It’s NBA draft season, and the LWOS basketball team decided to do a consensus first round NBA mock draft this year. Contributors included Department Head Jack Moon Perrin, NBA writer Tanay Patri, NBA writer Ryan Timmerman, basketball editor Harrison Marcus, and myself. Each writer made their own mock draft that contributed to the department’s as a whole. I broke any ties between players using each writer’s mock. The series will run three separate articles, going ten picks at a time. This particular article will focus on picks 1-10.
Click the name for a full scouting report.
1st Overall — Minnesota Timberwolves
Karl-Anthony Towns – University of Kentucky
Freshman — 7’0″ 250 lbs. — Center
Karl-Anthony Towns slowly took over Jahlil Okafor as the top prospect in the draft over the course of the year, and it’s easy to see why. He has a ton of potential and inside-out ability. His defensive potential is what puts him over the top, though, and the fans in Minnesota will be attending a block party every time they walk in the building.
2nd Overall — Los Angeles Lakers
Jahlil Okafor – Duke University
Freshman — 6’11” 270 lbs. — Center
Despite Towns passing him on most big boards and mock drafts, Jahlil Okafor still has a massive amount of talent. He is a true center that has a wide variety of post moves for someone his age. Concerns of his defense didn’t help him, but he’s a number one pick in most drafts.
3rd overall — Philadelphia 76ers
D’Angelo Russell – Ohio State University
Freshman — 6’4″ 195 lbs. — Guard
D’Angelo Russell had a phenomenal season at Ohio State, almost bursting onto the scene from out of nowhere despite being a top recruit. His ability to play both guard positions is a huge plus in today’s league, and he should be able to be a guy that can play right away.
4th Overall — New York Knicks
Emmanuel Mudiay – Congo
International — 6’5″ 200 lbs. — Point Guard
If the Knicks decide to keep this pick, which is a big if, they could decide to go with a kid with a high ceiling. Mudiay has a ton of athleticism and can get to the basket at will. He skipped college to go to play overseas, so many casual fans see him as a question mark.
5th Overall — Orlando Magic
Justise Winslow – Duke University
Freshman — 6’6″ 222 lbs. — Small Foward
The Orlando Magic are at a crossroads with their rebuilding, and are still looking for a guy to emerge as a star. Winslow has the physical tools, and give the Magic some security incase Tobias Harris leaves for a different team. Winslow is a do-everything type of player that Scott Skiles would love.
6th Overall — Sacramento Kings
Willie Cauley-Stein – University of Kentucky
Junior — 7’0″ 242 lbs. — Center
Willie Cauley-Stein was able to show off his improvement this year, and his ever increasing skill of blocking shots. Cauley-Stein’s athleticism is off the charts for his size, and any team drafting him will get a defensive specimen that can guard anybody on the court. The Kings know that.
7th Overall — Denver Nuggets
Stanley Johnson – University of Arizona
Freshman — 6’6″ 242 lbs. — Small Forward
Stanley Johnson a lot like Winslow coming out of college — he has the physical tools to become a force in this league. If he can keep people in front of him on defense, he will have no problem excelling in that facet of the game. Johnson will look to improve his offense in the league, and Denver will hope he does, too.
8th Overall — Detroit Pistons
Kristaps Porzingis – Latvia
International — 7’1″ 230 lbs. — Power Forward
Our writers weren’t biting on the Kristaps Porzingis hype that has transpired in recent weeks, but the potential is certainly there. He is a stretch four at worst, and Stan Van Gundy would love him in a four out offense. Not to mention Porzingis is too much a value pick at this point for Detroit not to draft him.
9th Overall — Charlotte Hornets
Devin Booker – University of Kentucky
Freshman — 6’6″ 205 lbs. — Shooting Guard
The first “shock” of the draft in our mock, Booker is a great shooter coming out of the University of Kentucky. As the game is spreading outward, guys like Booker are becoming more valuable. Charlotte just traded for a shooter in Spencer Hawes, and they could look to add some more outside punch in Booker.
10th Overall — Miami Heat
Mario Hezonja – Croatia
International — 6’8″ 215 lbs — Shooting Guard
Mario Hezonja is the type of player that could be really great in this league, or get frustrated and go back overseas. He’s very talented, and the Heat would love to have him at the tenth spot. He is a dead eye shooter, and very, eh, confident when it comes to his shot selection. He’s still young though, and could end up being one of the better players in this draft.
