2017 NBA Draft: 5 potential second round steals

Mar 10, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Frank Jackson (15) drives around North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) during the first half during the ACC Conference Tournament at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

While we spend the next weeks obsessing over where the top prospects of the 2017 NBA Draft are going to end up, there are some second round steals worth keeping an eye on.

As the NBA has grown more internationally and into the world of analytics, second round picks are becoming more valuable. Teams can find first round talent for well below the standard price. Additionally, with two-way contracts, teams may be more willing to hold onto second round picks.

Second round picks have yielded an assortment of results year after year. From All-Stars and rotation players to busts and draft-and-stash players, teams who draft well in the second round can find themselves in better situations than their peers.

Even with such talent in the lottery this year, the 2017 NBA Draft could also be a strong year for talent after the first round. Between first round bubble guys and potential undrafted free agents, this draft class is far deeper across the board than an average one.

With that in mind, here are a few players that teams should be ecstatic to steal in the second round.

May 25, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; General view during the first half in game five of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs between the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

T5. Alpha Kaba, C, Mega Leks & Kostja Mushidi, SG, Mega Leks

Mega Leks! The Serbian club that gave us Nikola Jokic and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot is back with two more prospects. A club focused on giving youth the chance to shine, Mega Leks has two players from outside of Serbia with bright futures.

First is Alpha Kaba, a seven-footer from France who just turned 21. Kaba is a bit on the older side, but is a strong athlete with a high motor. Though raw on offense, if he can add any kind of shooting, he's a rotational big in the NBA. He could be better off with another year overseas, but given his age NBA teams might want him in the G-League. Right now, Kaba is staying in the NBA Draft.

Where Kaba has committed to the draft, his teammate Kostja Mushidi is still undecided. Mushidi right now appears to be the better prospect. At just 19 years old, his youth is appealing, as is the recent run he's been on.

He really appears to be coming into his own as a bouncy 2-guard with a crazy seven-foot wingspan. Mushidi likely needs another year abroad, but might be the best international player this year after Frank Ntilikina. If he declares, he's a first round talent that could slip to the second round. Either way, he's an international name to keep an eye out for.

Feb 25, 2017; Coral Gables, FL, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Frank Jackson (15) is pressured by Miami Hurricanes guard Bruce Brown (11) during the first half at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

4. Frank Jackson, PG, Duke

Every draft seems to have a collection of players who surprise people with their decision to either stay in or go back to school. Where many expected Miles Bridges to stay in the draft, he went back to school. One player who stayed in the draft, that many thought might return to school, was Frank Jackson.

A combo guard at Duke, Jackson had a very strong freshman season. He earned regular playing time, even a plethora of starts. Jackson is still a work in progress on the defensive end, but provides upside as a combo guard who can score at all three levels. You won't find many teenagers that can do this:

Per Hoop-Math, Jackson shot nearly 40 percent from three, over 75 percent from the line, and 63 percent at the rim. To start his NBA career, Jackson can be a creative finisher and scorer. He can grow into a secondary ball handling role and be a very productive player.

As a decent athlete, showing by his dominance during the NBA Draft Combine drills, there's hope he can be a meaningful defender with proper coaching.

Mar 17, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs forward Semi Ojeleye (33) reacts during the second half against the USC Trojans in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

3. Semi Ojeleye, SF/PF, SMU

Semi Ojeleye is a prospect who is in between going in the first and second round. After struggling at Duke, Ojeleye transferred to SMU and become the 2017 AAC Player of the Year. Posting averages of 18.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, he also shot the lights out of the ball. We're talking about a guy who flat out knows how to score from anywhere.

Ojeleye shot 63 percent at the rim, 41 percent on two-point jumpers, 42 percent from three, and nearly 79 percent from the free throw line, per Hoop-Math. That is elite. So, what's holding him back? Mostly age. He'll be 23 next season. That being said, a team should take advantage of this and draft a very complete offensive weapon and a ridiculous athlete.

At just under 6-foot-7, it's unclear what position he's best suited for in the NBA. He'll likely split time between the 3 and the 4.

Ojeleye should be able to thrive at both given his rare combination of strength, power, and speed. He finished in the top-eight at the draft combine in the max vertical leap, lane agility test and three-quarter court sprint, per Draft Express. His age may make him slide to the second round, but he has steal written all over him.

Apr 1, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Sindarius Thornwell (0) shoots the ball against Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Jordan Mathews (4) during the second half in the semifinals of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

2. Sindarius Thornwell, SG, South Carolina

Other than Frank Jackson, you can see a growing trend in these sleepers. They're mostly older, NBA-ready guys without a tremendous amount of upside. Upside is still important, even in the second round, but that's not where you're most likely to find value. This collection of players is more ready to contribute right away and turn into underrated role players on winning teams.

In terms of that profile, look no further than Sindarius Thornwell. While he'll be 23 this year, Thornwell has the potential to be a very useful two-way wing in the NBA. During his SEC Player of the Year campaign, Thornwell put up 21 points, seven rebounds and nearly three assists and led South Carolina to the Final Four. The best sign for his NBA prospects was shooting a career-high from three and the line.

While teams should be wary of jumping to conclusions off of one season, he did shoot the ball consistently well from the line in college. Thornwell is likely going to face a rude awakening similar to Buddy Hield, in that he won't be able to do much besides shoot and cut offensively.

But what he has that Hield lacks is the size and intensity on defense. Defense is what is going to get him on the court. Shooting is what will keep him in the league. Any playoff team with multiple second round picks should seriously consider him. Thornwell won't back down or be afraid to do the dirty work.

Mar 11, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) watches his shot during the first half of the Big East Conference Tournament final game against the Creighton Bluejays at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

1. Josh Hart, SG, Villanova

If you or your favorite NBA team liked the sound of Thornwell, then you'll also like Josh Hart from Villanova. Though he doesn't offer as much defensive ability as Thornwell, he projects to be a better player in about every other area.

Hart's also just 22. He still has the tools and a strong base, though, to be a decent defender at the next level. Just watch Hart be able to switch, close out and recover in one sequence below.

Like his fellow senior, Hart won Player of the Year in his conference, though the Wildcats left the Dance early in 2017. Hart was money in late-game situations and was a much more consistent shooter in college than Thornwell. He's a gamer who will pass, defend, shoot and exert a lot of energy on the court. This is the type of player the Spurs get their hands on come draft time.

At 6-foot-5 with a wingspan over 6-foot-8, he has perfect size to play the 2 in the NBA. If Hart's shooting translates, which it should, he'll be a steal in the second round. Frankly, he should go in the first round due to his physique, body of work, shooting and leadership.

If you're looking for this year's Malcolm Brogdon, it's probably Hart. And Hart should have a better rookie season, on the right team, than Brogdon.

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