We've reached the moment where practically everyone maintains hope.
For potential draftees, the declarations have been made. No teams have yet explained why they cannot expect to be called in the first round, or the second round, or with a summer league invite later that evening.
And the lottery teams all maintain various levels of hope, hope in the form of ping pong balls, allowing them to dream about a Fultz-ful or Ball-errific future.
So just which players are the priority in these marriages of the mind? Let's take a look at the prospect board, independent of team need, to get a sense of where things stand right now, before the cruel realities of ball bounces and team workouts cull the ranks and end the best-laid plans of lottery general managers.
2017 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings
Rank | Player | School | Year | POS | HGT | WGT |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Markelle Fultz | Washington | Fr. | PG | 6-4 | 195 |
The only question is this: just whose roster wouldn't he fit on? | ||||||
2 | Josh Jackson | Kansas | Fr. | SF | 6-8 | 207 |
Simply does too many things well for teams to let off-the-court issues scare them away. | ||||||
3 | Lonzo Ball | UCLA | Fr. | PG | 6-6 | 190 |
Generational passer and elite 3-point shooter as exciting as ever. | ||||||
4 | Jayson Tatum | Duke | Fr. | SF | 6-8 | 205 |
Note Tatum's ability to create for himself, which has jumped him above some other wings at this point. | ||||||
5 | Jonathan Isaac | Florida State | Fr. | SF | 6-10 | 210 |
Elite two-way efficiency, a big who can guard the perimeter. | ||||||
6 | Dennis Smith Jr. | NC State | Fr. | PG | 6-3 | 190 |
The way things ended in college has not scared off many suitors. | ||||||
7 | Lauri Markkanen | Arizona | Fr. | PF | 7-0 | 230 |
That sour taste he left with the disappearance in the NCAA tournament doesn't change a year of elite shooting. | ||||||
8 | De'Aaron Fox | Kentucky | Fr. | PG | 6-3 | 187 |
The 3-point shot has improved to the point that it may not even be a weakness anymore. | ||||||
9 | Malik Monk | Kentucky | Fr. | PG | 6-3 | 200 |
The best argument for Fox has to be his elite shot-making from mid-range, which goes a long way toward covering for his still-missing 3-point shot. | ||||||
10 | Justin Jackson | North Carolina | Jr. | SF | 6-8 | 210 |
Strong perimeter defender, solid 3-point shooter and NCAA champion is a pretty good NBA resume. | ||||||
11 | Frank Ntilikina | International | - | PG | | |
Not as advanced as his American counterparts at the top of this draft, but might have more potential than any of them. | ||||||
12 | Zach Collins | Gonzaga | Fr. | C | 7-0 | 230 |
There's a theory that Mark Few hoped to hide Collins by having him come off the bench this season. If so, it didn't work. | ||||||
13 | Donovan Mitchell | Louisville | Soph | SG | 6-3 | 195 |
Such leaping ability, fantastic perimeter defensive stopper makes up for lack of height. | ||||||
14 | Justin Patton | Creighton | Fr. | C | 7-0 | 230 |
A late fade for Patton doesn't change the raw tools and rare athleticism at his size, a true five. | ||||||
15 | Johnathan Motley | Baylor | Jr. | PF | 6-10 | 230 |
Motley does everything you'd want out of a stretch-four. | ||||||
16 | Isaiah Hartenstein | International | - | PF | | |
Plenty of reasons to dream on this versatile import with NBA size and strength. | ||||||
17 | Ike Anigbogu | UCLA | Fr. | C | 6-10 | |
The defensive tools have turned into skills, almost universally—all that's left is the offensive development, and he's so young. | ||||||
18 | Ivan Rabb | California | Soph. | PF | 6-11 | 220 |
Assume the rebounding and passing from the wing is legit, hope for more from 3-point range and developing post game. | ||||||
19 | OG Anunoby | Indiana | Soph | SF | 6-8 | |
The wing defender every team needs. | ||||||
20 | Jarrett Allen | Texas | Fr. | C | 6-11 | 235 |
His offensive game is more impressive than he showed in school. | ||||||
21 | Caleb Swanigan | Purdue | Soph. | PF | 6-9 | 250 |
A plus rebounder who can stroke it from 3-point range. | ||||||
22 | TJ Leaf | UCLA | Fr. | PF | 6-10 | 225 |
Getting better at defending power forwards all the time, a vital addition to his skill set allowing him to be a potential crunch time rotation player at the next level. | ||||||
