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Indiana Pacers: 5 options for pick No. 18 in 2017 NBA Draft

By Adrian Lawhorn

Feb 18, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Luke Kennard (5) drives to the basket past Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward John Collins (20) in the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Luke Kennard (5) drives to the basket past Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward John Collins (20) in the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 20, 2017; Morgantown, WV, USA; Texas Longhorns forward Jarrett Allen (31) dunks the ball during the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2017; Morgantown, WV, USA; Texas Longhorns forward Jarrett Allen (31) dunks the ball during the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

Jarrett Allen, C, Texas

2016-17 Statistics: 13.4 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.5 BPG

The Pacers used their 2015 first round pick on Myles Turner, a center from Texas who has blossomed into a very good young player (14.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game in 2016-17).

Some mock drafts are projecting that Indiana will go to the Longhorn well once more by choosing another big man from Texas, Jarrett Allen. Allen is not only 6-foot-10, but he has very long arms that allow him to rebound at an elite level.

Allen does not have a great deal of quickness, but he runs the floor well. He also shoots well from midrange, so he may be able to play some minutes at power forward in the NBA.

Jarrett Allen’s fundamentals need work, as can be said for most 19-year-old basketball players. He doesn’t have a post game to speak of, and his body needs further development.

Allen appears to be a promising defensive center, but may not be much of a scorer at the NBA level, and he’ll need a few years to fully develop his frame and his skill set.

Allen reportedly improved quite a bit during his freshman season at Texas, so his progress has been encouraging. However, Jarrett Allen is another young prospect who will require some time and patience on the part of any team who drafts him.

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