There is no doubt the one-and-done prospects always seem to hog the spotlight when it comes to the conversations about the top NBA Draft prospects and for good reason. However, there are a number of quality returning players this season that have the potential to become stars and they will be worth keeping a close eye on this year. Here is a look at the top five returning college players that will have a big impact on the 2016 NBA Draft.
Point Guard: Kris Dunn, Providence Friars
Dunn had the potential to be a lottery pick in this past year’s draft but he passed on the opportunity in order to return to Providence for his junior season. He’ll be monitored as the consensus top returning NBA prospect. Dunn’s athleticism is off the charts and his incredible playmaking ability has allowed him to thrive at the point guard position. Dunn will have to improve his jump shot but he has all of the tools to become an NBA starter down the line. The challenge is that Providence isn’t a very talented team outside of him, so he might not get to shine much in the NCAA Tournament – if Providence even makes it.
Center: Jakob Poeltl, Utah Utes
Apparently the trend towards small-ball wasn’t a major consideration for NBA teams that owned the top picks in this year’s NBA Draft with Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor, Kristaps Porzingis, Willie Cauley-Stein and Frank Kaminsky all going in the top 10. The reality is that you can’t coach size and that is a big reason why Poeltl has vaulted up the prospect rankings after he was considered nowhere near a first-round talent at the start of last season. Poeltl has the size and strength at 7’0’’ tall but he also has outstanding mobility and athleticism that has him on the radar of every NBA team. Poeltl averaged 13.5 points per game over his final six games last season. He also stood out when he held Okafor to six points in their NCAA tournament matchup, so keep an eye out for the Utah big man this season as his stock continues to rise.
Small Forward: Taurean Prince, Baylor Bears
The trend towards longer wings that can play at a high level defensively at the three-spot is one of the biggest reasons for Prince’s rising stock. His 6’7’’, 215-pound frame and long wingspan make him an intriguing prospect. Prince averaged 13.9 points per game as a junior at Baylor last season and while he still has to improve his offensive arsenal and become a more consistent one-on-one threat, there is no denying his defensive ability and versatility at his own end of the floor. Price has the potential to become an elite two-way player in the NBA and he is worth keeping an eye on as he continues to work on his craft in his final college season.
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Point Guard: Demetrious Jackson, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Jackson is another top point guard prospect but unlike Dunn, he is an elite shooter with an excellent jumper. He has hit at least 41% of his three-point shots in consecutive seasons at Notre Dame. Jackson is two inches shorter than Dunn and still has to prove himself as a playmaking point guard but there is no denying his pure scoring ability. That is what makes him a potential first-round pick that teams will be eyeing in the 2016 NBA Draft.
Shooting Guard: Caris LeVert, Michigan Wolverines
The key for LeVert will be his health after back-to-back surgeries on his foot kept him as a medical concern and forced him to stay at Michigan where he will need to prove that he can make it through a full season. LeVert is an outstanding pure scorer with the size and athleticism to dominate at his position but obviously durability concerns are hampering his stock. LeVert is considered a late first-round pick heading in to this year but if he can continue to improve and stay healthy for the full season, he’ll rise.
