Grading the Top NBA Prospects from Duke-Wisconsin Showdown
This Wisconsin-Duke ACC-Big Ten Challenge matchup featured two of the top programs in the country and some can't-miss NBA talent.
The Blue Devils ended up taking it on the road with a solid 80-70 win, and it was two of their three talented freshmen who led the way down the stretch.
Jahlil Okafor and Tyus Jones were unstoppable in the second half. Rising Wisconsin senior Frank Kaminsky wasn't too bad himself.
We went ahead and graded each top NBA prospect on their performance Wednesday night in Madison, as well as their overall body of work so far during the 2014-15 season.
Jahlil Okafor, Duke, 6'11", C, Freshman
1 of 5
Stats versus Wisconsin: 6-of-8 shooting, 13 points, six rebounds, one block
His numbers won't blow you away, but Jahlil Okafor turned it on at just the right time against Wisconsin. Within a span of over two minutes and nine seconds, he helped remind viewers why many consider him the favorite to go first in the 2015 draft.
Up five points with over nine minutes left, Okafor nailed a turnaround jumper in the post, which he followed with a rim-rocking dunk off a catch-and-finish.
A few possessions later, Okafor faced his man up from about 15 feet out before banking in a soft jumper that screamed Tim Duncan.
"Every NBA exec watching Duke-Wisconsin just saw that Jahlil Okafor bank shot. Presumptive No. 1 overall pick gets more appealing by the game," tweeted Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix.
His other three buckets were right at the rim, with his first coming after plowing through Frank Kaminsky on the low block.
On the downside, he lost the ball twice by trying to dribble it in traffic. And if he could only find a way to avoid fouling, he'd probably have finished with more minutes and scoring opportunities.
Overall, it was an efficient performance from Okafor, who finished just about every play that came his way within Duke's offense.
He's been as good as advertised so far this year at the offensive end. I'm not sure we've come across an 18-year-old big man this polished in a while.
We'll hear Kentucky's Karl-Anthony Towns' and China's Emmanuel Mudiay's name tossed into the conversation for No. 1 overall, but neither offers as much certainty or safety as Okafor.
Grade versus Wisconsin: A-
Grade for the Year: A-
Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin, 7'0", C, Senior
2 of 5
Stats versus Duke: 5-of-12 shooting, 17 points, nine rebounds, 2-of-4 three-pointers, one block
Frank Kaminsky looked a little fatigued toward the end of the game, but for the first 80 percent of it, his versatility was on full display.
He opened the night by drilling two three-pointers, one from each wing. Kaminsky's improved shooting touch and range have been major reasons for his jump up draft boards, as stretch big men are always in demand.
But after those two threes, he spent the rest of the game working in the post, where he picked up a few buckets off face-up and back-to-the-basket moves.
Kaminsky ultimately got to the line eight times over a six-minute span in the second half, as Duke just couldn't find an answer for him.
But as the Blue Devils started pulling away a bit in the second half, Kaminsky began to press and lose his legs. He missed a couple of easy looks inside and at one point coughed it up in traffic, which led to a crucial layup the other way and potential four-point swing.
Still, it's no mystery as to what's caused Kaminsky's rise as an NBA prospect. At 7'0", he's highly skilled in the post and can really shoot the rock. So far on the year, he's 13-of-31 from downtown.
Kaminsky won't be an upside play for teams this coming June, but for those in need of a little offense up front, there aren't many better bets outside the prized one-and-done big men.
Grade versus Duke: B+
Grade for Season: A-
Justise Winslow, Duke, 6'6", SF, Freshman
3 of 5
Stats versus Wisconsin: 2-of-6 shooting, five points, five rebounds, three assists, one steal, four turnovers, 1-of-3 three-pointers
It wasn't the prettiest offensive night for Justise Winslow, who finished with just five points and four turnovers.
But one of the things that makes Winslow such an appealing NBA prospect is his ability to impact a game without needing to score. And he did that against Wisconsin, particularly at the defensive end, where the Badger guards felt his ball pressure the second they crossed half court.
Winslow only got credit for one steal, but he forced at least two more turnovers by getting up in his man's grill and poking balls away.
He also took a key charge late in the game, which didn't show up in the box score at all.
Offensively, he made some silly decisions, like sailing a full-court pass into the stands. And he struggled creating good looks for himself against Wisconsin's set defense.
On a positive note, he did hit another three-pointer, his 10th in eight games. And he picked up three more assists—Winslow isn't much of a playmaker, but he sees the floor and shows a willingness to give it up.
Still, he's got a ways to go with regard to his ball skills and scoring touch on the move, but his jumper is promising and his intangibles remain invaluable.
As an NBA prospect, there's just something safe about Winslow, who's elite athleticism, live motor and defensive tools give him a high basement floor. And that could go a long way in a draft that lacks star power at the top.
I'm sticking with the Michael Kidd-Gilchrist-Victor Oladipo pro-comparison blend.
Grade versus Wisconsin: B-
Grade for the Year: B+
Tyus Jones, Duke, 6'2", PG, Freshman
4 of 5
Stats versus Wisconsin: 7-of-11 shooting, 20 points, six rebounds, four assists, 2-of-3 three-pointers
Tyus Jones stole the show for Duke in what was the most complete performance of his young career.
It started late in the first half, when he hit back-to-back pull-up three-pointers in Traevon Jackson's grill.
Looking to avoid getting beaten again, Jackson over-challenged Jones' next three-point attempt within the first minute of the second half, fouling him in the process. And Jones made him pay by sinking all three free throws.
From then on, nobody could keep Jones from getting to the rack. He continuously put pressure on Wisconsin's defense, and despite lacking explosive burst, he finished a number of tough layups with his right and left hand.
Jones ultimately put the icing on the cake with a mean step-back jumper to go up nine in the final two minutes.
As a facilitator, he did most of the ball-handling for Duke. He finished with four assists and a turnover, taking what the defense gave him without looking to force the issue as a playmaker.
On the season, Jones has had some ups and downs. He's a tough kid with excellent point guard instincts—a guy you trust with the ball running your offense down the stretch. However, whether he's got NBA athleticism or the perimeter skills to make up for that lack of athleticism is debatable.
Grade versus Wisconsin: A
Grade for the Year: B
Sam Dekker, Wisconsin, 6'9", SF, Junior
5 of 5
Stats versus Duke: 2-of-5 shooting, five points, four rebounds, one assist, 1-of-1 three-pointers
Sam Dekker was a complete non-factor offensively against Duke. He did a nice job defensively on Justise Winslow, but the Badgers needed more than five points from their No. 2 option.
Dekker struggled to create for himself in the half court; he actually only took five shots the whole game. He missed a couple of mid-range jumpers off step-backs and one around the rim, with his two made buckets coming on a dunk and a spot-up three-pointer.
It wasn't his best all-around sales pitch to scouts in attendance. If you were watching him for the first time, you were probably wondering where he excels.
A high basketball IQ presence and excellent athlete with ideal size for a wing, Dekker's NBA appeal stems from his role-player potential. He's not someone who's going to generate offense on his own—he's a guy who's going to move the ball, knock down shots and finish cuts and slashes.
Still, Dekker will have to shoot the ball better than he has been; he's just 7-of-22 from downtown after hitting only 32.6 percent of his threes last season.
Grade versus Duke: C-
Grade for the Year: B-
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