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2017 NBA Draft: Best fits for former Iowa State Cyclones

By Doug Winkey

Feb 28, 2017; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones senior guard Matt Thomas (21), guard Nazareth Mitrou-Long (15), guard Monte Morris (11) and guard Deonte Burton (30) watch the post game video after beating the Oklahoma State Cowboys at James H. Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones beat the Cowboys 86 to 83. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones senior guard Matt Thomas (21), guard Nazareth Mitrou-Long (15), guard Monte Morris (11) and guard Deonte Burton (30) watch the post game video after beating the Oklahoma State Cowboys at James H. Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones beat the Cowboys 86 to 83. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 28, 2017; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones senior guard Matt Thomas (21), guard Nazareth Mitrou-Long (15), guard Monte Morris (11) and guard Deonte Burton (30) watch the post game video after beating the Oklahoma State Cowboys at James H. Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones beat the Cowboys 86 to 83. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones senior guard Matt Thomas (21), guard Nazareth Mitrou-Long (15), guard Monte Morris (11) and guard Deonte Burton (30) watch the post game video after beating the Oklahoma State Cowboys at James H. Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones beat the Cowboys 86 to 83. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2017 NBA draft is nearly upon us and four former Cyclones are pushing to get selected. What are the best fits for Iowa State’s four departed stars?

Conversations are underway surrounding the 2017 NBA Draft. There are several bona fide stars in this year’s draft class that are sure to make All-NBA teams before too long. Guys like Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, and Josh Jackson have pro execs salivating at what is to come.

Iowa State also has several guys in the draft mix. Monte Morris, Naz Mitrou-Long, Matt Thomas, and Deonte Burton have all undergone workouts in the hopes of getting selected later this month. None of the four four-year guys are likely to be first-rounders, but each has the talent to contribute on some level. Undrafted free agents have also made impacts from time to time if the two rounds don’t include your favorite former Cyclone.

Last year’s Cyclone draftees had solid rookie seasons. Georges Niang bounced between Indiana and the D-League’s Fort Wayne. The forward put up 19.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists for the Mad Ants en route a playoff berth in the Development League. His teammate Abdel Nader dominated for the Maine Red Claws while being named the D-League’s Rookie of the Year. Nader averaged 21.3 points, 6.2 rebound, and 3.9 assists. Both former Cyclones could be NBA rotation players with a little more development.

With all that in mind let’s decide who fits best with some of Iowa State’s all-time winningest guys. We’ll start with the only guy who didn’t wear the cardinal and gold for four years.

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