9 College Kids NBA Teams Will Tank For

Before the college season tips off across the country, get your mind right and your study on by checking out these nine players we'll see in the NBA.

Ivan Rabb Cal Dunk 2016
USA Today Sports

California Golden Bears forward Ivan Rabb (1) dunks the basketball against the USC Trojans in the first half at Haas Pavilion.

Ivan Rabb Cal Dunk 2016

College basketball is back tonight. But even if you’re not a big fan of college hoops and prefer to stick to the NBA, there are still plenty of players worth watching this year just so you know which star-studded prospect might fall to your favorite squad come June’s NBA Draft.

So if you’re a fan of a team like the Sixers, Pelicans, Mavericks, or even the Celtics (who are screwing over the Nets for a generation), these are the kids who have lottery written all over them. Before the college season tips off tonight across the country, get your mind right and your study on by checking out these nine players we’re bound to see balling in the NBA next year.

Lonzo Ball

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Team: UCLA

Class: Freshman

Projected in the Draft: NBADraft.net: 4, Chad Ford (ESPN): 7, SI.com: 15

Ball has a fairly fluid draft stock, which will likely be ironed out by the end of this year. The UCLA freshman hits threes and dunks like few others can, but the mechanics of his shot are a bit awkward, meaning he's going to have to clean it up before he reaches the NBA. He will probably land in the lottery this year, but whether he gets taken at the higher or lower end of it remains to be seen.

Ivan Rabb

Ivan Rabb Cal 2nd Half 2016

Malik Monk

Malik Monk Kentucky Bench 2016 Freshman

De’Aaron Fox

De'Aaron Fox Kentucky Freshman 2016

Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum Duke McDonald's All American

Dennis Smith

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Team: NC State

Class: Freshman

Projected in the Draft: NBADraft.net: 2, Chad Ford (ESPN): 4, SI.com: 9

Watching Smith play is kind of like watching Allen Iverson: he's fearless going to the rim. And he's taller than A.I. Smith can run, shoot, and pass better than just about anyone else on the floor. 

Markelle Fultz

Markelle Fultz McDonald's All American 2016

Josh Jackson

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Team: Kansas

Class: Freshman

Projected in the Draft: NBADraft.net: 1, Chad Ford (ESPN): 1, SI.com: 2

Kansas coach Bill Self has compared Jackson to another former Kansas freshman standout: Andrew Wiggins. And it’s not just because they’re both Jayhawks. They’re both 6'8" small forwards who move around the court incredibly well and have a lethal combination of athleticism and pure strength. Another Sixers #Process finish could put him on the same frontcourt with fellow Kansas product Joel Embiid—if Embiid can stay healthy—so if Sixers basketball gets boring, Philly fans may want to tune into the Jayhawks.

Harry Giles

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Team: Duke

Class: Freshman

Projected in the Draft: NBADraft.net: 5, Chad Ford (ESPN): 3, SI.com: 1

Mike Krzyzewski used to avoid one-and-done guys. But in the last couple of years, Duke one-and-dones like Kyrie Irving, Jabari Parker, Jahlil Okafor, and Brandon Ingram have developed into high-end picks that have wowed scouts. Giles is a 6’10” power forward who can get to the basket with strength and authority. If you’re a fan of an NBA team that’s having an awful year, watch some Duke games. Because you may very well be buying a Giles (insert bad team here) jersey come June.

 

 

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