In the 2016 draft we all knew it was going to be Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram drafted first overall. This year there is more competition for the next player to be drafted No. 1 in the NBA Draft. Right now there is no overall favorite and there could be up to five or six prospects with a legitimate chance to be drafted first overall. The college hoops season will eventually cut down the list of candidates. It is exciting there are so many potential top picks. Each candidate must have a strong campaign in order to stay in the mix. Here are five candidates to look at this coming college season.
Harry Giles: Duke Blue Devils
Harry Giles is one of the most talented big men in the lottery and he has explosiveness and agility that will translate smoothly from college to the NBA. He has the physical tools that make him a matchup problem in transition, post-ups and face-up drives. Harry Giles’ all-around skill set is far from being fully polished and still has areas to work on. Around the rim he shows soft touch and shows off his excellent spin moves near the basket. Giles’ shooting form is a bit mechanical but he has potential to have a good mid-range game.
Frank Ntilikina: France
Frank has been flying under the radar and he is a great playmaker in the mix to be this draft’s best guard. He has a legitimate chance to sneak up draft boards into consideration for No. 1 overall. Ntilikina has great touch on pick-and-roll passes. He has a great feel for driving and freezing the defense on pick-and-rolls. Ntilikina can drop passes to open teammates and create separation for step-back jumpers. Ntilikina has a 6’5 frame that should allow him to contain NBA point guards and shooting guards.
Josh Jackson: Kansas Jayhawks
Josh Jackson will be the most electrifying wing in the 2017 draft class. He uses his athleticism and his 6’8 frame to out jump his opponents on offense and defense. Jackson loves to use hesitation moves and spin moves to create in the half court. When Josh does get to the hoop, he usually finishes way above the rim. Right now his greatest strength is defense. Jackson can guard positions 1-3 like several quick wings but he can guard post players because of his quickness.
Markelle Fultz: Washington Huskies
Markelle Fultz has a all-purpose skill set and he is very physical. Fultz is one of those guys who can get around the court and makes plays with his 6’5 frame. In the Team USA’s U-18 gold-medal run at the FIBA Americas tournament he averaged 13.8 points, 5.2 assists and 3.2 steals. Fultz is an athletic, creative weapon in transition but he can also generate buckets in half court. He has great vision and great with pull-up jumpers. He can effectively contests shots, rebound well for his position and forces turnovers in the passing lanes.
DeAaron Fox: Kentucky Wildcats
Fox is already drawing comparisons to John Wall and with good reason. He is long and lanky at 6’3 with elite athleticism and the speed to get by just about anyone off the dribble. Fox is definitely the long shot to be the No. 1 overall but in a loaded 2017 draft, little is out of the question. If Fox can do what Wall did at Kentucky he might surprise everyone and be the first pick in the 2017 draft.