2018 NBA Mock Draft: A way-too-early look ahead

Mar 29, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonalds All-American West forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) poses with the trophy after winning the John Wooden Award as the most valuable player for the 40th Annual McDonald's High School All-American Game at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 29, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonalds All-American West forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) poses with the trophy after winning the John Wooden Award as the most valuable player for the 40th Annual McDonald’s High School All-American Game at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

With the 2017 NBA Draft officially in the books, it’s only fitting to take a way-too-early look ahead at the top prospects in the 2018 NBA Draft.

The 2017 NBA Draft has officially concluded and the landscape has officially been altered. Organizations have invested draft picks in prospects who have garnered incomparable hype and will thus face massive expectations.

While the primary exercise may be to evaluate the players who were selected, it’s also time to welcome the next era of NBA Draft prospects.

The 2018 NBA Draft isn’t being heralded as equal in talent to the class of 2017, but it could be of similar importance. The top of the board is flush with prospects who possess genuine superstar potential, and the rest of the class is littered with starting-caliber players.

Whether or not you believe there’s a Markelle Fultz to be found, the 2018 draft class could be of similar influence to trends in the NBA.

A European player is near the top of the board—and he’s not a big man. In other cases, big men with massive wingspans and point guards with the rare gift of power have overrun the draft board and could facilitate the literal growth of the league.

The question is: Who are the top eligible prospects for the 2018 NBA Draft and what do you need to know about them?