NBA Draft 2018 Big Board 1.0: Ranking the top 60 prospects

Tier 2: Future All-Stars

6. Jaren Jackson Jr. (PF/C, Michigan State): Jaren Jackson has all the tools on his side to be a defensive monster at the next level. The 6’11” freshman has a 7’3” wingspan and moves his feet well for his size. His lateral speed lets him switch onto ball handlers and he defends the post better than anyone in this class. Jackson’s offensive progression was a welcomed sight, shooting nearly 40% from beyond-the-arc on a sizeable sample size. He offers a ton of versatility on either end and is a perfect fit for really any roster.

5. Mohammed Bamba (C, Texas)

If you had to describe Bamba with only one word, there would only be one acceptable answer: length. The 7-foot center possesses a historically long wingspan (8’0”) and uses it to consistently alter shots within his vicinity. He was a much better rebounder at Texas than I thought he would be (10.5 TRB) and showed his comfort level on the offensive end.

The one concern that I continue to have with Bamba is his build, even if he put a lot of my worry to rest with his play this season. Regardless, he must continue to put weight on, especially on his lower body, to succeed in the grueling 82-game schedule that is the NBA. Expect Bamba to be added to the list of unicorns in today’s NBA.

4. Michael Porter Jr. (SF, Missouri):

Porter Jr missed the entirety of Missouri’s regular season before rejoining them in the SEC tournament. Due to this, it’s hard to accurately compare him to other top prospects and their full body of work. However, and most importantly, it seems that his surgery was successful and his back should cause no immediate problems. Porter remains one of the most tantalizing prospects due to his size and scoring ability. The wing position remains a premium in the NBA and usually defines the success of teams. This will help Porter Jr’s already high draft stock, even if it means overlooking his existing weaknesses.

3. Marvin Bagley lll (PF, Duke): Bagley’s stock dipped slightly over the course of the year as questions about which position he would defend at the next level arose. It’s a fair critique, as his interior defense lacked all season. While this will likely never be a strength of his, he offers the defensive versatility to guard on the perimeter and in the post. This is an invaluable trait for team defense in today’s modern NBA.

What keeps Bagley inside my top-3 is his offensive abilities. Bagley is strong and athletic, traits that let him routinely get easy points down low. He’s also extremely talented for his size, featuring a solid handle and an improving jump shot. It’s not far-fetched to think he’ll be a reliable 3-point shooter sooner rather than later.