Players in the 2017 NBA draft pool will rise up and fall down big boards in the coming months based on pre-draft workouts, interviews, news and rumors.Some players seem solidified in their spots. For example, Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball and Josh Jackson are likely go to in the top three in some order. That's been the case for some time.However, other players used fantastic late-season performances during the college basketball year to improve their draft stocks and rise up some big boards a few months before the draft on June 22.Here's a look at a 2017 mock draft along with three prospects on the rise.A quick note before diving into the mock draft: The NBA draft order will not be official until (a) coin flips to break ties occur and (b) the draft lottery is held on Tuesday, May 16, to decide the teams that will make the first three selections (although this NBA.com article is from last year, it provides a good explanation for how the lottery works).The following teams will take part in coin flips to break ties: The Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks for sixth, the Portland Trail Blazers and Chicago Bulls for 15th, the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers for 17th, the Portland Trail Blazers (again) and Atlanta Hawks for 19th and the Portland Trail Blazers (one more time), Utah Jazz, Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic for 23rd.Breaking Down Prospects on the RiseDe'Aaron FoxThe former Kentucky point guard, who has been mocked to the New York Knicks in the No. 6-7 range numerous times this year, is now going top five seemingly everywhere, including DraftExpress, NBADraft.netandBleacher Report.It's no surprise why. Fox had a fantastic season in Lexington, most notably outplaying UCLA point guard and future top-three NBA draft pick Lonzo Ball in the Sweet 16 when he scored 39 points on 13-of-20 shooting in an 86-75 win.Fox is a great slasher, ball-handler and defender, and he is also one the quickest and most athletic prospects in this year's draft. However, Fox needs to work on his outside jumper, as he only made 17 of 69 three-pointers this year for a 24.6-percent success rate.Don't be surprised to see the Orlando Magic pick Fox. Orlando has Elfrid Payton running the point, but he's been up and down during his Magic tenure and even came off the bench at times this year.Philadelphia could be a possibility, although the 76ers seem dead-set on putting the top pick from the 2016 NBA draft, Ben Simmons, at the point next year, per Rich Hofmann of PhillyVoice.Ultimately, it'd be a surprise to see Fox fall below No. 5.Zach CollinsThe seven-foot center officially declared for the NBA draft on Tuesday, and since then, Collins' name has been placed in the lottery portion of many mock drafts:DraftExpress,NBADraft.netandBleacher Reportall have him in the top 11.Collins had a tremendous freshman year at Gonzaga, scoring 10.0 points, grabbing 5.9 rebounds and blocking 1.8 shots per game. The efficient Collins also made 65.2 percent of his shots and managed a double-digit scoring average even though he played just 17.2 minutes a night.Collins' length and athleticism were on full display in the Final Four against South Carolina, as he played the role of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings and told every Gamecock that they shall not pass by blocking six shots. He also scored 14 points and pulled down 13 boards for good measure.You can't teach height, and Collins is just 19 years old. He'll be selected in the lottery portion of the draft.John CollinsThe Wake Forest big man seemingly willed the Demon Deacons off the bubble and into the NCAA tournament as an at-large team with his tremendous play in the paint down the stretch. In the process, he became a much hotter name for this year's NBA draft.Most notably, Collins posted 25 points and 11 boards against No. 8 Louisville, one of the best defensive teams in the country last year, in an 88-81 win in March that gave Wake the signature victory it needed to make March Madness.The 6'10", 235-pound sophomore was a beast in the paint, scoring 19.2 points and grabbing 9.8 rebounds on the season.Collins is at a disadvantage compared to other big men in this draft class, as he's not as tall as players like Zach Collins and doesn't venture much outside the paint, which almost seems like a prerequisite to play center in the NBA these days.However, he makes up for his height and lack of offensive versatility with phenomenal strength down low. Someone will take a first-round flier on him, and it won't be a surprise to see him go top 20.
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