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NCAA Basketball: Top small forwards for 2016-17 season

By Blake Cockrum

Mar 27, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) reacts during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the championship game in the East regional of the NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) reacts during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the championship game in the East regional of the NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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March 26, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Dillon Brooks (24) moves the ball against Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) during the first half of the West regional final of the NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
March 26, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Dillon Brooks (24) moves the ball against Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) during the first half of the West regional final of the NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Looking ahead to the top five small forwards in NCAA basketball for 2016-17 season.

In part two of our series ranking the best players by position in college basketball, we looked at the top five shooting guards for the 2016-17 season.

This time around, we focus on the best small forwards in the country.

Quickly becoming one of the most skilled positions in basketball is the small forward. The small forwards on our list are some of the most versatile, athletic players in the game today. Often asked to play big or small, these players can do a little bit of everything.

They’re capable ball handlers and passers, helping facilitate their team’s offense. They can drive into the lane and score in traffic, while also having the ability to play through contact. They run the floor well and they can go into the lane and grab rebounds.

Last year, this list featured players such as Michigan State’s Denzel Valentine, Duke freshman Brandon Ingram and Baylor’s Taurean Prince. Valentine went on to win the 2016 Associated Press Player of the Year award. Ingram was voted ACC Men’s Basketball Rookie of the Year. Prince was voted first team All-Big 12. Each player was subsequently drafted in the 2016 NBA Draft and all three were lottery picks.

Will the success of this year’s top five small forwards mirror that of last year’s?

Take a look at our list and let us know what you think.

Did we leave off anyone that you would have included? Who should have made the list that didn’t?

Next: 5. Justin Jackson

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