As the college basketball season winds down, underclassmen have begun to announce their NBA Draft intentions. The deadline for underclassmen to enter the NBA Draft is April 26, so players don't have a ton of time between the end of their season and the deadline to make a decision. The window is even smaller for players whose teams advance deep in the postseason.
NBA Draft underclassmen tracker, 2015: Find out which players are declaring
Who is staying in college and who is taking their talents to the NBA this year?
The draft combine doesn’t begin until May 12, so underclassmen must make their assessments on limited evaluation. Many of the players below will be drafted where they feel they should be, many will not, and some won’t be drafted at all and will fight for roster spots in the Summer League.
| PLAYER | SCHOOL | AGE, HEIGHT, WEIGHT |
|---|---|---|
| Jarell Martin PF, sophomore | LSU | 20, 6'9, 235 lbs |
| Martin was a McDonald's All-American in the class of 2013, but never seemed to receive the same hype as his peers while in college. LSU won 20 or more games in both of his seasons, and he was extremely productive as a sophomore, averaging 16.9 points per game and 9.2 rebounds per game on 51 percent shooting. His best game of the year may have come against Kentucky's twin tower front line, hanging 21 points and 11 rebounds against the Wildcats in a one-point loss. Current draft projection: Late first-early second round | ||
| Myles Turner C, freshman | Texas | 19, 6'11, 240 lbs |
| Turner offers the rare combination of three-point shooting and shot blocking out of the center spot. He averaged 2.6 blocks in only 22 minutes per game this year. His three-point stroke was best on display when he went 4-for-4 from deep against Oklahoma State. Texas had a crowded frontcourt and Turner rarely seemed like he was put in the maximum position to succeed. He's not the quickest player in this draft, but his unique skillset makes him a lock to be selected in the lottery. Current draft projection: Top 10 | ||
| Justise Winslow SF, freshman | Duke | 19, 6'6, 220 lbs |
| Winslow was Duke's "other" top freshman for the majority of the season, the guy outside the Tyus Jones/Jahlil Okafor packaged deal who was still a great talent in his own right. Winslow showed the world exactly that as the season progressed, acting as arguably Duke's top player during its run to the national championship. He's a physical two-way wing who projects in the Jimmy Butler/Kawhi Leonard role, and he has the body and skill set to contribute right away. Current draft projection: Top 10 | ||
| Jahlil Okafor C, freshman | Duke | 19, 6'11, 270 lbs |
| What more could Jahlil Okafor possibly accomplish at the amateur level? From winning gold medals with USA Basketball to leading arguably the greatest freshman class ever to a national championship during his only year in college at Duke, Okafor always seemed like a player who was just biding his time before he could reach the NBA. Now he'll have that chance, where he'll be in the mix to go No. 1 overall come June. There will continue to be question marks about his defense, but Okafor is the most polished low post scorer to enter the NBA in some time. Current draft projection: Top 3 | ||
| R.J. Hunter SG, sophomore | Georgia State | 21, 6'5, 180 lbs |
| Hunter became the breakout star of March Madness with his buzzer beater to lift the Panthers over No. 3 Baylor in the round of 64. It was a moment that was a long time coming for Hunter, who turned down offers from better schools to play for his father in the Sun Belt. The lack of competition hasn't really hit his draft stock. Hunter is considered one of the best three-point shooters in the class, even if his percentages plummeted this year. Current draft projection: Mid to late first round | ||
| D'Angelo Russell PG, freshman | Ohio State | 19, 6'5, 180 lbs |
| There wasn't a more exciting player in college basketball this year than D'Angelo Russell. The Ohio State freshman seemed to produce dazzling highlights every game, whether he was throwing spinning bounce passes to teammates or pulling up from deep to drain a three-pointer. In the process, he averaged 19.3 points. five assists and 5.3 rebounds per game. He'll be in a battle to be the first guard selected with Emmanuel Mudiay. Current draft projection: Top five | ||
| Terry Rozier PG, sophomore | Louisville | 21, 6'2, 190 lbs |
| Rozier was one of the breakout players this season at Louisville. He boosted his scoring average by 10 points per game (from seven to 17) and turned into a fearless defender known for his on-ball pressure and penchant to produce turnovers. Rozier will need to improve his shot selection and three-point shooting at the next level, but he has the size and athleticism to turn into a quality NBA guard. Current draft projection: Late first-early second round | ||
| Olivier Hanlan SG, junior | Boston College | 22, 6'4, 190 lbs |
