The 2015 NBA Draft is less than two weeks away and the buzz is slowly building.
Most draft experts expect Kentucky center Karl Anthony-Towns and Duke center Jahlil Okafor to be selected with the top two picks, but after that, there are many different ways the first round could unfold.
Here’s the final NESN.com NBA Draft Big Board:
1. Karl-Anthony Towns (C, Kentucky, 7-0, 250 pounds): Scores in the paint and from mid-range, rebounds very well and blocks shots with his excellent length and timing.
2. Jahlil Okafor (C, Duke, 6-11, 270): Needs works defensively but has tremendous offensive upside with a polished low-post game.
3. Emmanuel Mudiay (PG, Congo, 6-5, 190): Size, playmaking and intelligence are three of Mudiay’s best skills.
4. D’Angelo Russell (PG/SG, Ohio State, 6-5, 180): Great passer with the size and strength to penetrate defenses and finish at the rim.
5. Justise Winslow (SG/SF, Duke, 6-6, 229): Defends and scores at multiple positions with an impressive blend of size and athleticism.
6. Willie Cauley-Stein, (C, Kentucky, 7-0, 240): Athletic big man with extraordinary defensive talent, but needs to find a permanent positon.
7. Mario Hezonja (SG/SF, Croatia, 6-8, 215): Stretches the floor with a good outside shot.
8. Stanley Johnson (SF, Arizona, 6-7, 240): Athletic wing player who defends on the perimeter and excels in transition.
9. Cameron Payne (PG, Murray State, 6-3, 185): Limits turnovers, gets his teammates good shots and provides consistent scoring with a mid-range jump shot and a quick first step to the basket.
10. Myles Turner (PF/C, Texas, 6-11, 243): NBA-ready big man who often plays with his back to the basket, blocks shots and tallies double-doubles in points and rebounds.
11. Kristaps Porzingis (PF, Latvia, 7-1, 220): Excellent size and shooting range, but struggles defensively in the low post because of his lack of strength.
12. Trey Lyles, (PF, Kentucky, 6-10, 250): Runs the floor well, makes smart decisions at both ends of the court and has an improving offensive game.
13. Kelly Oubre (SF, Kansas, 6-7, 200): Perfect size and length to excel as an NBA wing, also has great athleticism and a much-improved jump shot.
14. Devon Booker (SG, Kentucky, 6-6, 205): Excellent range with his outside shot and attacks the basket and finishes over taller, stronger defenders.
15. Bobby Portis (PF, Arkansas, 6-10, 240): A strong work ethic, good fundamentals, rebounding and size are four of Portis’ best attributes.
16. Jerian Grant (PG/SG, Notre Dame, 6-5, 205): Athletic combo guard who limits turnovers, has explosive athleticism and anticipates plays on defense to rack up steals.
17. Delon Wright (PG/SG, Utah, 6-5, 190): Smart playmaker who runs pick-and-rolls well and finds teammates in the right spots in transition.
18. Justin Anderson (SG/SF, Virginia, 6-6, 225): Defends multiple positions with impressive athleticism and length on the wing.
19. R.J. Hunter (SG, Georgia State, 6-5, 185): High basketball IQ and a good jump shot from mid-range and the 3-point line.
20. Tyus Jones (PG, Duke, 6-1, 190): Smart, pass-first point guard who, based on the 2015 NCAA Tournament, responds well to high-pressure moments.
21. Sam Dekker (SF, Wisconsin, 6-9, 230): Consistently knocks down shots from beyond the arc and has good size for an NBA small forward.
22. Montrezl Harrell (PF, Louisville, 6-8, 240): NBA-level size and strength, which helps him rebound, block shots and score at the rim.
23. Terry Rozier (PG, Louisville, 6-2, 190): Pass-first point guard who excels in transition and executes pick-and-rolls to perfection.
24. Frank Kaminsky (C, Wisconsin, 7-0, 240): Not an explosive athlete, but knows how to score in the low post and provides excellent size in the paint.
