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2017 NBA Mock Draft: Point Guards Dominate The Early Field

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 17, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) celebrates after the Wildcats defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 103-100 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) celebrates after the Wildcats defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 103-100 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 11, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) calls a play against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Nevada defeated Washington, 87-85. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) calls a play against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Nevada defeated Washington, 87-85. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Markelle Fultz, Washington Huskies

Position: Point Guard
Age: 18 (5/29/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’4.75″, 186 pounds, 6’9″
2016-17 Slash Line: .482/.406/.657
2016-17 Season Averages: 35.6 MPG, 23.3 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.3 BPG, 1.9 3PM

The Washington Huskies are 9-12 and well on their way to missing the 2016 NCAA Tournament. It would be the sixth consecutive season that Lorenzo Romar and the Huskies missed out out on reaching the NCAA Tournament.

The Huskies’ poor play as a team hasn’t completely damaged Markelle Fultz’s draft stock, but for a player who’s projected to elevate a franchise, it’s somewhat concerning.

True as that all may be, Fultz has essentially become the Ben Simmons of the 2017 NBA Draft. He’s one of the most well-rounded players in the country and still projects to have elite upside at the next level.

Fultz is a dynamic slasher, lethal 3-point shooter, high-quality rebounder and defender, and a phenomenal facilitator.

Fultz has all of the tools to be an elite player at just under 6’5″ with a 6’9″ wingspan and a tremendous skill set. His free throw shooting is a concern, but he’s the type of talent whom many organizations would love to have.

I’m still uneasy about Fultz’s rigid movement and the impact that could have on his knees, but he’s essentially a 6’5″ Chris Paul from an upside perspective.