The 2016 NBA rookie class hasn’t even had the opportunity to showcase their individual skill sets in a regular season game yet and already we are looking to the future. The 2017 NBA Draft class is absolutely loaded with talent with potential stars at every single position. While a lot can change between now and next spring, we took the time to break down the top projected player available at each spot. Here is a look at the top prospect at every position looking ahead to the 2017 NBA Draft.
PG: Markelle Fultz, Washington (Freshman)
The No. 1 point guard on the board for the 2017 NBA Draft class is also the top overall prospect on most boards heading in to his freshman season at Washington. Fultz delivered at the Under-18 FIBA Americas in Chile when he was named MVP after showcasing his skill set while scoring 23 points with five assists, five rebounds and three steals in the USA’s final win over Canada. At 6’4’’ and with a 6’9’’ wingspan, Fultz has the unique combination of size, speed and incredible burst off the dribble and he is an outstanding shot creator that excels in a distributing role as well as taking the ball to the rim on his own. Fultz will have to improve his three-point shooting consistency but at 18-years-old he projects as the best player that will be available in 2017.
SG: Kostja Mushidi, Germany
Kentucky freshman Malik Monk should be in the mix as well but after watching the way NBA teams jumped all over players from Europe in the 2016 NBA Draft it seems as though Mushidi is the likely top shooting guard off the board for 2017. The 6’5’’, 210-pound Mushidi has built a strong resume playing overseas including a strong performance at the Under-20 European Championships and an MVP award in the Albert Schweitzer Tournament. Like Fultz, Mushidi needs to improve his three-point shooting but he has all of the raw tools to become a star in the NBA. An athletic shooting guard that excels getting ot the rim and shooting the spot-up jumper, Mushidi projects as a top-10 pick for the 2017 NBA Draft.
SF: Josh Jackson, Kansas (Freshman)
Jackson has the potential to put up big numbers at Kansas and eventually in the NBA as a small forward that can stuff the stat sheet on a consistent basis. The 6’8’’ forward averaged 20.1 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 3.4 steals and 1.5 blocks per game at last summer’s U-19 FIBA World Championships while shooting50-percent from the field on three-point attempts. The co-MVP of April’s McDonald’s All-American Game is oozing with athleticism and there is no doubt he will be a top-10 pick following his lone season with the Jayhawks.
PF: Harry Giles III, Duke (Freshman)
Duke’s freshman power forward has been talked about as a top prospect since he made the USA Developmental National Team minicamp back in 2012. Despite tearing his ACL before he turned 18-years-old, Giles remains a can’t-miss prospect with the natural talent to eventually dominate in the NBA. At 6’10’’ and with a 7’3’’ wingspan, Giles has a devastating mix of size, power, speed, quickness and athleticism and he can absolutely dominate under the basket. The blue Devils are thrilled about his potential for this coming season and NBA teams will be paying close attention to his performance with the potential for Giles to be the top power forward off the board in next year’s NBA Draft.
C: Jarrett Allen, Texas (Freshman)
The center position appears to be the weakest in terms of talent at the top looking ahead to the 2017 NBA Draft but Allen could end up becoming an impact player as the top player on the board at his position. Allen uses every inch of his 6’11’’ frame and 7’5’’ wingspan under the basket at both ends of the floor as a capable defender that also does an excellent job with catch-and-finishes, lobs and put-backs at the offensive end of the floor. His limiting scoring ability in space has put somewhat of a damper on the outlook for his overall potential but Allen still has the chance to eventually be a star in the NBA if he can develop his all-around game over the next few years beginning this season at Texas.
