NCAA Tournament Prospect Watch: West Region
The NCAA tournament feels even more loaded with potential NBA prospects this year than it did in 2014, with one of the most heralded draft classes of all time.
Maybe it's the battle to be No. 1 pick, or the constant shuffling of those in the lottery, or the fact that 33 of ESPN's top-40 ranked prospects are all on teams that made the field. Maybe we just love this time of year regardless of prospect quality.
In any case, there are 74 prospects in the tournament ranked in the top-100 by either ESPN, DraftExpress or both. What follows is a list of prospects to watch in the West Region.
EAST | WEST | SOUTH | MIDWEST | Kentucky
Potential Lottery Picks
D'Angelo Russell - Ohio State - ESPN: 4, DraftExpress: 4
The most electrifying passer in the nation has played his way into top-five consideration in the NBA Draft, putting himself neck-and-neck with would-be SMU Mustang Emmanuel Mudiay as the draft's top point guard. He's spent the year showing he can carry a college team on his back and there's a real chance there's a star NBA player here.
With terrific size for the point, a deft shooting touch, passing that's best described as voodoo and an ability to carve to the rim at will, there's little to dislike in Russell's game. Any hesitation teams may have would have to do with bulk and consistency, the latter of which he may be able to allay concerns about with a strong push to the Sweet Sixteen.
Stanley Johnson - Arizona - ESPN: 12, DraftExpress: 5
Maybe the best defensive wing in college basketball, Johnson has every tool a lock-down small forward could need. He's 6-foot-7 and already 237 pounds, he has a 6-foot-11 wingspan and an 8-foot-8 reach, he's an above-average athlete and, for the most part, remains active and engaged on that end of the floor.
Still a freshman, there's time this summer for Johnson to develop his offensive game to the point where a team may be comfortable taking him in the top-five. For now, poor shot selection and inconsistency efficacy on his jumper would stand as minor criticisms, as would the occasional defensive lapse, something that won't fly in the tournament.
Frank Kaminsky - Wisconsin - ESPN: 13, DraftExpress: 10
Long on the fringes of the lottery, Kaminsky has consistently produced and impressed to the point that he's finally breaking up a top-12 status quo that's existed almost all season. He's not exactly fleet of foot and doesn't do a lot defensively beyond block shots thanks to his length, but defense isn't why teams might be excited about the 7-footer.
In short, Kaminsky can score. He has great footwork in the paint and a few nifty post moves, hits nearly 40 percent on threes and led a No. 1 seed and the country's No. 1 offense. His upside isn't phenomenal as a somewhat unathletic senior, but the floor for 7-footers who can shoot and block shots is appreciable.
Bobby Portis - Arkansas - ESPN: 14, DraftExpress: 16
The sophomore did the biggest thing asked of him entering year two and extended his range some. As a 6-foot-11 power forward, even small-sample success from long range – he's 13-of-28 on threes this season – could be huge for his draft stock, which sits on the lottery fringes entering the tournament.
Portis owns a nice inside-outside offensive game when he stays committed to attacking and posting up. He's a smart player, so finding advantages around the court should come as his game refines, something that was evident in a monster performance against LSU's impressive frontline on March 7. He's not flashy but there are few producing more consistently.
Potential 1st-Round Picks
R.J. Hunter - Georgia State - ESPN: 18, DraftExpress: 24
Hunter's been filling up baskets for three seasons now, but his efficiency leaves something to be desired. A 6-foot-6 shooting guard who can get his shot off and average nearly 20 points has serious value, but one who does so shooting under 40 percent from the field and barely 30 percent from outside may cause teams pause. There's still a lot to like – his assists, free throws and steals were all up as a junior – but he'd be well-served by a strong tournament showing.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson - Arizona - ESPN: 24, DraftExpress: 23
A wing who can't shoot is a tough sell in the lottery. For a contender picking in the 20s, it's easy enough to look past when said player rebounds well, draws rave reviews for his intangibles and can provide above-average defense all over the floor.
Sam Dekker - Wisconsin - ESPN: 25, DraftExpress: 22
Dekker's biggest asset, his outside stroke, has fallen off a cliff this year, but he remains intriguing late in the first round because he does everything else just well enough and there's hope the shot comes back. He may also be the player you're most likely to hear "intangibles" about in the coming weeks.
Potential 2nd-Round Picks
Justin Jackson - North Carolina - ESPN: 44, DraftExpress: 47
Like all his Tar Heels teammates below, Jackson has a wide range of draft outcomes, but could probably use a year of additional seasoning. Jackson can score and there's hope that his ugly 3-point clip could improve a great deal.
Nigel Hayes - Wisconsin - ESPN: 59, DraftExpress: 44
Showed why scouts may be excited with a 25-point outburst in the Big Ten title game and he could make up for a lack of size with a lengthy wingspan and strong steal and assist rates.
Kennedy Meeks - North Carolina - ESPN: 69, DraftExpress: 39
A strong, crafty big with soft hands and nice vision from the post, Meeks has been held back by a lack of athleticism and a surplus of mass.
Brice Johnson - North Carolina - ESPN: 74, DraftExpress: 50
Bouncy power forwards who can rebound and block shots never go out of style, especially when they're quality defenders.
J.P. Tokoto - North Carolina - ESPN: 100, DraftExpress: 55
He can defend multiple positions and facilitate as a ball-handler on the wing. If he can develop a 3-point shot, there's a quality 3-and-D player here.
Michael Qualls - Arkansas - ESPN: N/R, DraftExpress: 60
Qualls needs a 3-point shot to really be on the radar as an NBA rotation player, but he can score anywhere inside the arc.
Others to Watch
Kaleb Tarczewski - Arizona - ESPN: 98, DraftExpress: 68
Brandon Ashley - Arizona - ESPN: N/R, DraftExpress: 100
Rico Gathers - Baylor - ESPN: N/R, DraftExpress: 79
Marcus Paige - North Carolina - ESPN: N/R, DraftExpress: 63
Shannon Scott - Ohio State - ESPN: N/R, DraftExpress: 80