The 5 Biggest Early Risers in 2016 NBA Draft Conversation

 There are some NBA draft prospects who are just tougher to see coming.  

Through roughly five weeks of college basketball, we've witnessed a handful of players either flash major improvement or potential that previously went hidden throughout high school.

The following prospects have found the radar after starting the season outside the draft discussion. They represent the biggest risers on our board based on last year's results and summer projections. 

Though not all of them are expected to declare this upcoming June, assume that NBA scouts have already taken notice of their arrivals or breakouts.

Honorary Mention: Kahlil Felder, Oakland, PG, Junior

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

We've reached the point where it's become reasonable to question whether the 5'9" Kay Felder has NBA potential. 

Viewed as just another productive mid-major guard a year ago, Felder has taken it to a whole other level so far in 2015-16. He's averaging 26.9 points (No. 2 in the nation) and 8.9 assists (No. 1 in the nation) through 11 games. 

Most recently, he went for 37 points and nine assists on Tuesday in an overtime loss to No. 1 Michigan State (no Denzel Valentine). Last Saturday, he finished with 38 points and nine assists at Washington after dropping 34 points on Toledo.

"The last guy who was in this building who played like that plays for the Boston Celtics now," Huskies coach Lorenzo Romar said of Felder, per the Seattle Times' Percy Allen, referencing similarly undersized Isaiah Thomas. 

Felder's handle, quickness and shiftiness make him beyond difficult to contain off the bounce. He's also crafty in the lane, where he can hang in the air, finish off one foot or draw contact (9.1 free-throw attempts per game) at the rim. 

He's also dangerous around the perimeter with the pull-up jumper and three-ball (2.5 threes per game, 39.7 percent). 

We're going to hear the Thomas comparisons all season long. It's unclear whether Felder will ever be a first-round option, but it's become impossible to write him off due to a few inches in height. There are bound to be general managers who entertain the possibility of Felder's breakdown ability and shot-making working in a change-of-pace playmaking role.  

5. Deyonta Davis, Michigan State, PF, Freshman

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Despite limited playing time and little production, Davis' NBA potential stands out game after game. 

At 6'10", 245 pounds, he's long, mobile and bouncy with excellent hands. And he's been active whenever given the opportunity. 

Per 40 minutes, he's averaging 19.2 points, 12.7 rebounds and 4.6 blocks, doing most of his work at the rim. 

Offensively, he hangs around the baseline in dunking position waiting to finish drive-and-dumps or lobs from penetrating guards. But he's also looked slippery with his back to the basket, as well as a threat to hop-step into a jump hook. Davis has flashed promising touch with one hand around the hoop and two hands as an elbow or pick-and-pop shooter. 

Without the ball, he's cleaned up his area under the boards and provided the Spartans 2.5 second-chance points per game on the offensive glass (16 putbacks to lead the team, per Hoop-Math.com). 

Having just turned 19 years old in December, he's still fairly raw, and chances are, there will be stretches throughout the year in which Davis goes silent. 

But Davis clearly has the physical tools and skill set in place to break through at power forward in the pros. He'd be more ready after two years at Michigan State, but in what could be a below-average 2016 field, Davis could look to capitalize this upcoming June and sell scouts on long-term upside. 

4. Patrick McCaw, UNLV, SG, Sophomore

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McCaw slipped below the radar last year as UNLV's third option behind Rashad Vaughn (Milwaukee Bucks) and Christian Wood (Philadelphia 76ers). He's now the team's most dynamic two-way weapon. And with 6'7" size and smooth athleticism, McCaw checks out under the NBA lens. 

He's had some quiet games in the scoring category, but he's still averaging 14.4 points on 47.8 percent shooting. McCaw does most of his damage either at the rim off drives and fast breaks or behind the arc as a shooter (32 field goals at the rim, 28 threes, six field goals in between, per Hoop-Math.com). He has plenty of range and a handle tight enough to shake defenders and slice to the rack. 

But McCaw also averages 4.2 assists, a number that highlights his versatility. He's a playmaking wing capable of creating for teammates.

His three steals per game also rank No. 4 in the country. McCaw has been a constant threat to jump a passing lane or strip a ball-handler, demonstrating super-quick feet to match the length. 

At only 185 pounds, McCaw lacks both strength and one-on-one skills in terms of getting his own shot against a set defense. But athletic wings who can spread the floor, pass and guard are always in demand. 

 3. Tyler Lydon, Syracuse, SF/PF, Freshman

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The Syracuse offense doesn't exactly feature Lydon, who's used in a measly 13.9 percent of the Orange possessions when on the floor, according to Sports-Reference.com. But Lydon has looked convincing in a specific role NBA teams are always looking to fill.  

