Five 2017 Second-Round Picks Who Could Follow in Their All-NBA Counterparts' Footsteps

There are a handful of slept-on new rookies who remind us of former second-rounders that have found sustained success in the NBA.

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When the NBA Draft commenced Thursday, fans’ interest understandably centered on the lottery. Like anything else in entertainment, when it comes to the draft, we’re drawn to the big names—the guys who have become celebrities before they’ve even played an NBA game.

We wanted to know if the Lakers would take Lonzo Ball, the smooth point guard with the loud dad, at No. 2 (they did). We wanted to know if the Kings would snag De’Aaron Fox, the Westbrookian wonder, at No. 5 (they did). The marquee names drew the media’s attention and, consequently, our focus.

There’s a good reason for this. Traditionally, the best NBA players didn’t have to wait long on draft night to hear the commissioner call their name.

An overwhelming number of MVPs (Magic, Duncan, Shaq, A.I., and many more) were drafted first overall. The last eight MVP awards have gone to players drafted in the top seven (Curry No. 7, Durant No. 2, LeBron and Rose No. 1). Steve Nash, whom the Suns picked No. 15, is the lowest-drafted MVP dating back to 1970.

Historically, the second round doesn’t yield MVPs, but it does yield stars. We’ve seen countless examples of this—guys overlooked for a myriad of different reasons, including perceived physical or mental limitations, who go on to stick it to the league and then say, “I told you so.”

Three of this year’s All-NBA players (Draymond Green, Isaiah Thomas, and DeAndre Jordan) were second-rounders, and two others (Rudy Gobert and Jimmy Butler) went in the final picks of the first round. There’s a reason Basketball People nerd out over the second round: the NBA is littered with guys who fell in the draft.

It’s all but certain that some very solid future NBA players were drafted in the second round Thursday. And though there will never be a perfect 1:1 player comparison and it’s sexier to think of how the lottery picks compare to pros, there are a handful of slept-on new rookies who remind us of former second-rounders that have found sustained success in the NBA.

Best chance to become the next Draymond Green? Semi Ojeleye (Boston, No. 37)

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It’s a misnomer to think you’re just going to “find the next Draymond Green.” Green may not look like a freak, but he’s as much of a unicorn as Kristaps Porzingis or Giannis Antetokounmpo. There has only ever been one Draymond Green.

With that being said, I’m high on Ojeleye (I considered him a fringe-lottery prospect), and I absolutely love this pick for Boston.

Ojeleye is 6’7” and 235 pounds of granite. He has an NBA big’s body and he played the 4 at SMU, but he’s versatile and athletic enough to play on the wing. You can’t really put a position on him—sound familiar?

Ojeleye is a creator. He’s a good ball handler and has a nice stroke (he hit 42 percent of his threes this year, and he attempted almost five a game). He averaged 23.5 points per 40 minutes this season.

He’s also explosive and heady—high basketball IQ guy. He knows his game and plays within himself.

At 22 years old, look for Ojeleye to get into Boston’s rotation immediately.

Best chance to become the next DeAndre Jordan? Ike Anigbogu (Indiana, No. 47)

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Anigbogu fell due to questions about his knees.

Like Jordan, Anigbogu has crazy athletic ability. He’s a beast inside, standing at 6’10” with elite length (7’6.25” wingspan) and a strong lower body. He’s 252 pounds despite being the youngest player in this year’s class; he won’t turn 19 until October.

Anigbogu brings boinks, rim protection, and power to the table. He’s an excellent shot-blocker—perhaps the best in this class—and a good finisher. He plays with a high motor. His rebounding was huge for Lonzo Ball and company at UCLA this year, as he snatched 4.1 offensive rebounds per 40 minutes.

Anigbogu is a project. He’s raw and needs to develop his awareness, defensive discipline, and general offensive skill. But he has tremendous physical upside, and if he learns how to play off the pick and roll, he could very well one day do this to someone:

Best chance to become the next Isaiah Thomas? Jawun Evans (L.A. Clippers, No. 39)

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It was tempting to slide Kansas’ Frank Mason into this slot simply because of his toughness. While I think Mason will carve out a nice career, however, Evans has true star potential.

Evans’ quickness and finishing ability are off the charts. He knows how to use the glass like few other guards.

Though his 6’1” listing is generous, Evans was one of the best scorers in college basketball this season (19.2 points per game). He can create his own shot (his crossover is lethal), get to the rack (he has a nice floater), and fill it up from three (he shot 38 percent from deep this year). He reminds me of a cross between Thomas and Kyrie Irving.

Like Thomas, Evans isn’t an elite athlete. He has excellent handle, burst, and body awareness, though, and he’s the type of guard who can take over a game. Evans scored 25 or more points eight times this season, but he isn’t a selfish player; he averaged 6.4 assists per game and always looks for his teammates first.

Also like Thomas, Evans slid because of concerns about his size and defensive abilities. Those may be shortcomings for him throughout his career, but his offensive upside is huge.

Best chance to become the next Hassan Whiteside? Jonah Bolden (Philadelphia, No. 36)

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Bolden was named the Adriatic League’s top prospect this season. That distinction has previously gone in recent years to Dario Saric and Nikola Jokic. If Bolden had played in the NCAA this year (he played one year at UCLA before going to Australia), he would’ve been a first-rounder.

He’s a unique player. He’s both a stretch 4—he has a smooth outside shot—and an athletic 5. He stands at 6’10” with a 7’3” wingspan, but he can play the pick-and-pop to perfection. He hit 41.9 percent of his threes (4.2 attempts per game) in Australia this year.

Bolden won’t be limited to standing beyond the arc. Though his post moves leave something to be desired, he’s a monster athlete, a la Whiteside.

He’s a good passer, rim protector, ball-handler, and rebounder; he’s a frontcourt Swiss army knife, and like Whiteside, you can’t really put him into a box.

Bolden needs to add some muscle to his frame, but scouts were sky high on him because of his versatility and athleticism.

Best chance to become the next Malcolm Brogdon? Sindarius Thornwell (L.A. Clippers, No. 48)

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Thornwell was the leader of the South Carolina team that made an improbable charge to the Final Four this spring. He’s an experienced 2-guard; Thornwell was a four-year impact player for the Gamecocks, as Brogdon was for Virginia.

Like Brogdon, Thornwell has extremely high defensive upside, and he’s a hard worker with unusual maturity. They have the same frame, too—6’5”, 215. Brogdon made an immediate impact with Milwaukee last year, and Thornwell should do the same for a Clippers organization that needs fewer divas and more grinders.

Thornwell was explosive on the offensive end in college. He could always take his man off the dribble, get to the rim, and finish through contact. He’s strong and loves going right into the body of defenders.

He’ll be more of a role player in the NBA, and he won’t use the dribble as much, but he has the skill set to make that transition. The 2016-17 SEC Player of the Year (Brogdon was the 2015-16 ACC Player of the Year) has excellent shooting mechanics. He shot 40 percent from three this year—matching the percentage Brogdon put up in his rookie year.

Thornwell has big-time three-and-D potential and will be a well-liked locker-room guy.


These are just a few of the promising second-rounders who were taken Thursday. Some others: Dwayne Bacon (No. 40, Hornets), Isaiah Hartenstein (No. 43, Rockets), Mathias Lessort (No. 50, France), and Nigel Williams-Goss (No. 55, Jazz).

Keep an eye out for these guys in the coming years. They’ll be on a mission to stick it to the league—and maybe one day recite the name of each player who was taken before them.

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