2018 NBA Draft: 5 under-the-radar power forward prospects

By Max Holm | Oct 28, 2017

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 09: Bennie Boatwright #25 of the USC Trojans handles the ball against Ike Anigbogu #13 of the UCLA Bruins during a quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 9, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. UCLA won 76-74 (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images) /

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3. Jarred Vanderbilt — Kentucky

Jarred Vanderbilt is another one of those athletic Kentucky forwards who may play in a few different spots this year. Measuring at 6’9″ with a 7’1″ wingspan at the Hoop Summit, according to Draft Express, he has the tools to get away with playing power forward. It’s unclear if he has the mobility to guard the best 3s, though he may get the chance this year at Kentucky.

Where Vanderbilt is going to make a name for himself is with his passing and on the boards. This guy devours rebounds on both ends and even has some point-forward potential on the break. He can’t run your offense, but he can make plays. What’s encouraging about this profile of him is it resembles a guy who can stuff box scores and impact games no matter whether he’s scoring or not.

Unlike Maten, and even Washington as well, Vanderbilt simply can’t shoot. If he were more elite defensively he could get away with it more. Likely this means he has to be paired with a shooting center. That’s doable in the ever-changing NBA, but it could make who drafts him a bit trickier and narrower. Vanderbilt is an exciting prospect to say the least.

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