The Utah Jazz have a couple of players in the NBA Draft this year, and they’re both super talented.
One is a point guard who might be the best player in the draft in the next few years.
The other is a big man who is making a name for himself at the next level.
Both have some big shoes to fill.
Devon Allen, guard, Michigan StateThe 6-foot-7, 225-pound Allen is a two-time All-American who had an outstanding season in 2016-17.
He averaged 17.6 points, 3.6 assists, 2.2 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.
He was the Big Ten Player of the Year, and the Big 10 Defensive Player of The Year as well.
Allen was the only player in conference to earn all five Big Ten Defensive Player Of The Year awards, and he led all conference guards in scoring, steals, blocks, steals per game, steals percentage and blocks per 100 possessions.
Allen is the second player in Michigan State history to win all five conference awards, joining Kevin Ollie.
Allen, who is the Big 12’s Defensive Player (as voted on by the league’s coaches), is considered one of the best guards in the country, and one of his biggest challenges this season will be adjusting to the big men in the Big East.
Allen averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal per game in his sophomore season.
The 6-3, 205-pound guard is the consensus Big Ten player of the year.
Allen averaged 7.3 rebounds per game this season, which ranked second in the league.
He is shooting 56.9 percent from the field and 46.5 percent from three-point range.
Allen could be a steal for the No. 1 pick, but the Jazz need to get him off the ground to get a shot.
The Jazz have to get some help on the wing, as well, as Utah has a need for scoring off the bench.
The Big East’s best player, DeMarcus Cousins, is still recovering from surgery, so Allen is the team’s most logical option at the No, 2 spot.
Alvin Williams, guard/center, KansasThe Kansas guard has been a top-10 player in three different categories this season.
He led the Big XII in scoring and rebounding, and averaged 17 points, 7.2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block per game for Kansas.
Williams averaged 8.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per contest, which tied for second on the team.
He also shot 57.3 percent from distance.
Williams is ranked the Big Eight’s Most Improved Player, and led the league in assists per game (1.06), rebounds per outing (2.05) and blocked shots per game per game (+1.07).
Williams is a tremendous rebounder, and has shown he can score with either hand.
He can score on both ends of the floor, and his ability to score from deep is going to be key for him in the pros.
Kansas is in the NCAA Tournament, and it is looking like the Jayhawks will have a chance to repeat as national champions.
Kansas is currently ranked 11th in the nation in offensive efficiency, and will need to find some help up front to compete.
Williams, a 6-7 guard, is also an incredible shot blocker.
He was one of just four Big 12 guards to average at least 6.0 blocks per contest this season and he also had two steals per contest.
Williams averaged 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per night in his final season at Kansas.
He has the size to be a plus defender, and is also athletic enough to play the 3.
Williams has a lot of upside, and Kansas will need him to do what he does best to be an elite player.
He needs to be healthy, as the Jayhawks have an injury situation on the roster.
Kansas needs some help at the guard spot to be competitive in the College Basketball Playoffs, and Williams could be that guy.
If he can get back to full health, he could be one of those guys.
Mitch McGary, guard and forward, MarylandThe Maryland guard has spent the past few years playing in Europe.
He played for the Dutch national team in 2014-15, and last season was a starter for the national team for the World Cup of Basketball.
He had career highs in points (16.3), assists (4.5), steals (1), blocks (2), and 3-pointers made (19).
McGary has been one of two guards to earn All-Big Ten honors for Maryland, along with the team leader in steals per outing.
He’s one of only two guards in college basketball history to average 15.0 points, 8.2 boards, 3-point percentage, 4.3 steal percentage and