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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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Feb 14, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes forward Jakob Poeltl (42) goes up for a dunk during the second half against the Washington State Cougars at Jon M. Huntsman Center. Utah won 88-47. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes forward Jakob Poeltl (42) goes up for a dunk during the second half against the Washington State Cougars at Jon M. Huntsman Center. Utah won 88-47. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Jakob Poeltl, Utah Utes

Position: Center

Age: 20 (10/15/1995)

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

Slash Line: .661/.000/.678

Season Averages: 30.1 MPG, 17.4 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 2.8 ORPG, 2.0 APG, 1.6 BPG

Analysis

Centers have become somewhat obsolete in the modern NBA, but any team that can protect the rim and pound the ball inside will have a chance to win games. When said teams can also facilitate and score from the low and high posts, the chances of victory improve immensely.

Jakob Poeltl may not be Karl-Anthony Towns, but he’s a two-way player who can anchor the defense and provide stability to an offense in need of a consistent interior playmaker.

Even with a growing emphasis on 3-point shooting and transition offense, rim protectors are of the utmost importance in the NBA. Said players can be the difference between regular season success and being able to genuinely contend for a championship.

Poeltl’s ability to do so, as well as his mobility in the half court and transition, make him one of the Top 10 prospects in this draft class.

Poeltl’s fundamentals have improved dramatically, and while he still shies away from contact offensively, he can operate with his back to the basket and finish with both hands. He’s a solid athlete who can run in transition and has soft enough hands to be a consistent asset in the pick-and-roll.

Poeltl doesn’t do anything flashy, but he’s going to be a very good NBA player with All-Star potential.

Next: The Contemporary Big Man