Top 10 college prospects for 2015 NBA draft
College freshmen have dominated the top of the NBA draft in recent years, and that trend is expected to continue in 2015. Led by Duke center Jahlil Okafor, most of the top draft prospects from the college ranks are true freshmen again, several NBA scouts told Yahoo Sports.
At least one scout, however, says this freshman class is more sizzle than substance. Touted freshmen like Kansas' Kelly Oubre and Cliff Alexander, and Arizona's Stanley Johnson are struggling to adapt to the college game in practices, the scout said.
"It's a weak freshman class in terms of skill and basketball talent," the NBA scout told Yahoo Sports. "They don't have the ability to make other players better. It's all about them. They're ball dominant."
With the college basketball season starting, here's a look at the top-10 draft prospects from the college ranks with a scout's opinion on each player.
1. Jahlil Okafor, 6-11, 272 pounds, Duke, Fr., C:
"He has a body ready for the NBA, nimble feet and good hands. He needs to improve on his conditioning and not playing down to the competition."
2. Karl Towns, 7-0, 248 pounds, Kentucky, Fr., PF-C: "He's a big man with great size who can shoot. He's trimming his baby fat and getting lean. He's a better athlete and passer than Okafor."
3. Myles Turner, 6-11, 242 pounds, Texas, Fr., PF-C: "He's a very tall power forward. He needs to get stronger. He does not have a good low-post scoring game right now. "
4. Kelly Oubre, 6-6, 204 pounds, Kansas, Fr., SF: "Creative slasher at the small forward position. Could he become the next Scottie Pippen? Needs to improve his jump shot."
5. Justise Winslow, 6-6, 221 pounds, Duke, Fr., SF: "He has great size that reminds you of Ron Artest. Runs the floor, loves defense, rebounds. He quietly goes about getting work done. He always has a great stat line."
6. Stanley Johnson, 6-7, 237 pounds, Arizona, Fr., SF: "His teams always win. He needs to get more arc on his jump shot. He has an NBA-ready body at the small forward position.
7. Willie Cauley-Stein, 7-0, 244 pounds, Kentucky, Jr., PF-C: "A consummate team player. He is a runner who defends and rebounds. Versatile big man who can play both power forward and center."
8. Sam Dekker, 6-9, 229 pounds, Wisconsin, Jr., SF-PF: "He has great size for his position. He is really talented and versatile. He has a really good feel for the game. Analytics guys love him."
9. Montrezl Harrell, 6-8, 230 pounds, Louisville, Jr., PF-C: "He's a rebounding machine, but he needs to stop shooting his bad jump shot. Do not do what you cannot do."
10. Caris LeVert, 6-7, 200 pounds, Michigan, Jr., SG: "He's a natural shooter who has a real good feel for the game. Defends his position well. He has very few bad habits."
Other players to watch: Cliff Alexander, Kansas, PF-C, Fr.; Andrew Harrison, Kentucky, PG-SG, So.; Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Arizona, SF, So.; R.J. Hunter, Georgia State, SG, Jr.; Bobby Portis, Arkansas, PF, So.
