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2016 NBA Mock Draft: Top Prospects Entering March Madness

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 5, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) reacts from the court during the game against the LSU Tigers in the second half at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) reacts from the court during the game against the LSU Tigers in the second half at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 5, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) brings the ball up court during the first half of a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) brings the ball up court during the first half of a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

17. Denzel Valentine, Michigan State Spartans

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 22 (11/16/1993)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’6″, 220 pounds, 6’10”

Slash Line: .471/.454/.841

Season Averages: 32.7 MPG, 19.6 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 7.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 3.4 3PM

Analysis

Including Buddy Hield, no prospect has done more for their draft stock than Michigan State Spartans wing Denzel Valentine. While Hield was an early second-round prospect at the start of the season, Valentine was almost entirely overlooked by the masses.

Valentine is a nightly triple-double threat, and there really aren’t very many of those on the college basketball scene.

It’s becoming more and more difficult to deny Valentine’s NBA potential. He’s flirting with a triple-double on a nightly basis, displaying court vision that ranks amongst the best in this draft class, and is a genuinely elite 3-point shooter.

Valentine is averaging 3.4 3-point field goals made per game on 45.4 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Enough said.

Valentine is essentially a more efficient Lance Stephenson with a significantly better jump shot. There are risks involved in drafting him, with athleticism that ranks in the average range and a tendency to turn the ball over, but he’s a complete player.

There’s a drop-off defensively, but on offense, Valentine is the shooting guard version of fellow Michigan State Spartans alum Draymond Green.

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