The Most Valuable Skill of Every Top 2015 NBA Draft Prospect

As the college hoops season chugs along and conference play unfolds, top NBA draft prospects are revealing their most valuable skills.

Some youngsters are more refined than others, but they each have a talent or trait that's most precious to pro scouts and executives. Don't forget about the premier ballers of Europe; a couple of them have skills potent enough to maintain a firm grip on top-10 placement in the 2015 draft.

For the most part, we focused on the most impactful aspects of each prospect based on stat production and in-game demonstration. In some cases, their tangible potential in one area trumped impressive stats from another area. 

Ultimately, we're talking about the skill that's currently most appealing to NBA front offices. We broke down the top 10 prospects in descending order of where they're projected to land on draft night.

10. D'Angelo Russell, Ohio State G: Playmaking Creativity

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Vitals: 18 years old, 6'5", 175 pounds, 6'8.5" wingspan

2014-15 Stats: 32.1 MPG, 18.1 PPG, 5.1 APG, 1.9 SPG, 46% FG, 44% 3FG

Potential Landing Spots: Pacers, Thunder, Rockets

The crop of guards in this year's draft has been largely underwhelming, so D'Angelo Russell's playmaking ability has propelled him toward the top of the group.

Along with a sizable portion of freshman-like mistakes, the Ohio State combo guard has showcased a flair for finding the creases in opposing defenses. By smoothly using change of speed and change of direction, the southpaw slasher weaves his way into the paint where he can inflict damage.

When he gets past the first line of the defense, his flurry of creativity continues. He can zip passes to cutting teammates, pull up for in-between jumpers or finish deftly at the basket.

Russell's dynamic offensive engineering usually gives him 15-plus points and five-plus assists per contest; he's simultaneously reached those marks nine times so far this season. The latest instance was a 21-point, six-dime outing against Michigan.

Although his three-point shooting has been highly efficient and productive, Russell's innovation off the dribble is his most valuable trait right now. He can hurt defenses in a variety of ways when he's in attack mode.

9. Mario Hezonja, Croatia SG/SF: Explosive Scoring

Vitals: 19 years old, 6'8", 200 pounds

2014-15 Stats (ACB): 14.9 MPG, 4.3 PPG, 1.3 APG, 46% FG, 31% 3FG

2014-15 Stats (Euroleague): 17.1 PPG, 8.5 PPG, 1.3 APG, 50% FG, 48% 3FG 

Potential Landing Spots: Hornets, Magic, Celtics

Mario Hezonja's shooting prowess is quickly becoming one of his most dangerous weapons, but we'll label his most valuable skill as "explosive scoring" because he can rise up and score from any spot on the floor.

The young Croatian is seeing 10-20 minutes per game for Barcelona, one of the top teams in the Spanish ACB League and Euroleague. He's gone back and forth between starting and coming off the bench, and he's shown more than enough juice to land in the top 10 of June's draft.

Hezonja doesn't always post consistent scoring numbers, but whenever he plays aggressively and doesn't settle, good things usually happen. He can slash all the way to the rim, elevate for mid-range buckets or light up opponents from deep range.

ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman (subscription required) noted the swingman's knack for exploding from anywhere: "(He) can really shoot the ball. Hezonja can score from all three levels."

In ACB play, he's hitting just 31 percent of his triples, but in Euroleague games he's connecting at a blistering 48 percent rate. When you couple that with his above-the-rim agility, he's a problematic matchup, even for similar-sized wings.

8. Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky C: Defensive Mobility and Rim Protection

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Vitals: 21 years old, 7'0', 244 pounds, 7'2" wingspan

2014-15 Stats: 25.0 MPG, 9.7 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.9 BPG, 57% FG

Potential Landing Spots: Celtics, Lakers, Suns

Arguably the best shot-blocker in the 2015 draft class, Kentucky's Willie Cauley-Stein blankets a ton of space and puts an electric fence around the rim every game.

His shot-swatting numbers were down for a while early in the season, but that's partially because mid-major opponents weren't as aggressive against him and Karl Towns is sharing the paint patrol.

Now that he's playing against more daring competition and seeing more minutes, the block party is back on for the Wildcat junior. Cauley-Stein has enjoyed five multiblock outings in his past six games.

Rafael Uehara of Upside Motor dissected the big man's defensive artistry:

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Cauley-Stein is very aggressive rotating off the weak-side and can elevate off the ground in a pinch...Cauley-Stein is very comfortable moving in space and had already exhibited the ability to guard smaller players on switches, possessing the lateral quickness to keep pace on drives and the closing speed to effectively contest shots...He plays with really active hands, often trying to strip opposing big men when they catch the ball in the high post or on the perimeter, and uses his length and quickness to deflect or jump in front of a number of passes around his general area.

