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Indiana Pacers: 2017 NBA Draft grades

By Evan Massey

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; T.J. Leaf (UCLA) is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number eighteen overall pick to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; T.J. Leaf (UCLA) is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number eighteen overall pick to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 7, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; Xavier Musketeers guard Edmond Sumner (4) during the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center. The Buffaloes defeated the Musketeers 68-66. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; Xavier Musketeers guard Edmond Sumner (4) during the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center. The Buffaloes defeated the Musketeers 68-66. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 52 — Edmond Sumner

Finally, the Indiana Pacers bought the No. 52 overall pick from the New Orleans Pelicans in order to select Xavier guard Edmond Sumner. At 6’6″, Sumner is projected to play point guard in the NBA. That alone makes him an intriguing pick for the Pacers.

Indiana could have a gaping hole at the backup point guard position, as Aaron Brooks is set to hit free agency. Joseph Young has not shown enough to the Pacers to prove that he is capable of playing key minutes, which led to the selection of Sumner.

Last season at Xavier, Sumner averaged 14.3 points, 4.8 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game. He shot 47.9 percent from the floor and cashed in on just 27.3 percent of his three-point attempts.

Sumner, like Anigbogu, is a raw talent, but the Pacers have been good at developing young players in recent history. More than likely, Sumner will be a third-string point guard and could end up playing for the Pacers’ D-League in Fort Wayne, Indiana for the majority of the season.

Next: 2017 NBA Draft grades for all 30 teams

That being said, he is an intriguing prospect that will be given every opportunity to earn a role on the roster and is well worth the cash considerations that the Pacers paid for his draft rights.

Grade: B-

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