Hoops Habit
Fansided

Toronto Raptors: 5 options for pick No. 23 in 2017 NBA Draft

By Nate Wolf

Mar 17, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs forward Semi Ojeleye (33) reacts during the second half against the USC Trojans in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs forward Semi Ojeleye (33) reacts during the second half against the USC Trojans in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Mar 11, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Harry Giles (1) reacts after a dunk against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of the ACC Conference Tournament final at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Harry Giles (1) reacts after a dunk against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of the ACC Conference Tournament final at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Harry Giles, C, Duke

A year ago, Giles was one of the favorites to be taken first in this year’s draft. Since then, he’s been through hell and back, with arthroscopic surgery delaying his Duke career and ultimately limiting his playing time to scraps. Giles averaged 3.9 points and 3.8 rebounds last season. That’s it.

Giles has blown out both of his knees now, and it’s unclear how much of his previously elite athleticism will return. Even so, he has some tools that make him an intriguing long-term project as he regains his sharpness and relearns the game. He has almost the exact same body as D.J. Wilson, but unlike Wilson, actually uses his body on the interior.

More from Hoops Habit

As Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz of DraftExpress write, on the boards, Giles is “quick off the floor, active pursuing loose balls, and goes out of his area regularly with his strong hands, long arms and impressive instincts.”

These instincts shine through on defense, too, where Giles averaged 1.2 steals and 2.3 blocks per 40 minutes. He could eventually be able to defend basically every area of the court, which bodes well for his long-term potential.

Some players can get by with defense and rebounding alone, and maybe that’s Giles. That’s not why you draft him, though. Giles was also a dominant offensive player in high school, which Givony and Schmitz point out. Injuries deprived him of the time to develop a shooting stroke or playmaking skills, but at just 19, he has plenty of time to grow, possibly in the D-League.

Giles doesn’t fill any immediate need for the Raptors. He may even clog up their logjam at center even further. That said, prior to this season, Giles was considered a high lottery pick, and the slim chance he recaptures that precocious brilliance is worth the No. 23 pick.

Home/NBA Draft