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College stars and their NBA equivalents
UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball is expected to go early in the 2017 NBA Draft if he decides to leaves school after his freshman season. Jayne Kamin/Oncea/USA TODAY Sports

College stars and their NBA equivalents

The 2017 NBA Draft class is considered one the strongest in years. So who do these college players resemble at the NBA level? Here are NBA comps for 20 of the top college basketball pro prospects as we head into the 2017 NCAA Tournament.

 
1 of 20

Bam Adebayo: Dwight Howard

Bam Adebayo: Dwight Howard
Mark Zerof / USA Today Sports Images

Adebayo has dominant size, listed at 6-10, 260 pounds. The Kentucky forward is averaging 13.2 points and 7.7 rebounds in less than 29 minutes per game, and his muscular frame and defense (1.6 blocks per game) somewhat resemble Dwight Howard, even if his game isn't as polished.

 
2 of 20

Lonzo Ball: Magic Johnson

Lonzo Ball: Magic Johnson
James Snook / USA Today Sports Images

Ball has been driving the Bruins all season, averaging 14.8 points, 7.6 assists and 6.3 rebounds per contest. He has unique distribution ability for his size (6-6) and has successfully turned around a UCLA squad that severely disappointed last season. The size and unique all-around ability resemble Magic Johnson, which is a lofty comparison.

 
3 of 20

Zach Collins: Kristaps Porzingis

Zach Collins: Kristaps Porzingis
Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today Sports Images

Gonzaga's seven-foot big man needs to put on some muscle, but he's a skilled big man who resembles some of the most skilled big men coming out of Europe. He can shoot from mid-range and has put up 10.5 points and 1.6 blocks per game. His status as a lottery pick is shaky, so Collins could stick around Gonzaga for another year.

 
4 of 20

De'Aaron Fox: John Wall

De'Aaron Fox: John Wall
Mark Zerof / USA Today Sports Images

The comparisons to Wall started even before Fox arrived to Kentucky. While he hasn't shown much as an outside shooter, Fox has been a great all-around player in his freshman season with 15.5 points and 5.3 assists per game.

 
5 of 20

Markelle Fultz: D'Angelo Russell

Markelle Fultz: D'Angelo Russell
Jennifer Buchanan / USA Today Sports Images

Fultz stands at just 6-4, but his wingspan makes him seem much bigger. He's currently the consensus top overall draft choice in 2017 after showing his all-around game at Washington with 23.2 points, 5.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game.

 
6 of 20

Harry Giles: Chris Webber

Harry Giles: Chris Webber
Mark Dolejs / USA Today Sports Images

Giles has been nothing short of a bust this season, due in large part to injuries. The high ceiling and preseason lottery draft slot will likely make him a one-and-done despite averaging only 4.7 points and 12.3 minutes per game in 18 contests so far at Duke. A great athlete at 6-10, Giles has been compared to Webber.

 
7 of 20

Josh Hart: Buddy Hield

Josh Hart: Buddy Hield
Vincent Carchietta / USA Today Sports Images

Hart did well for himself by returning to college after his junior season and could lead Villanova to a second straight Final Four. He's taken his game to the next level as the leader of the Wildcats and can score in every way possible. He's averaged nearly 19 points per game and is shooting 40 percent from three.

 
8 of 20

Jonathan Isaac: Brandon Ingram

Jonathan Isaac: Brandon Ingram
Joshua S. Kelly / USA Today Sports Images

Isaac has only averaged 25.4 minutes per game this season, but he's been a strong defensive force, averaging 7.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks for the Seminoles. Hitting nearly 38 percent from three, Isaac shows more offensive talent than his 12.8 points per game would indicate.

 
9 of 20

Josh Jackson: Andrew Wiggins

Josh Jackson: Andrew Wiggins
Denny Medley / USA Today Sports Images

Jackson has helped spur another fantastic Jayhawks squad and naturally gets comparisons to former KU guard Andrew Wiggins for his all-around game. That's a lofty comparison, but Jackson embodies it for his athletic style with his 6-8 frame, averaging 16.5 points and shooting better than 50 percent.

