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2017 NBA Mock Draft: Incoming Freshmen Not The Only Story

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 20, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Xavier Musketeers guard Edmond Sumner (4) works around Wisconsin Badgers guard Jordan Hill (11) during the first half of the second round in the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Xavier Musketeers guard Edmond Sumner (4) works around Wisconsin Badgers guard Jordan Hill (11) during the first half of the second round in the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2017 NBA Draft is about far more than just the incoming freshmen. International players, upperclassmen, and sophomore standouts will shine in 2016-17.

Mar 20, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Xavier Musketeers guard Edmond Sumner (4) works around Wisconsin Badgers guard Jordan Hill (11) during the first half of the second round in the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Xavier Musketeers guard Edmond Sumner (4) works around Wisconsin Badgers guard Jordan Hill (11) during the first half of the second round in the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2017 NBA Draft class is one of the most heralded and hyped in recent history. It seems as though that statement is uttered with every passing season, but scouts and general managers have been looking forward to 2017 for quite some time.

Though the incoming freshmen have rightfully dominated headlines, it’s critical to note that they aren’t the only players worth cherishing.

Beyond the star-studded crop of freshmen is an influx of players who are just now coming into their own. Some are international big men who are working their way up the European hierarchy.

Others are veterans of the college basketball scene who have an anticipated jump from their previous stature to stardom on the horizon.

There’s no uniform for the exceptions, but there are non-freshmen prospects to evaluate. Much as Dragan Bender, Kris Dunn, Buddy Hield, Jakob Poeltl, Domantas Sabonis, Taurean Prince, and Denzel Valentine were able to in 2016, said players could enter the draft lottery in 2017.

The hype is expected to be authenticated this coming season. It’s not just the freshmen who are generating it.

Next: No. 1

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