5 Upperclassmen to Watch in the 2017 NBA Draft Class
SG Grayson Allen, Duke
Grayson Allen was considered almost unanimously a first-round selection for the vast majority of this season prior to making the surprising decision to return to Duke for his junior campaign. As one of the most entertaining athletes in college basketball and an explosive scorer, Allen often appeared to be the Blue Devils’ most impressive offensive option, which is worth noting considering the presence of this year’s second overall pick Brandon Ingram.
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He doesn’t neccesarily scream ‘star potential’, but Allen is built extremely well as a sixth man-type scoring spark who could fill it up in rapid fashion at the next level. He’s built more like a point guard, but operates as an off-guard who can create space off the dribble or stroke it from deep. He somewhat struggled with his decision making at times, but has an explosive first step and can locate his spots on the floor with relative ease at times.
Allen is incredibly confident when he’s working with the basketball. He will single handedly seek to outmaneuver his opposition and score his team a bucket at times, and while that may not be ideal, his level of shot making prowess has certainly improved because of it. He possesses an explosive first step and soft touch with his jumper. His most pressing weakness coming into the season was sloppy ball handling, which seems to be well-improved given the craftiness his displayed with the ball at times during Duke’s run to the tournament.
His only major offensive limitation is his lack of a clear position. He’ll be outsized by more players at his position when making the transition to the next level, and isn’t a polished enough passer to make an immediate switch to the one spot. He may struggle to find a clearly defined role early on, but his offensive firepower in an increasingly positionless league should eventually lock him up a role with a team down the road.
Allen is also a feisty defender who could mold well with the Sixers’ current core. He can cover either guard spot with strong effectiveness and allows them to hide their less apt defenders at the point guard position should they need to.
As somebody who thrives athletically in almost any capacity and could give the Sixers’ an immediate boost on the offensive side of the ball, there’s a lot to like about Allen’s potential in the Philly uniform. If the developmental team could improve his passing vision, a whole new avenue of production could be opened up, while his presumed current niche as a spark plug off the bench could serve well for a team that still lacks an edge in that department.
Next: 4. Hart