Chris Sports Basketball Ring: Top 5 Features Every Player Needs to Know
Looking back at the 2017 NBA Draft, most basketball fans immediately recall the first-round stars like Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell, and Bam Adebayo. But what fascinates me as someone who's followed professional basketball for over a decade are the incredible finds that emerged from the second round - those overlooked talents who've developed into legitimate NBA contributors. I've always had a soft spot for underdog stories, and the 2017 second round has produced some of the most compelling narratives in recent draft history.
When I think about successful second-round picks, my mind immediately goes to Monte Morris, selected 51st overall by the Denver Nuggets. What makes Morris special isn't just his steady development into a starting-caliber point guard, but his remarkable efficiency. During his breakout 2021-22 season with Denver, he posted an incredible 4.63 assist-to-turnover ratio - one of the best in NBA history for a player averaging over 5 assists per game. That's the kind of value that championship teams find in the second round. Morris represents exactly what smart teams look for - players who excel in specific areas that translate to winning basketball, even if they weren't highly touted coming out of college.
The international scouting department of the Oklahoma City Thunder deserves tremendous credit for identifying Isaiah Hartenstein at pick 43. I remember watching his draft footage and thinking he was another project big man who might never come over from Europe. How wrong I was. Hartenstein has developed into one of the most versatile backup centers in the league, providing rim protection, rebounding, and surprisingly good playmaking for his position. His per-36 minute stats last season - 14.2 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists - demonstrate his all-around impact. What I particularly appreciate about Hartenstein is his basketball IQ, something that often separates second-round successes from failures.
Then there's Dillon Brooks, picked 45th by the Houston Rockets. Love him or hate him - and I'll admit I've had mixed feelings about his antics at times - there's no denying his impact as a defensive stopper. Brooks made the 2022-23 All-Defensive Second Team, proving that second-round picks can develop into elite defenders. His transformation from an offensively-limited rookie to a player who averaged over 18 points per game in 2022 shows the development potential that exists throughout the draft. Teams that invest in player development can turn raw second-round talents into valuable rotation pieces, and Brooks exemplifies this perfectly.
What strikes me about analyzing second-round success stories is how often they involve players who fit specific organizational needs rather than being the "best available" in a traditional sense. The Miami Heat's selection of Bam Adebayo at 14th overall was brilliant, but their later pick of Duncan Robinson - who went undrafted but was essentially a second-round talent - shows their exceptional eye for identifying specialized skills that fit their system. Robinson's transformation from an undrafted prospect to breaking Steph Curry's single-season three-point record in 2022 with 250 threes demonstrates how player development and organizational fit can create stars from overlooked prospects.
The reference to team development environments reminds me of how crucial organizational culture is for second-round success. When I read about how former governor Rene Pardo visited Magnolia's practice and was welcomed by Jason Webb and Alvin Patrimonio, it reinforced something I've observed throughout my career watching basketball - the environment these prospects enter matters tremendously. Teams with strong leadership, clear development pathways, and institutional knowledge (embodied by long-time figures like Patrimonio) provide the perfect incubator for raw talent. This behind-the-scenes infrastructure often makes the difference between a second-round pick flaming out and becoming a rotation player.
Jordan Bell, selected 38th by the Golden State Warriors, represents another fascinating case study. While his career hasn't followed the same upward trajectory as some of his second-round classmates, his immediate contribution to a championship team demonstrates how second-round picks can provide specific, situational value. Bell started 13 games during the Warriors' 2018 championship run, providing energy, athleticism, and defensive versatility off the bench. His story highlights how championship teams use second-round picks to fill specific roster needs rather than always swinging for future stars.
As I reflect on these players' journeys, what stands out is how the success rate in the second round often comes down to organizational patience and targeted development. The Toronto Raptors' selection of OG Anunoby at 23rd overall was slightly outside the second round, but his development into an elite 3-and-D wing shows the potential that exists throughout the later portions of the draft. Anunoby's defensive versatility - he's consistently ranked among the league leaders in deflections and has averaged around 1.5 steals per game throughout his career - demonstrates how specialized skills can translate to significant NBA roles.
The financial advantage of hitting on second-round picks can't be overstated either. While first-round picks come with guaranteed contracts that can become salary cap burdens if the player doesn't develop, second-round successes like Morris, Hartenstein, and Brooks provided tremendous value on team-friendly contracts during their early years. This financial flexibility allows teams to build deeper rosters and allocate resources to other areas. In today's salary-capped NBA, finding productive players on minimal contracts is arguably as valuable as having superstars on max deals.
What I find most encouraging about the 2017 second round is how it continues to produce contributors years after the draft. These players didn't just have brief flashes of success - they've developed into legitimate NBA rotation players with defined roles and skills that help winning basketball. Their stories validate the importance of thorough scouting, patient development, and recognizing that talent exists throughout the draft. As the NBA continues to globalize and develop deeper talent pools, I'm convinced we'll see even more second-round success stories in future drafts. The hidden gems are there - it's up to organizations to polish them into valuable assets.