25. Rashad Vaughn (SG, UNLV, 6-5, 200): NBA strength and the ability to score in bunches by penetrating defenses or with his outside shot that extends to the 3-point line.
26. Chris McCullough (PF, Syracuse, 6-10, 220): Mature, high-character kid with excellent passing skills and a quality mid-range jump shot.
27. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF, Arizona, 6-7, 215): Athletic wing player who uses his fantastic length and quickness to defend at a high level.
28. Kevon Looney (SF/PF, UCLA, 6-9, 220): Strong player with a good mid-range jump shot and the length and size needed to defend in the low post at the next level.
29. Norman Powell (SG, UCLA, 6-4, 215): Improved his scoring in each of his four seasons at UCLA.
30. Jarell Martin (PF, LSU, 6-9, 240): Good rebounder with a high motor and above-average low-post defense.
31. Christian Wood (PF, UNLV, 6-11, 220): Lacks strength, but makes up for it with high-end athleticism and great length.
32) Rashad Vaughn (SG, UNLV, 6-5, 200): NBA strength and the ability to score in bunches by penetrating defenses or with his outside shot.
33) Rakeem Christmas (PF/C, Syracuse, 6-9, 245): NBA-caliber strength and quickness allow him to rebound and defend multiple positions.
34) Olivier Hanlan (PG/SG, Boston College, 6-4, 185): Shoots at a high percentage from everywhere on the court and shows enough playmaking ability to play point guard.
35) Cedi Osman (PG, Macedonia, 6-6, 190): Fantastic size and playmaking ability, but didn’t play against great competition in Europe.
36) Andrew Harrison (PG, Kentucky, 6-6, 213): Above average passer and a very good perimeter defender, but needs to be more consistent as a scorer and improve shot selection.
37) Dakari Johnson (C, Kentucky, 7-0, 260): Not a high ceiling, but among the most NBA-ready centers with good strength, rebounding and interior defense.
38) Guillermo Hernangomez (PF/C, Cajasol Sevilla, 6-11, 250): Prefers to play in the low post and uses his strength and size to rebound and block shots.
39) Terran Petteway (SF, Nebraska, 6-6, 210): Averaged more than 18 points per game in two seasons for the Cornhuskers.
40) Vince Hunter (SF, UTEP, 6-8, 208): Great athlete and perimeter defender who averaged 14.9 points and 9.2 rebounds per game as a sophomore.
41) Jordan Mickey (PF, LSU, 6-8, 240): A bit undersized, but uses his leaping and length to block a ton of shots.
42) Robert Upshaw (C, Washington, 7-0, 258): Blocks shots at a high rate, moves well for a man his size and rebounds consistently.
43) Cliff Alexander (PF/C, Kansas, 6-8, 240): Strength, work ethic, rebounding and length are among the most impressive parts of Alexander’s game.
44) J.P. Tokoto (SG/SF, North Carolina, 6-6, 195): Very good 1-on-1 defender on the perimeter, but needs to improve his jump shot to provide consistent scoring production.
45) Richaun Holmes (PF, Bowling Green, 6-9, 245): Good defender and rebounder, improved his scoring by 8.2 points per game in three collegiate seasons.
46) Brandon Ashley (PF, Arizona, 6-8, 230): One of the best shot blockers in the Pac-12 last season and improved his points per game in each of his three seasons.
47) Joseph Young (SG, Oregon, 6-2, 185): A fantastic scorer with a consistent 3-point shot, but lacks ideal size for the shooting guard position.
48) Aaron White (SF, Iowa, 6-9, 220): Smart player with above average athleticism and the ability to finish at the rim.
49) Michael Frazier II (SG, Florida, 6-5, 199): Very good shooter who converted on 38.1 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc and 87.1 percent from the foul line.
50) Ryan Boatright (PG, UConn, 5-11, 170): Dependable foul shooter who also shot an impressive 41.2 percent from beyond the arc as a senior.
Thumbnail photo via Bob Donnan/USA TODAY Sports Images
