Busting Brackets
Fansided

2017 NBA Draft: Which players should have stayed in school?

By Daniel Benjamin

Mar 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) prepares to shoot the ball against the Kent State Golden Flashes in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) prepares to shoot the ball against the Kent State Golden Flashes in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 11
Next
Mar 10, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Indiana Hoosiers center Thomas Bryant (31) holds the ball against the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Indiana Hoosiers center Thomas Bryant (31) holds the ball against the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /

Thomas Bryant, Indiana Hoosiers

Thomas Bryant did not have a great season, causing his draft stock to plummet. He was slated as a top-10 draft pick in 2016 before deciding to return to school. The nearly 6’11”, 245-pound center is currently rated as the 38th best prospect by Draft Express..

Bryant improved his offensive production from his freshman season last year. He even became a quasi-threat from beyond the arc, knocking down 23-of-60 attempts (38.3%). Overall, Bryant averaged 12.6 points, 6.6 boards, and 1.5 blocks a game.

Consistency has been a problem for Bryant. Bryant posted six double-doubles, including a 19-point, 10-rebound performance against Kansas in the season opener. On the other side of the coin, there were 10 games where he did not record 10 points or 10 rebounds.

Bryant did not shoot as well as a sophomore as he did as a freshman. He also struggled with turnovers and foul trouble.

Bryant is supremely talented and another solid college season would have likely put him back in the top-20 draft prospects.

Home/NBA Draft News