Soaring Down South
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2018 NBA Draft: 7 Players the Hawks Could Select at 19th Overall

By Chris Guest

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 7: Oregon forward Troy Brown (0) is all smiles at the end of overtime during the first round game of the mens Pac-12 Tournament between the Oregon Ducks and the Washington State Cougars on March 7, 2018, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 7: Oregon forward Troy Brown (0) is all smiles at the end of overtime during the first round game of the mens Pac-12 Tournament between the Oregon Ducks and the Washington State Cougars on March 7, 2018, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – MARCH 03: Creighton guard Khyri Thomas (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – MARCH 03: Creighton guard Khyri Thomas (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Khyri Thomas

A gifted defender, Khyri Thomas out of Creighton projects to be a prototypical three-and-D wing… but in a guard’s body. Though Thomas is only 6’3”, his 6’10” wingspan and immaculate defensive instincts mean he will be a terror on the less glamorous end.

His ball-hawking on-ball defense and aptitude for jumping passing lanes should make him one of the best perimeter defenders in this class.

With great length, solid quickness and a thick, muscular frame, Thomas also performs well in transition on the offensive end and his above-40 percent clip from three-point range coupled with a 44 percent three-point attempt rate means he didn’t venture too far outside of his comfort zone on offense.

The Hawks would gladly take a lockdown perimeter defender with the 19th pick, as new coach Lloyd Pierce has said that defense will be his focus upon beginning his head coaching career. Though Thomas is a little bit on the older side (22 years old on draft day), that didn’t stop the team from nabbing Taurean Prince with the 12th pick two years ago.