Marvin Bagley commits to Duke, could add to 2018 NBA Draft crop

Former Corona Del Sol High School star Marvin Bagley III announced Monday on SportsCenter that he will attend Duke after reclassifying to the 2017 class, a move that will change the outlook of the 2018 NBA Draft class. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reports that an official ruling on his eligibility for the upcoming year is near.

In the state of Arizona, Bagley’s decision to leave the 2018 class and enter college early took the Arizona Wildcats, who heavily recruited him, out of the running for his services.

But after a single season under coach Mike Krzyzewski at Duke, the Grand Canyon state’s pro team certainly has interests in this decision.

The Phoenix Suns, who ESPN’s Kevin Pelton is projected to win 30 games, look destined for the lottery as they continue building their young core.

And Bagley, a 6-foot-10, 220 pound forward with length, athleticism and the skills of a perimeter player, is widely considered a potential No. 1 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Whether the Suns have the chance to earn the top selection is left to their win total and the lottery odds, but armed with their own upcoming picks and selections via the Miami Heat in 2018 and 2021, there is a strong likelihood Phoenix drafts in the top-10 with the assets to move even higher if they so choose.

They could have a choice of players in a deep top group of prospects.

ESPN’s Mike Schmitz believes there are potentially six players who could be drafted No. 1 overall, and Givony writes that there are as many as seven players who could currently make the case as top picks.

With the exception of 18-year-old Slovenian swingman Luka Doncic, the top of the class is filled with versatile forwards and centers.

Missouri freshman forward Michael Porter, Arizona freshman power forward DeAndre Ayton, Texas A&M sophomore forward Robert Williams, Michigan State sophomore forward Miles Bridges and Texas freshman center Mohamed Bamba join Bagley as top-tier prospects expected to enter their names into next summer’s draft.

Bagley, who played at Corona Del Sol his first year of high school, transferred and last played for Sierra Canyon High School in California.

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