Soaring Down South
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Four Possible NBA Draft Steals for the Atlanta Hawks

By Chris Guest

LUBBOCK, TX - NOVEMBER 22: Zhaire Smith #2 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders handles the ball during the game against the Wofford Terriers on November 22, 2017 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Wofford 79-56. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - NOVEMBER 22: Zhaire Smith #2 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders handles the ball during the game against the Wofford Terriers on November 22, 2017 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Wofford 79-56. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA FEBRUARY 11: Duke’s Trevon Duval
ATLANTA, GA FEBRUARY 11: Duke’s Trevon Duval /

Trevon Duval

A freshman out of Duke, Trevon Duval came into the college season as one of the most highly touted point guard prospects in the country. After the season finished, those lofty ideals had been replaced by a rather muted response after Duvall failed to capitalize on impressive physical traits and a shooting stroke that never materialized.

Duval could be slotted into the “raw athlete” category of prospect at this point, as he has terrific length and athleticism for his size (6’3”), but he was never able to put it together during his short college tenure.

Sure, he put on some shows during his freshman year:

But overall, his lack of polish shone through more than any aesthetically pleasing highlight plays.

With all that in mind, Duval is projected to go late in the first round or high in the second, which is exactly where the Hawks will be picking. Duval showed some nifty ballhandling skills, solid finishing and he was also able to produce in isolation – skills that are always in demand at the NBA level.

If Duval is still available at pick 30 or 33, the Hawks should be willing to take flyer on this high-ceiling prospect, as he could be the team’s best bet as a bench sparkplug point guard, or, if he develops even further, the team’s primary ballhandler of the future.

GM Travis Schlenk has already said that the Hawks will be looking to nab the “best player available” with every one of their four picks in the NBA Draft, and Duval’s immense upside at the end of the first round or top of the second would certainly match that criterion.