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NBA Mock Draft 2016: New Year’s Resolutions

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 25, 2015; Honolulu, HI, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) flashes a "shaka" sign after the game against the Harvard Crimson at the Stan Sheriff Center. Oklahoma Sooners defeated the Harvard Crimson 83-71. Hield was named MVP of the tournament. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2015; Honolulu, HI, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) flashes a "shaka" sign after the game against the Harvard Crimson at the Stan Sheriff Center. Oklahoma Sooners defeated the Harvard Crimson 83-71. Hield was named MVP of the tournament. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 19, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Utah Utes forward Jakob Poeltl (42) controls the ball against Duke Blue Devils center Marshall Plumlee (40) during overtime at Madison Square Garden. Utah defeated Duke 77-75 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Utah Utes forward Jakob Poeltl (42) controls the ball against Duke Blue Devils center Marshall Plumlee (40) during overtime at Madison Square Garden. Utah defeated Duke 77-75 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Jakob Poeltl, Utah Utes

Position: Center

Age: 20

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 7’1″, 242 pounds, 7’1″

Slash Line: .687/.000/.660

Season Averages: 27.8 MPG, 17.7 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.6 ORPG, 1.9 APG, 2.1 BPG

New Year’s Resolution: Commit

After the 2014-15 college basketball season, Utah Utes center Jakob Poeltl had the potential to be a lottery pick. He was an incredibly raw offensive player, but he showed signs of being a true defensive anchor—so much so that he contained and outplayed Jahlil Okafor in the Sweet 16.

In 2015-16, the 7’1″ sophomore has complemented his elite defensive play with a similar level of production and ability on offense.

Poeltl still has work to do, but he’s improved dramatically as an offensive option. He’s crashing the boards, and in designed offensive sets, he’s more than comfortable backing opponents down and finishing with either hand out of the post.

Poeltl’s issue on both ends of the floor is that he’s often tentative when he needs to commit. In the New Year, he needs to go up hard around the basket and play without refrain as a rim protector.

As soon as that happens, Poeltl will cement his place as one of the elite prospects in the 2016 NBA Draft.

Next: Explosiveness Pays