Looking Up at Some of the Best Big Men in the Draft
With time running before the 2017 NBA Draft, Cavs.com breaks down some of the
intriguing bigs who will come off the board at varying points on Thursday night.
The NBA is constantly evolving and although it’s become a point guard’s league
with wing players still at a premium, there’s always a need for the big nasties
to do their work in the trenches.
From raw freshmen still growing into their bodies to big earthmovers already
prepared to throw their weight around at the next level, here’s a look at some
of the interesting centers and power forwards in this year’s Draft.
Terrance Ferguson #21, Edrice Adebayo #30 and Ike Anigbogu #32 watches action
during Day Two of the NBA Draft Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 12,
2017 in Chicago, Illinois. Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Ike Anigbogu – UCLA – Fr. – 6-10, 252
One of the youngest players in the Draft, the fascination with Anigbogu – who
put up modest numbers at UCLA as a freshman (4.7 points, 4.0 boards, 1.2 blocks
mostly off the bench) – is with his impressive physical attributes: he’s 6-10
with a 7-6 wingspan, a mature 252 pounds with a strong, explosive lower body;
was overshadowed by fellow freshmen Lonzo Ball and T.J. Leaf; runs the floor
exceptionally well; has a quick second jump and the frame to absorb contact;
won’t turn 19 until October; doesn’t have great hands; doesn’t take possessions
off; finds a way to contribute offensively – setting screens, crashing boards –
without having a polished game on that end; shot just 54 percent from the line;
will likely make his biggest impact at the next level on the defensive side;
strong post defender – has size and strength to hold his ground and length and
athleticism to challenge shots; needs to improve on the defensive glass; still
raw, but at just 18 years of age with an NBA body, is a project some team(s)
won’t be able to resist
Tony Bradley – North Carolina – Fr. – 6-11, 250
Freshman with the National Champions this past season, Bradley entered the Draft
despite a limited role with UNC; showed flashes throughout the season to be
considered a first rounder despite limited role – 15 minutes per game; excellent
size and length – just under 7-0 with a 7-5 wingpsan and 9.5 standing reach; not
an overwhelming athlete – lacks explosiveness; greatest strength is non-stop
motor; coachable and tough-minded; has to improve as a rim-protector; doesn’t
try to do too much; strong finisher in the paint; must develop more post moves;
outstanding on the offensive glass; high hoops IQ for his age; should be able to
split time at center and power forward; has the chance to develop into a
consistent jump-shooter at the next level; has impressed teams with his skill
level during workouts – with a smooth shooting touch and range out to 18 feet;
will be a project at the NBA level, but with some work and in the right
situation, could develop into a consistent two-way player
Isaiah Hartenstein – Germany – Intl. – 7-0, 250
Intriguing international big man who can play either power forward or center;
nice size for either position – 7-0 with a 7-2 wingspan and a 250-pound frame
that can still add muscle; fluid athlete who can play above the rim; won’t turn
20 until May; lefty; very emotional player – which has worked for and against
him; lacks consistency on jumper – will need to tweak mechanics at NBA level;
outstanding passer with excellent court-vision; nice variety of offensive tools
in his arsenal; lacks experience against upper-level competition; active on the
offensive and defensive glass; has the ability and temperament to mix it up on
offensive end; plays with toughness; work in progress on defensive end – tends
to be foul-prone, gets lost in space; offensively, has great first step, can
blow by defenders; still a project, Hartenstein has the potential to sneak into
Thursday night’s First Round
Left-Right: Ivan Rabb, Isaiah Hartenstein, Ike Anigbogu, Tony Bradley, Caleb
Swanigan
Ivan Rabb – California – So. – 6-10, 220
Disappointing end to his two-year career with Cal, but Rabb still projects as a
possible late first rounder based in many ways on physical profile – measuring
in at 6-10 with a 7-2 wingspan; mobile big man, good feet; played in a poor
offensive system – with the second-slowest tempo in the Pac-12 last season;
underrated basketball IQ; will need to get stronger, tougher and more assertive
on the offensive end; somewhat of a tweener; perimeter game offensively is still
evolving; not afraid to defend out on the perimeter; excellent rebounder –
posted 19 double-digit rebounding games as a sophomore with Cal; excellent
fundamentals on the glass, always finds a body before going for the ball; not a
strong rim-protector; big target in the post with very good, soft hands and long
arms; crafty in the mid-range game; lacks perimeter skills; struggles to create
any sort of offense for himself; until he develops his offensive game, will hang
his hat on his outstanding rebounding skills at the pro level
Caleb Swanigan – Purdue – So. – 6-9, 250
Overcame a mountain of adversity – weight issues, homelessness and the death of
his father – to reach this point; returned to school for sophomore season and
led Purdue to first Big Ten title in seven years; high basketball IQ, great
understanding of the game; high character guy; one of the more
physically-imposing figures in college hoops last year – measuring 6-9, 250 with
an excellent 7-3 wingspan; weighed 350 pounds as an 8th grader and over 300
through high school before working on his body at Purdue; big, soft hands; would
be better suited for a team that prefers halfcourt sets; not a tremendous
athlete – lacks burst and explosiveness but has improved on lateral quickness
and overall mobility; undersized for a pure big man; has drawn comparisons to
Zach Randolph; mature, composed player – rarely gets rattled; won’t be one of
the league’s more athletic centers, but should be able to bang with bigs as a
rookie
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