2017 NBA Draft - Brew Hoop Community Draft Board: #9, another point guard, Frank Ntilikina

The ninth spot features the first international product of the draft, and with that comes some of the mystery regarding prospects who play in leagues less familiar and less widely covered than the NCAA. Finally, we reach the last of the top-tier point guard prospects in the draft with Frank Ntilikina - PG, Strasbourg.

In our closest battle on the big board thus far, Ntilikina narrowly beat out fellow foreigner Lauri Markkanen. Ntilikina will turn 19 years old on July 28th, making him one of the youngest prospects in the draft, a consistently intriguing tidbit for prospective draft picks. Frank played for Strasbourg who finished in third place in their French pro league as well as on the French U18 team that won the FIBA European Championship in December.

He stands 6’5” with a wingspan around 7’0”, ideal measurements for a prototypical Buck, and Frank shows potential to continue growing in addition to the bulk teams will work to add to his skinny 170 pound frame. Frank’s physical tools are one of his primary strengths using his length and size to his advantage, especially on the defensive end. He’s capable of guarding guards and small forwards, switching seamlessly between the three positions, and with a little more weight and some added strength on his lower half he should be able to battle down low and deter any attempts at bullying him in the post. His long arms envelop players on the perimeter while his quick feet keep him in front of almost anyone.

Frank’s feel for the game is evident on both ends of the court. His high basketball IQ helps him read the floor defensively to smother his man, fill passing lanes and rotate quickly -- crucial skills for the Bucks current defensive scheme -- as he fluidly applies both his knowledge of the game and instincts. He averaged 1.9 steals per 40, pace adjusted, in the Strasbourg Champions League (SCL).

With an average of 4.8 assists per 40 pace adjusted minutes in the SCL, Frank showed he can run an offense and exemplified impressive court vision, finding teammates on the move with crisp, accurate passes. He’s adept at running the pick and roll, utilizing his vision and length to probe a defense for the right move. He struggles to attack and beat defenders one on one in the half court, so he’ll have to develop that part of his game to become a go-to guy with the clock winding down.

He can get into the paint, but his athleticism isn’t as explosive as other players -- though some more muscle may help -- forcing him to struggle at the rim among the giants. His length alleviates some of this, but he’s not flying high with hands in his face too often yet. In the open floor he can use his speed and length to finish if there’s nobody to contest the shot. From deep, Frank shows some serious improvement and promises to be a solid three-point shooter with room to grow. He shot 41% on 3.4 attempts per 40, pace adjusted, in his 38 game Strasbourg regular season.

Frank is a poised and confident player, and the hope is that will transfer over to the NBA where competition is stiffer and tougher. However, he can be passive at times and as of right now his ceiling seems to be as a secondary scorer. He won’t be demanding the ball as time dwindles right away, but he’ll be a very useful piece alongside another superstar. His ball handling remains a primary concern; he averaged 4.8 turnovers per-40 at the U18s.

Frank Ntilikina projects to be a great defensive point guard with a great feel for the game offensively and some impressive scoring abilities. At only 19 years old Frank seems to be a high-floor prospect that would fit well on this Bucks squad. He and Malcolm Brogdon seems to have some similarities in their game even, and Frank obviously features a higher ceiling with his age, but they’d make a dynamic duo defensively with some sneaky offensive potential.

The 2017 Brew Hoop Draft Board

1. Markelle Fultz - PG, Washington - DraftExpress Profile
2. Lonzo Ball - PG, UCLA - DraftExpress Profile
3. Josh Jackson - SF, Kansas - DraftExpress Profile
4. De’Aaron Fox - PG, Kentucky - DraftExpress Profile
5. Jayson Tatum - SF, Duke - DraftExpress Profile
6. Malik Monk - SG, Kentucky - DraftExpress Profile
7. Jonathan Isaac - SF/PF, Florida State - DraftExpress Profile
8. Dennis Smith - PG, N.C. State - DraftExpress Profile
9. Frank Ntilikina - PG, Strasbourg - DraftExpress Profile