2017 NBA Draft Inside Look: Florida Edition
The 2017 NBA Draft is just hours away from going down in Brooklyn, New York.
73 players will be eligible for the process including 63 from the collegiate level and 10 from the International platform.
A lot of rumors have been swirling around the past week and a half and trades have already taken place.
We are here to look at five prospects that started it all in the state of Florida. Those five guys are Jonathan Isaac, Tony Bradley, John Collins, Dwayne Bacon and Antonio Blakeney.
Jonathan Isaac
Isaac started his prep career at Naples Barron Collier before moving to IMG. The 6’10”, 210-pounder flourished in high school showing off his length, range and attacking ability. In his lone season at FSU, Isaac averaged 12.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocked shots per game. He made 31-of-89 3-pointers (35 percent) and 78 percent from the free throw line.
This kid is a top-five, top-seven pick in the lottery. Boston (No. 3), Phoenix (No. 4) and Orlando (No. 6) all make sense as landing spots. Isaac is still lean, but as he develops his body and becomes more physical the better off he’ll be. Much like a good portion of the freshmen in this year’s class, Isaac is loaded with upside. He should earn a key role right away wherever he lands.
Tony Bradley
Bartow was fortunate to have the 6’11”, 240-pound big man for all four high school seasons. Bradley was huge for the Yellow Jackets as they went 92-29 with him there. That included a state final, state semifinal, region final and region semifinal appearance. Very impressive.
Bradley had a limited role for UNC as a freshman, averaging 7.1 points and 5.1 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. He shot 61.9 percent from the free throw line. Bradley posted three double-doubles coming against Hawaii, Radford and Tennessee. His stock should be in the early 20’s in the first round. Bradley his a pure big man and has the tools to turn into a starter.
John Collins
At 6’10”, 235 lbs., Collins is a ferocious inside presence. The West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman alumni worked his way into the starting lineup after being a reserve as a freshman. Collins averaged 19.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game this past season. He also shot 74.5 percent from the free throw line.
Collins doesn’t turn 20 until September. He’s young and proven. Look for him to wind up going anywhere between pick 10-15. He could move into a team’s starting lineup right away with his tools already on his side. Collins is a man.
Dwayne Bacon
Originally a star at Lakeland McKeel, Bacon moved to Oak Hill to finish out his prep career. He became the main attraction at FSU averaging 15.8 points per game as a freshman before averaging 17.2 points per game as a sophomore. At 6’7″, 221 lbs., he isn’t the most polished outside shooter (30.7 3-point percentage), but he gives you tough minutes.
Bacon is likely to be taken in the early part of the second round. He’ll be worked into a team’s rotation and provide an energy role on the wing. Orlando owns two picks (No. 33 and No. 35) in the beginning stages of the second round. They could use a guy like Bacon. He’ll be a solid piece wherever he lands.
Antonio Blakeney
Blakeney averaged 14.8 points per game in two seasons at LSU including a career-best 17.2 points per game as a sophomore. The 6’4″, 197-pounder also averaged 4.8 rebounds and 35.8 percent from beyond the arc this past season.
The former Oak Ridge star is simply looking to latch on somewhere. He could go late in the second round or get signed after the draft as an undrafted free agent. Regardless, Blakeney is a hard worker. This isn’t the last you’ve heard of him.