These NBA Prospects Boosted Their Draft Stock In The Tournament’s Opening Rounds

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The 2017 NBA Draft is bound to be one of the best classes we’ve ever seen. With talent up-and-down the board from one through 60, it’s no wonder people seem overwhelmed with whom the star’s could be. From guards to big-men, this NCAA tournament has a lot of the top talent still playing in the big dance.

While it’s important not to overreact to a performance, good or bad, in such a small sample size, GMs still get infatuated with players based on a tournament run (or lack thereof). Guys who shine go earlier than expected, and players who bow out early sometimes get unfairly knocked for a cold night or their team’s inability to match up with a contrasting styles.

We listed some of the players people were talking about from the early-rounds of the NCAA tournament and their prospects at the next-level.

Lonzo Ball

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Ball has an impressive all-around game and most of his question marks arise with his shooting form. While it isn’t ideal that he doesn’t have a mechanically sound shot, there isn’t much of a question as to whether it’ll translate at the next level. The arc is a little flat but the release and where the ball leaves his hands shouldn’t be a have an effect in the NBA.

Overall, Ball has tons of talent and has proven he’s a capable scorer. His father LaVar could potentially scare some people away from Lonzo, but that’s only if his measurables aren’t identical to another prospect. While observing UCLA practice, Lonzo seemed like a good leader, even at his young age. The intangibles of Ball seem good. He’s a player that doesn’t settle and yet, still truly enjoys the game.

In the second half of both of UCLA’s first and second round matchups, Ball showed what he was capable of and really put on a playmaking show. His passing is vastly underrated and while he can get in shooting slumps, his passing and awareness on the court will still allow him to thrive on the floor. Ball can sometimes go in and out of games, but with the ball in his hands he’s one of the most talented players in this draft.

Malik Monk

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Monk can flat-out score the basketball. He already possesses a rare and unique knack for scoring and creating his own shot. Listed at 6’4, Monk has already scored 20-plus points in 18 games this season. In many occasions, Monk has carried the bulk of the Kentucky offense and single-handedly helped them win on numerous occasions. Named the Diaper Dandy of the Year by Dick Vitale, Monk has received tons of praise from the national media but like any young player, he does have some question marks.

Sometimes, his shot selection results in ill-advised shots that amount to poor possessions. His size as a shooting guard can also be questioned. While he’s not “small” according to the standards of successful shooting guards, he certainly isn’t the biggest and will have difficulty against the bigger, defensive-minded guards. Along with his size, his versatility to play another position like point-guard seems limited because of his lack of playmaking ability. Monk is an elite scorer with tons of potential at the next-level, but he’s got a lot to prove when it comes to versatility and size at the NBA level.

In the first and second round, Monk hit some difficult shots but has struggled with overall shooting consistency. Through two tournament games, Monk is shooting 6 for 21 from the field, and has yet to score over 20. However, while he hasn’t been able to be efficient on the offensive end, he’s certainly proven he can play at the defensive end of the floor. His big-time block against Wichita State was a difference maker and turning point in a close second round matchup.

Jayson Tatum

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Tatum has all the measurables to compete with the elite at the NBA stage. Although his showing against Troy could’ve been better, he showcased his ability to do the little things that many NBA scouts and coaches look for. His ability to rebound, create easier opportunities for teammates, and attack the rim were all evident in Duke’s first round matchup.

Tatum, unlike the first two players on this list, has a more underdeveloped consistency with scoring but has a more all-around game. Against Troy, Tatum grabbed almost 40 percent of all rebounds for Duke. What he makes up for in true consistent scoring, is the ability to defend, rebound, and athletically impose himself in the game.

That said, he struggled when it mattered most against South Carolina. While he scored 15 points on 50 percent shooting, he also turned the ball over five times, and was limited in playmaking. Tatum has a shot to be a great player in the world’s best league, but it’ll take him some time to limit his mistakes.

Lauri Markkanen

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Arizona’s seven-foot power forward has a chance to be the next superstar stretch-four. His stroke is clean while his movement off-the-ball is also impressive. Arizona Head Coach Sean Miller told USA TODAY, “When we first saw him in person — and he was 7 feet tall — we couldn’t believe it, how skilled he was.” That just illustrates his skillset at the height he stands.

From pick-and-pop to spot-ups, Markkanen threatens in almost every situation. As versatile as Markkanen is, he still struggles with drawing contact and asserting himself in the post. If he gets drafted to the right situation, he may make the biggest impact of any potential draftee based on his incredibly rare skillset. Markkanen had a decent showing against St. Mary’s, but many critiqued his lack of demanding the ball in the first half. Arizona struggled early (as did Markkanen) but he managed to find scoring opportunities and get more involved in the second half, as Arizona advanced.

Markkanen is one of the more valuable prospects on this list because of what he means to his team. The ability to have a stretch-four that can shoot from outside with as much precision and quickness like Markkanen is uncanny and that’s what makes him so special.

Josh Jackson

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Jackson has recent off-the-court problems that he’ll have to answer for when the NBA Draft process begins. He was charged with one count of misdemeanor criminal damage to property after a Dec. 9 incident in which Jackson allegedly kicked the door and rear taillight of a car belonging to a female Kansas basketball player after he threatened to “beat” her, according to an affidavit released by the Douglas County District Court last week. Although Jackson did apologize for the incident, it is a red flag that will certainly make teams question his decision making.

However, on the court, there is no question Jackson is as talented as it gets. In his second round matchup against Michigan State, he once again proved to everyone that he was an elite talent. Jackson went on to score 23 points on 56 percent shooting to go along with two blocks, two steals, and only one turnover. His ability to be aggressive on the glass and score-at-will, while being a good defender, makes him arguably the best two-way player in this draft.

Jackson doesn’t have one signature move, but a plethora of them. Standing at 6’8 tall and with a wingspan of 6’10, the Kansas product can create off the dribble and in catch and shoot scenarios. Against bigger players, Jackson struggles to get to the rim as well (which happened against Michigan State) but can usually make up for it in outside shooting. Sometimes, Jackson struggles with creativity and decisiveness on offense, but overall he could be one of the most instant plug-and-play options available in the draft.

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