NBA draft: Top 10 small forward prospects

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

Check out the rest: PG | SG | PF | C

Top five small forwards

1. Josh Jackson, Kansas

Jackson has remarkable athleticism and defensive potential. He’s also quietly a great passer and solid ballhandler with high basketball IQ. The main thing stopping him from being the No. 1 overall pick is concern about his jump shot, though he shot 48.1% on three-pointers for the final 17 games of his college career. Still, his upside is enormous; comparisons to Scottie Pippen and Kawhi Leonard even seem reasonable.

2. Jayson Tatum, Duke

There’s not much question that Tatum will develop into a solid No. 3 scoring option, at the least. That makes him the safest pick in the draft. But he has the potential to be more than that — 25 points per game seems reachable, and he could become a major matchup problem if he grows into his frame and becomes a small-ball power forward in the long term.

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3. OG Anunoby, Indiana

One game into the college season — in which he shut down Jackson and Kansas — Anunoby seemed like a lock for the top 10. Then the injuries kicked in. Anunoby has as much defensive potential as any player in this class with his elite combination of size and strength. And he was showing improvement on offense before tearing a knee ligament in January.

4. Justin Jackson, North Carolina

If Jackson, 22, were a freshman with his numbers, he’d be an undoubted elite prospect. But he took a long path to being a good shooter, is rail thin for his 6-8 frame and doesn’t stand out as an athlete. For now, he looks like a potential starter but not a star.

5. Wesley Inwundu, Kansas State

The skinny senior improved all four years at Kansas State thanks to his remarkable work ethic. He's going to battle for you, and if he keeps improving on his jumper, he could be a very good 3-and-D swingman.

Next five

6. V.J. Beachem, Notre Dame

7. Dillon Brooks, Oregon

8. Alberto Abalde, Spain

9. Sindarius Thornwell, South Carolina

10. Aleksandar Vezenkov, Cyprus

PHOTOS: Past No. 1 draft picks