Breakout Performers Who've Become Must-Watch 2015 NBA Draft Prospects
Before the season started, we had a pretty good idea of who'd earn first-round consideration for the 2015 NBA draft. Roughly three weeks into the college hoops calendar, we can officially expand that list by six.
Three of the following prospects are new to the scene—freshmen who entered with limited expectations and now find themselves on NBA scouts' must-watch lists.
The other three are returning players who appear to have taken a major step and, as a result, could see their 2015 draft stocks spike big time by June.
D'Angelo Russell, Ohio State, 6'5", PG/SG, Freshman
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Forget the first-round radar—D'Angelo Russell has looked like a top-10 pick early on for Ohio State, where he's been an offensive machine, averaging 18 points and 5.4 assists on 46.2 percent shooting.
Russell has a terrific feel for the game, both as a scorer and playmaker, and at 6'5", he's got the size to play either backcourt position at the NBA level.
He's also showcased a lethal lefty shooting stroke that's connecting on 2.4 threes a game at a 42.5 percent clip.
A clever passer and threatening ball-handler, Russell ultimately projects more as a scoring point guard who can also slide off the ball and knock down shots from the perimeter.
He operates with a ton of confidence and poise out there, and that plays to his likability as a prospect. Nobody has made a bigger jump up our board so far than Russell, who very well could be the first guard taken behind Emmanuel Mudiay (playing in China) in the 2015 draft.
Christian Wood, UNLV, 6'11", PF, Sophomore
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You didn't hear much about Christian Wood his freshman year, when he played just 13 minutes a game and only shot 41 percent.
But Wood has come out with a different bounce to his step as a sophomore, and it's resulted in two-way production along with can't-miss flashes of upside.
At 6'11", Wood is an awesome athlete, though his 220-pound frame could use some extra bulk and muscle.
He's averaging 13.3 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.6 blocks through seven games—numbers that, for the most part, reflect his above-the-rim presence inside.
Wood was terrific in a win over Temple earlier this year at the Barclays Center, when he finished with 18 points, 13 boards and four blocks.
He also added a three-pointer, and though his 3-of-15 start from behind the arc isn't all that great, he shot 80 percent from the stripe last season and definitely has some intriguing shooting potential.
Wood's physical tools and athleticism alone should draw some NBA attention, but if he's able to get scouts to buy into his inside-out versatility, it could do wonders for his stock.
Jakob Poeltl, Utah, 7'0", C, Freshman
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It only took about two weeks for Jakob Poeltl to find the radar after being nowhere near it this summer.
He played in Austria last year. Now, he's a double-double machine and the defensive anchor in Utah, where he's already helped the Utes knock off No. 8 Wichita State.
Poeltl passes the eye test at 7'0", 235 pounds, though he'll definitely need to add some strength, as Ryan Miller of the Desert News points out through a little film study.
But he moves well out there, even if his mobility is ahead of his explosiveness.
With smooth agility for a center, he's given his guards a tremendous target who can catch and finish in traffic off pick-and-rolls.
Defensively, he's blocking three shots a game through seven, and he's been challenging just about every play that comes his way.
Poeltl also ranks No. 6 in the country in rebounding percentage, as he's pulling in 9.6 a game in only 24.3 minutes.
He's been a monster presence inside and an incredibly efficient scorer in the paint, given his ridiculous 73.8 percent field-goal clip and 12-point-per-game average.
Poeltl doesn't offer that standout upside, but his physical tools and two-way strengths should hold plenty of NBA value.
Norman Powell, UCLA, 6'4", SG, Senior
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Norman Powell hinted this summer at a breakout senior year with his performance at Adidas Nations, and so far, he's followed through.
He's averaging 17.7 points nine games in, up from the 11.4 he put up as a junior.
Powell has always been known more for his athleticism and defense, but now he's an athletic defender who can shoot, and that changes things.
After shooting below 30 percent from deep in back-to-back seasons, Powell is hitting 1.9 threes a game at a red-hot 44.7 percent clip.
The rest of his offensive strengths revolve around attacking, particularly in the open floor, where he's nearly automatic. He's also taking twice as many free throws per game (6.6) as he was a season ago.
Still, it's Powell's lockdown ability as a defender that's triggered some Tony Allen comparisons. He's going to be awfully tough to ignore if he continues shooting lights out while scoring in volume.
Chris McCullough, Syracuse, 6'10", PF, Freshman
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Chris McCullough wasn't necessarily viewed as a one-and-done prize over the summer, but his NBA upside has been tough to miss through the first three weeks of the year.
Long, bouncy and active, McCullough has been terrific around the rim (71.4 percent, per Hoop-Math) despite his slender 220-pound frame. He ultimately makes up for strength with athleticism, dexterity and body control to finish.
A crafty finisher inside the paint, McCullough has also showcased a good-looking mid-range jumper, which he's hit with relative consistency so far on the year (38.9 percent on two-point jumpers).
We've seen a lot of McCullough's type over the years, but few have looked as comfortable shooting from outside.
Defensively, his athleticism fuels some pretty exciting playmaking potential—he's averaging 2.4 blocks and a whopping 1.9 steals to go with his 14.4 points and 8.8 rebounds.
Syracuse might be tough to watch this year, but McCullough has given scouts a reason to continue tuning in.
Damian Jones, Vanderbilt, 6'10", PF/C, Sophomore
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Damian Jones has emerged as a monster down low for Vanderbilt, where he's averaging 17.7 points, up from 11.3 last year, playing only 1.4 more minutes per game.
At 6'10", 240 pounds, Jones has a solid basketball body loaded with athleticism.
Shooting 61.1 percent from the floor, he's been a reliable finisher off catch-and-score opportunities, particularly when he can get up above the rim, and though he's not the craftiest in the post, he's proficient with the jump hook and over-the-shoulder shot.
One of the more promising developments has been his touch. He's hit a few jumpers, and after shooting just 54.5 percent from the line a year ago, he's currently shooting 71.4 percent while making over 2.6 more per game.
Physically, Jones certainly looks the part of an NBA big man. Now it seems as if his game is starting to come together.
Buy stock in Jones, who could be one of the top 2015 risers on this year's draft board.
All stats courtesy of realgm.com unless otherwise noted.
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