for being in the right place on both ends.  He’s a very good rebounder who gets a lot of put-backs.  He size, length, and athleticism make him a good defender as well, and while he’s proven he can’t really carry a team by himself, he should be a starter and great role player that can do it all.

 Peter Jok, Senior SG Iowa

Peter Jok is a deadly shooter with extremely deep range, but he doesn’t have a whole lot of help in Iowa this year.  He’s improved drastically year after year, and this season he has turned himself into a complete player.

Jok is an aggressive player who always gives all-out effort.  While his shooting is definitely his best attribute, he’s developed into a player capable of creating his own shot.  His basketball IQ has grown tremendously, and he’s getting increasingly better at making the right pass if he doesn’t have a good look.  He’s improved his ball-handling and can run the point at times, and he always wants the big shot with the game on the line.

Jok can make all kinds of shots from deep 3’s to fadaways to pull-ups, and he’s also a solid finisher at the rim.  He’s an elite competitor with great length and athleticism, traits that make him a great defender as well.

Johnathan Motley, Junior SF/PF Baylor

Johnathan Motley is incredibly long and athletic, and this season he’s been one of the more dominant players in college basketball.  He’s been a man among boys in the post all season, using his length and aggression to clean up the boards and finish with both power and finesse around the rim.

Motley is a great competitor who brings passion, energy, and intensity to every game.  Last year he wasn’t always strong enough to impose his will, but he added a lot of muscle in the offseason and he’s played with much more aggression and power as a result.  Motley plays extremely hard at all times, and his will to win is often the greatest on the floor.

On top of being a dominant post player, Motley is very skilled in the other areas of the game as well.  He’s a good mid-range shooter, has a solid handle for a big man, and sees the floor well to find open teammates.  He really improved his vision and basketball IQ this season, and while he’s not the most intelligent player, he’s continuing to show improvement.  Motley’s great length, aggression, and motor make him a very good defender as well, so anyone that takes him will have a lot of tools to work with.

De’Aaron Fox, Freshman PG Kentucky

De'Aaron Fox is an explosive athlete and relentless competitor who gives all-out effort at all times.  He's an absolute monster on the defensive end, constantly applying pressure to his opponent without ever tiring.  His tremendous length, speed, and athleticism make him extremely tough to deal with, and he never gives the opposition a break.  His ball pressure makes it very difficult for the other team to even start their offense.

Fox is always on the attack offensively as well, using his great handle and elite speed to blow by defenders and break down the defense.  Once he does he can get to the rim and finish with a wide array of layups and floaters, pull up for a jump shot, or use his court vision to find the open man.  He definitely needs to continue to work on his long-range shot, but I’m confident he will become a very good shooter with deep range.

Fox is at his best when he’s playing the game at top speed, so any team he goes to needs to be prepared to play a lightning-quick up-tempo style.  He played UCLA's Lonzo Ball to a relative draw in their head-to-head matchup, possibly even winning by a slight margin but losing the game.  Fox has a game much like Russell Westbrook, but as this point in his career he’s a much smarter player than Westbrook was at his age.  Fox has superstar potential.

Jamel Artis, Senior SF/SG Pittsburgh

Jamel Artis is another senior who will likely fall too far in this year’s NBA draft.  He’s got great size and strength on the wing, and he’s developed into a very good shooter with deep range. 

Artis has a solid handle that allows him to create for himself and his teammates, and his high IQ leads to very good decisions.  Artis can get to the rim and finish with power, pull-up from mid-range or knock down the three.  He’s also more than capable of finding the open man for a better shot.  He’s proven his willing and able to take and make the big shot with the game on the line, and he’s the kind of player that can really help you win games.

Artis has all the skills but doesn’t always impose his will all game long.  He has the makings of a great role player capable of doing whatever is needed, and he’s versatile enough to play both wing positions on both ends of the floor.  He’s a tough defender as well, so I’d feel really good about getting Artis mid-to-late in round 1.

Ben Lammers, Junior C/PF Georgia Tech

Ben Lammers is an underrated big with an extremely versatile skill-set.  He’s a great passer with the vision and IQ to make the right play from any position on the floor, and he’s a phenomenal competitor who always leaves his mark on the game. 

Lammers has a very good mid-range game and finishes well with power around the rim.  He seems to thrive on contact, often seeking it out to control when and where it happens.  He has a very solid handle for a big, an attribute that makes him dangerous from anywhere on the court.  He’s able to create plays for himself and his teammates, and he’s shown the ability to make all kinds of shots from all over the floor, including fadaway jumpers.

