10 Explosive Athletes to Watch in the 2015 NBA Draft Class

Some NBA draft prospects are more exciting to watch than others, and most of the time it's due to their explosive athleticism.

The 2015 class doesn't have Andrew Wiggins or Zach LaVine, but it's still well-stocked with graceful leapers, powerful finishers and fleet-footed playmakers.

Not only are there ultra-agile guards and swingmen, but several big man prospects can move swiftly and take flight. They're definitely not your grandfather's post players.

Out of all the athletes in the 2015 draft, these 10 are the ones to watch closest. They stand out from the rest of the class due to their superior athletic gifts such as speed, agility, strength and explosiveness.

Note: Prospects listed in projected draft order. 

Brice Johnson, North Carolina PF

Key Athletic Gifts: (6'9") Long strides, nimble leaping

NBA Role: Two-way reserve power forward

You can tell Brice Johnson was a two-time South Carolina state champion in the high jump during high school. Whenever the North Carolina goes on a fast break, he leaps over people effortlessly.

The 6'9" junior's long strides help him outrun other big men, and his spring-loaded feet make alley-oops and putbacks look easy.

"Johnson's athletic prowess translates well to the basketball court, where he is an excellent finisher around the basket thanks to his mobility and terrific touch," said Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com.

Even in half-court scenarios, he can rocket upward in a split second when the Tar Heels need a timely rebound or emphatic block. Johnson snagged 12.6 boards and rejected 2.6 blocks per 40 minutes in 2013-14.

This season, he'll play a stronger brand of hoops than he did last year. He bulked up and went from 210 to 228 pounds. Johnson will be even tougher to contain in the paint moving forward.

Alex Poythress, Kentucky F

Key Athletic Gifts: (6'8") Explosive vertical burst, hang time, quickness, strength

NBA Role: Energy/dirty work rotational forward

Alex Poythress' limited skill set has kept his NBA draft stock in check the past couple of seasons, but the junior role player remains an electrifying athlete.

He can out-rebound players who are three inches taller than him due to his strength and ability to get off the floor quickly. It also helps him swat shots and snare loose balls. And in the open floor, he seems to scale an invisible ladder en route to ferocious dunks and alley-oops.

At Kentucky's recent combine event, Poythress showed scouts exactly how explosive he can be. His no-step vertical leap was 37.5", which is as lofty as most players' max vert. With a running start, Poythress can fly 41.5", which is right up there with the absolute best leapers you'll see in any NBA combine.

As a bonus, he demonstrated his muscle by tossing around weights like toys: He bench-pressed 185 pounds 26 times.

He won't be talented enough to produce in a major NBA role, but his energy and explosiveness will win a bunch of hustle plays.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Arizona SF

Key Athletic Gifts: (6'7") Two-footed leaping, strong, rangy

NBA Role: Versatile swingman, fourth scoring option

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had a modest role on an elite Arizona squad in 2013-14, so he didn't always get to showcase his abilities.

His aerial prowess and all-around nimbleness didn't go unnoticed, however. And during his sophomore year, his increased role and growing versatility will be fueled by his explosiveness.

Hollis-Jefferson can run the floor and compete with guards, but he's also strong and long enough to compete with frontcourt players for rebounds and scoring chances.

The sprightly yet powerful swingman is particularly bouncy off two-footed jumps, as he gathers and vaults toward the rim with his 7'0.5" wingspan.

Those kinds of gifts are well-received at the NBA level, where there's space for him to do some eye-popping damage.

Wayne Selden, Kansas SG

Key Athletic Gifts: (6'6") Strength, quickness, agility

NBA Role: Starting shooting guard, third scoring option

One of the few underclassmen with an NBA-ready physique, Kansas sophomore Wayne Selden looks to utilize his gifts more effectively as a sophomore.

He has a chiseled 220-pound frame, along with the ability to elevate for shots and dunks. While he doesn't have tremendous speed, he's tough to contain once he gets some momentum going to the hoop.

We saw glimpses of his athletic prowess during his freshman campaign, so let's see if he can create offensively and punish opponents more often this upcoming season.

Rafael Uehara of Upside Motor broke down Selden's defensive tools, noting that the youngster is imperfect yet promising on that end of the floor: "Selden, Jr. showed very decent lateral quickness to go over and around screens but didn’t really manage to use his 223-pound frame to contain dribble penetration through contact. His transition defense was very impressive..."

As he learns how to make the most of his strength and bounce, he'll make more plays and boost his NBA value.

Chris Walker, Florida PF

Key Athletic Gifts: (6'9") Vertical explosiveness, long strides, hang time

NBA Role: Open-floor power forward

Only a select few big men in the world can bolt off the ground as quickly as Chris Walker. At 6'9", his lightning hops resemble those of a guard or wing.

HoopsHabit.com's D'Joumbarey Moreau offers a concise scouting report on the Florida sophomore: "If you do not know any information about the athletic power forward, know this...he can leap over buildings."

He runs like a gazelle from end to end, and then he caps plays off with agile forays to the tin. Coach Billy Donovan hopes he can unlock more of that athleticism in 2014-15 as Walker plays in an expanded role.

