NBA Draft 2017 Prospect Watch: Justin Patton

Mar 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Justin Patton (23) celebrates with teammates against the Rhode Island Rams in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Justin Patton (23) celebrates with teammates against the Rhode Island Rams in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
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NBA Draft
Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

After an outstanding freshman season at Creighton, Justin Patton is one of the top prospects at the center position in the upcoming NBA Draft.

Who is Justin Patton?

From Omaha, Nebraska, this seven-footer was a surprise for the Creighton Bluejays this past season. After signing with his hometown team out of high school, Justin Patton redshirted his first season before bursting onto the scene for a team that spent some time in the top-10 this season.

An elite player all season long, it seems likely that Patton will declare for the NBA Draft and become a first-round pick.

With his physical gifts and imposing frame, he could be the type of player who rises up draft boards as the draft grows nearer, even potentially becoming a lottery pick.

On the year, Patton averaged the following stats:

Per Game Table
G MP FG FGA FG% 3P 3PA 3P% FT FTA FT% TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
35 25.3 5.7 8.5 .676 0.2 0.4 .533 1.3 2.5 .517 6.2 1.2 0.9 1.4 1.7 2.7 12.9
Per 40 Minutes Table
G MP FG FGA FG% 3P 3PA 3P% FT FTA FT% TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
35 885 9.0 13.4 .676 0.4 0.7 .533 2.0 3.9 .517 9.8 1.9 1.4 2.3 2.7 4.3 20.5

Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 4/4/2017.

There are several things to look at with this particular prospect, including his possible fit in Milwaukee, so let’s get started looking at Patton’s strengths.