2015 NBA Mock Draft: Predictions for Top Prospects Entering NCAA Tournament

The biggest stars in college basketball and NBA scouts alike are gearing up for March Madness, with the action sure to impact decisions that will come on June 25 during the 2015 draft.

More than half of the organizations across the league haven't come close to putting the central focus on the draft with playoff seeding and championship runs in the balance, but other clubs have been eyeing it for quite some time. With potential No. 1 pick candidates Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns two of many freshmen getting ready for deep NCAA tournament runs, some of the top prospects are about to be on display on the biggest stages.

Of course, the conversations about where the best prospects belong will only begin with the culmination of the season. It should go down to the wire, and if past drafts are any indication, we might not have a clue who's going No. 1 until NBA commissioner Adam Silver announces.

With all of that said, plenty of players have already established themselves as worthy of having their names called very early on. Let's take a look at who those are, with a fresh first-round mock draft and elaborations on the top five selections.

Pick	Team	Selection
1	New York Knicks	Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke
2	Minnesota Timberwolves	Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky
3	Philadelphia 76ers	Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, Congo
4	Los Angeles Lakers	D'Angelo Russell, SG, Ohio State
5	Orlando Magic	Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona
6	Sacramento Kings	Mario Hezonja, SG/SF, Croatia
7	Detroit Pistons	Justise Winslow, SF, Duke
8	Denver Nuggets	Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
9	Atlanta Hawks (via Brooklyn)	Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas
10	Miami Heat	Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas
11	Boston Celtics	Myles Turner, PF/C, Texas
12	Utah Jazz	Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia
13	Phoenix Suns	Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin
14	Houston Rockets (via New Orleans)	Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky
15	Charlotte Hornets	Kevon Looney, SF/PF, UCLA
16	Indiana Pacers	Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville
17	Milwaukee Bucks	Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville
18	Oklahoma City Thunder	Devon Booker, SG, Kentucky
19	Washington Wizards	Justin Anderson, SG, Virginia
20	Chicago Bulls	Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame
21	Toronto Raptors	Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
22	San Antonio Spurs	Damian Jones, C, Vanderbilt
23	Dallas Mavericks	Delon Wright, PG/SG, Utah
24	Cleveland Cavaliers	Tyus Jones, PG, Duke
25	Boston Celtics (via LA Clippers)	Caris LeVert, SF, Michigan
26	Los Angeles Lakers (via Houston)	Kris Dunn, PG, Providence
27	Portland Trail Blazers	Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona
28	Memphis Grizzlies	Norman Powell, SG, UCLA
29	Brooklyn Nets (via Atlanta)	R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State
30	Golden State Warriors	Terran Petteway, SF, Nebraska

1. New York Knicks: Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

There have been few safer bets atop NBA drafts in recent years than Jahlil Okafor. Duke's star big man is more polished than any freshman should be and is capable of being a franchise player from day one, but he will still develop his game as he progresses. While not an elite athlete, Okafor is strong, physical and agile enough to hang with some of the league's best post players.

The Knicks have undergone one of the worst seasons in franchise history up to this point, but it would take on somewhat of a meaning if they landed Okafor.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky

Kentucky center Karl-Anthony Towns may not be able to overtake Okafor as the top pick, but he's more than worthy of doing so. The 6'11", 250-pounder has as good of a mid-range game as any player of his size, which will only get better in the NBA. Even playing alongside fellow shot-blocking dominator Willie Cauley-Stein, Towns' defensive dominance has stood out with 2.4 blocks per game.

With a crop of young studs already in the fold, Minnesota could use an anchor in the post to put into focus what is becoming a pretty remarkable rebuild for head coach Flip Saunders.

3. Philadelphia 76ers: Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, Congo

Sam Forencich/Getty Images

Emmanuel Mudiay didn't get the exposure that most fellow top prospects got while playing overseas in China this season, but the Texas native's skill set has long been heralded as one of the best in the class. Not only do his point guard skills, athleticism and vision make him the best guard in the draft, but his raw talent puts him on the same plane as Towns and Okafor.

Having just shipped off Michael Carter-Williams, the ever-rebuilding 76ers need a true point to not just move the offense but attack and create openings himself. What Mudiay lacks in a shooting stroke at the moment, he more than makes up for in those departments.

4. Los Angeles Lakers: D'Angelo Russell, SG, Ohio State

Ohio State's D'Angelo Russell has played his way into the conversation of potential franchise players in the draft class with a spectacular freshman season, but it's what's to come that has scouts salivating. His shooting is already on point with a 41.5 percent clip from beyond the arc, and at 6'5", he stuffs the stat sheet with strong passing and an affinity for hitting the boards.

It just so happens that the Los Angeles Lakers desperately need all of the above. While they're in a position to draft the best player available, that happens to be a player here that fits their huge need of a go-to guy on the perimeter after Kobe Bryant's soon retirement.

5. Orlando Magic: Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona

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One of the most athletic players in the draft, Arizona freshman Stanley Johnson enters the draft with the sky as the limit for what he could become. Already a lockdown defender and an impact player simply due to his athleticism, Johnson can take the next step by improving his jump shot and becoming a better driver.

With the Magic having already bolstered their backcourt with Elfrid Payton and Victor Oladipo, Johnson could fit in nicely on the wing. Swingmen such as Tobias Harris and Aaron Gordon play the 4 better, so Arizona's youngster would be able to utilize his perimeter skills in Orlando.