Denver Nuggets NBA Prospect Preview: Intro

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Emmanuel Mudiay (China) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number seven overall pick to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

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8. Jakob Poeltl, C, Utah, Soph./7’0″, 235 lbs.

Jakob Poeltl, like Kris Dunn, made a great decision returning to school this season, vaulting up draft boards over the past couple months. Poeltl has become the Utes best player, blossoming in a more dominant role without Delon Wright who was drafted last year out of Utah and was the team’s star a year ago.

His numbers are up in almost every category, averaging 17.0 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.8 asists per game on 66.5 percent shooting from the field. Poeltl has recorded eight double-doubles in 16 games this season for Utah and can really score with his back to the basket.

He’s polished as a low post scorer, has a nice touch, gotten stronger and is improving as a shooter. Poeltl could be a foundational piece and great big man to build around for a NBA franchise.

Next: The Kevin Love clone

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