June 26--The Minnesota Timberwolves began the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on Thursday night as expected by using the first overall pick on power forward Karl-Anthony Towns out of Kentucky.
By the end of the evening 60 players will have been selected over two rounds.
Below is a running tally of each player as they are picked:
No. 1 -- Minnesota Timberwolves -- Karl-Anthony Towns, 6-11 1/4, 250, Kentucky, power forward
Towns has the size of a center but the speed and footwork of a wing player. In his lone season at Kentucky, he was part of John Calipari's 10-man platoon, and as a result, he only averaged 21.1 minutes per game, but his athletic ability and potential are unquestionable. With those limited minutes, he still ranked fourth in the NCAA in player efficiency rating (PER). Both offensively and defensively, he is a threat from all over the floor. He shot 56.6% from the field and averaged 2.3 blocks per game, and he effectively can run and defend the pick-and-roll.
Ben Bolch's comment: Imaginary friend Karlito probably would have preferred to spend rookie season in Southern California.
No. 2 -- LAKERS -- D'Angelo Russell, 6-5, 193, Ohio State, point guard/shooting guard
Russell electrified the NCAA this past season with precise shooting and even crisper passing, making the All-America first team. His marks of 19.3 points and 5.0 assists per game ranked among the top three of college freshmen, and he was a workhorse for the Buckeyes, averaging 33.5 minutes per game, while connecting on 41.1% of his three-pointers. His obvious skills put him near the top of mock drafts. Because of his size, it is not clear whether he will run the point or be a shooting guard in the NBA.
Ben Bolch's comment: The Lakers apparently preferred Russell's red jacket to Jalil Okafor's.
No. 3 -- Philadelphia 76ers -- Jahlil Okafor, 6-10 3/4, 272, Duke, center
Perhaps no player in the draft is more NBA-ready than Okafor. With a massive 7-5 wingspan and excellent footwork in the post that some scouts compare to a young Tim Duncan, Okafor is a classic center who should be able to match up against most big men in the pros. He collected 17.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in his only season at Duke en route to a national championship and first team All-American honors. The biggest concerns are about his defense, where he was often inconsistent and uninspired, and his free throw shooting; in college he averaged 51% from the charity stripe.
Ben Bolch's comment: 76ers going big when rest of the NBA trying to emulate Golden State's small-ball approach.
No. 4 -- New York Knicks -- Kristaps Porzingis, 7-0, 220, Latvia, power forward
Porzingis, 19, is listed as a power forward, has the height of a power forward, but he does not always act like one. Setting aside the obvious lack of bulk that hurts him in the post, Porzingis' game is unlike most 7-footers. He is best facing the basket, taking mid-range jumpers and stretching the floor in transition like a small forward or wing player. On the offensive end, he will be a tough matchup for any opposing frontcourt, but on defense, he may struggle to contain stronger players.
Ben Bolch's comment: Something was lost in translation given all the thumbs down from Knicks fans over Latvian 7-footer.
No. 5 -- Orlando Magic -- Mario Hezonja, 6-8, 215, Croatia, small forward/shooting guard
Hezonja has all the physical tools to be a starting NBA small forward: good length, decent strength, a smooth shot and excellent body control and athleticism on both ends of the floor. What may hold him back, though, is his brash, fiery personality and sometimes questionable decision-making. While he was with F.C. Barcelona in Europe, his obvious skills made up for these mental shortcomings, but in the NBA he could clash with more demanding teammates who want the ball.
Ben Bolch's comment: Slim chance Hezonja spends any time in D League after starring for Barcelona in ACB League.
No. 6 -- Sacramento Kings -- Willie Cauley-Stein, 7-0 1/2, 242, Kentucky, center
Cauley-Stein has been projected as a first-round draft pick for almost three years now. But while he decided to return to school after his freshman and sophomore years, he's finally making the jump in 2015. And those last two years made a difference. Always a defensive force -- he averaged 3.9 blocks per 40 minutes in his collegiate career -- "Trill" needed work on the offensive end. He has since improved his jumper and can score well in transition and averaged 8.9 points a game last season. But in the NBA, Cauley-Stein will begin his career best known as a do-it-all defender.
No. 7 -- Denver Nuggets -- Emmanuel Mudiay, 6-5, 200, China, point guard
The 19-year-old Mudiay may not be well known to fans of the college game, which he skipped to play professionally in China for a year, but he arguably has more speed and strength than any other guard in the draft. His ability to drive to the hoop and finish strong, both in the half-court and in transition, is top-notch. However, his jump shot needs work, and just 10 games into his Chinese career he went down with an ankle injury. Durability could be an issue, especially as he adjusts to an 82-game NBA schedule.
No. 8 -- Detroit Pistons -- Stanley Johnson, 6-6 1/2, 242, Arizona, small forward
In his one season at Arizona, Johnson led the team with 13.8 points a game and averaged 6.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 steals. He often drove to the hoop, sometimes losing track of wide-open teammates on the wings, but he converted those opportunities at such a high rate it hardly mattered. His shooting percentage climbed as the year went on en route to winning the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year award. Defensively, he showed great anticipation and the length necessary to lock down the perimeter; it helped the 19-year-old climb up most mock drafts.
Alex Shultz contributed to this report
ALSO:
Phil Jackson: NBA draft could bring 'major surprises' for Knicks fans
Lakers leaning toward drafting Jahlil Okafor over D'Angelo Russell
NCAA proposal for NBA draft would allow players to return to school