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In an era when many NBA post scorers are quick and athletic, a defender like Cauley-Stein is immeasurably valuable. That's why he remains a probable top-10 pick despite an relatively unrefined offensive arsenal.

7. Stanley Johnson, Arizona SF: Wing Defense

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Vitals: 18 years old, 6'7", 243 pounds, 6'11.5" wingspan

2014-15 Stats: 28.3 MPG, 13.9 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 48% FG, 43% 3FG

Potential Landing Spots: Hornets, Lakers, 76ers

Based on his high school exploits and preseason activity, we all anticipated Stanley Johnson to bring defense to the college level. He has convincingly delivered.

He provides the Arizona Wildcats with a superb blend of strength, lateral footwork and predatory instincts. Whether he's guarding quick playmakers or rangy forwards, he's great at limiting their explosiveness and steering them to one side.

His timing and active hands have yielded a frequent diet of steals (2.2 per 40 minutes) and he flusters opponents even when he doesn't force a turnover. Johnson's defensive rating through three Pac-12 tilts is a ridiculous 89.2.

Sure, it helps that he's built like a freight train. But let's not boil his defensive stardom down to physical tools.

It takes much more than muscle and quickness to shine on that end of the floor. Johnson has taken pride in being a two-way player, as he works for optimal positioning and takes advantage whenever an attacker falters in the slightest.

6. Kevon Looney, UCLA F: Rebounding/Nose for the Ball

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Vitals: 18 years old, 6'9', 220 pounds, 7'3" wingspan

2014-15 Stats: 32.1 MPG, 13.0 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 46% FG, 30% 3FG

Potential Landing Spots: Jazz, Nuggets, Magic, Hornets

Like several other prospects, Kevon Looney's offensive game is too raw at this juncture to consider it his most valuable skill.

That's OK, because the UCLA newbie still feasts off rangy rebounding and energy near the hoop. He uses his length extremely effectively, as he fights to give his team extra possessions and earns second-chance baskets. Looney currently leads the Pac-12 in offensive rebounds and is second in offensive rebounding percentage.

"His length, athleticism and activity around the rim have scouts excited," noted ESPN.com's Chad Ford (subscription required).

Even in UCLA's worst loss of the year (a near-40 point drubbing courtesy of Kentucky), one NBA scout was actually impressed with Looney's nine-point, nine-board effort.

"I think you saw the talent and the character he has," the scout told Ford. "He fought the whole game. He kept coming at the them."

Not every youngster has the timing, tools and toughness to excel on the glass like Looney. Those fundamentals will anchor him during the rough patches of his offensive development.

5. Justise Winslow, Duke F: Defensive Talent/Energy

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Vitals: 18 years old, 6'7', 229 pounds, 6'10" wingspan

2014-15 Stats: 27.6 MPG, 11.9 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 43% FG, 36% 3FG

Potential Landing Spots: Lakers, Jazz, Timberwolves, Pistons

We've seen episodes of rim-thrashing athleticism and a sprinkling of three-pointers from Duke's Justise Winslow. He's definitely got some offensive potential down the road if he hones his craft.

But we're not here to talk about that. Let's focus on his most valuable trait as he battles through his freshman year: Defense.

While defensive energy isn't necessarily a tangible skill, it's a skill nonetheless. And it's something Winslow owns by the bucketful, as the 18-year-old dedicates himself to full-throttle defense and exemplary footwork every game.

When his man has the ball, he's a focused machine striving to stymie the attack and derail the opposing team's possession. When his man is away from the ball, Winslow demonstrates good awareness and keeps his head on a swivel for the most part.

He knows that defense is all about anticipating plays and using his feet to beat the driver to the spot. These skills are combined with his supreme frame to form an outstanding wing defender, an asset you don't find on every NBA team.

4. Kristaps Porzingis, Latvia PF: Shooting Touch

Vitals: 19 years old, 7'0", 220 pounds

2014-15 Stats (ACB): 21.8 MPG, 8.7 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 44% FG, 37% 3FG

2014-15 Stats (Euroleague): 20.4 MPG, 10.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 55% FG, 50% 3FG

Potential Landing Spots: Pistons, Lakers, Jazz

With promising mechanics and fluid shooting form, Latvian big man Kristaps Porzingis can splash the nets from anywhere on the floor.

He possesses a feathery touch to sink any type of shot: mid-post turnarounds, short bankers, baby hooks, three-pointers and more. The seven-foot teenager is also converting 75 percent of his free throws.

Many see glimpses of Dirk Nowitzki in Porzingis, including his own teammate Derrick Byars. While the comparisons to the surefire Hall of Famer are unfair, it gives you an idea of the youngster's inside-out shooting aptitude.

His potential as a stretch 4 is tantalizing; Porzingis has hit a three-pointer in 11 of his last 12 games, and he can effectively attack closeouts when opposing defenses overcompensate.