At 6'10", Lydon projects as a stretch forward who runs the floor and cleans up inside. Though not overly strong or explosive, he's athletic, coordinated and mobile, which shows up in transition and at the hoop. Lydon has good hands and touch on hooks, as well as enough bounce to convert catches around the rim into easy buckets.

Meanwhile, he's hit 16 of his first 32 threes and shot 76.7 percent from the line. Lydon has a clean-looking jumper along with a high basketball IQ and disciplined shot selection that have translated to efficient overall play (51.3 percent from the floor, 1.2 turnovers per 40 minutes).

If he keeps it up, he'd be the only player since 1995 to average at least 1.3 threes, seven rebounds, 2.4 blocks and a steal per game, per Sports-Reference.com. 

It's unclear whether he'll be ready to declare this upcoming June, given his limited touches, one-on-one-skills and strength. Either way, Lydon, who never screamed NBA potential, has quickly become a first-round prospect to track.

2. Wade Baldwin IV, Vanderbilt, PG, Sophomore

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Baldwin passes the NBA point guard eye test with 6'3", 194-pound size and a spectacular 6'10" wingspan. Only this year, he's had the production to back up the look. 

He's also playing with greater confidence and a heavier workload—Baldwin is taking three more field-goal attempts per game, while his usage rate has risen to 26.4 percent from just 18.7 percent, per Sports-Reference.com. 

Vanderbilt's leading scorer through 11 games averaging 14.6 points on 50.5 percent shooting, Baldwin puts heavy pressure on the defense and rim, particularly in transition, where he's flashed power and burst (made 19 field goals at the rim within first 10 seconds of shot clock).

And after starting the year 16-of-32 from downtown, it seems safe to assume last season's 43.9 percent three-point mark wasn't a fluke. He's even hit 83 percent of his free throws so far after converting 80.2 percent of them as a freshman. 

Baldwin has the shooting range to match the attack game, though he could still use work in between, having only made six of 18 two-point jumpers (pull-ups and runners) through the first five weeks of the year. He's also struggled finishing at the rim (42.9 percent in the half court) for the second straight season.

In terms of facilitating, Baldwin only averages 3.4 assists to 2.8 turnovers per game and hasn't presented himself as a shake-and-bake ball-handler or natural table-setter. On the other hand, he's shown he can make the right reads and passes within the flow of an offense.

Arguably the most attractive aspect of Baldwin's potential is his defensive tools, specifically the mix of lateral quickness, strength and extreme length. He's done a nice job of containing dribble penetration and getting into passing lanes.

Between his tremendous physical tools, tested jumper and defense, I wouldn't even be shocked if NBA teams overlooked his uninspiring assist numbers—just like Boston Celtics general manager did with Terry Rozier. 

Baldwin looks the part and shows room for growth as a playmaker and decision-maker.

Expect a ton of scouts to come out for Vanderbilt's two upcoming meetings with Kentucky. 

1. Denzel Valentine, Michigan State, PG/SG, Senior

Winslow Townson/Associated Press

Valentine made a jump after each of his first two years at Michigan State, but neither shook the NBA radar. The one he's made from his junior to senior season should ultimately be enough. 

He's gone from productive role player to go-to playmaker, National Player of the Year favorite and legitimate NBA prospect.

From an NBA standpoint, it's been a lot easier to overlook Valentine's athletic limitations in 2015-16. 

Before suffering a knee injury in practice earlier this week, he'd been averaging 18.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game. Without great speed or athleticism, the NBA isn't likely to covet Valentine's scoring as much as his shooting and passing. 

After making 102 threes at a 41.6 percent clip in 2014-15, he's already hit 36 of them (40 percent from deep) through 12 games. Valentine knocks down jumpers off spot-ups and screens with a quick release. His 45.1 percent assist percentage also ranks No. 3 in the country, per Sports-Reference.com. Valentine has picked apart defenses using his hesitation dribble and vision on the move. 

Still, his ability to improvise and convert unorthodox one-handers and runners in the lane helps compensate for a lack of explosiveness around the rim (51.1 percent on two-point shots away from the rim, per Hoop-Math.com).  

Valentine has suddenly evolved into a complete offensive player comfortable both on or off the ball, inside the arc or behind it. 

And though he doesn't pack the upside of most projected one-and-done picks, you get the impression he offers little risk and potentially immediate results. Valentine should get looks in the lottery by the time we get to June.