Lammers is a very tough defender as well.  He plays with aggression at all times, and he defends the rim and cleans up on the boards.  He’s good on the ball and in the team concept, and he’s really a complete player in every facet of the game.  Lammers has sort of come out of nowhere this season, but for me he’s improved himself into a first-round talent.

It will be interesting to see just how successful Lammers can be against the elite athleticism of the NBA.  He doesn’t play above the rim a whole lot, but he’s very crafty and understands the game extremely well.

Dennis Smith Jr., Freshman PG N.C. State

Dennis Smith is a great competitor on a terrible team.  He’s a phenomenal scorer that can put the ball in the basket from anywhere on the floor, but he’s also capable of controlling the game and setting up his teammates.  He’s extremely strong, quick, and explosively athletic with great size at the point guard position.

Smith has a great handle, and he combines it with his size and strength to easily beat defenders.  Once he does he can get to the rim and finish high above it with power, pull up for the jump shot, or find an open teammate for a better look.  He’s a good shooter with deep range, and I think he’ll continue to get better and better in this area.  He’s struggled at the free throw line at times, but I fully expect him to work on that and improve drastically.

Smith has struggled with his decision-making at times this season, often trying to do too much on a team that just hasn’t been able to hit its stride.  He drives too deep and gets caught in the air among the trees, many times dribbling right into double and triple teams and turning the ball over.  He still takes too many ill-advised shots as well, but he’s still very young and will learn from his mistakes.

Robert Williams, Freshman PF Texas A&M

Robert Williams is one of the best competitors and most aggressive players in college basketball.  He’s a tremendous rebounder who goes after every ball with a ferocious tenacity, and more often than not he ends up with it in his grasp.  Williams plays with tremendous energy and passion, and he really sets the tone physically for his team.

Offensively he has a nice touch around the rim, and he tries to dunk everything even remotely close.  He sees the floor well and usually makes the right pass when the shot isn’t there for him.

Defensively Williams is an absolute monster.  He tries to block every shot, and once he gets a little more disciplined he’s got a chance to be an elite defender for years to come.  He has great size, length, and athleticism, and the future is really bright for this kid.

Justin Patton, Freshman C/PF Creighton

Justin Patton is extremely tall and athletic with great length.  He runs the floor like a deer, often beating everyone down the floor for easy dunks in transition.  He finishes well around the basket with either hand, usually releasing his half-hooks above the rim.  Patton is also a great passer and shooter with 3-point range.

Patton is a true rim defender with a great understanding of his rotations defensively.  He’s a good rebounder right now, but he’ll get much better once he adds some more muscle.  He definitely needs to get a lot stronger, but he’s an extremely hard worker and I fully expect him to put in the work.  To me he’s clearly a top two center in college basketball.  The injury to his point guard, Maurice Watson Jr., will likely hurt his draft stock and make him a potentially underrated player in the draft.

Dillon Brooks, Junior SG Oregon

Dillon Brooks is one of the best competitors in college basketball.  With the clock winding down and the game on the line, I’m not sure there’s anyone else I’d rather have with the ball in their hands than Brooks.  He’s an incredibly clutch performer with great instincts for the game, and the difference between his Oregon team with him and without him really illustrates his value and importance.

Brooks’ mentality of toughness and aggression clearly rubs off on his teammates.  He brings irreplaceable energy, passion, and emotion on a nightly basis, and he can do pretty much anything on either end of the floor.

Brooks is great with the ball in his hands.  He has a solid handle that’s improving every year, allowing him to create for himself or his teammates.  He’s a strong driver with the ability to finish with power at the rim.  He’s extremely good when pulling-up off the dribble, especially with the game in the balance.  He’s a very good 3-point shooter with deep range as well, and when his scoring options are covered he uses his court vision well to create an opportunity for an open teammate.

While his defense could still improve, Brooks’ strength, toughness and competitive drive make him a very solid defender.  He knows where to be in the team concept, and I really like Dillon Brooks as a starting shooter guard in the NBA.

Luke Kennard, Sophomore SG Duke

Luke Kennard is a phenomenal competitor who gives everything he has every minute of every game.  He’s one of the best shooters in the country with extremely deep range, but he’s much more than just a shooter.

This year Kennard has developed a very good handle, allowing him to easily get by his man and break down the defense.  Once there he has the ability to get to the rim and finish in a variety of ways, pull-up for the mid-range jumper, or make a pass to an open teammate.  He plays with relentless aggression on both ends of the floor, and he’s turned himself into a great defender both on the ball and in the team concept.

Kennard is really a complete player who can do it all.

