2017 NBA Draft Big Board 6.0
Graham has helped man the helm of a veteran-led Kansas backcourt this season alongside Frank Mason, leading Kansas to the top of the standings for the time being. Playing largely off the ball in the Jayhawks’ guard-heavy rotation could signal a shift in style of Graham at the next level — as his 6-2 frame suits him best at point guard — but he boasts all the skills needed to make such a transition.
The junior has a quick first step and nice athleticism for his size, getting into the teeth of the defense and finishing through traffic at a fairly high clip. Some improved consistency as a playmaker would be the first hurdle to overcome in finding a role as the next level. Graham also moves well off the ball, running around screens and spotting up from 3-point range at a high level. His role will play a large part in determining how well that aspect of his skill set translates.
At 6-6 with a 7-foot wingspan, Bridges checks out nicely as a defender on the wing. His uses his ranginess to work his way into passing lanes and bother shots at a high level, and thus providing a necessary irritant in a well-rounded Villanova rotation. Bridges’ defense alone is something that gives him NBA potential, and the ever-growing need for 3-and-D-type prospects is only going to increase some of the buzz around him in the second half.
The sophomore’s 3-point shot checks out well (40.8 percent), but a lot of that comes via spotting up. His offensive game, albeit effective in certain areas, is vastly limited and relatively raw in most aspects. His upside isn’t overtly high, but he has all the tools to become a solid rotational piece down the road nonetheless.
Jeanne — at 7-2 with a 7-7 wingspan — is the type of physical freak that gets drafted for tools alone. He’s painfully thin and notably raw, but possesses the type of physical upside that some team is bound to gamble on come the second round.
His mobility, at his size, is extremely impressive, giving him excellent shot blocking potential underneath while allowing him to hold his own when stretched outside of the painted area. He still has a ways to go offensively, but is hitting threes at a 25 percent clip in the French league this year. It’s not a reliable facet of his game yet, but an intriguing trend that makes him tough to resist as a late flyer.
Iwundu is in the midst of a strong senior season, where he’s establishing his stock as a solid 3-and-D get in the second round. Iwundu is another wing with solid physical tools on the wing, standing at 6-7 with a wingspan that likely exceeds 7-feet. He shows great energy on the defensive side of the ball, and has been one of college basketball’s more reliable exterior defenders for the better part of this season. He has spent some considerable time shifting between positions as well, a promising sign in an increasingly versatile league.
Offensively, there are some rough spots in Iwundu’s game. His 3-point percentage measures out at 34.8, and his excellence as a slasher is sometimes counteracted by inconsistent finishing touch and a limited arsenal of moves around the basket. All the tools are there, he’s just more of a work in progress at this stage.