NBA draft 2017: 7 of the top undrafted players available

Players slip every year in the draft, and 2017 is no different with a number of exciting names left off the board. These players will have their chance in summer league, and plenty of tanking teams are bound to give them a shot at some point in the season, even though that time isn’t now. The Sixers undrafted players factory may have come to a close, but the Nets and Kings have just begun their search for a Robert Covington.

Among the remaining names are a number of high-profile college players including P.J. Dozier, Cameron Oliver, Nigel Hayes, Melo Trimble, Isaiah Briscoe, Derrick Walton, and Kobi Simmons.

NBA general managers are typically picking players with long wingspans, ages that end in “teen” and anyone with the label “upside.” Simmons was a surprise to go undrafted because of his age, but the others fit the bill as guys who are believed to have peeked in college. At least one of these names will prove scouts wrong.

Ben Wallace, Wesley Matthews, Jose Calderon, and Jeremy Lin certainly did.

Here are seven of the best available prospects:

Cameron Oliver, sophomore, Nevada

Oliver averaged 16 points for the Wolfpack and is one of the biggest talents left off the board. With his athleticism and shooting ability, it seems like he’s a top choice to prove GMs wrong.

P.J. Dozier, sophomore, South Carolina

Dozier was a big part of the Gamecocks Final Four run and had 17 points and nine rebounds in the team’s loss. At 6’6, he has good size for a guard and should get a second chance in summer league.

Kobi Simmons, freshman, Arizona

Simmons is a 20-year-old freshman who had a less-than-stellar, first-year campaign. He should have room to grow in the G-League as an athletic guard. He’s a great candidate to show that the NBA’s new “minor league” can serve its purpose.

Isaiah Briscoe, sophomore, Kentucky

Briscoe found a niche as a do-everything type of player leading a squad of young Wildcats into the Elite Eight last season. He may be able to carve out a similar path in the NBA if given the same opportunity.

Melo Trimble, junior, Maryland

Trimble had a downward curve after a great freshman season in which many think he should have left for the draft. Two years later, Trimble is stronger and can run the pick-and-roll to perfection. It’s a matter of him keeping up physically in a stronger and quicker league — and, of course, shooting more accurately.

Nigel Hayes, senior, Wisconsin

Hayes had all the physical tools to succeed in college, but he will become just an average size in the pros. He doesn’t have a strong enough jumper to make up for his height either, and pounding the paint isn’t likely to work for him anymore. If there’s anyone who can figure out how to make up those differences though, it’s Hayes, who has plenty of experience finding ways to win when it matters.

Derrick Walton, senior, Michigan

Walton came onto the scene late as a dynamic scorer for the Wolverines and propelled them to an unexpected NCAA Tournament run. He’s undersized, but that hasn’t stopped Big 10 point guards before (see Yogi Ferrell).