Josh Hart, Senior SG Villanova

Josh Hart has an amazing work ethic and has done an incredible job improving his game over the years, and right now he has to be the favorite for college basketball’s Player of the Year. 

Hart is extremely tough and one of the best competitors in the game.  He’s a lock-down defender at three positions, and he does all the little things that win basketball games.  Hart is lightning quick to loose balls, and he’s a great rebounder for his size.  He loves mixing it up inside, but until this year he wasn’t much of a shooter.

Hart obviously spent tons of time working on his shot in the offseason, and he now has a great mid-range game with the ability to knock down the three.  While I’m skeptical he’ll ever be a great shooter from NBA range, I wouldn’t put it past him to make it happen.  He’ll at least be good enough to keep defenses honest.

Hart has improved his handle dramatically and can now penetrate with all the options at his disposal.  He can take it all the way to the rim and finish, pull-up for the mid-range, or find the open man for a better look.  He’s now a complete player who has proven himself at a championship level, and I’d be surprised if whatever team he’s on doesn’t become a winner.

Semi Ojeleye, Junior SF/SG/PF SMU

I think Semi Ojeleye could be one of the more undervalued players in college basketball right now.  He’s extremely strong and incredibly versatile on both ends of the floor.  Ojeleye uses his strength and extensive skill-set efficiently to make a huge impact in nearly every aspect of the game. 

Ojeleye is a great shooter and scorer from all over the floor.  He’s shooting 44% from 3-point range, consistently knocks down the mid-range jumper, and uses his strength to rebound and finish inside.  He always plays tough, aggressive, and generally makes the right play in most every situation.  Ojeleye is a gifted passer and solid defender as well.

Semi plays with great energy, passion, and competitive fire.  This along with his size, strength, and considerable skill make him an overall great addition to any team he plays on.  It seems like he could be under the radar after transferring from Duke and playing for SMU.

Marcus Keene, Junior PG/SG C. Michigan

Marcus Keene is a tremendous scorer with incredibly deep range.  Keene is always on the attack, using his extreme quickness and tight handle to get his shot whenever he wants.  He’s a great shooter who can knock down any kind of shot from any distance, and he doesn’t need much space to get it off.  He’s a great finisher around the rim, but he’s also deadly accurate from all angles in the mid-range game.  He’s got floaters, step-backs, fadaways, and leaners, and there’s really no shot he can’t make.

Keene is very short but makes up for it with speed, strength and shooting, much like Isaiah Thomas in Boston.  He’s capable of creating for teammates off the dribble, and while his court vision could certainly improve, it’s pretty good and will only get better when he plays with better players at a higher level.

Keene has all the skills to be a very pesky defender as well, so he’s a guy who could end up making a huge contribution in the NBA.  He’ll need the right fit and the right opportunity, but if used correctly he could end up following in Thomas’ footsteps.

P.J. Dozier, Sophomore PG/SG/SF South Carolina

P.J. Dozier has tremendous size, length, and quickness.  He’s incredibly versatile and can play up to three positions on both ends of the floor, and he might be a little underrated nationally.

Dozier is a huge point guard with great athleticism and an extremely well-rounded skill-set.  His great handle allows him to penetrate the defense at will, and once he does he has every option at his disposal.  Dozier has a deadly mid-range jumper he can get whenever he wants, and once he gets to the elbow you’re in trouble.  If you overplay the shot, he can get all the way to the rim and finish or find the open man.

He’s a great passer with the vision and basketball IQ to make the right play nearly every time.  Dozier is a very good shooter with deep range, and he’s also a great rebounder who can attack the boards and start the break.  While he’s best with the ball in his hands, Dozier could also play the 2 or 3.

On the other end of the floor Dozier is a lock-down defender that can be used to shut down opposing point guards, shooting guards, or small forwards.  His extremely long arms and quick hands and feet make him a terror in the passing lanes and on the ball, and his intelligent leadership on this end has made his South Carolina teams one of the best defensive squads in the country.

There’s not much P.J. Dozier can’t do.  In addition to all the offensive and defensive skills he appears to be a great leader and overall good guy.  Draft with confidence.

Thomas Bryant, Sophomore C/PF Indiana

Thomas Bryant is extremely aggressive, physical, and plays with passion every second of every game.  He has NBA size and strength, but he has a long way to go before he’s ready to play with the top centers at the next level.  Bryant shows flashes of every skill you’d want from your starting center, but he just needs to keep learning the game and get more efficient with his movements.

