The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Way-Too-Early Draft Prospect Rankings

By Ryan Aston

Feb 28, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) gestures to the crowd during the first half of a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) gestures to the crowd during the first half of a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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1) Furkan Korkmaz, Turkey

While Furkan Korkmaz hasn’t gotten a lot of run in his time with Turkish squad Anadolu Efes, he’s made the most of the time he has gotten. Despite playing less than 13 minutes per game for his team this season, he’s become one of the most respected deep threats in Europe.

In a combined 32 games in the Turkish BSL and Euroleague, Korkmaz has made 47 percent of his three-point attempts. This is up from 42 percent in 2014-15. What’s more, he has no fear of letting it fly. Per 36 minutes, Korkmaz averages 6.1 three-point attempts per game.

A player that is willing to take three-pointers and can knock them down consistently is something the Jazz could definitely use. However, Korkmaz isn’t just a shooter.

At six-foot-seven and 185 pounds, Korkmaz looks like a young Brent Barry, but the similarities don’t end there. Just as Barry won both the three-point shootout and the slam dunk contest, Korkmaz is just as capable of throwing it down as he is burning the nets from 25-plus feet from the basket.

Here he is winning a dunk contest while dressed as Darth Vader–

NBADraft.net compares cites Gordon Hayward as a player comparison. Meanwhile, I see some Mario Hezonja in the young Turk. Like Hezonja, Korkmaz is a lengthy, athletic wing with an ability to drive, dish and hit from the outside. Also like Hezonja, Korkmaz hasn’t played major minutes for his European club.

Korkmaz is three years younger, but could still make a similar transition to the NBA.

As with most rookies, defense will be a learning process for Korkmaz, but he has the right instincts and size for the job. As he bulks up and adds strength, he could become a versatile defender in the league.

Next: Idaho Stampede are Wheeling and Dealing

So that’s my five; who else should the Jazz be looking at in the 2016 NBA Draft? Leave a comment below and let us know.