Frank Kaminsky's Rise to 2015 NBA Draft Lottery Prospect Nearing Completion

Frank Kaminsky came out of nowhere in 2013-14. It started with a 43-point explosion against North Dakota four games into his junior year, and from then on, he had our attention. 

You've heard the story before. He's not the first late-bloomer. Unheralded out of high school, Kaminsky has risen from "nobody" status to a legit NBA prospect in four years at school. 

He averaged just 7.7 minutes as a freshman and 10.3 as a sophomore. And then it clicked.

Over the course of a summer, we saw his body get stronger. Bumps by defenders weren't knocking him off track. Contact didn't keep him from finishing down low.

At the same time, Kaminsky had suddenly evolved into a knock-down shooter from just a capable one. He hit 37 three-point attempts at a respectable 37.8 percent clip—and the stroke looks good. Kaminsky gives off the impression he's a natural stretch big man.  

Tim Aylen/Associated Press

He's off to an even better start for the Badgers in 2014-15, both statistically and fundamentally.

Take a look at Kaminsky's numbers through eight games:

	FG Percentage	Points	Rebounds	Assists	3PT Percentage	Blocks
2014-15 (eight games)	.543	16.6	8.8	2.4	.419	2.1
2013-14	.528	13.9	6.3	1.3	.378	1.7
2012-13	.439	4.2	1.8	.5	.311	.8
2011-12	.411	1.8	1.4	.3	.286	.4

One of the big takeaways from Kaminsky's breakout senior year: The shooting stroke he flashed last season doesn't appear to be a fluke. He's sinking 1.6 three-pointers a game at a 41.9 percent clip. Obviously, there's more to his game than just shooting, but Kaminsky isn't going anywhere without a reliable jump shot. And it's looked even more convincing to start the 2014-15 season. 

Against Duke, he opened the game by sinking a catch-and-shoot three in the face of Jahlil Okafor, who at 6'11", 270 pounds, doesn't have the foot speed to play up tight and risk getting beaten off the bounce. 

A few possessions later, Kaminsky answered with a textbook pick-and-pop three-pointer on the opposite wing.

It's a simple combination, but NBA teams will pay for big men who can consistently knock down shots outside—even if they're limited elsewhere. 

But Kaminsky isn't limited elsewhere. He might not win any athletic awards or strong-man competitions, but his footwork and ball skills have gotten awfully good. 

Though his legs may have given out toward the end of the game, at one point in the second half, Duke had no answer for Kaminsky, who got to the line eight times over a six-minute span.

He's a tough cover for any center with the ability to shake, bake and finish on the move. Kaminsky ultimately makes up for a lack of athleticism with slick feet, body control and shot-making ability, whether he's back-to-the-basket or facing up.

Hooks, spins, one-dribble pull-ups, floaters in the lane—Kaminsky can create or separate into balanced looks from all different spots and angles on the floor.

It took all four years, but offensively, he's flashed the entire package from post to perimeter. We've seen him score, shoot and dish. And he's given Wisconsin some defense and rim protection as well. 

"Frank has become probably as complete a player as we've ever had—inside, outside, passing, defense, rebounding," Wisconsin associate head coach Greg Gard told Jeff Potrykus of the Journal Sentinel. "He can do so many different things and that is always that final step that you hope players take as they go through their career."

Tim Aylen/Associated Press

The big question that's bound to be on every general managers' mind is how well his offensive game will translate to the pros without much bounce or burst fueling it?

The good news for Kaminsky—he's going to essentially enter the NBA draft with a life preserver around his waist. That blend of shooting touch, 7-foot size and passing instincts should ultimately keep him afloat no matter how rough things get.  

And that should play to the safety he offers as a prospect. 

Turning 22 years old in April, you won't see him enter the conversation with the elite center prospects and projected one-and-dones like Okafor, Karl-Anthony Towns from Kentucky and Myles Turner from Texas. 

But Kaminsky's "safe" label could go a long way in what might be a draft that runs out of star power rather quickly.

If he can continue improving his offensive fluidity while maintaining his sweet outside stroke, you're not going to see too many teams let Kaminsky slip by once all the upside prizes are off the board. There's just too much value tied to his particular skill set in today's NBA game.

I've got Kaminsky cemented into this year's late lottery to mid-first round.