Hoops Habit
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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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Jan 23, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts after making a three point shot against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the first half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts after making a three point shot against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the first half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Jayson Tatum, Duke Blue Devils

Position: Small Forward
Age: 18 (3/3/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’8.25″, 204 pounds, 6’11”
2016-17 Slash Line: .439/.292/.843
2016-17 Season Averages: 29.9 MPG, 16.1 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.3 ORPG, 1.9 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.4 BPG, 1.0 3PM

After struggling with inefficiency early in his collegiate career, Jayson Tatum has begun to find stability. He’s still not playing up to the standard of a potentially elite scorer, but he’s unselfish and proving to be willing to change his role if it means helping the team.

Coupled with the fact that Tatum is defending at a much higher level than what was expected of him, it’s hard not to be intrigued by the mental details.

Tatum’s willingness to defend and crash the boards is a sign that he’s willing to do what his team asks of him. That’s an imperative truth for a player who thinks like a scorer, but isn’t afraid to expend energy in other areas.

Most score-first players struggle to preserve energy for other facets of the game, but Tatum is learning how to do so at Duke.

True as that all may be, the reason Tatum is garnering Top 10 hype is his uncanny ability to put points on the board. His 3-point shot has been somewhat flat, but he has a smooth midrange game and the ability to go to the post and score against players at multiple positions.

Tatum has a lot of Carmelo Anthony in his game. If he measures well at the combine, that upside could make him a Top 5 draft pick.