6 Under-the-Radar 2015 Draft Prospects Every NBA Fan Needs to Know

With the college hoops season starting to smolder, NBA fans are tuning in to see the most heralded 2015 draft prospects.

While it's great to enjoy the dominance of studs like Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns, there's a magnificent crop of under-the-radar ballers who shouldn't be ignored.

They aren't the stars of marquee programs like Kansas and Kentucky, but these unsung performers provide superb draft value. Their skills, physical tools and statistical production suggest that they'll fill important roles in the Association.

Our group of unnoticed prospects includes a pair of rock-solid SEC specimens not named Towns or Willie Cauley-Stein. We also focus on a rising European youngster, an elite mid-major talent and a couple of hidden northeastern gems.

Be sure to check out these youngsters as they build their NBA resumes this spring.

Timothe Luwawu, France SG (6'7", 1995)

2014-15 Stats (France Pro B)*: 18.5 MPG, 7.2 PPG, 2.3 RPG, .382 FG%, .310 3FG%

Current Draft Stock: Early to mid-second round

Potential NBA Role: Shoot-and-slash 2-guard

Most NBA fans who follow the draft are eagerly awaiting the arrival of European prodigies Kristaps Porzingis and Mario Hezonja. The Latvian forward and Croatian swingman are rightfully the foremost international prospects.

But who else should be on our overseas radar? French shooting guard Timothe Luwawu.

The teenager is still raw in several areas. His ball-handling could use polishing, his outside shooting isn't efficient yet and he doesn't consistently convert forays to the rim. However, he's shown flashes of slashing prowess to go along with a promising jump shot and tremendous defensive tools.

Jonathan Givony of Draft Express explains Luwawu's scintillating defensive value:

"

Luwawu's best skill at the moment, and possibly his most attractive NBA attribute long term, is the versatility he offers on defense. His combination of size, length and lateral quickness gives him the ability to guard up to four different positions at the Pro B level, and it's not difficult to see him developing into a big SG/SF type who can capably guard either wing position in the NBA and can occasionally be slotted onto guards as well. Luwawu has quick feet, great closeout speed, and very nice instincts jumping in the passing lanes.

"

Don't worry, he won't be a stopper specialist who's a liability on offense. Luwawu's quick, rangy strides help him slice past opponents, and he owns great passing awareness for a young player. He also projects to be a solid perimeter shooter, as he's confident and demonstrates a smooth delivery.

*Stats gathered from FIBA.com

Kris Dunn, Providence PG (6'3", Junior)

USA TODAY Sports

2014-15 Stats: 33.7 MPG, 15.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.8 SPG, .482 FG%, .333 3FG%

Current Draft Stock: Late first round

Potential NBA Role: Dual-threat point guard

If your team is looking for an upper-echelon backup point guard, Providence has an electric one in Kris Dunn.

The 6'3" junior can flat-out create, whether it's off pick-and-roll action, team sets or broken plays. He leads the NCAA and Big East in assist percentage (49.0) and is second in the Big East in points produced per game (17.1).

A shoulder injury forced him to miss all but four games in 2013-14, so he's enjoying a breakout year in 2014-15 as the Friars' featured weapon. Dunn's athleticism and body control allows him to finish plays in traffic, and his vision and innovation helps him set up teammates.

He's averaging 4.2 turnovers per contest, which is ugly, but CBS Sports' Sam Vecenie explains why the number is a bit inflated: "The turnovers are a legitimate problem. But like last year's national leader in turnovers, Elfrid Payton, it mostly stems from the fact that (Dunn) has to do so much on the floor for the Friars in handling the ball and creating open looks for his teammates."

In addition to watching Dunn's offensive orchestration, check out his defense. He has a 6'8" wingspan and plenty of foot speed to corral NBA playmakers.

Jake Layman, Maryland F (6'9", Junior)

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

2014-15 Stats: 29.9 MPG, 13.2 PPG, 6.1 RPG, .478 FG%, .389 3FG%

Current Draft Stock: Early-to-mid second round

Potential NBA Role: Complementary small forward 

Jake Layman is listed predominantly as a second-round prospect, but he could end up bringing first-round-type value to his NBA team.

He's a huge reason for Maryland's Big Ten success this season. The 6'9" swingman isn't a dynamic or shifty creator off the bounce, yet he can hurt opponents from anywhere on the floor.

Layman can shoot over opponents from three-point range, and he's nimble enough to attack closeouts and get to the hoop with long, agile strides. He also can score with his back to the basket or hit a variety of mid-range shots and floaters.

