NBA Draft 2015: Spotlighting Highest-Rated Upperclassmen on Expert Mock Drafts
We know that Duke Blue Devils freshman Jahlil Okafor and Kentucky Wildcats frosh Karl-Anthony Towns are vying to be the No. 1 overall selection in the 2015 NBA draft, but who are the top-rated upperclassmen?
According to Chad Ford of ESPN.com, DraftExpress and NBADraft.net, Kentucky's Willie Cauley-Stein and the Wisconsin Badgers' Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker are the highest-rated juniors and seniors.
Willie Cauley-Stein
Along with six of his teammates, Cauley-Stein made himself eligible for the NBA draft on April 9.
As a legit 7-footer with a wingspan of 7'2", Cauley-Stein has the requisite length to play center in the NBA without concession. His overall skill/physical package becomes impressive when you look at his athleticism.
WCS is extremely quick and an excellent leaper. The Kansas native also possesses exceptional timing for blocking shots. With what he brings to the table as an athlete, Cauley-Stein has the tools to be a top-shelf defender in the NBA.
For everything Cauley-Stein can be as a defender, talent evaluators must also take into consideration his limited offensive skills. He's not a great shooter or ball-handler, and he doesn't possess many back-to-the-basket moves.
This was never more apparent than in the Wildcats' loss to the Badgers in the national semifinals, when Cauley-Stein managed just two points. How much should be made of Cauley-Stein's last college game?
Ford writes:
"Cauley-Stein's detractors can easily point to this game to show how much he still struggles to score and how his laid-back approach can even hurt his amazing defensive potential. His fans will point out that he can completely take over the game with his defensive prowess, and although he's a major work in progress offensively, his defensive potential is so high that he's worth the risk. He should land in the Nos. 6-to-12 range.
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Both DraftExpress and NBADraft.net agree on Cauley-Stein's draft range, with the latter having him slated the latest at No. 10 to the Miami Heat.
Frank Kaminsky
The senior from Lisle, Illinois, has improved as much as any player in the country from his freshman to his senior year. Though he's not blessed with great quickness or leaping ability, he's more nimble than he's given credit for, and his craftiness off the dribble and in the post must be noted. Though he doesn't take as many three-pointers as he probably should, Kaminsky has the range to knock them down on a regular basis. As a senior, he made 41.6 percent of his threes.
At 7 feet tall, Kaminsky's height and skills make him a potential matchup problem for power forwards and centers in the NBA.
Mike Schmitz of DraftExpress gives us this detailed analysis of Kaminsky's battle with Cauley-Stein and Towns in the national semifinals:
Kaminsky proved in this game that his skill set should translate well to the next level. As a stretch 4 or versatile center, he can make an impact as a big who stretches the floor and uses the pump-fake-and-drive move as a valuable offensive weapon.
Sam Dekker
If Kaminsky is the most improved four-year player in the nation, Dekker might carry the same tag for players from their freshman to junior seasons. Per Wisconsin Athletics (h/t NCAA.com), Dekker declared for the draft on Friday.
The 6'9" forward has made himself into an inside-outside threat who has the potential to be a glue guy in the NBA. His game is somewhat similar to the Chicago Bulls' Mike Dunleavy Jr. Dekker is an average-to-above-average three-point shooter (33 percent in 2014-15) with the length to make an impact inside but has the skills to put the ball on the floor and attack closeouts off the dribble from the perimeter.
He gives great effort on defense and makes proper decisions on offense. He's not an elite athlete, but he has enough lateral quickness and bounce to keep himself from being a liability in a man-to-man defensive scheme.
"After playing in the shadow of NCAA National Player of the Year teammate Kaminsky for much of the 2014-2015 season, Dekker has exploded throughout Wisconsin's NCAA Tournament run. Despite a huge tourney performance, Dekker took a back seat to Kaminsky this year, so just how much potential he has as a featured scorer is debatable. He proved he's willing to take the role given to him and excel when the time calls for it. His combination of skill, size and athleticism has always made him an intriguing NBA prospect.
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Just about any coach would love to have a player with Dekker's attitude, skills and athleticism on his roster. He's a winning basketball player.
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