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Not-So-Early Draft Board for Chicago Bulls in 2017 Draft: Part II

By Michael Whitlow

Feb 5, 2017; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles guard Dwayne Bacon (4) moves the ball around Clemson Tigers guard Marcquise Reed (2) during the second half at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2017; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles guard Dwayne Bacon (4) moves the ball around Clemson Tigers guard Marcquise Reed (2) during the second half at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /
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Robert Williams would be a solid PF option for the Chicago Bulls.
Jan 25, 2017; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels forward Sebastian Saiz (11) pushes to the basket against Texas A&M Aggies forward Robert Williams (44) during the second half at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. Texas A&M Aggies defeat Mississippi Rebels 80-76. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports /

Power forwards

1. Robert Williams

Age: 19 years old

Measurements: 6’9″ (in shoes), 237 lbs.

Current team: Texas A&M

Wingspan: 7’4″

Standing Reach: N/A

Current DX projection: No. 12

In terms of names soaring up draft boards everywhere, Texas A&M’s Robert Williams is one of the names that’s moving up faster than anyone throughout his first season in College Station.

Williams is built like a freak as a 19-year-old, standing at 6’9″ and weighing almost 240 pounds with an absurd 7’4″ wingspan. He’s a gifted athlete and loads of fun around the rim on both ends of the floor.

When you watch him play, it makes sense why DX has him projected a lottery pick in this year’s class. He’s only going to get better and better. The upside is endless.

2. T.J. Leaf

Age: 18 years old

Measurements: 6’10” (in shoes), 220 lbs.

Current team: UCLA

Wingspan: 6’11”

Standing Reach: 8’11.75″

Current DX projection: No. 23

When it comes to UCLA these days, it’s the Lonzo Ball show.

However, there’s another draft prospect on their roster that’s one of the more underrated prospects in the class: T.J. Leaf.

Leaf, like Ball, will probably spend just one season at Westwood and for good reason. He’s a 4-man with good touch offensively and hits the glass hard on both ends of the floor for the Bruins. Playing in the Pac-12, Leaf has played against the likes of Oregon and Arizona, two of the country’s best teams, including a really strong 17-point, 13-rebound showing against Kentucky in non-conference play this season.

3. Ivan Rabb

Age: 18 years old

Measurements: 6’10” (in shoes), 215 lbs.

Current team: California

Wingspan: 7’2″

Standing Reach: 9’0″

Current DX projection: No. 14

In terms of power-five conference prospects, Ivan Rabb seems like one that gets lost in the shuffle of the new-age bigs in terms of being able to be flexible and productive on both ends of the floor.

But make no mistake about it, Rabb could’ve came out last season and been a lottery pick. There’s a good chance he’ll be one this season, too. He came back to Cal to put on some weight and develop his game further, and as you can see from the highlights, he’s gotten stronger and better.

I liken Rabb to a stronger Skal Labissiere as a power forward that can play the 5 as well.

Other names to keep your eyes on

  • Tyler Lydon has been the biggest bright spot as a 6’10 stretch-four for a Syracuse team that hasn’t been the same team since their unlikely run to the Final Four last season with Malachi Richardson
  • John Collins isn’t a generated create-a-player name on NBA 2K, but rather, one of the best players in the ACC at Wake Forest and like Williams, continues to rise up draft boards
  • Purdue’s Caleb Swanigan might not only be the Big Ten Player of the Year, but the National Player of the Year as a double-double machine for the league-leading Boilermakers
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