NBA mock draft: The Utah Jazz and our composite top 30 picks
By Ryan Aston
Late First Round (Nos. 22-30)
Josh Okogie. 22. player. 24. . Wing. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
High mock: 19 Low Mock: 2nd Rd
Height: 6-4 Weight: 215 Wingspan: 7-0 Age: 19
2017-18 Stats: 18.2 PTS, 6.3 REB, 1.8 STL, .416 FG, .380 3PT, .821 FT
Josh Okogie was one of the darlings of the NBA Draft Combine. Great length and strength for a two-guard or wing player. He’s also an explosive leaper and a plus athlete. Okogie doesn’t have that textbook shooting form, but shows potential as a shooter in the NBA if he develops that release. Can finish at the rim.
I love that he gets to the line and plays with energy defensively. He would do well too tighten up his handle and work on bringing the defensive heat more consistently.
100. . Wing. Ohio St. Buckeyes. Keita Bates-Diop. 23. player
High mock: 20 Low Mock: 2nd Rd
Height: 6-7 Weight: 235 Wingspan: 7-2 Age: 22
2017-18 Stats: 19.8 PTS, 8.7 REB, 1.6 BLK, .480 FG, .359 3PT, .794 FT
J-Notes staffer John Keeffer: “Diop has the profile of a modern-day power forward, but has the mobility of a small forward. To put his size into perspective, potential top pick Marvin Bagley Jr. is listed as a center, and only has a seven-foot wingspan. During his senior season with the Buckeyes, Diop used that wingspan to average 1.6 blocks per game.”
Super long and really stepped up as a scorer during his senior year. He’s ancient for a draft prospect and didn’t really hit his stride until year four, so you wonder about his upside.
. Guard. Élan Béarnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez. Elie Okobo. 24. player. 2367
High mock: 20 Low Mock: 2nd Rd
Height: 6-3 Weight: 180 Wingspan: 6-8 Age: 20
2017-18 Stats: 13.8 PTS, 2.7 REB, 4.7 AST, .489 FG, .418 3PT, .835 FT
Elie Okobo is a shot creator, he can pull up off the dribble and stick a J in your eye. He dropped 44 points on just 17 shots in a game last season. Okobo also seems to have the vision and playmaking you want to see from your lead guard. His length approaches elite levels for a point guard.
NBA ball pressure will be something of an adjustment for him, so we’ll see how well those skills translate. He needs to work on being a more energetic defender as well.
player. 20. . Wing. Duke Blue Devils. Grayson Allen. 25
High mock: 23 Low Mock: 2nd Rd
Height: 6-4 Weight: 185 Wingspan: 6-7 Age: 22
2017-18 Stats: 15.5 PTS, 3.3 REB, 4.6 AST, .418 FG, .370 3PT, .850 FT
J-Notes staffer Zack Padmore: “He’s become a very good shooter over the past four years, and is solid defensively. He may never become a star, but he has role player potential written all over him. Remember, solid role players have decade-long careers.
Allen’s experience and athleticism will help his game translate to the next level. If put in the right system, I think Allen could contribute from day one.”
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (Commit only). Mitchell Robinson. 26. player. 93. . Big
High mock: 22 Low Mock: 2nd Rd
Height: 7-1 Weight: 225 Wingspan: 7-4 Age: 20
2017-18 Stats: DNP
Mitchell Robinson may be a tough cookie to crack because he didn’t play a second of college basketball. There’s reason to believe he’s the best rim protector in this draft class. Robinson seems to have the bounce, length and timing to consistently ruin your day at the rim. He moves well for a big man, too.
Given his physical attributes, his rebounding reportedly leaves something to be desired. Needs to develop his offensive game to be more than a lob finisher, but some suggest he could develop all the way out to the 3-point line.
KK Cedevita. Dzanan Musa. 27. player. 18. . Wing
High mock: 18 Low Mock: 2nd Rd
Height: 6-9 Weight: 195 Wingspan: 6-8 Age: 19
2017-18 Stats: 12.4 PTS, 3.5 REB, 1.0 STL, .470 FG, .313 3PT, .804 FT
Zack Padmore: “At 6-foot-9, Musa has great size for his position. He’s got long strides going to the basket, and can really get hot from downtown. He can score from anywhere on the court, and has a lot of heart. His emotion is part of what makes him a fun player to scout and watch.”
This year’s International Man of Mystery.