5. Jakob Poeltl – Center (Utah)
Words by Adam McGee
Poeltl’s 2015-16 season: 17.9 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.4 BPG, 66.3% FG
Poeltl’s was a name that featured in the first round of many Big Boards and Mock Drafts last season before he chose to return with the Utah Utes for another season. With another year’s experience and maturity at his back that may prove to have been a really wise decision.
The Austrian native has excellent size to compete as an NBA big man, and his defensive instincts could potentially make him a cornerstone style player for whichever team does select him, even if he isn’t going to be the most glamorous performer on the board.
Poeltl isn’t going to transform a team’s offense with a varied collection of spin moves down low, nor is he going to stretch out the floor with any real range. What he can offer is a strong, traditional inside presence on offense.
At 20 years old, there’s no guarantee that Poeltl hasn’t got higher gears to his game that he has yet to unlock, but even in his current shape there should be more than enough for teams looking to build a strong long-term foundation.
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