2015 NBA Draft: Top Underclassmen Prospects

Apr 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Left to right are, Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor (15) and guard Matt Jones (13) and forward Justise Winslow (12) and guards Tyus Jones (5) and Quinn Cook (2) and head coach Mike Krzyzewski during the team press conference at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Justise Winslow warms up before the 2015 NCAA Men /

3. Justise Winslow, SF, 6-7, 229 pounds, Duke FR*

No player’s stock went up as high much as Justise’s did during the NCAA Tournament. To paraphrase the legendary Drake… it went wayyyyy up. Winslow went on a tear before cooling down in the title game, putting up nearly a double-double nightly and making seven of his 12 of his threes.

There was talk of him going No. 1, which, looking back, was probably a little bit of an exaggeration. Like that’s ever happened before in basketball though, right?

There’s a lot to like: he’s one of the top athletes in the draft, has prototypical size for an NBA small forward, is already an outstanding defender, has a great name (underrated component to every player, when was the last NBA player named something bland like Ted Smith?), and ended up shooting 41.8 percent from three-point range.

Who cares if he has no midrange game, or if he’s better off as a small-ball four? He’s a freaky athlete. He put up 12.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game for the Blue Devils, and was noticeably better as the season progressed. If he improves his handle and jump shot at all, he’s going to be a force.

Here’s a take destined to be wrong: Winslow reminds me of Kawhi Leonard coming out of San Diego State. Both were raw offensively, but both had similar traits to make the transition. Here’s to Winslow proving me right.

Next: No. 2