4) Skal Labissiere, Kentucky
Before the season, many had Kentucky big man Skal Labissiere pegged as a top-three pick in the NBA Draft. However, after a series of strong performances in November, Labissiere has struggled with inconsistent minutes and inconsistent play.
Still, he has the potential to be a quality NBA big man despite failing to set the world on fire as a collegiate.
Remember, college hoops pundits had similar misgivings about Myles Turner after his lone season at Texas failed to match the hype he created as a high school player. Turner is now in the midst of a strong rookie campaign with the Indiana Pacers.
Labissiere and Turner are different players, but the Port-Au-Prince native still has all the physical tools to develop into an impact player in the NBA. He’s a legit seven-footer with a nine-foot standing reach, shot-blocking ability and shows potential in the pick-and-pop and in the post.
The Jazz have Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert locked into the starting five, but Tibor Pleiss remains a 26-year-old project and Jeff Withey probably won’t be with the team long-term despite being effective in limited action. Labissiere could team with Trey Lyles to give the Jazz bench a versatile, athletic frontcourt in the second unit.
In 30 games with the Wildcats this season, Labissiere is averaging 6.4 points, three rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots in just under 16 minutes per game.
Next: No. 3: Denzel Valentine