2015 NBA Mock Draft: Predictions for Top Prospects Following NCAA Tournament
Now that the NCAA has closed shop on the college basketball season, many of the nation's brightest prospects will move onward to the NBA.
Duke ended a thrilling NCAA tournament with a championship game victory over Wisconsin, who knocked off the previously undefeated Kentucky Wildcats in the Final Four. Those three teams alone possess six potential lottery picks, with a few more players lingering as first-round targets.
As those marquee talents conclude their college tenures, they'll now set their sights on lucrative employment with a professional club. For the stars, they'll join a team who failed to earn a playoff invite.
| 1 | New York Knicks | Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke |
| 2 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky |
| 3 | Philadelphia 76ers | D'Angelo Russell, PG, Ohio State |
| 4 | Los Angeles Lakers | Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, Congo |
| 5 | Orlando Magic | Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia |
| 6 | Sacramento Kings | Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky |
| 7 | Denver Nuggets | Justise Winslow, SF, Duke |
| 8 | Detroit Pistons | Mario Hezonja, SF, Croatia |
| 9 | Charlotte Hornets | Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona |
| 10 | Indiana Pacers | Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA |
| 11 | Philadelphia 76ers (via Miami) | Myles Turner, PF, Texas |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin |
| 14 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin |
| 15 | Boston Celtics | Jakob Poeltl, C, Utah |
| 16 | Atlanta Hawks (from Nets) | Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas |
| 18 | Houston Rockets (from Pelicans) | Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky |
| 19 | Washington Wizards | Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville |
| 20 | Toronto Raptors | Malik Pope, SF, San Diego State |
| 21 | Dallas Mavericks | R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State |
| 22 | Chicago Bulls | Kris Dunn, PG, Providence |
| 23 | Portland Trail Blazers | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona |
| 24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Christian Wood, PF, UNLV |
| 25 | San Antonio Spurs | Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame |
| 26 | Boston Celtics (from Clippers) | Nigel Hayes, PF, Wisconsin |
| 27 | Memphis Grizzlies | Tyus Jones, PG, Duke |
| 28 | Los Angeles Lakers (from Rockets) | Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets (from Hawks) | Jarell Martin, PF, LSU |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State |
March Madness provides a grand opportunity for unpaid revenue-generators to receive justice with a juicy NBA contract. Partaking in a deep tournament run provides tremendous exposure on a grand, nationally televised stage.
Transforming from highly regarded prospects to household names, these guys helped their draft causes by visiting the Final Four. Not only did they ride along, but they proved pivotal to their team's success.
As a result, their draft stock will rise by June 25.
Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky
Let the debate begin. Well, continue actually. Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor?
Okafor shot a resounding 66.4 percent from the field during his freshman year, but will he dominate grown men in the paint at the pro level? Towns offers more athleticism and defensive versatility, but not elite scoring.
Given more offensive touches during Kentucky's final two games, however, Towns silenced some critics by going 17-of-24 for 41 combined points. He was especially dominant during Kentucky's Elite Eight victory over Notre Dame, registering a career-high 25 points.
Towns' March prowess swayed CBS Sports' Sam Vecenie to put him over Okafor as the No. 1 pick:
"By the beginning of March, Towns and Okafor were close enough that it could be reasonably argued that a team with differing roster needs could have taken Towns over Okafor. If a team -- such as the Timberwolves -- needed to keep the paint clear, the skill levels that each had shown in college to this point were close enough that it made sense to take Towns.
But after what we've seen in March from these two players, it's undeniable: Towns, with his complete game and overall dominance that has reached levels similar to Okafor, deserves to be the No. 1 player on this big board.
"
Barry "Slice" Rohrssen, John Calipari's assistant at Kentucky, told ESPN.com's Ian O'Connor that teams will view Towns as a sensational choice both on and off the court:
"He's one of the best young men I've coached in twenty-plus years of doing this. When you bring Karl in for the pre-draft workout and interview, and then you drop him off at the hotel after taking him to dinner with your owner, that owner is going to turn around and ask you, 'How do we not take this guy?'
"
The top selection likely depends on who lands the No. 1 spot. While the Philadelphia 76ers or Minnesota Timberwolves tend to prefer high-upside athletes, the New York Knicks constantly gravitate toward offensive-minded big men.
If the Knicks are the most probable team to grab Okafor No. 1, Towns should feel much better about deserving the top bid.
Justise Winslow, SF, Duke
Okafor received Duke's top billing, but Justise Winslow fueled the team's championship run. The freshman forward averaged 14.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.5 steals throughout Duke's championship run.
He shot an economical 50.9 percent from the floor while draining eight of 14 three-pointers. During an appearance on ESPN's Mike & Mike, ESPN's Seth Greenberg touted Winslow's scoring chops:
Winslow profiles as the perfect small forward for a modern NBA team. He can shoot inside and out while offering tight perimeter defense. According to Sports-Reference.com, the Blue Devils channeled Winslow's 92.9 defensive rating, which lead to him netting 2.5 defensive win shares.
The 19-year-old now looks like a near lottery lock, but how high can he climb? Compared to some other high-risk, high-reward gambles floating outside the top five, Winslow represents one of the best bets to contribute immediately.
A concrete order is needed before answering confidently, but the Detroit Pistons and Denver Nuggets in particular could use his services.
Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin
Can everyone feel the divide already? On the heels of an exceptional tournament stretch, AP and Naismith Player of the Year Frank Kaminsky now must answer questions about his pro readiness.
First, let's give Wisconsin's star center his proper due. After leading the NCAA with a 34.4 player efficiency rating (PER) and 9.8 win shares, per Sports-Reference.com, Kaminsky recorded 22.0 points and 9.3 rebounds per game throughout the tournament.
He finished with 20-10 double-doubles against Kentucky and Duke (and a third against second-round opponent Coastal Carolina), putting him on a small list with one other NBA star, per ESPN Stats & Info:
Kaminsky is certainly not the perfect pro prototype. Scouts question his ability to guard bigger and faster big men, and he won't bully anyone down low.
He's also a 7-footer who can shoot from long range. If anything, NBA executives will appreciate his spacing more than Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan did.
Expecting him to become a 20-point NBA scorer is crazy, but he's a useful offensive asset that's worth a look around the middle of the opening round. Two title contenders that hold another team's pick, the Atlanta Hawks or Houston Rockets would welcome a big shooter. If they fail to capture the Western Conference's No. 8 seed, the Oklahoma City Thunder will be positioned to snag him at pick No. 14.
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