His shooting percentages are way up across the board, and he increasingly looks like an NBA role player who will use his size and athleticism to score efficiently.

In addition, he's got enough length and mobility to hold his own on the defensive end. Layman is fourth in the Big Ten in defensive rebounds and is sporting an improved defensive rating of 98.1.

Jarell Martin, LSU PF (6'8", Sophomore)

Rogelio V. Solis/Associated Press

2014-15 Stats: 34.5 MPG, 16.6 PPG, 9.1 RPG, .510 FG%, .286 3FG%

Current Draft Stock: Late first/early second round

Potential NBA Role: Combo forward

When it comes to NBA hype in the SEC, there's Kentucky, and then there's everyone else.

The best prospect in that "everyone else" contingent is LSU's Jarell Martin, who's putting up big numbers for the Tigers without much fanfare. He's showing scouts an intriguing blend of size, skill and agility. He can besiege the hoop as a slasher and post player, but he can also create jumpers and splash the occasional triple.

As a freshman, he fell in love with the long ball a little too much. This year, Martin realized he's at his best when he's heading toward the cup. He explained to Ron Higgins of The Times-Picayune:

"

I used to think if I came out and hit some (outside) jump shots that it would get my confidence going. I realized my strength is getting to the basket, making plays at the rim and drawing fouls. So I switched. Now, I try to come out every game, attack the basket, get my confidence and then take my outside shots.

"

His aggressiveness has paid off. Martin is earning 6.6 free-throw attempts per 40 minutes this season, compared to 4.3 in 2013-14. In the rebounding department, he's up to 10.6 boards per 40 compared to 7.0.

Although he's undersized for a power forward (measured at 6'7.5" with shoes on at the 2014 Nike Skills Academy), he's got the footwork, fluidity and shooting potential to play on the perimeter. Keep an eye on his inside-outside impact as LSU grinds through SEC and NCAA tournament play.

Dakari Johnson, Kentucky C (7'0", Freshman)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

2014-15 Stats: 17.4 MPG, 7.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, .508 FG%, .631 FT%

Current Draft Stock: Late first round

Potential NBA Role: Low-post center

Even though he's a Kentucky Wildcat, we're tabbing Dakari Johnson as an under-the-radar prospect because he's vastly overshadowed by his frontcourt teammates.

Karl-Anthony Towns is brimming with versatility and potential, and Willie Cauley-Stein is a freakishly athletic 7-footer. But NBA fans should also be pleased if their team lands Johnson. What he lacks in upside and explosiveness, he makes up for with sheer power and low-post skills.

He reminds me of a poor man's Andrew Bynum; he's not a leaper, but carves out space really well and has good footwork and touch around the basket.

Johnson's stats reflect his imposing physical tools. He's improved his per-40-minute numbers in a host of key categories: points (16.2), rebounds, (12.1), free-throw attempts (9.3), assists (2.1), blocks (1.9) and fouls (3.9). 

When Kentucky's second-stringers enter the game, enjoy watching Johnson dominate the paint.

R.J. Hunter, Georgia State SG (6'5", Junior)

USA TODAY Sports

2014-15 Stats: 36.6 MPG, 19.6 PPG, 3.8 APG, .396 FG%, .306 3FG%

Current Draft Stock: Late first round

Potential NBA Role: Shooting guard

R.J. Hunter is probably the best prospect on this under-the-radar list. He's produced a truckload of offense for Georgia State over the past three campaigns, but he still doesn't get much love because he's in the Sun Belt Conference.

Don't be fooled by his 31 percent three-point shooting. He can shoot prolifically, utilizing a fluid delivery and quick release. The low percentage in 2014-15 is a side effect of him hoisting seven-plus attempts per night and continually being the focal point of opposing defenses. Once he's in the NBA and foes are distracted by star slashers, Hunter's efficiency will climb.

There's more to his game than gunning, however. When Hunter goes toward the rim, he's incredibly efficient, converting 75 percent of his attempts (per Hoop-Math.com). He has also used his top-shelf instincts and ball skills to expand his passing production, as his assists went up from 2.1 per 40 minutes in 2013-14 to 4.1 this season.

"I've always seen the whole court, and I'm always looking for that next pass," he told NBA.com's Chris Dortch. "I love passing the ball. That's something I get a thrill out of."

If Georgia State can take home the Sun Belt crown, be sure to tune in when he faces high-caliber competition in the NCAA tourney.

Note: Unless otherwise indicated, all stats come from Sports-Reference.com/CBB and are current entering March 4.

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