6 Under-the-Radar 2015 NBA Draft Prospects to Watch Closely

Most NBA fans are already drooling over the next crop of marquee draft prospects and know which top studs to track throughout the 2014-15 season.

But a handful of under-the-radar players also demand your attention.

Whether it's an unheralded transfer, overlooked senior or mid-major dark horse, these competitors have pro potential. The upcoming campaign is a critical audition for each of them.

Keep an eye on the following draft hopefuls who are aiming to showcase their value to the Association.

Shawn Long, Louisiana-Lafayette PF/C (Junior)

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Vitals: 21 years old, 6'10", 256 lbs, 7'0" wingspan

2013-14 Stats (with ULL): 29.4 MPG, 18.6 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 2.7 BPG 52% FG, 42% 3FG

NBA Role: Center (Lower-tier starter or high-level backup)

Draft Range: Middle (No. 25-35) 

The Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns are set to churn out quality NBA draft prospects in back-to-back seasons.

This year's specimen looks much different than shifty Orlando Magic point guard Elfrid Payton. Standing at 6'10" with a strong frame and a scoring presence in the paint is Shawn Long.

The big fella doesn't stand out athletically, but his ability to produce inside and out makes him an attractive frontcourt asset. Long can score on the block with pivot moves or putbacks, and he can also step out and connect from long range.

Long posted great numbers in the Sun Belt conference during 2013-14, including a ton of shot-blocking, but sometimes it's tough to tell if mid-major players are for real. Yannis Koutroupis of Basketball Insiders was thoroughly impressed by the youngster's performance against elite college peers at Adidas Nations: "Shawn Long (is) more than holding his own again high major players," tweeted Koutroupis. "First-round talent."

It's rare to find post players who can do the dirty work and also supply substantial offense. Long has a chance to contribute this dual threat to the NBA.

Rodney Purvis, Connecticut SG (Sophomore)

Jessica Hill/Associated Press

Vitals: 20 years old, 6'4", 205 lbs, 6'6" wingspan

2012-13 Stats (with N.C. State): 25.6 MPG, 8.3 PPG, 1.3 APG, 47% FG, 39% 3FG

NBA Role: Key rotational 2-guard

Draft Range: Late first round (No. 25-30)

Back in 2012, Rodney Purvis was a highly coveted recruit embarking on his career at North Carolina State. After transferring to UConn and sitting out the 2013-14 campaign, he's more of a dark horse than a marquee prospect.

He's an exciting player, one who uses his speed and bounciness to get to the hoop. He showed erratic fundamentals and a slow shooting delivery at N.C. State, so it will be interesting to see how much he's improved since 2012-13.

According to Dom Amore of the Hartford Courant, Purvis worked hard to get his shoulder and entire physique in top form during his year off: "Purvis...had to sit out last season and had surgery in December to repair a torn labrum and stabilize his left shoulder. All the rehab work, plus the conditioning with strength coach Travis Illian, has Purvis in prime shape."

And when it comes to basketball skills and concepts, Purvis told Amore he's been a sponge:

"

Sitting out of basketball for a very long time is rough, but I've tried to make it worth it. I took advantage of everything, going up against guys like Shabazz (Napier) and (Ryan) Boatright every day in practice. I was in Shabazz's ear all the time, in the room watching film with him, asking questions, and he gave me a lot of great feedback before he left.

"

Let's see if he's improved his decision-making and fundamentals as he tries to prove himself as an all-around backcourt asset.

Tomas Dimsa, Lithuania SG (1994)

Mindaugas Kulbis/Associated Press

Vitals: 20 years old, 6'6", 190 lbs

2013-14 Stats: 14.5 MPG, 3.2 PPG, 0.9 APG, 41% FG, 25% 3FG

NBA Role: Athletic shooter off the bench

Draft Range: Early-to-mid second round

Although he's not among the upper crust of international prospects, Lithuania's Tomas Dimsa could be a valuable pickup for a team that is looking to add depth on the wing.

He's spring-loaded for finishing above the rim and competing with NBA-caliber athletes, but his ball skills are still developing. Most of his buckets come from timely cuts, alley-oops or slashes in the open floor.

The trait that makes Dimsa truly valuable in half-court scenarios is his outside shooting.

