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Orlando Mock Draft Roundup: Nearing the end

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Dec 3, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) pulls in a rebound against Maine Black Bears guard Ilker Er (21) in the second half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) pulls in a rebound against Maine Black Bears guard Ilker Er (21) in the second half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /
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Basketball Insiders

6th Pick

Joel Brigham: Dennis Smith, G/NC State
Michael Scott: Jonathan Isaac, F/Florida State
Moke Hamilton: Jayson Tatum, F/Duke
Steve Kyler: Josh Jackson, F/Kansas

It would be quite the coup if Kansas Jayhawks forward Josh Jackson fell to the Magic. Many draft experts believe he is one of the three or four best prospects in this Draft. And, personally, he is my favorite prospect.

Jackson is a versatile athlete with strong defensive instincts and a high basketball IQ. He can attack the basket with the ball and work off the ball to cut and stay around the basket. Despite a relatively slight 6-foot-8 frame, he was a strong rebounder and able to mix things up inside.

Jackson still has a lot of work to do to improve his 3-point shooting to take that next step. But Jackson showed plenty of signs his shot can improve — despite his poor free throw shooting.

He is undoubtedly talented and has similar profiles to other elite defending athletes who had to develop their offense. Very similar to a player Chad Forcier worked with while coaching the San Antonio Spurs.

25th Pick

Joel Brigham: Bam Adebayo, C/Kentucky
Michael Scott: Jawun Evans, PG/Oklahoma State
Moke Hamilton: Jawun Evans, PG/Oklahoma State
Steve Kyler: T.J. Leaf, PF/UCLA

Among the elite freshman that went to play for the Kentucky Wildcats, Bam Adebayo is still one of the toughest to judge.

Adebayo averaged 13.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. He is not the obvious elite athletic that other big men in the John Calipari catalog are. But Adebayo is extremely active around the basket and a decent defender.

He still has a long way to go and is extremely raw. Without elite athleticism, he is not likely a big shot blocker at the NBA level. But he has good defensive instincts and can finish strong at the basket off putbacks and rebounds.