Regional Final Weekend Recap of Top NBA Draft Prospects

4.) Justise Winslow-F, Duke; Freshman. 16.5 ppg, 12-25 FGM-A, 7.5 rpg, 1.5 bpg, 1.0 spg in 2 games. 

Mar 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Justise Winslow (12) celebrates after making a three-point basket against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the second half in the finals of the south regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Essentially the opposite of Johnson, Duke’s Justise Winslow has used a staggering tournament performance to vault his draft status into unchartered territory. Winslow has been arguably the most impressive player in the field to this point and has elevated himself from a later lottery pick to perhaps a top-five selection.

Playing in his hometown of Houston, Winslow was Duke’s best player and key cog in a pair of wins over teams focusing on shutting down Jahlil Okafor. Winslow capitalized on the alleviated pressure along the perimeter in a big way offensively and continues to star as one of, if not the best defender in the draft.

One of the more impressive aspects of Winslow’s game lately that does not show up on the scoresheet is his ‘clutch factor’. Duke has needed some big shots in this tournament to reach the Final Four for the 12th time under Mike Krzyzewski. Winslow has been the trigger man on a lot of those shots, unveiling another attractive attribute to his game as it projects to the next level.

In multiple instances against Utah in the Sweet 16, Winslow almost single-handedly stifled runs made by Duke’s opponents. With the Blue Devils up five at just around the 13-minute mark, Winslow hit three-pointers on back-to-back possessions that helped softened the blow of Utah scoring on three straight possessions. Winslow WAS caught sniffing himself a bit after the second three-pointer and allowed his defender to score on the other end. Given the comedic value of the following media, I’m willing to let it slide.

Duke managed to keep the Utes at a safe distance at that point, up until they needed Winslow’s heroics yet again.

Having seen what was once a 15-point second half lead shrivel down to six, Duke looked to be heading toward the under-four-minute media timeout limping to the finish line. Instead, Winslow made an aggressive move into the lane and knocked down a midrange jumper while being fouled. The free throw, coming after the media timeout, built the lead back up to nine and Duke was able to wind down a victory in a much more comfortable fashion than it appeared they might have to.

Against Gonzaga, Winslow was not having quite the offensive showing he had earlier in the tournament over the better part of the game. While he was still crucial defensively, matching up against Gonzaga’s Kyle Wiltjer, Winslow’s shooting touch was slightly off and he was serving more of his Swiss Army Knife role than primary offensive option. With Gonzaga making a second half run and poised to take a late lead over the Blue Devils, Okafor put one last stamp on his Houston Homecoming.

After Wiltjer missed an easy layup that would have tied the game with around five minutes left, Winslow went on a personal 7-0 run to put the game out of reach. After four free throws pushed the Blue Devils lead to six, Winslow buried his second three-pointer of the game with the shot clock winding down to break the spirit of the ‘Zags’ and solidify Duke’s spot in the Final Four.

No player in the tournament has helped himself more than Justise Winslow. Versatile wing players who can score are arguably the most valued commodity in the NBA and the rise in Winslow’s draft stock backs that narrative up. At this point, it’s tough to envision the Sixers having an opportunity to draft Winslow with any other pick besides their first round selection and MAYBE the Lakers pick, should it convey.

Though I’m not sure Sam Hinkie would agree with me, I would consider Winslow with the fifth overall pick if the Sixers came up on the losing end of the lottery. After missing out on Andrew Wiggins in 2014, Winslow could provide the sort of athleticism and defensive prowess on the wing that the Sixers are lacking. Winslow will never have the ceiling that Wiggins does, but he is capable of doing a lot of things that the Sixers need and do not currently have a player on the roster able to do so. The tournament tends to breed overreaction when it comes to draft prospects. That being said, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think of this guy a few times while watching Winslow play lately.

I guess that’s ok. I mean, if you’re into that.