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2016 NBA Draft: Top 10 Safest Prospects

By Maxwell Ogden

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 13: Jamal Murray #23 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates during the 82-77 OT win over the Texas A&M Aggies in the Championship Game of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 13, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 13: Jamal Murray #23 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates during the 82-77 OT win over the Texas A&M Aggies in the Championship Game of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 13, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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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 /

4. Jakob Poeltl, Utah Utes

Position: Center
Age: 20 (10/15/1995)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 7’1″, 239 pounds, 7’2.75″
Slash Line: .646/.000/.692
Season Averages: 30.4 MPG, 17.2 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 2.8 ORPG, 1.9 APG, 1.6 BPG

Over the past two seasons, no player has made more significant improvements to their game than Jakob Poeltl. He’s become a more disciplined defender, a more active rebounder, and most importantly, has become a genuine scoring threat from the low block.

Poeltl is a traditional big man in every sense of the word, and anyone who’s afraid of that is ignoring how vital those players are and always will be.

If you’re afraid of a player who can get you a quick and easy two points on the offensive end, you’re overthinking it. If you’re afraid of a player who can work the pick-and-roll, play with his back to the basket, and crash the offensive glass, you’re overthinking it.

If you’re afraid of a shot-blocking big man who isn’t an elite athlete, but runs the floor well, you’re overthinking it.

Not every roster is structured like the Golden State Warriors’, and even that unique juggernaut requires a center’s presence. Thus, in an era during which most teams still ask for more than 25 minutes a night from their center, Poeltl remains of extraordinary value.

A fair indication of how badly he wants to improve: after converting 44.4 percent of his free throws as a freshman, Poeltl shot 69.2 percent as a sophomore.

Next: The Complete Package

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