Teams hoping to select an athletic wing player in the 2015 NBA Draft are in luck because this year’s class is loaded with talented shooting guards and small forwards. There’s no shortage of athleticism, scoring and defense in this group.
Here are the top 15 swingmen in the 2015 draft class.
1) Justise Winslow, Duke (SG/SF, 6-6, 229)
Winslow provides valuable versatility with his ability to score and defend on the wing. He’s able to create his own shot off the dribble, finish at the rim and excel in transition. Winslow also has a high basketball IQ and an impressive work ethic. He’s certainly one of the most NBA-ready prospects in this class.
The New York Knicks should strongly consider drafting him at No. 4 if he’s available.
2) Mario Hezonja, Croatia (SG/SF, 6-8, 215)
Good size, athleticism and the ability to space the floor with consistent outside shooting are the hallmarks of Hezonja’s game. He projects to be a top-10 pick.
3) Stanley Johnson, Arizona (SF, 6-7, 240)
Johnson is one of the strongest small forward prospects available and uses this advantage to score in the low post, attack the basket off the dribble and rebound very well.
4) Sam Dekker, Wisconsin (SF, 6-9, 230)
Dekker really impressed during Wisconsin’s run to the national championship game with his outside shooting, poise under pressure and leadership. He’s also quite athletic for a small forward his size.
5) Devon Booker, Kentucky (SG, 6-6, 205)
Booker likely will be able to provide instant offense from the bench as a rookie with his outside shooting and speed in transition. He’s also not a liability defensively.
6) Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Arizona (SF, 6-7, 215)
Hollis-Jefferson runs the floor well, rebounds at a high rate and defends multiple wing positions. There probably isn’t a better athlete at small forward in this class. His outside shot is a huge weakness, though, but it should improve with more reps and experience.
7) Kelly Oubre, Kansas (SF, 6-7, 200)
A consistent outside shot, above-average athleticism and good perimeter defense make Oubre a good option for teams in the middle of the first round. He played a huge role in Kansas’ success last season.
8) Justin Anderson, Virginia (SG/SF, 6-6, 225)
Anderson is an athletic wing with a consistent outside shot and the ability to be a really good defender in the NBA with his length and quickness. He’s also a mature kid with a high basketball IQ. Anderson could be a steal in the middle of the first round.
9) R.J. Hunter, Georgia State (SG, 6-5, 185)
Hunter has pretty good size for a shooting guard and uses it, along with his impressive quickness, to defend the perimeter at a high level. He also has great range with his outside shot, whether it’s off the dribble, in the corner, etc.
10) Kevon Looney, UCLA (SF, 6-9, 220)
What Looney lacks in size he makes up for with a high motor, great strength and a refined low-post game at the offensive end of the floor. He’s also a quality rebounder. Expect him to be drafted anywhere from middle to late first round.
11) Rashad Vaughn, UNLV (SG, 6-5, 200)
Vaughn is a polished offensive player with the athleticism and strength to create his own shot and drive to the basket at the NBA level. He scored 17.8 points per game with the Runnin’ Rebels last season on 43.9 percent shooting, but he struggled at the foul line (69.4 percent).
12) Vince Hunter, UTEP (SF, 6-8, 208)
Hunter is a versatile wing player with the ability to score, defend and rebound at multiple positions. His low-post offensive game was impressive at the collegiate level, but he should add some strength to consistently score in the paint against NBA competition. Don’t be surprised if he’s selected at the end of the first round or early in the second round.
13) Norman Powell, UCLA (SG, 6-4, 215)
Powell is a strong player who defends well on the perimeter. He’s not a prolific scorer — although he did increase his points per game average in each of his four seasons with UCLA — but he has enough upside offensively to warrant using an early second-round pick to acquire him.
14) Cedi Osman, Turkey (SG/SF, 6-8, 215)
Osman is among the best international prospects available. He’s a good shooter from mid-range and beyond the arc, and his athleticism and ball handling make him an effective scorer in transition. Osman won’t be in the NBA next season, so teams that are looking for a player capable of making an immediate impact might pass on him.
15) Terran Petteway, Nebraska (SG/SF, 6-6, 210)
Petteway is worth drafting in the second round for his scoring alone. He can shoot from the outside, penetrate defenses and finish at the rim and convert between 75 and 80 percent of his free throws. Petteway’s shooting percentages decreased a bit in his sophomore season at Nebraska, but there’s enough evidence to suggest he has the offensive talent to provide scoring depth from the bench at the next level.
Thumbnail photo via Bob Donnan/USA TODAY Sports Images
