The Top-5 Picks

Any one of these players can go number one overall in this class. Yeah, they’re that good. This is a very top-heavy draft and each of these players will bring their own unique set of skills to the NBA.

Luka Dončić — Real Madrid — Guard (6’7” — 218 pounds)

Dončić took over the international basketball landscape when he signed with Real Madrid, one of the best clubs in Europe, at the ripe age of 16-years-old. Fast forward two years later, and Dončić is one of the most highly sought after prospects in this upcoming draft for a multitude of reasons: he is a natural on the offensive end with the ability to slash defenders and score with ease while also possessing phenomenal playmaking skills for his age. However, many doubt his ability to reach his ceiling because of his athletic limitations. Dončić has a high floor in the NBA, but his lack of lateral quickness and ability to match up against elite NBA point guards may hinder his ability to be a top-10 player someday. Overall, Dončić has shown so much with how he can dominate a game especially during his time in the Euro League and the 2017 FIBA tournament this past summer with fellow backcourt teammate, Goran Dragić.

DeAndre Ayton — Arizona– Center (7”1–250 pounds)

Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images

Ayton is an absolute goliath out there for the Wildcats. As the most sought after recruit for the class of 2017, Ayton brings a distinctive skill set for his size. He is a tremendously talented 7-footer with all of the intangibles needed for the modern NBA’s versatile lineup scheme. His freak athleticism paired with his astounding 43.5-inch vertical and 7’5” wingspan gives him all the physical tools necessary to be a highly coveted prospect come draft time in June 2018. Ayton has all the talent in the world to be successful in the college and NBA levels, but the issue at hand is if he will ever recognize his gifts and eventually achieve them? Many scouts have noted Ayton’s low motor and poor work ethic. This may be problematic for teams looking to draft him, as the next big thing for Ayton to go from a good to great player and attain his ceiling is to start embracing proper coaching, something that he seems to not have taken seriously during his early high school years. It will be fun to watch him this year with Arizona, as I am sure that Sean Miller will help him realize his potential.

Mohamed Bamba — Texas — Center (7’0” — 225 pounds)

Tim Warner/Houston Chronicle via AP

Mohamed Bamba and DeAndre Ayton are the marquee pieces that make up what is already looking to be an elite, center-heavy draft. I find Ayton to be the more polished prospect of the two because of his fluidity on offense, especially with the 3-point shot, but Bamba’s presence as a defensive anchor should not go unnoticed, especially with his freakish 8-foot wingspan (yes, you heard that right) at his disposal. Bamba’s wingspan would be the longest in the NBA. His physical tools will help promote his game, reminiscent of Rudy Gobert. Bamba’s fluidity on the glass, the paint, and the low-post is remarkable for his age, and he will only get better as he continues to show strides by bringing the ball up the court along with consistently shooting mid-range and beyond the arc. His potential is boundless, and it will be intriguing to see how he will fare in Texas and his first few years in the NBA as he begins to fill out his body.

Michael Porter Junior — Missouri — Forward (6'10" — 212 pounds)

Missouri Men’s Basketball — Twitter

Michael Porter Junior is one of the most refined prospects in this entire draft class. Porter has an advanced offensive skillset which he consistently displays on the offensive side of the ball. Additionally, his size, length, and frame will make him a mismatch against smaller lineups and give defenses something to worry about during crunch time. His versatility will also help promote the NBA’s modern position-less scheme. All in all, I still see Porter being one of the highest scorers in the NCAA this year as he is going to be the number one option for a thin Missouri team who possess no true prospects outside Porter.

Marvin Bagley — Duke — Forward (6'11" — 220 pounds)

Lance King — Getty Images

Arguably one of the best high school prospects in a long time, Bagley brings so much to the table with his size and basketball IQ. His fluidity on the offensive end is stunning for his size, and his game further expands the “positionless” scheme seen in the modern NBA. He will be projected as a “point forward” and will help bring high level playmaking to any team who has the opportunity to draft him. He has the quickness and the athleticism to potentially make him one of the best forwards in the NBA and his relentless work ethic will help him do just that. He needs to fill out his body and also try to find a way to master his 3-point shot. Teams should also consider also having a defensive-minded big man around him as their intertwining, complementary skills would be beneficial to any team in the NBA.