23 | John Collins | Wake Forest | Soph. | PF | 6-10 | 235 |
Never stopped producing, whatever questions still exist about the versatility of his offensive arsenal and inconsistent defensive approach. | ||||||
24 | Tacko Fall | UCF | Soph. | C | 7-6 | 290 |
A potential paradigm-changer in the NBA, further along than most 7-6 players of the past entering the pros. | ||||||
25 | Thomas Bryant | Indiana | Soph. | PF | 6-10 | 255 |
The inside-outside game should translate nicely. | ||||||
26 | Tyler Lydon | Syracuse | Soph. | SF | 6-9 | 223 |
Lydon's defensive skills were hidden by the 2-3 zone, but he should be strong NBA defender of wings. | ||||||
27 | Sindarius Thornwell | South Carolina | Sr. | SG | 6-5 | 211 |
Defensive motor and ability to sink big shots made Thornwell the breakout prospect of the NCAA Tournament. | ||||||
28 | Monte Morris | Iowa State | Sr. | PG | 6-3 | 175 |
Does not turn it over, elite playmaker and even a solid rebounder for his position. | ||||||
29 | Frank Mason III | Kansas | Sr. | PG | 5-11 | 190 |
Runs the precision Kansas offense quite well, drains 3-pointers, easily a rotation player at the next level even at his size. | ||||||
30 | Alec Peters | Valparaiso | Sr. | PF | 6-9 | 235 |
Sadly, an injury ended his season early, but this is an NBA player in versatility and body already. | ||||||
31 | Harry Giles | Duke | Fr. | PF | 6-10 | 240 |
A lottery ticket because of health, but not in terms of aptitude or attitude. | ||||||
32 | Kennedy Meeks | North Carolina | Sr. | C | 6-10 | 260 |
Will not stop rebounding at the next level. | ||||||
33 | Semi Ojeleye | SMU | Jr. | SF | 6-7 | 235 |
Dominated the AAC and opened eyes with his jaw-dropping dunks, fine complement for his efficient shot. | ||||||
34 | Terrance Ferguson | International | - | SG | 6-7 | |
Length for a small forward as he gets older, the shot shooting guard-quality already. | ||||||
35 | Luke Kennard | Duke | Soph. | SG | 6-6 | 202 |
No one had a better season for the Blue Devils. Louisville's Rick Pitino wasn't sure whether Kennard or Tatum would be the better pro. | ||||||
36 | Jaron Blossomgame | Clemson | Sr. | SF | 6-7 | 220 |
Defense will get him minutes from the start, and his shot is clean enough that potential two-way production is quite possible. | ||||||
37 | Marcus Marshall | Nevada | Sr. | SG | 6-3 | 200 |
Polished enough to help out as a combo guard if he gets a chance. | ||||||
38 | Josh Hart | Villanova | Sr. | SG | 6-5 | 195 |
NBA build, efficient shooter, Jay Wright training. | ||||||
39 | PJ Dozier | South Carolina | Soph. | SG | 6-6 | 205 |
When you can guard anybody 1-4, the inconsistent shot is less determinative of future upside. | ||||||
40 | Tony Bradley | North Carolina | Fr. | PF | 6-11 | 240 |
Don't overlook Bradley's soft hands and rebounding when evaluating why UNC was so good this year. | ||||||
41 | Mathias Lessort | France | - | PF | 6-9 | |
European import has a monster NBA body now, and the rebounding overseas to match. | ||||||
42 | Tyler Dorsey | Oregon | Soph | SG | 6-4 | |
Better than break-even from 3-point range, NBA athleticism. | ||||||
43 | Justin Jackson | Maryland | Fr. | SF | 6-7 | |
That wingspan manifested itself in making Jackson a defensive weapon as a freshman. | ||||||
44 | Dwayne Bacon | Florida State | Soph. | SG | 6-7 | 221 |
Inconsistent performances, but elite athleticism and the shot looks like it should get better. | ||||||
45 | Kobi Simmons | Arizona | Fr. | PG | 6-5 | 175 |
Probably could use another year for his draft stock, but height and quickness will excite NBA teams looking for a point guard to develop. | ||||||
46 | Dillon Brooks | Oregon | Jr. | SF | 6-7 | 225 |
No one questions the offense, but who will he guard at the next level? | ||||||
47 | Isaiah Briscoe | Kentucky | Soph. | PG | 6-3 | 210 |
Still needs to find his shot consistently, but a guy who can guard both guard spots is valuable. | ||||||
48 | L.J. Peak | Georgetown | Jr. | SG | 6-5 | 215 |
His finisher/shooter combo will attract interest in the second round. | ||||||
49 | Austin Nichols | Virginia | Jr. | SF | 6-7 | |
7-3 wingspan, will make Cavaliers wonder with every made shot about what might have been. | ||||||