Shooting isn't the only thing he can do (check out his rim protection, rebounding and pick-and-roll skills), but it's his most valuable trait as a prospect. Scouts, coaches and executives love big men who can shoot because they provide so much tactical flexibility and versatility within their team's offense.

Once he fills out and can compete physically with NBA bigs, his squad will reap the rewards of his skill set.

3. Emmanuel Mudiay, PG: Slashing

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Vitals: 18 years old, 6'5', 200 pounds, 6'8.5" wingspan

2014-15 Stats (CBL): 30.0 MPG, 17.7 PPG, 5.9 APG, 6.0 RPG, 50% FG, 30% 3FG

Potential Landing Spots: 76ers, Timberwolves, Knicks

Emmanuel Mudiay has a penchant for slashing past opponents, and this talent provides him the opportunity to wreak havoc on opposing defenses and turn heads in NBA scouting rooms.

He's still rehabbing a major ankle injury suffered in late November, so we've only seen him play 10 games in the Chinese Basketball Association. But those appearances vividly confirmed everything his high school career suggested: He can attack opposing defenses off the bounce.

Using quick, long strides and shifty dribbling maneuvers, the Congo-born point guard can consistently get into the paint. Oftentimes, he drove past his CBA opponents with such ease that it was clear he belongs at the sport's highest level.

NBADraft.net scout Wes Hinton describes Mudiay as an "outstanding ball handler who is equally comfortable attacking right and left...Excels in the open court where his speed hits another gear...very quick first step and a lethal crossover."

Once he's in the lane, he shows flashes of passing dexterity and plenty of scoring instincts. Once he refines those skills and develops as a decision-maker, he's going to look like some version of John Wall.

NBA backcourts beware.

2. Karl Towns, Kentucky PF/C: Good Hands Around the Rim

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Vitals: 19 years old, 6'11', 248 pounds, 7'3.25" wingspan

2014-15 Stats: 20.3 MPG, 8.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 2.4 BPG, 52% FG, 29% 3FG

Potential Landing Spots: Timberwolves, Knicks, 76ers

This was a tough one. Based on his impact and production so far this season, it would be easy to say "rebounding" is Karl Towns' most valuable skill. In the very short-term, it may be his most translatable contribution to the NBA.

But his game is so much more than that, even if he hasn't displayed his full repertoire with Kentucky. NBA counterparts will soon learn it.

Due to the surplus of thoroughbred ballers in Lexington, Towns is taking a modest 5.8 shot attempts per game. He doesn't get substantial minutes to find a groove and really carve opponents up.

During his brief moments of opportunity, however, he's turned in some pro-like offense. Towns has a great feel for where he is in relation to the rim, and his body control and soft touch allow him to convert baby hooks and short bank shots via post-ups.

As for his rebounding, it's been extraordinary. His superior agility, instincts and hand-eye-coordination enable him to snare 13.7 boards per 40 minutes. Towns knows how to employ his wide frame and length to control the glass.

The guy simply has good hands and a great feel for the game, and that is his most valuable skill moving forward.

1. Jahlil Okafor, Duke C: Low-Post Moves/Footwork

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Vitals: 19 years old, 6'11', 272 pounds, 7'5" wingspan

2014-15 Stats: 29.6 MPG, 18.9 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 67% FG

Potential Landing Spots: Knicks, 76ers

The chief basketball skill Jahlil Okafor brings to the NBA table is his deep post moves. He's the type of prospect who looks poised to handle a healthy share of touches as soon as he turns pro.

Although the Duke newcomer isn't an entirely finished product, his array of skills and command of interior offense are miles beyond most freshmen big men you'll ever see.

According to Hoop-Math.com, Okafor is shooting 73 percent at the rim. That's exceedingly impressive considering his high usage rate and aggressiveness; he's not just a catch-and-dunk role player who only attempts gift-wrapped buckets.

B/R's Jonathan Wasserman breaks down the center's multifaceted skill set around the tin:

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Okafor has flashed a devastating back-to-the-basket attack, which he complements with deceptive face-up quickness. He ultimately treats the post like his personal office, where he's got tremendous control of his body and the ball, as if it's crumpled-up paper and the hoop is his trash bin. Credit those giant, soft hands, 7'5" wingspan and slick footwork...We've seen him cradle it for a finish off one foot, switch to his left hand off a spin and drop floaters in right over his defender.

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He's not without flaws. Sometimes he rushes or forces shots and his defense has been underwhelming thus far. There have been some intermittent lapses in decision-making.

But when you remember he just turned 19 last month, you realize how bright his future is considering his talent and feel for the game. Okafor pairs his low-block mastery with imposing rebounding to form a convincing case as the top prospect in the field.

Unless noted otherwise, all stats and measurements gathered from Sports-Reference.com, DraftExpress.com and RealGM.com.

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