As we take a look at the top power forwards in the draft, LSU forward Ben Simmons leads the way with star power.
The position has some quality depth, with a wide variety of skill sets to choose from to fit team needs.
Ben Simmons, freshman, LSU
Depending on who you ask, some are making the case that Simmons’ only season at LSU was either a smashing success or a huge disappointment.
Individually, Simmons’ averages of 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game was as unique as any player, especially freshman, in recent memory. In fact, over the past 10 years he’s the only player to average at least 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists per game in college basketball, and he exceeded those numbers with ease. Even for a player who had so much hype entering the season, it’s hard to say his production didn’t meet any reasonable expectation.
LSU’s lack of team success is where the primary criticism stems from, as the Tigers finished 19-14, losing 6 of their final 10 games, including an embarrassing 71-38 loss to Texas A&M in the SEC tournament. Not only did LSU fail to make the NCAA tournament, but they declined an invitation to the NIT as well.
It would be unfair to place all the blame on Simmons, as the Tigers, after losing Jarrell Martin and Jordan Mickey as early entrants to the NBA draft, and Keith Hornsby to injury, were severely undermanned.
The Hornsby injury in particular set LSU, and Simmons, back. Hornsy was a stabilizing presence on LSU’s squad, both because of his experience and his three-point shooting. At 41.5% from three-point range, Hornsby was LSU’s only consistent threat from the perimeter. Neither LSU as a team nor Simmons individually were nearly as comfortable creating in the half court with Hornsby out of the lineup.
Still, when you’re as hyped as Simmons was entering LSU, your every success or failure is going to be scrutinized. Besides the way LSU ended the season, Simmons’ hesitance to shoot from the perimeter was also an issue, as the multi-faceted forwarded attempted just three three-point shots on the season. While he was able to get away with that for the most part at LSU, it will be much more difficult to do so in the NBA.
Despite the concerns, Simmons is the prize of this draft class, with elite court vision and anticipation, along with incredible touch around the basket, packaged together in a hyper-athletic 6-feet-10 frame. Few can do what Simmons can on the basketball court, and if he can grow – both as a shooter and as a leader – he has the chance to be special.
Dragan Bender, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel
In the eyes of many, Croatian big man Bender is a mystery. He played 12 minutes per game in the seemingly far-off Israeli League. To league executives, though, Bender has been playing professional basketball since the age of 15. While decision makers would have liked to have seen him more this past year, especially for a young player to truly gauge his improvement, everybody has an idea what the 7-1 big man can do.
And what he can do – slide his feet on the perimeter like a guard, alter shots around the rim, an improving outside shot, and plus passing for the position – is incredibly valuable. There’s still a fair amount of projection in Bender’s game, especially in his physical profile, which, at just 216 pounds, currently precludes him from defending the post with much success, but the upside of such a versatile defender is going to be difficult to pass up once you get beyond the first few picks of the draft.
Marquese Chriss, freshman, Washington
Few players have flown up draft boards more since the end of the season than Washington's Chriss. Despite averaging 13.8 points and 5.4 rebounds during his freshman season, Chriss is now being talked about as a potential top-5 pick, with some even speculating that Boston could take a gamble on him at third overall.
When you watch Chriss play, it’s easy to see why. He might be the best all-around athlete in the class, posting an insane 38.5-inch vertical jump in May’s NBA combine. He’s an explosive leaper, with quick-twitch reflexes that give him upside few outside of Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram can match. In addition to being an elite athlete, Chriss also shows touch from the perimeter, connecting on 35% of his shots from three-point range on the season.
With so much uncertainty after Simmons and Ingram, Chriss rising is not all that surprising.
Still, Chriss is raw in translating that athleticism into basketball production. The biggest question mark that could limit his playing time early in his career is his defensive rebounding, as he hauled in just 2.9 defensive rebounds per game, an especially troubling rate considering Chriss was playing largely center for one of the worst defensive rebounding teams in the country. Teams will be tempted to give the 6-10 Chriss minutes at center so they can keep his shot blocking ability near the basket, but doing so with his current defensive rebounding production would be difficult to overcome.
Henry Ellenson, freshman, Marquette
Averaging 17.0 points. 9.7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocked shots per game, Ellenson showcased his versatile offensive game during his only season at Marquette.
While Ellenson connected on 29% of his three-point attempts during his freshman season, most expect that he will eventually be able to translate his proficient midrange game out to the three-point line. Doing so would open up driving lanes for the Ellenson, who is talented at taking big men off the dribble and attacking to the basket.
The biggest question for Ellenson will be on the defensive side of the court, where he struggles to defend in space and make a a consistent impact. At just under 7-foot in shoes, Ellenson could perhaps play some center at the next level as he continues to add bulk to his 242-pound frame, which may be his more natural position down the line.
Brice Johnson, senior, North Carolina
Johnson capped off an outstanding four-year career at North Carolina by helping lead the Tar Heels to a 33-7 record and an appearance in the national championship game.
Johnson averaged 17.0 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocked shots per game as a senior, by far the best year of his career. Johnson’s a pogo stick of an athlete, able to get off the ground extremely quickly and with very good touch around the basket.
Decision makers would like to see a little bit more of a perimeter game out of Johnson, which could open up even more driving lanes for Johnson. His biggest question will come with his frame, as he weighed in at just 209 pounds at May’s combine. Still, Johnson’s athleticism, scoring touch, and rebounding ability should help him carve out a role in the league despite his thin frame.
