Prospects the Philadelphia 76ers Should Watch for in the 2017 Draft Class

PF Harry Giles, Duke, FR

Duke’s forward Harry Giles is somebody widely considered a possibility with the first overall pick next season.  So if the Sixers fail to improve to a position out of the NBA basement, he should be one of the first players on their mind. Standing at 6’10” with an incredible 7’3” wingspan, Giles’ physical tools alone make him a tantalizing prospect at the next level.

He’s a fluid athlete who’s incredibly explosive for someone his size.  He handles the ball with agility and making smooth moves to the basket on a consistent basis. His length, which gives him a 9’1” standing reach, makes it hard to contest his shots when they go up.  This gives him a ton of potential driving down the lane and operating in the paint.

Giles, albeit only 18, has well-developed instincts for the game. He understands how to locate his spots on the offensive end of the floor and is extremely aggressive in looking for his offense. He utilizes his physical advantages to create separation and knock shots down, while his ability to read the defense and make the correct decision with the ball is extremely promising for someone of his age. His first step is far quicker than your typical power forward, and his leaping ability allows him to finish in entertaining fashion around the basket.

Defensively, Giles’ length and lateral quickness makes him fully capable of switching off of screens and guarding multiple positions. Giles can chase down blocks and insert himself into passing lanes with relative ease and displays commendable potential on that side of the basketball. In addition to his defensive prowess, he’s a well above average rebounder for his position.

There are certainly weaknesses here. Giles’ jumper is raw at the moment, and it’s the one pressing flaw that’s holding him back in terms of maximizing his unbelievable potential. He only shot 59% from the free throw line and showcased an awkward release from the perimeter that fell at a rate far less than desirable.

With that said, at the FIBA U19 championships, Giles averaged 25 points and 19 rebounds per 40 minutes against some of the best high school competition in the world. He’s a special athletic prospect with soft touch in the lane and around the basket, in combination with defensive potential that’s tough to match. He has established himself not only as the best prospect in the 2017 Draft for the time being, but someone who could surpass the likes of Ben Simmons, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Andrew Wiggins as the best prospect in recent memory with a few subtle improvements. He doesn’t solve the Sixers’ current spacing problem, but in time he could be a dreamy second star alongside Ben Simmons in an idealistic world, even as another big.

"“Standing 6’10 in shoes with a 7’3 wingspan and a now-227-pound frame, Harry Giles has terrific physical attributes for a power forward. He’s added nearly two inches of height and 24 pounds since his first USA Basketball measurement in 2012. He now compares favorably from a size (but not athletic) standpoint to Amare Stoudemire who measured 6’10 with a 7’1.75 wingspan and a 233-pound frame coming out of high school.” -DraftExpress"

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