| The ACC might have been the country's toughest conference, and Hanlan was one of its most productive players. The combo guard averaged 19.5 points per game to go along with over four rebounds and four assists per game while shooting 45 percent from the floor. He's a bit undersized as a shooting guard in the NBA, but if he showcased solid passing ability in college, so perhaps he can transition to point guard. An improved three-point shooting stroke (35 percent last season) would go a long towards helping him stick in the league. Current draft projection: Second round or undrafted | ||
| Montrezl Harrell PF, junior | Louisville | 21, 6'7, 240 lbs |
| Harrell could have come out last year and been a first-rounder but returned to school to improve his skillset. He focused on developing a face-up jumper this season, which showed signs of promise but was still largely inconsistent. Harrell will make his money in the pros as an energy guy and rebounder, and his massive 7'4 wingspan helps with that. If you want toughness off the bench, Harrell is your man. Current draft projection: Mid to late first round | ||
| Justin Anderson SF, junior | Virginia | 21, 6'6, 225 lbs |
Anderson was the breakout player for a Virginia squad that spent most of the season among the best teams in the country. He's a long (6'11 wingspan) athletic wing who will be expected to earn his paycheck on the defensive side of the ball early in his career. The vast improvement to his three-point shooting stroke he showed this year (from 29 percent to 45 percent) will be key moving forward. | ||
| J.P. Tokoto SF, junior | North Carolina | 21, 6'6, 200 lbs |
| Tokoto is one of the best athletes in the draft. The wing has the potential to be a lockdown defender and could potentially make a living playing in transition on offense. Tokoto's biggest improvement as a junior was as a playmaker, as he posted a career-high 4.3 assists per game. His biggest weakness is the lack of a reliable jump shot, but he did make 37.5 percent of this three-pointers this year on less than one attempt per game. Current draft projection: Second round | ||
| Rashad Vaughn SG, freshman | UNLV | 18, 6'6, 200 lbs |
| Vaughn was a McDonald's All-American in the class of 2014, but his only season in college was cut short by injuries. He tore the meniscus in his left knee on Feb. 12 and missed the remainder of the regular season. When healthy, Vaughn displayed solid scoring instincts and a good three-point stroke. His best game of the year may have come in a one-point loss to Colorado State, where he finished with 30 points on 6-of-10 shooting from three-point range. For the season, Vaughn averaged 17.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game on just over 38 percent shooting from three-point range. Current draft projection: Late first-early second round | ||
| Tyler Harvey SG, sophomore | Eastern Washington | 21, 6'4, 185 lbs |
| There may not be a better shooter in the draft than Harvey, who averaged 23 points while hitting 47 percent of his shots and 43 percent from behind the arc. He presented himself well in the tournament, scoring 27 points on 9-of-20 shooting against Georgetown, but it wasn't enough to pull off an upset. While big-time scorers come out of the low-major ranks every year, Harvey is a bit more athletic and a stronger shot creator than many of them. He has a chance to become a legit bench scorer if he can improve in other areas of his game. Current draft projection: Mid-second round | ||
| Jordan Mickey PF, sophomore | LSU | 20, 6'8, 235 lbs |
| Mickey was the nation's leading shot blocker this season with the Tigers, something that was clearly evident in LSU's opening round loss against N.C. State when he recorded six of them. This season, he averaged 3.6 blocks, along with 15 points and 10 rebounds on 50 percent shooting. Unfortunately, he's undersized for the power forward position, something his athleticism and excellent 7'2 wingspan can only make up for so much. Current draft projection: Second round | ||
| Kelly Oubre SF, freshman | Kansas | 19, 6'7, 200 lbs |
| Despite a disappointing end to his season, Oubre will still enter the NBA Draft with high regards. After scoring 25 points against TCU in the Big 12 Tournament, Oubre followed it up with nine points against Baylor, three in a loss to Iowa State and eight in Kansas' first tournament game against New Mexico State. Kansas lost in the following round to Wichita State, a game in which Oubre fouled out and only had nine points. Oubre showed his talent this season as a long, athletic wing, as well as a versatile defender. NBA teams just hope he can develop the consistency he needs once he's in the league. Current draft projection: Late lottery pick | ||
| Tyus Jones PG, freshman | Duke | 18, 6'1, 190 lbs |
