NBA draft: Top 10 point guard prospects

USA TODAY Sports ranks the top 10 players at each position heading into next week's NBA draft.

Check out the rest: SG | SF | PF | C

Top five point guards

1. Markelle Fultz, Washington

No player in this draft has a better mix of upside and polish. The comparisons to fellow recent No. 1 overall point guards Derrick Rose, John Wall and Kyrie Irving aren’t quite perfect, though. Fultz lacks the athleticism of the first two and the singular talent of Irving’s scoring, but he appears to be an even more well-rounded prospect with more size and defensive potential. The only real question appears to be mental: Is he a natural competitor?

2. Lonzo Ball, UCLA

Ignore his father, please. Ball is the best passer to enter the NBA Draft since Ricky Rubio — if he’s not better than Rubio. And he is a proven high-volume shooter with all sorts of range. Still, questions abound on the defensive side, where he lacks quickness and instincts. And the bigger underlying issue is whether his strange shooting form will prevent him from being able to hit pull-up jumpers against NBA defenses. Nonetheless, his basketball IQ is high enough to overcome some flaws.

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3. De’Aaron Fox, Kentucky

Fox’s trajectory is up, up, up. He’s an outstanding athlete with a great court sense. More Rajon Rondo than John Wall, he fits the pick-and-roll heavy offenses of the NBA with one issue: his jump shot. That may prevent him from being a superstar, but he’s an elite defensive prospect and natural playmaker.

4. Dennis Smith, North Carolina State

Smith is the point guard prospect who really looks the part. He has a traditional point guard build with great athleticism and no obvious holes in his game. The question mark comes with his attitude; he’s been known as headstrong for most of his high-level playing career so far.

5. Frank Ntilikina, France

Though U.S. fans may not know much about the French point guard (pronounced nee-lee-KEE-na), scouts don’t doubt what he brings to the table. Ntilikina has enough size to become an elite defender, and he’s a selfless game manager who has rapidly improving range on his jumper.

Next five

6. Jawun Evans, Oklahoma State

7. Frank Mason, Kansas

8. Monte Morris, Iowa State

9. Edmond Sumner, Xavier

10. Melo Trimble, Maryland

PHOTOS: Past No. 1 draft picks