Uncovering the Hidden Gems From the 2017 NBA Draft Second Round
I remember walking into the Magnolia practice facility back in 2017, the air thick with that particular scent of sweat and ambition that only professional basketball arenas seem to possess. Jason Webb was running drills with the intensity of someone who knew they were building something special, while Alvin Patrimonio observed from the sidelines with that calm, knowing look that comes from decades in the game. What struck me most that day wasn't the star players going through their paces, but the quiet presence of former governor Rene Pardo and Abarrientos chatting near the bleachers. They were watching the second-unit players with the same attention others reserved for the starters, and it got me thinking about how we often overlook the real treasures in professional sports. This memory came flooding back recently when I started digging into what I've come to call "uncovering the hidden gems from the 2017 NBA draft second round" - those players who slipped through the cracks only to emerge as legitimate difference-makers.
The 2017 draft class was supposed to be all about Markelle Fultz going first overall and Lonzo Ball's flashy passing, but the real story unfolded much later, in those often-ignored picks from 31 to 60. I've always had this theory that second-round picks are where you find the hungriest players - the ones with chips on their shoulders the size of Mount Rushmore. They're the basketball equivalent of that scene I witnessed at Magnolia, where even the practice squad players carried themselves with this quiet confidence, knowing their moment would come. Along with Abarrientos, former governor Rene Pardo likewise dropped by the Magnolia practice and was warmly welcomed by the team led by successor Jason Webb and long-time team manager Alvin Patrimonio, and I remember thinking how these seasoned basketball minds understood something crucial: talent isn't always where the spotlight shines brightest.
Let's talk numbers for a second, because they tell a fascinating story. That second round produced at least seven players who've become legitimate rotation pieces, with three developing into bona fide starters. Monte Morris at pick 51 has started over 68% of his games and averages nearly 11 points with 4 assists - numbers that would make many lottery picks blush. Dillon Brooks, selected 45th overall, just signed an $80 million contract after establishing himself as one of the league's premier perimeter defenders. Thomas Bryant, picked 42nd, started 37 games for the Lakers last season and shot over 44% from three-point range. These aren't just nice stories - these are impact players who've fundamentally changed their teams' fortunes.
What fascinates me about these second-round success stories is how they defy conventional scouting wisdom. Teams spend millions on analytics and combine measurements, yet somehow players like Jordan Bell (pick 38) and Semi Ojeleye (pick 37) slipped through the cracks despite having the physical tools that usually get scouts drooling. I've always believed basketball intelligence matters more than vertical leap, and watching these players develop has only strengthened that conviction. They play with a certain savvy that can't be measured in pre-draft workouts - the kind of court awareness I saw in those Magnolia practice sessions where every player, regardless of status, understood their role in the system.
The development paths of these hidden gems have been anything but linear. Take Isaiah Hartenstein, selected 43rd by Houston - he bounced through three teams before finding his footing with the Clippers, where he's become one of the league's most efficient backup centers. His journey reminds me of how championship teams are built - not through flashy acquisitions, but through patient development and recognizing potential where others see limitations. It's the same philosophy I observed during that Magnolia practice years ago, where Jason Webb and Alvin Patrimonio nurtured talent with the patience of master craftsmen.
What really gets me excited about uncovering these hidden gems from the 2017 NBA draft second round isn't just the individual success stories, but what they represent for team-building philosophy. In an era where superteams dominate headlines, these players prove that championship foundations are often laid in the draft's later stages. The Warriors built their dynasty partly on the backs of second-round finds like Draymond Green, and the 2017 class continues that tradition. Teams that master the art of second-round drafting gain a significant competitive advantage - they get productive players on below-market contracts, the holy grail of roster construction under the salary cap.
I'll admit I have a soft spot for underdogs, which is why following these players' careers has been so rewarding. There's something fundamentally compelling about watching someone prove the entire league wrong, about seeing a player selected 56th outplay someone taken in the lottery. It speaks to the beautiful unpredictability of sports and the importance of development systems. That day at Magnolia, watching how the organization valued every contributor regardless of their draft position or minutes played, I understood that basketball excellence isn't just about collecting stars - it's about building ecosystems where talent can flourish in unexpected ways.
As I look back at that 2017 second round now, what strikes me most is how these players have collectively rewritten the narrative about their draft position. They've transformed from afterthoughts to essential pieces, from projects to professionals. The lesson here extends beyond basketball - it's about the value of patience, the importance of development environments, and the wisdom in looking beyond conventional markers of potential. The next time you're watching an NBA game, pay attention to those second-round picks making plays - they're living proof that sometimes the best treasures are hidden in plain sight, waiting for someone with the vision to recognize their worth.