After a thrilling NBA Finals, the very deep 2015 NBA Draft is suddenly upon us as teams are coming up with last minute updates on their Draft boards, hoping to snag the next big thing out this year’s crop of potential superstars.
Always interesting of note is which prospects the Association decides to invite to the “Green Room” every year as they anxiously wait to hear their name called by their new team.
This year, upwards of 20 players will be invited to the “Green Room”, most namely 4 University of Kentucky players, 3 stud freshmen from National Champion Duke Blue Devils, and 2 players from National Runner-up Wisconsin Badgers. The invitees also include 3 International players, all of which are expected to be taken in the Lottery.
Kentucky could have 7 players taken in this year’s Draft, with potential top overall selection Karl Anthony Towns, as well as Willie Cauley-Stein, Trey Lyles, and Devin Booker all scheduled to be in attendence.
Duke’s star trio of Jahlil Okafor, Justise Winslow, and Tyus Jones, as well as Wisconsin’s Sam Dekker and 2015 Wooden Award winner Frank Kaminsky also receiving invites.
International prospects Kristaps Porzingis, Mario Hezonja, and Emmanuel Mudiay, who played one season in China following a stellar HS career in Texas, could also be instant impact players sitting in this year’s “Green Room.” Hezonja may be the only one not able to attend because he is still playing for his team FC Barcelona in the ACB Spanish League Finals.
Here’s the full list of invitees…..
Jahlil Okafor(Duke)
Justise Winslow(Duke)
Tyus Jones(Duke)
Karl Anthony Towns(Kentucky)
Willie Cauley-Stein(Kentucky)
Trey Lyles(Kentucky)
Devin Booker(Kentucky)
Frank Kaminsky(Wisconsin)
Sam Dekker(Wisconsin)
Emmanuel Mudiay(China)
Kristaps Porzingis(Latvia)
Mario Hezonja(Croatia)
Stanley Johnson(Arizona)
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson(Arizona)
Myles Turner(Texas)
Bobby Portis(Arkansas)
Kelly Oubre(Kansas)
Jerian Grant(Notre Dame)
RJ Hunter(Georgia State)
Cameron Payne(Murray State)
Which “Green Room” invitees will be waiting the longest to hear their names called on Draft day?
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, Balltribe.com, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
