Michigan State's Miles Bridges a projected mid-1st-round NBA pick – Detroit Free Press
The Michigan State signee participated in the Jordan Brand Classic Friday in New York. Video by Lauren Shute/Special to DFP.
Bridges headlines Tom Izzo’s talented incoming freshman class; Who do the Pistons take?
Miles Bridges has yet to wear the Michigan State script across his chest, but he’s already being talked about as Tom Izzo’s next NBA prodigy.
The 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward is a consensus NBA prospect heading into his freshman season with the Spartans and is potentially Izzo’s third one-and-done player, following in the footsteps of Deyonta Davis this year.
In his way-too-early 2017 NBA mock draft, CBSSports.com’s Sam Vecenie lists his top 30 prospects and has Bridges 16th to the Washington Wizards.
“Bridges is an elite power athlete who is heading to the perfect situation at Michigan State,” Vecenie writes. “His tough game should blossom under Tom Izzo, and as long as he can get a jump shot down there’s a lot to like about his versatility in the modern NBA.”
DraftExpress has Bridges as its No.19 prospect.
Bridges is part of an ultra-talented incoming class for the Spartans that includes Free Press prep person of the year Cassius Winston, Joshua Langford and Nick Ward.
As for the Detroit Pistons? Vecenie has them back in the lottery (I’m just the messenger here, folks), taking German power forward Isaiah Hartenstein — a 6-foot-10, 225-pound 18-year-old — at No. 12.
“Hartenstein has a lot of Kevin Love to his game, for both good and bad,” Vecenie writes. “He’s a tremendous shooter and rebounder, knows how to get space inside, and passes terrifically. He’s also never been in the best shape and has defensive issues. He’s a legit lottery talent, but there are holes in his game.”
Vecenie has Duke freshman power forward Harry Giles going No. 1 to the Brooklyn Nets (the pick would go to the Boston Celtics, who have the right to swap picks with the Nets).
Kansas freshman small forward Josh Jackson, who nearly chose MSU, is No. 2 to the Phoenix Suns.
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