The Sixer Sense
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5 Upperclassmen to Watch in the 2017 NBA Draft Class

By Christopher Kline

Apr 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) shoots the ball against Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) during the first half in the championship game of the 2016 NCAA Men's Final Four at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) shoots the ball against Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) during the first half in the championship game of the 2016 NCAA Men's Final Four at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

SG Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, Kansas

Just like you have no idea how to pronounce his name, I have no idea where he’ll end up going in next year’s draft. As someone whose role was limited almost primarily to spot up shooting last year with Kansas, Mykhailiuk’s upside is worth noting as a potential wildcard pick for Bryan Colangelo and company, whether in the first or second round next year. Standing at 6-8, the Ukranian star has an build highly reminiscent of Furkan Korkmaz and brings a few of the same skills to the table.

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Mykhailiuk showed excellent versatility at the 2016 Adidas Eurocamp this June, showcasing playmaking potential and scoring aptitude off the bounce that he rarely was able to show off with Kansas last season. He’s well below to the level of development we’ve seen in the first four players mentioned in this article, but he has some tools that could be highly beneficial for Brett Brown and company.

His length on the outside in combination with a smooth shooting stroke is a clear positive from day one. He spaces the floor, something the Sixers desperately need at this point, and could yield some positional versatility in the future as his frame develops. His ability to put the ball on the floor was much improved over the course of Eurocamps, but he still was lacking in several areas of his all-around offensive attack. His finishing prowess around the rim was abysmal for stretches, finishing 0-of-6 from inside the paint against Team USA on day three.

In addition, he tends to get tunnel vision at times and can throw up bad shots when being asked to do too much with the basketball. His passing skills are improving, but his decision making isn’t where it needs to be yet. With Mykhailiuk’s size and mobility on the offensive end, there’s clear reason to invest in a spacer with the upside he’s shown. His production won’t be much early on, but he gives Philly’s developmental team plenty to work with.

The swingman is also fairly underdeveloped defensively as well. He lacks the core and lower body strength to compete with NBA threes that may line up with his size early on, while his quickness and fluidity in guarding opposing twos is somewhat hampered by his lack of awareness. He’s still learning the minutia of the game on both ends, and it shows glaringly at times defensively.

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6-8 two-guards with noteworthy touch from deep and commendable athletic skills are at a premium in today’s league. Mykhailiuk in possibly one of the more Hinkie-esque options in this draft considering the fact that he’s far from a ready-made product, but his ceiling as an offensive contributor who could mesh well with the 76ers’ current core could make it worth an eventual dice roll.