In a small sample size with Zalgiris during 2013-14, he shot an inefficient 25 percent from long range. Don't worry, though: His form and delivery look great, and he's comfortable well beyond the international arc.

We'll be watching to see if he can post cleaner shooting numbers and improve his shot-creating ability. If he takes a big step forward for Zalgiris, it could translate to a huge step across the pond next summer.

Jarell Martin, LSU PF (Sophomore)

Steve Helber/Associated Press

Vitals: 20 years old, 6'8", 242 lbs, 6'10" wingspan

2013-14 Stats: 26.2 MPG, 10.3 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 47% FG, 33% 3FG

NBA Role: Undersized versatile 4-man

Draft Range: First round (20s)

LSU isn't as high-profile as fellow SEC programs like Kentucky and Florida, so its prospects are often overshadowed.

Don't sleep on Tigers forward Jarell Martin in 2014-15, though. He's a 6'8" bruiser who can bang with the big guys but also move swiftly and hit perimeter jumpers. As a freshman, he scored double digits while playing solid defense and showing promise to expand his skills.

Over the summer, Martin attended the Nike Bigs Academy camp in New Jersey to work on his big-man skills, and then he played at the LeBron James Skills Academy in Las Vegas.

"I learned some big-man moves, how the guys play at the next level," he told NOLA.com. "Where they start, where they make their moves out on the floor."

Martin doesn't possess the length of power forwards or the advanced skills of a wing yet. This year is critical to assess what kind of player he can be at the next level. Can he fulfill all the tasks of a power forward?

Anthony Brown, Stanford SG (Senior)

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Vitals: 22 years old, 6'7", 207 lbs, 6'9.5" wingspan

2013-14 Stats: 33.5 MPG, 12.3 PPG, 2. APG, 48% FG, 45% 3FG

NBA Role: Three-and-D reserve

Draft Range: Late first or early second round

Anthony Brown has been at Stanford for three years, but he hasn't made a huge splash yet because he's been either injured or outshined by teammates for most of his time in Palo Alto.

He missed nearly the entire 2012-13 season due to hip surgery, and then in 2013-14 scouts were more interested in Dwight Powell and Josh Huestis.

"Last season was the first in which the lanky California native was truly healthy, and he shot 45 percent from beyond the arc," said ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman. "He has the size, length and ability to shoot it."

Brown's 6'9.5" wingspan gives him excellent size to play on the wing in the NBA, as it enables him to shoot over people and score when attacking the rim. He'll be mostly a stretch-the-floor wing at the next level, so don't count on him to shake and bake his way to creative buckets.

Fortunately, shooting won't be his only contribution. He'll defend reliably due to his expansive reach and mobility. Brown won't be a lockdown standout, but he'll keep opponents in check by bothering shots and deterring playmakers with his ranginess.

If he can get to the free-throw line more often and polish his scoring repertoire, he could sneak into the first round.

E.C. Matthews, Rhode Island PG/SG (Sophomore)

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Vitals: 19 years old, 6'5", 190 lbs, 6'7" wingspan

2013-14 Stats: 32.5 MPG, 14.3 PPG, 2.3 APG, 42% FG, 35% 3FG

NBA Role: Combo guard

Draft Range: First round (20s)

E.C. Matthews won't be under the radar for long.

After a productive freshman year at Rhode Island and a strong showing at Adidas Nations in August, the young playmaker is poised to carve up the Atlantic 10 and climb up the draft charts.

Using his superb hesitation and change-of-direction handles, the 2014 A-10 Rookie of the Year creates offense dynamically off the bounce. He exhibits superb body control and can score with jumpers or slashes to the basket.

Scouts will monitor two key areas as he enters his sophomore season: shooting effectiveness and passing production. Matthews' southpaw shot could use some streamlining, and he dished just 2.9 assists per 40 minutes. He's must address both of those areas if he wants to be a combo guard in the NBA.

"Everybody knows that I can score, but this year I’m trying to be more of a playmaker," Matthews told Kevin McNamara of the Providence Journal.

He has a chance to turn Rhode Island from a doormat into a winner this season. How well he leads the squad in 2014-15 will go a long way in determining where he lands in June.

Dan O'Brien covers the NBA draft for Bleacher Report.

Follow him on Twitter: @DanielO_BR