| Jones headed to Duke as a part of a packaged deal with Jahlil Okafor that will now go down as the greatest recruiting coup in history. While it was widely known Okafor would be a one-and-done, Jones seemed like a player who might spend a few years in college. So much for that. Jones was fantastic in big games for Duke all season long, and his 23 points in the championship game likely sealed his NBA decision. Jones doesn't have ideal size or speed for an NBA point guard, but he can make a shot from all over the court and has proven to be a great floor general. Bet against him at your peril. Current draft projection: Late first round | ||
| Bobby Portis PF, sophomore | Arkansas | 20, 6'10, 235 lbs |
| Portis was a McDonald's All-American and consensus top 20 recruit entering Arkansas two seasons ago. For the most part, he lived up the hype. Portis led the Razorbacks in points, rebounds, steals and blocks per game this past season, and has the size and athleticism to project well in the NBA. If he can continue to improve his shooting stroke, he could be a steal in the middle of the first round. Current draft projection: Late lottery pick | ||
| Kevon Looney PF, freshman | UCLA | 19, 6'9, 220 lbs |
| Looney was a bright spot all season long for a UCLA team few thought deserved to make the tournament before an unlikely run to the Sweet 16. He's considered to be a bit unpolished at this stage in his career, but has the physical attributes to make it as a Thaddeus Young-like swing forward in the NBA. Looney isn't the fastest power forward you'll ever see, but he's a talented rebounder with wide shoulders and high motor. He could go as early as the late lottery, or slide down into the 20s. Current draft projection: First round | ||
| Trevor Lacey SF, junior | N.C. State | 23, 6'3, 205 lbs |
| This one is a bit of a surprise. Lacey had a terrific year for a Wolfpack team that made a surprising run to the Elite Eight, but he's rarely touted as an NBA prospect. Still, Lacey turns 24 years old next season and likely wants to maximize his youth by cashing a paycheck somehow as much as possible. N.C. State would have been a top 15 team with him, but you can't knock a young man for wanting to get paid. Current draft projection: Second round or undrated | ||
| Andrew Harrison PG, sophomore | Kentucky | 20, 6'6, 210 lbs |
| The Harrison twins each entered college rated among the best recruits in the nation in a loaded class of 2013. Andrew was No. 5 according to ESPN, but he struggled to live up to the hype for a Wildcats team that only earned a No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament before a surprising run to the title game. Andrew returned to school for his sophomore season and improved his numbers a bit on a per-minute basis. His biggest improvement was in three-point shooting, where he hit 38.3 percent of his attempts this year. He has great size, but lacks NBA athleticism and explosion. He could go anywhere from the late first round to undrafted. Current draft projection: Second round | ||
| Aaron Harrison SG, sophomore | Kentucky | 20, 6'6, 210 lbs |
| If Aaron Harrison didn't become the the sure-fire NBA prospect he was supposed to be out of high school, he still turned into a college basketball legend. As a freshman, Harrison hit dagger shots in three games to push UK into the national title game. He returned for his sophomore season and saw his numbers dip across the board. His three-point shooting percentage is the most worrisome number, going from 35.6 as a freshman to 31.6 as a sophomore. Like his brother, he could go anywhere from late first to undrafted due to a lack of elite athleticism. Current draft projection: Second round | ||
| Cameron Payne PG, sophomore | Murray State | 20, 6'2, 180 lbs |
| Payne follows in the footsteps of Murray State's Isaiah Canaan, who became the No. 34 pick in 2013 after starring for the Racers. Payne was productive from the minute he began his college career in the Ohio Valley Conference, averaging 17.4 points and 5.3 assists per game as a freshman, and 20.3 points and six assists per game as a sophomore. He's considered a smooth scoring guard who improved his three-point stroke to over 37 percent as a sophomore. Current draft projection: First round | ||
| Brandon Ashley PF, junior | Arizona | 20, 6'8, 225 lbs |
| Ashley suffered a season-ending foot injury as a sophomore and hoped to be the missing ingredient for a Final Four run at Arizona. That didn't work out as planned when the Wildcats again lost in the Elite Eight to Wisconsin despite a quality game (17 points on eight shots) for Ashley. He didn't take the step forward some expected during his junior season, but he has still has nice size and a solid face-up jump shot. He could be a steal in the second round. Current draft projection: Second round or undrafted | ||
| Rondae Hollis-Jefferson SF, sophomore | Arizona | 20, 6'7, 212 lbs |