 
10 of 20

Justin Jackson: Evan Turner

Justin Jackson: Evan Turner
Bob Donnan / USA Today Sports Images

Jackson could afford to put on some weight, but his growth on the court at North Carolina this season has gained attention. He's averaged 18.8 points, shooting nearly 40 percent from three at 6-8.

 
11 of 20

Marcus Keene: Stephen Curry

Marcus Keene: Stephen Curry
Mike Granse / USA Today Sports Images

A Youngstown State transfer, Keene is arguably the most dominant small-school player in college basketball this season. He's averaging nearly 30 points per game and attempting more than 10 threes per game for Central Michigan. His college contribution is reminiscent of Stephen Curry's at Davidson, though Keene doesn't have the quick release that's made Curry an NBA star.

 
12 of 20

TJ Leaf: Kevin Love

TJ Leaf: Kevin Love
Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA Today Sports Images

Leaf has been overshadowed by teammate Lonzo Ball, but he's a top prospect in his own right. The 6-10 forward is shooting an incredible 66.4 percent from two and 46.2 percent from three, adding nearly nine rebounds per game. His polish makes him a great NBA commodity.

 
13 of 20

Tyler Lydon: Kyle Korver

Tyler Lydon: Kyle Korver
Rich Barnes / USA Today Sports Images

A tall, pure shooter, Lydon is shooting better than 40 percent from three this season for the Orange. He doesn't have many other skills that translate into an NBA asset, but his shooting and size (6-8) should give him a long career.

 
14 of 20

Lauri Markkanen: Dirk Nowitzki

Lauri Markkanen: Dirk Nowitzki
Casey Sapio / USA Today Sports Images

Markkanen has boosted the Wildcats this season as a nearly unguardable big man. Standing at seven feet, Markkanen is averaging better than 15 points per game and shooting nearly 45 percent from three. His skills really excite NBA squads.

 
15 of 20

Frank Mason: Isaiah Thomas

Frank Mason: Isaiah Thomas
Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

Mason is going against the grain in proving himself as an NBA prospect at 5-11, but he's done just that in his senior season at Kansas. He's leading the Jayhawks with more than 20 points per game, and his three-point shooting has taken a big jump at better than 50 percent this year.

 
16 of 20

Malik Monk: Wesley Matthews

Malik Monk: Wesley Matthews
Mark Zerof / USA Today Sports Images

Monk is a true scorer for Kentucky, with more than 21 points per game and 7.4 three-point attempts. He's shooting 42 percent from long range and nearly 84 percent from the free throw line.

 
17 of 20

Justin Patton: Marcus Camby

Justin Patton: Marcus Camby
Vincent Carchietta / USA Today Sports Images

Former NBA star Chris Mullin compared Creighton's star center to Marcus Camby for his athleticism and ability on both sides of the ball. A late bloomer, he's averaged more than 13 points and 1.6 blocks per game in his freshman season.

 
18 of 20

Dennis Smith: Derrick Rose

Dennis Smith: Derrick Rose
Glenn Beil / USA Today Sports Images

Smith hasn't had much help this season at N.C. State, but that hasn't really hurt his draft stock. The athletic point guard is averaging nearly 19 points per game and 6.3 assists despite a brutal schedule. His athleticism and 46 percent shooting translate well to the highest level.

 
19 of 20

Jayson Tatum: Paul George

Jayson Tatum: Paul George
Mark Dolejs / USA Today Sports Images

Tatum has been as advertised in his freshman season at Duke, averaging better than 16 points per game. He's strong on the glass, with more than seven rebounds per game, and a fantastic 87 percent free throw shooter. The size and athleticism compare favorably to stars like Paul George.

 
20 of 20

Robert Williams: Tyrus Thomas

Robert Williams: Tyrus Thomas
Nelson Chenault / USA Today Sports Images

Williams has shown great defensive ability and ups at 6-9, making him a strong NBA prospect. The Aggies' freshman is averaging 2.6 blocks and nearly eight rebounds, but his shooting could use some work.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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