Bryant works extremely hard and finishes well around the rim, but he has a lot to learn when it comes to being in the right position and simply understanding the game.  His tremendous energy sometimes results in him playing too fast, so he oftentimes looks goofy and out of position on the floor. 

He’s a very good shooter for someone his size, but he often falls in love with the 3 and little too much.  Bryant is a very good passer and team player, and with a little more time he could become a dominant player.

There’s a similar story with Bryant defensively.  He gives it everything he has and you know he has the will to be great, but his lateral movement and court positioning just aren’t where they need to be.  He contests shots at the rim and meets defenders with tenacity, but he’s easy to get by on the perimeter and he’s rarely in optimal position for rebounds.

Right now Bryant is raw with big time potential, and I really hope he decides to stay another year and work on his game.

Rawle Alkins, Freshman SF/SG Arizona

Rawle Alkins is strong and athletic and is much like a slightly smaller Draymond Green.  He plays extremely hard and is usually the first to a loose ball.  He makes all the hustle plays, and his strong, physical, aggressive playing style makes him capable of guarding bigger players.  He’s also quick enough to guard smaller players. 

Alkins is a great passer and playmaker from the wing position.  He’s a solid shooter with decent 3-point range, certainly enough to keep the defenses honest.  He’s extremely tough and brings great energy, passion, and aggression to the team.  He has a decent handle and can find open teammates off the drive.  He doesn’t always have to do a lot of scoring on a loaded Arizona squad, but he’s a big contributor in every aspect of the game.

Jaron Blossomgame, Senior SF Clemson

Jaron Blossomgame is very strong and athletic and possesses prototypical size, quickness, and jumping ability for a small forward in the NBA.  He shot the three extremely well this season while also showing the ability to get to the rim and finish.  When the defense collapsed on him he nearly always found the open man, but unfortunately his teammates usually struggled to take advantage. 

I don't think Blossomgame has the mentality to be the go-to guy at the next level, but he had no choice this season at Clemson and did a great job of carrying the team.  Blossomgame is also a great defender, both on the ball and in the team concept. 

He plays with an extremely high basketball IQ, and the only complaint I'd have is that he isn't always aggressive enough.  He has the ability to attack and force defensive breakdowns, but sometimes he's too content to pass the ball around early in games.  He could also rebound better with a little more aggression, but if it hasn't happened by now it probably won't.  There's a slight injury concern with his leg, but he looked great this season and I wouldn't factor it in too much.

Bruce Brown, Freshman SG/PG Miami

Bruce Brown is a great competitor who early in his career has become a complete player for Miami.  He’s a quick and athletic guard with a tight handle and a knack for making great decisions.  He’s able to run the point or play off the ball, and he plays much bigger than his size.  He sets the tone physically and emotionally for his team, and he rebounds extremely well for someone his size.  Brown wants to make the big play with the game on the line, and he’s shown the ability to deliver when it matters most.

Brown is a great shooter with deep range.  His ball-handling allows him to easily get by his man, and he’s able to hurt the opposition in many ways once he does.  His strength allows him to get to the rim for tough finishes inside, but he’s also able to pull up for the jumper or find the open man when the defense collapses on him.

Brown is a fantastic defender as well.  His toughness and physical play make life difficult on his opponents, and he understands where to be in the team concept.  He may be a little underrated at this point in the season, but with the way he’s playing that shouldn’t be the case for long.

Dedric Lawson, Sophomore SF/PF Memphis

Dedric Lawson isn’t going to wow you with athleticism, but he has great size and length and a tremendous feel for the game.  Lawson plays with a high IQ and seems to always be in the right spot on the floor.  While not extremely tall or physically imposing, Lawson is a fantastic rebounder.  His silky-smooth game looks effortless at times, but he always has a huge impact on the game.

Offensively Lawson just understands the game.  He has great vision and sees plays before they happen.  He’s a gifted passer who nearly always makes the right play, and he can beat you from anywhere on the floor.  He has a decent handle for someone his size, allowing him to get by his man and get to the rim.  He’s an incredible finisher with a deft touch around the rim, and he’s especially good with put-backs after a rebound.

While not a great shooter, his mid-range is pretty good and he’s capable of making threes.  I look for him to continue improving in this area, and in a few years he’ll likely be a knock-down shooter.

His defense is a lot like his offense.  He’s not the fastest guy and he’s not gonna jump over many people, but his length makes him very disruptive.  He blocks lots of shots and wreaks havoc in the passing lanes, and he knows exactly where to be in his defensive rotations to make things difficult on the opponent.

It will be interesting to see how his high IQ-old man at the YMCA-game fits in at the next level.