| Hollis-Jefferson doesn't stand out in any particular area, but he's a solid basketball player whose presence is felt all across the court. His defense is his calling card, with fantastic athleticism and excellent size that projects to guard NBA wings with tenacity. However, Hollis-Jefferson's jump shot will determine his ceiling once he's in the NBA. Just a 20.7 percent three-pointer shooter at Arizona last season, he'll have to improve his shot and at least be an occasional threat from deep or NBA coaches will have a hard time putting him on the floor. Current draft projection: Mid to late first round | ||
| Cliff Alexander PF, freshman | Kansas | 19, 6'9, 254 lbs |
| It was a rough freshman season for Alexander after heading to Kansas highly touted as a potential lottery pick. He struggled to earn playing time at various points before his season was cut short due to eligibility issues. When he was on the court, the results were mixed. He averaged 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds, struggling to make the impact some thought he would. There was no guarantee he'd be eligible next season, so his decision to go pro did not come as much of a surprise. Current draft projection: Late first-early second round | ||
| Sam Dekker SF, junior | Wisconsin | 20, 6'9, 230 lbs |
| Maybe no one raised their draft stock in this year's NCAA Tournament more than Sam Dekker, who was named the most outstanding player in the West Region after setting back-to-back career highs for points in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight. Dekker's biggest problem, his inconsistent shooting, showed up in the championship game against Duke when he missed all six three-point attempts. But he still managed 12 points and eight rebounds despite the loss, sealing his status as one of the tournament's biggest risers. With his size, athleticism and ball handling, there's no doubt that Dekker is a starting-caliber swingman in the NBA. Current draft projection: Mid-first round | ||
| Karl-Anthony Towns C, freshman | Kentucky | 19, 7'0, 250 lbs |
| Towns may be this year's top pick after an extremely productive season on a historic Kentucky team that started 38-0. His numbers aren't as strong as many people are used to, but that's because he only played 21 minutes a game on a loaded, deep Wildcats team that was usually ahead by double figures. Towns is more fluid than explosive, using his athleticism to turn his huge frame into a mobile, shot-blocking machine. He has a solid, though not polished, offensive game in the low post and good hands, giving him offensive upside as he develops in the NBA. Towns also has solid jump shot mechanics, something he rarely displayed at Kentucky but will likely pick back up in the coming years. Coming into the draft, Towns fits the profile of a modern NBA big man perfectly. Current draft projection: No. 1 or No. 2 pick | ||
| Willie Cauley-Stein C, junior | Kentucky | 21, 7'0, 245lbs |
| Willie Cauley-Stein stayed three years at Kentucky and you could argue it paid off, as he rose from a likely lottery pick to someone firmly planted in the No. 5 to 10 range of the upcoming draft. For someone standing 7'0, Cauley-Stein has the mobility of a forward. He's an incredibly versatile defender and he showcased his abilities against Notre Dame when he smothered Jerami Grant, a likely lottery pick himself, on the game's final shot. It doesn't look like he'll ever be a strong scorer, but Cauley-Stein works in transition and does the little things that will help him put in a bucket here or there. Current draft projection: Mid-lottery pick | ||
| Devin Booker SG, freshman | Kentucky | 18, 6'6, 205 lbs |
While Devin Booker's athleticism and measurements don't stand out, he's one of the best shooters in this draft class. At Kentucky, he hit 41 percent of his attempts behind the arc, and anyone who can shoot has value in today's NBA. He's not small, either, standing 6'6 with the ability to slide over to play small forward in some situations. Booker's ceiling in the NBA will depend on how he develops his other offensive skills around his shooting, but at the very least, he can space the floor for an team that needs another guy making three-point shots. | ||
| Trey Lyles PF, freshman | Kentucky | 19, 6'10, 250 lbs |
| Trey Lyles does a little bit of everything. He's a forward who can shoot off the dribble and attack with his quickness, while offering up a solid low post game and above average passing from his position. But his jump shot is shaky at times, especially when he's catching and shooting, and he's a good but not exceptional athlete by NBA standards. His defense is a question mark, since Lyles could be considered a "tweener" -- something that gives him an advantage offensively but hurts on the other end. However, put Lyles in the proper system when he reaches the NBA and there's no doubt he can find a way to use his skills. Current draft projection: Mid-first round | ||
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