Don't forget that he won the 2013 McDonald's All-American dunk contest—an event that included high flyers such as Andrew Wiggins, Aaron Gordon and Jabari Parker.

If his first full season with the Gators goes well, he'll soon be jumping out of NBA gyms instead of college ones.

Justise Winslow, Duke SF

Key Athletic Gifts: (6'6") Agility, hang time, strength

NBA Role: Do-it-all sixth man

Athletic plays are a big part of Justise Winslow's game at this stage in his career.

With his jump shot still developing, the Duke freshman will earn many of his buckets by driving past his man and elevating acrobatically.

The 6'6" wing has a deceptive crossover and a swift first step that allows him to get into the lane. Then he trumps the second line of defense with his strength and midair adjustments.

As Chris Johnson of Sports Illustrated indicates, Winslow will put on an exciting audition for the Association while at Duke: "Winslow is quick, strong and able to guard multiple positions. He is often described as one of the most versatile players in this class, and his athleticism and toughness ensure he’ll see the floor early."

The freshman's slashing talent and tangible defensive tools form a nasty combination—one he'll soon unleash on NBA foes.

Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky C

Key Athletic Gifts: (7'0") Agility, long strides, quick springs

NBA Role: Defense and pick-and-roll center

To say Willie Cauley-Stein is "athletic for a big guy" is a disservice to his capabilities.

Kentucky's junior center has kangaroo buoyancy that enables him to score over the crowd, a quick burst for blocking unsuspecting opponents and impressive foot speed that helps him make plays away from the basket.

Worried about the ankle injury that kept him out of the latter half of the 2014 NCAA tournament? Don't be, says ESPN's Chad Ford (subscription required), who got a close look at Cauley-Stein during Kentucky's recent combine:

"

Willie Cauley-Stein finally looks healthy again. While he didn't necessarily show off much offensively (scouts' biggest knock against him), his athletic testing was off the charts. He had a 37" vertical, the second-fastest spring time on the team and fourth-fastest lane agility score. Those are incredible numbers for a seven-footer.

"

Remember how dangerous Tyson Chandler was in his prime? That's the kind of spark Cauley-Stein can bring to his NBA squad in the near future.

Mario Hezonja, Croatia SG/SF

Key Athletic Gifts: (6'8") Vertical lift, aerial agility

NBA Role: Offensively versatile wing, third scoring option

Mario Hezonja is one of the bounciest wings of the 2015 draft crop, and his athleticism is one of his most compelling traits.

He gets great elevation in the open floor off one foot, as he soars for dunks, alley-oops and blocks. Hezonja can easily out-jump most of his Spanish League peers, and it's clear he'll be able to attack the rim in the NBA.

Bleacher Report NBA Draft Lead Writer Jonathan Wasserman noted that Hezonja's movements are particularly agile when he's out on the fast break. "He glides out there, both down the floor and through the air," wrote Wasserman. "Hezonja scored an impressive 1.21 points per possession in transition during ACB play, per DraftExpress."

When Hezonja combines his midair agility with effective slashing moves and active defense, he's one of the most dynamic players on the court. That's why he could land in the top 10 come June.

Kelly Oubre, Kansas SF

Key Athletic Gifts: (6'7") Long strides, hang time, body control

NBA Role: Dynamic small forward, second scoring option

Incoming Kansas forward Kelly Oubre has a knack for climbing the ladder and scoring over challengers in the lane.

He can trampoline for buckets off one or two feet, and his 7'1.5" wingspan finishes the job once he goes skyward. Oubre's slender frame and great body control give him terrific hang time.

The southpaw slasher is more than just a leaper, however. He has a sneaky-quick first step that he uses to shake defenders. His off-the-dribble creativity is rapidly improving, so his swiftness will only become more magnified.

His quickness also translates to the defensive end, where he demonstrates enticing potential as a versatile player. Oubre's mix of agility and length could be problematic for opponents.

The only weakness in the prodigy's physical tool kit is strength, but the rest of his wares are intriguing enough.

Emmanuel Mudiay, Guangdong Southern Tigers PG

Key Athletic Gifts: (6'5") Shiftiness, acceleration, vertical bounce

NBA Role: Uncontainable primary playmaker

Among the 2015 point guard prospects, no one comes close to Emmanual Mudiay's combination of shiftiness, acceleration and vertical explosiveness.

His physical tools are a big reason why he's drawing comparisons to the likes of John Wall and Russell Westbrook. The 6'5" playmaker opted to play pro ball in China rather than attend college, and his athleticism will stand out for the Guangdong Southern Tigers.

NBADraft.net scout Wes Hinton explained that Mudiay owns a "very quick first step and a lethal crossover" and that he "excels in the open court where his speed hits another gear."

If that isn't enough to foil opposing defenses, he can rise and use his strength and body control to score at the rim.

Mudiay's speed is also helpful on the defensive end, where he shows flashes of brilliance as a stopper. If he keeps improving his footwork and awareness, he's going to be a stifling defender capable of blanketing both guard positions.

Measurements gathered from DraftExpress.com unless otherwise noted.

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

Follow him on Twitter: @DanielO_BR