Top prospects boast blend of size, versatility

RALEIGH, N.C. — The top small forwards in Thursday’s draft needed only a season in college to secure their position in the lottery.

Kansas’ Josh Jackson and Duke’s Jayson Tatum are one-and-done small forwards with size and athleticism, and they’re almost certain to go in the top five overall picks. Boston has the third overall pick after its deal with Philadelphia, and Jackson or Tatum could be headed to Boston.

Two other college freshmen — Florida State’s Jonathan Isaac and Arizona’s Lauri Markkanen — round out the headliners in this group, all who can flourish inside or out.

The top prospects:

JOSH JACKSON

The Kansas star lived up to the hype surround him in his one college season.

STRENGTHS: The 6-foot-8 checks every box when it comes to twoway potential. He averaged 16.3 points and 7.4 rebounds and shot 51 percent, including 38 percent on 3-pointers. He can set up teammates, averaging three assists, and proved to be a versatile defender

(1.7 steals, 1.1 blocks).

CONCERNS: Not very good from the free-throw line — 57 percent — leaving a lot of points on the board, considering he got to the line about five times a game. He’ll need to build up his overall offensive game and his frame (207 pounds) for the next level. JAYSON TATUM

Duke’s latest one-and-done wing has a polished all-around game.

STRENGTHS: At 6-8 and with a

6-11 wingspan he can score from the outside and attack the rim. He averaged 16.8 points and 7.3 rebounds. His best stretch was during Duke’s fourgames-in-four-days run to the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament title, when he averaged 24.5 points while shooting 57 percent. Coach Mike Krzyzewski says Tatum’s game “translates to the NBA maybe as well or better than anybody in the draft.”

CONCERNS: His shooting range. He made just 34 percent of his 3s. JONATHAN ISAAC

The Florida State freshman offers stretch-4 perimeter skills in an athletic 6-10 frame.

STRENGTHS: Isaac has fluid perimeter moves and length to help in the paint. He averaged 12 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks on a deep Seminoles team, shooting nearly 51 percent overall and 78 percent from the line.

CONCERNS: The 19-year-old weighs 210 pounds, so he needs to add strength. He also needs to further develop his outside shot after shooting about 35 percent on 3s. LAURI MARKKANEN

The Arizona freshman is a true inside-out threat in a 7-foot frame.

STRENGTHS: Markkanen has shown he is a strong shooter, making 49 percent overall, 42 percent from 3-point range and nearly 84 percent at the line. He averaged 15.6 points and 7.2 rebounds.

CONCERNS: Markkanen could get a little stronger and improve his defense after blocking just 19 shots in 37 games despite his size.