5 Sleeper picks in the 2015 NBA Draft Class

Even though last year’s draft had bigger names and was considered to have the most star potential in the last few years, the 2015 NBA Draft is looking like a deeper one. 

Many of the NBA draft picks, especially first rounders, are protected like a newborn in a wolfpack. 

Everyone is looking for the next Jimmy Butler (30th overall), DeAndre Jordan (35th overall), or Isaiah Thomas (last pick of 2011). With that being said here are five sleeper players who can go on to make a name for themselves in the league.

1. Tyus Jones: PG Duke (Freshman)

The Final Fours’ Most Outstanding Player isn’t usually a sleeper, but Jones hadn’t really created any buzz after the college season has ended. 

This is most likely due to Jones’ size (6’ and 180-ish to be generous) as well as the rise of Murray St.’s Cameron Payne, whose 20 points and six assists per game has skyrocketed his stock. 

Payne has been pegged as a Damian Lillard-like pick, high scorer from a small school that can become a star. But, Jones has championship pedigree (High School and College Champion), outplayed Okafor and Winslow multiple times throughout the season, and is comfortable running a team without needing to score a lot. 

His 38 percent shooting from three will translate well too; he can have a career progression similar to Mike Conley. Jones is expected to go in the early 20’s.

2. Justin Anderson SF Virginia (Junior)

Looking for a three-and-D guy? Anderson may be the next up. Considered a hustler and bruiser in the beginning of his college career, Anderson had developed more scoring potential last year averaging 12 points per game  before a hand injury derailed him in February. 

Tony Bennett’s complex defense should prepare Anderson to be a great team defender in the NBA, which will give him a reason to get some burn. 

Anderson will be valuable if he is on the right team; Virginia never won it all, but they have been one of the best programs since Anderson has been there. Being 6’6 and 230 lbs gives him good size as well.

3. Rakeem Christmas PF Syracuse (Senior)

Probably overshadowed due to the recent fall of the Syracuse basketball program, Christmas is a freak of an athlete. Although only 6’9, Christmas was measured with a 7’5 wingspan, proving he can definitely cause problems in the next level. 

Last year, he showed that he can score in the post at will (17 points per game). Christmas can earn play if he can continue as a two-way player. 

Athletic and mobile enough to run the floor, he was reportedly at the combine was knocking down midrange jumpers at a good rate. 

Christmas is projected in the early second round due to his age at 23-years-old as well as the question if he can play man-to-man D, as Syracuse plays that famous zone defense every game.

4. Joseph Young PG Oregon (Senior)

Young may not even be drafted, but man this guy can go. Young received Pac-12 Player of the Year honors and had carried an Oregon team to the tournament the two years he’s been there, despite all of the transfers and off the court turmoil around the team. 

Young is a streaky type who can go from having nine points to 20 in a few minutes.

His career average of 39 percent from three gives him an outlet to space the floor, but he is best at breaking his defender down with the dribble, as his small stature (6’2 and 182 pounds) gives him quickness that most can’t match. 

The knock on Young is he is turning 23 and he needs to show how to impact the game more than be that heat check scorer. I know one thing though, when he is on the court, he is a player that has to be defended.

5. Brandon Ashley PF Arizona (Junior)

Ashley was a highly regarded recruit coming from the great and legendary Findlay Prep out in Nevada, 15th overall in the nation. 

Ashley’s career has been fairly quiet; not that he hasn’t produced numbers, but Arizona has been so deep, a player usually doesn’t stand out with all of the games they’ve won. 

Ashley biggest value is that he is a stretch four who can shoot very well from mid range, and is usually more athletic and quicker than most power-forwards. 

Ashley was the leader on those great Zona’ teams, always finding a clutch bucket when they needed one. 

At 10.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, his numbers seem underwhelming, but he also shot an excellent 53 percent from the field meaning he is an efficient scorer. 

If scouts are forgiving to Kentucky’s players for their underwhelming stats due to a stacked team, why can’t they do the same to Arizona prospects? 

At 6’8 230 pounds, Ashley is a tweener, which has scared teams lately. The Junior prospect most likely will not get drafted, but his efficient scoring and NBA talent is deserving of a roster spot.