2016 NBA Draft: Jakob Poeltl Player Breakdown
2016 Pac-12 Player of the Year Jakob Poeltl is one of the biggest names in the 2016 NBA Draft. With whom does he compare and how does his career project at the next level?
The 2016 NBA Draft is flush with explosive athletes, lights-out shooters, and dynamic playmakers. Yet, for all of the upside talk, one of the most respected prospects available is a traditional center.
All but unanimously projected as a potential lottery pick, Utah Utes center Jakob Poeltl is one of the most coveted prospects in this draft class.
Poeltl had a very strong freshman season in 2014-15, establishing his draft stock as a shot-blocking big man who contained Jahlil Okafor in the 2015 NCAA Tournament. Rather than trying his luck as a potential lottery pick, however, his returned to Utah for his sophomore campaign.
The gamble paid off, as Poeltl made tremendous improvements to his game on both ends of the floor and entered the Top 10 discussion.
Poeltl averaged 17.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.8 offensive boards, 1.9 assists, and 1.6 blocks on a slash line of .646/.000/.692. He increased his scoring output by 7.0 points per 40 minutes, improved his free throw percentage by 24.8 percent, and developed into a solid post player.
The question is, how will Poeltl’s vastly improved game translate to the next level?
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