2016 NBA Draft: 5 Second Round Picks Who Could Become Stars
The 2016 NBA Draft has come and gone and there are a lot of teams that feel very good about who they picked up. There were a lot of talented players in the draft and it was deep enough that some second rounders could end up being stars at some point in the future. It is never too early to begin looking at which players to keep an eye on moving forward.
It was obvious throughout the first round that teams were torn on whether to make the safe pick or take a risk. That is why there were so many talented players slipping into the second round.
Simply looking at the second round draft board, some big names from college basketball were picked.
That being said, it is impossible to predict how a player will translate their game to the NBA. It is a completely different beast and it all depends on the work ethic of that player and the fit with their new team.
Which five second round picks could end up becoming stars at the NBA level in the next few years?
Perhaps one of the biggest surprises of the draft was that Deyonta Davis slipped out of the first round. He has all the tools to become a special player at the next level and the Memphis Grizzlies have to be very happy to have gotten him. If Davis continues working hard on his game and allows the Memphis coaching staff to mold him, his future is incredibly bright.
Tyler Ulis, Point Guard, Phoenix Suns
Tyler Ulis saw his draft stock fluctuate throughout the entire draft process. It was an up-and-down process for him to say the very least, but he landed with a perfect fit in Phoenix. He will excel playing the up-tempo style of offense and in a few years will look like an absolute steal.
Demetrius Jackson, Point Guard, Boston Celtics
Brad Stevens and the Celtics got one of the best guards in the draft in the middle of the second round when they selected Demetrius Jackson. He has solid size and athleticism to play at the next level and very few prospects had the drive and work ethic that he possesses. Jackson will be out to prove all of his doubters wrong and he will do just that.
The biggest steal of the draft came with the No. 54 overall pick, which the Cleveland Cavaliers were able to acquire. Kay Felder averaged 24.4 points per game last season at Oakland to go along with 9.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds. Those numbers show some of the potential that Felder has and he will be developed well within the Cavaliers’ organization.
Georges Niang, Forward, Indiana Pacers
Indiana had one selection after trading their first round pick for Thaddeus Young and they got a very good player with the No. 50 overall pick. Georges Niang isn’t the most athletic player in the league, but he did find a way to average 20.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game last season at Iowa State. Niang should find minutes very early on in his career and could develop into an excellent stretch power forward.
Expect to see all five of these players find success at the NBA level. They may even develop into stars at some point in their respective careers. It isn’t a sure thing that these players will develop into great NBA players, but they certainly have the talent and work ethic to do so.
Do you think one of these five players will end up being a star in the NBA at some point in the future? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!
[AP Photo/Frank Franklin II]
