Utah Jazz: 5 options for pick No. 24 in 2017 NBA Draft
By Adam Coffman
5. Harry Giles
Once considered the top prospect of his class, former Duke freshman forward/center Harry Giles saw his stock fall significantly due to an ACL tear and later surgery that would keep him off the court for all of his senior year of high school and the first few months of his freshman season.
Even though he did not play much (just 11 minutes and three points per game in college), Giles’ physical tools alone are enough to have him in the mid-to-late first round in most mocks.
He projects as a center at the NBA level, standing jut shy of 6’11” and possessing a 7’3″ wingspan, although he could slide down a position if needed. Even while working his way back from an injury that robbed him of his athleticism, he still posted a 32-inch max vert at the draft combine — a decent mark for a big man.
Giles’ best offensive skill is his work as a roll man, having decent hands and the leaping ability to finish over, but not necessarily through defenders. Rebounding is another area where he excels, using his length and quickness to hunt down boards on both ends.
His rawness in terms of offensive skills and IQ would seem familiar to Jazz fans who watched a similarly situated Rudy Gobert develop finesse and touch to go along with his own physical tools. Of course, the Jazz aren’t exactly looking for centers in this draft, but Giles may be too much to pass up on if he falls to them because of his higher ceiling.
The Jazz have dealt with injuries often over the last few years, which could serve to turn them off from a player who has had similar struggles of his own.
Given the upside he has, there’s a good chance Giles doesn’t last until the Jazz pick, which is why he’s our fifth option, along with the aforementioned fit concerns.