2015 NBA Mock Draft: Predictions for Most Athletic First-Round Prospects
One of the things that separates NBA athletes from others is their combination of length, speed and leaping ability. Everyone that puts on a uniform in the NBA is a very good athlete but some of them are on another level.
This mock concentrates on the top run-and-jump athletes who figure to be drafted in the first round.
| Pick | Team | Player |
| 1 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke |
| 2 | New York Knicks | D'Angelo Russell, G, Ohio State |
| 3 | Philadelphia 76ers | Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China |
| 4 | Los Angeles Lakers | Karl-Anthony Towns, PF, Kentucky |
| 5 | Orlando Magic | Justise Winslow, SF, Duke |
| 6 | Sacramento Kings | Willie Trill Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky |
| 7 | Denver Nuggets | Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona |
| 8 | Detroit Pistons | Mario Hezonja, SG/SF, Croatia |
| 9 | Charlotte Hornets | Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin |
| 10 | Miami Heat | Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia |
| 11 | Indiana Pacers | Kelly Oubre, SG, Kansas |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | Frank Kaminsky, PF/C, Wisconsin |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | Myles Turner, C/PF, Texas |
| 14 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky |
| 15 | Atlanta Hawks (from Brooklyn Nets) | Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky |
| 16 | Boston Celtics | Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA |
| 18 | Houston Rockets (from New Orleans Pelicans) | Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame |
| 19 | Washington Wizards | Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville |
| 20 | Toronto Raptors | Christian Wood, PF, UNLV |
| 21 | Dallas Mavericks | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona |
| 22 | Chicago Bulls | Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State |
| 23 | Portland Trail Blazers | R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State |
| 24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Jarell Martin, PF, LSU |
| 25 | San Antonio Spurs | George Lucas, SG, Brazil |
| 26 | Memphis Grizzlies | Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia |
| 27 | Los Angeles Lakers (from Houston Rockets) | Tyler Harvey, SG, Eastern Washington |
| 28 | Boston Celtics (from Los Angeles Clippers) | Delon Wright, PG, Utah |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets (from Atlanta Hawks) | Tyus Jones, PG, Duke |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Cliff Alexander, PF, Kansas |
Emmanuel Mudiay
At 6'5" 200 pounds, Emmanuel Mudiay has elite size to play point guard. He also has tremendous speed and leaping ability.
The package of size and athleticism is rare for a lead guard. From a purely physical standpoint, Mudiay has some similarities to the Washington Wizards' John Wall—only the 19-year-old from the Congo is a little stronger.
He played a season with the Chinese Basketball Association after having an issue with his collegiate eligibility. In 12 games with Guangdong Foshan, Mudiay averaged 18 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game. The moment he joins an NBA team he'll be one of the most difficult assignments for opposing point guards. He's a good fit for the Philadelphia 76ers or the New York Knicks.
Willie Trill Cauley-Stein
No big man in the draft has athleticism anywhere near Willie Trill Cauley-Stein. He's a legit 7-footer whose length is augmented by extraordinary quickness and leaping ability.
Cauley-Stein is as liable to rise up for a slam as he is to swat a shot into the front row.
While he's limited on offense to catching lobs, finishing off the dish in transition and securing putbacks, WTCS' dexterity makes him a potentially elite defensive player.
He has the length to protect the rim and defend guards if he's caught in the switch on pick-and-roll. Most importantly, he knows his limitations. Much like the Dallas Mavericks' Tyson Chandler, WTCS can be a huge part of a winning team because of his defensive prowess.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
If you were looking for the prospect most likely to participate in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, it would probably be former Arizona Wildcats swingman Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. RHJ has some serious bounce and he's not afraid to finish at the rim with contact.
We'll see RHJ throw it down on fast-break plays here and there, but the majority of his athleticism will be on display on defense. He stands 6'7" with a 7-foot wingspan and he has quick feet. It enables him to guard three positions.
Athletically, he's similar to the Houston Rockets' Trevor Ariza and he has a defensive ceiling that is similar.
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