Opening Weekend Recap of Top NBA Draft Prospects

2.) Karl-Anthony Towns-PF, Kentucky; Freshman. 14.5 ppg, 9-10 FGM-A, 9.0 rpg, 3.0 bpg in 2 games

Mar 21, 2015; Louisville, KY, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats forward Shaquille Thomas (3) drives to the basket against Kentucky Wildcats forward Karl-Anthony Towns (12) during the second half in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at KFC Yum! Center. Kentucky wins 64-51. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of Karl-Anthony Towns, he has also been just as good in the tournament as he was heading in. The Kentucky freshman manages to stand out on a team with multiple NBA prospects as its most talented player. At 6’11”, 250 pounds with more potential for growth, it shouldn’t be confusing as to why Towns has started to push Okafor for the top spot in June’s draft.

While Okafor is the superior offensive prospect, Towns is starting to make up ground in that area and is at a whole different level than his fellow freshman defensively. Towns’ world-class athleticism and aptitude on that end of the floor could help him eventually surpass Okafor as the top pick, depending on the preferences of whatever team lands the first selection.

Much like Sixers rookie Nerlens Noel, Towns’ offensive game has been something to watch develop over the course of a season. Much like his frontcourt-mate Willy Cauley-Stein, Towns plays above the rim and could contribute on offense mostly through dunks and putbacks. Towards the midway point and end of the regular season, Towns started to demonstrated the sort of growth offensively that would make a team feel comfortable selecting him over Okafor.

For as dangerous as Kentucky is in transition, an area Towns contributes in regularly, it is their halfcourt offense that has benefited most from the freshman’s development. For some time, the backcourt and wing players on the Wildcats were leaned heavily on to provide scoring in the structured nature of their halfcourt offense. Given Cauley-Stein’s limitations and Towns’ lack of maturity early int he season, it sometimes seemed as if the duo was not interested in the ball until it went up for a potential offensive rebound. Towns’ strides offensively have not only alleviated some of the stress on the Kentucky backcourt, but has made Cauley-Stein more of a factor with defenses converging on the freshman.

As expected, the Wildcats rolled to a pair of opening weekend wins over Hampton and Cincinnati. Towns was arguably the team’s best player in the round of 64, recording a double-double (23 points and 11 rebounds) and blocking three shots. Against a much tougher, more physical Cincinnati team Towns struggled a bit. In 23 minutes, he took just four shots on the offensive end (making two of them), grabbed seven rebounds, and blocked three more shots. In both games, Towns impressed from the free throw line missing just one of his ten attempts over the course of the weekend.

Given the Wildcats unprecedented depth, coach John Calipari can work around teams keying in on Towns without losing too much. As a freshman, many believe Towns has already shown enough to ease any concerns over whether to make much of the occasional game where he doesn’t stuff the stat sheet.

When all is said and done, it’s possible that Jahlil Okafor does enough to eliminate Karl-Anthony Towns from the discussion as a possible first overall pick. Despite Towns’ impressive game, it may end up being too difficult to pass on a big man with the offensive capabilities of Okafor. That all being said, Towns’ trajectory could end up convincing a team like the Sixers, already with a focal center in Joel Embiid, to opt for the Kentucky product. He is another potentially elite frontcourt defender with an intriguing offensive potential and top-end athleticism. It can’t be easy to stand out on an undefeated team but Towns, at least more often than any of his teammates, has managed to do so.