50 | Cam Oliver | Nevada | Soph. | PF | 6-8 | |
Jumps through the roof, or is it the ceiling? Some team will want to find out. | ||||||
51 | Bryce Alford | UCLA | Sr. | SG | 6-3 | 185 |
One NBA skill, but that skill is shooting 3-pointers. | ||||||
52 | Angel Delgado | Seton Hall | Jr. | PF | 6-10 | 240 |
Proved he could carry a team to the NCAA Tournament with his scoring and rebounding. | ||||||
53 | Jordan Bell | Oregon | Jr. | PF | 6-9 | 225 |
Bell largely put health questions to bed, and was born to join an NBA rotation and rebound. | ||||||
54 | Nigel Williams-Goss | Gonzaga | Soph. | SG | 6-4 | |
Can shoot 3-pointers (with free throw percentage suggesting more growth there), plus size for a point guard. | ||||||
55 | Rodions Kurucs | Latvia | | SF | 6-8 | |
Potential, particularly from the perimeter. | ||||||
56 | Edrice Adebayo | Kentucky | Fr. | PF | 6-10 | 260 |
Came on late in the season, a traditional five for the Wildcats, but talent suggests this may be low. | ||||||
57 | Jawun Evans | Oklahoma State | Soph. | PG | 6-1 | 185 |
He'll give his next team quality minutes running a second unit, strong scoring/passing combo, though finishing needs work. | ||||||
58 | Wesley Iwundu | Kansas State | Sr. | SF | 6-7 | 205 |
The length and improved perimeter shot is exciting to consider in a league that is looking for wings. | ||||||
59 | Billy Garrett Jr. | DePaul | Sr. | PG | 6-6 | 213 |
No one smarter in the college game, and his rugged defending of shooting guards and small forwards will be his calling card. | ||||||
60 | Justin Robinson | Monmouth | Sr. | SG | 5-8 | 175 |
No one works harder, and Robinson can score with anyone. Big question is height relative to who he defends at the next level. | ||||||
61 | Trevon Bluiett | Xavier | Jr. | SF | 6-6 | |
Prolific 3-point shooter and offensive creator from the wing. | ||||||
62 | D.J. Wilson | Michigan | Soph | PF | 6-10 | |
On the raw side, but plenty to love about Wilson's game, particularly the way he shoots 3s at his size. | ||||||
63 | Hamidou Diallo | Kentucky | Fr. | SF | 6-5 | |
The Wildcat who almost was will need to do work in workouts to make his case. | ||||||
64 | Frank Jackson | Duke | Fr. | G | 6-3 | |
Showed capability of helping teams at either guard spot, improved as year went on. | ||||||
65 | Andrew Jones | Texas | Fr. | PG | 6-4 | |
Solid height for a point guard and a young, projectable frame. | ||||||
66 | Peter Jok | Iowa | Sr. | SG | 6-6 | 205 |
Let's be clear: shooting is what will get him looks at the next level, absent the NBA athleticism or defensive matchup, but few can shoot it better. | ||||||
67 | Tim Kempton | Lehigh | Sr. | PF | 6-10 | 245 |
Too bad Lehigh missed the tournament, and national audience didn't get to see the next Mike Muscala out of the Patriot League. | ||||||
68 | Edmond Sumner | Xavier | Soph | PG | 6-4 | |
Even as he recovers from ACL tear, this point guard will draw interest, though his athleticism was a big part of the draw. | ||||||
69 | Kris Jenkins | Villanova | Sr. | SF | 6-6 | 235 |
Big shot history, NBA body and Jay Wright-infused instincts. | ||||||
70 | Sterling Brown | SMU | Sr. | SG | 6-6 | |
Shot better than 44 percent from 3-point range, and will create his own shot at next level. | ||||||
71 | Devin Robinson | Florida | Jr. | SF | 6-8 | 200 |
Terrific rebounder for his size, shoots better than 39 percent on 3-pointers, finisher who will entertain and impress teams at workouts. Could be low here. | ||||||
72 | Nigel Hayes | Wisconsin | Sr. | PF | 6-8 | 240 |
At some point, all the winning and intelligence is enough to get the undersized power forward a chance at the next level. | ||||||
73 | Chance Comanche | Arizona | Soph. | PF | 6-11 | 210 |
Improved efficiency significantly, while his athleticism remains NBA-ready, and one of Arizona's better interior defenders. | ||||||
74 | Aaron Holiday | UCLA | Soph. | PG | 6-1 | 187 |
A starter virtually anywhere else in the country, Holiday manages games effectively while shooting better than 41 percent from 3-point range. | ||||||
75 | Eric Mika | BYU | Soph. | PF | 6-10 | 230 |
NBA-power forward size, diversifying offensive game, and elite rebounder already. Could use adding a 3-point shot to his game, and that's far from impossible. |