5 things you must know about the 2015 NBA Draft

CaptionIt’s that time of the year when fresh talent enters the main fray. It’s that time of the year when boys look to join the pros to became men. It’s that time of the year when the true test of a good executive to rebuild through the Draft is tested. On Thursday the 25th, the NBA Draft 2015 will be held at the Barclays Arena in Brooklyn for a second year in a row. We all know how the Draft works, nonetheless if there is any confusion maybe this could help. Getting back, the 2015 Draft will be conducted just like it was in the previous years, with the teams given Draft slots courtesy of the Draft lottery. Here are the results of the Draft lottery which decided which team will obtain which pick.With just a day remaining before the proceedings kick off at the Barclays Center in downtown Brooklyn, here are 5 things you must know before the NBA Draft 2015 commences:

#5 Satnam Singh Bhamara-the first Indian born to ever have entered the NBA Draft

Satnam Singh Bhamara- the first Indian born to be in the NBA Draft

As an Indian fan you need to know who Satnam Singh is!

On a scholarship jointly supported by Reliance and IMG Academy, Satnam Singh courtesy of his incredible height was brought to Florida in United States at the young age of 14. At theIMG Academy he trained with post-graduates, played and represented them averaging9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in less than 20 minutes per game.

For his height of 7 foot 1 inches, his game has a considerable upside of outside shooting. So not only is he monstrous presence in the paint but he can also shoot from just outside the paint. Since entering into the Draft as an early entrant, Satnam Singh has so far had 7 pre-draft workouts with teams such as the Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trailblazers, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards and the Sacramento Kings.

What slot will he be drafted at is not certain yet. Whether he will be drafted is not certain yet as well but the fact that as many as seven NBA teams want to see his workout is commendable. Satnam remains positive for the future and has mentioned that he would look the NBA Development League, if he doesnt get drafted. Lets all hope it doesnt come to that.

First Sim Bhullar and now Satnam Singh, the Indian flavor is slowly but surely growing in the NBA.

#4 Who are the top International Prospects?

As per MOCK Drafts and projections, Emmanuel Mudiay is expected to be top international pick.

Born in Dominic Republic of Congo, Emmanuel Mudiay is expected to be top international pick in the Draft. After being a McDonalds All-American in high school, he forego off college and played for the Guangdong Souther Tigers in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). That one year of playing a professional league instead of college basketball put him miles ahead of the rest of the prospects.

Up next is Mario Hezonja, a shooting guard who has an incredible offensive skill set to go along with his efficient shooting technique. Standing at 6 foot 7 inches, his height also allows him to not only play but guard multiple positions. If luck is on his side, he could be drafted in the top 5, nonetheless going by his game and the rest of the talent pool he is definitely a top 10 pick.

Here is a more detailed description of not just Mudiay and Hezonja but thetop 4 international picks and their games.

#3 Who are the other top prospects?

Clockwise: Jahill Okafor, Karl Anthony Towns, DAngelo Russell and Justin Winslow

If understanding who is going to be drafted first overall depended only on talent then there would never be MOCK Draft and so forth on different websites. Teams would just rank players on their talent and potential, and draft them accordingly. However it doesnt work that way.

Karl Anthony Towns might not have been Minnesota first choice if lets say Andrew Wiggins was a 6 foot 10 inches power forward instead of what he is now. So the talent order of the Draft class must match and intersect with the needs of the team. With talented big men in Okafor and Towns, both the Timberwolves and Lakers can pick them in their respective order because their respective rosters lack talented young big men.

As per the projections, all seven Kentucky Wildcats are expected to be drafted in the first round of the Draft. Other than those seven there is Emmanuel Mudiay, DAngelo Russell, Mario Hezonja and Kristaps Porzingis who could possibly wrap up the top 10 this year.

#2 Which Draft prospect is most favored to be drafted No.1 overall?

According to reports, Minnesota Timberwolves are expected to Draft Karl Anthony Towns first overall

Until Towns worked out for the Minnesota Timberwolves a couple of days back, the competition to be drafted first overall was stiff between Towns and DUKEs Jahill Okafor. Emmanuel Mudiays name did come up for sometimebut talent and skill wise, it was a contest between two big men: Okafor and Towns.

After Towns was done with his workout for the Wolves, many reports flooded in that the franchise haddecided and informed Towns that it was going draft himNo. 1 overall in Thursdays Draft. Despite the reports, Towns denied any promise of such nature made by Minnesota.

Towns is a better player than Okafor when it comes to contributing on both ends of the floor and although there has been no promise, the former Kentucky players worked out only for Minnesota which says a lot of things. So its safe to put your money on Karl Anthony Towns being drafted as the top prospect of the 2015 Draft Class.

#1 Number of entrants in the Draft

Kentucky college (7) has the most number of players from its team as an entrant for the NBA Draft.

Ok so this is how it works. Under the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), ealry entrants to the NBA Draft must send a letter informing the NBA offices 60 days prior to the Draft. This year that day was April 26^th. These early entrants are allowed to give individual workouts with teams and attend NBA pre-Draft camps in order to obtain feedback on their Draft Stock. Then these early entrants are allowed to withdraw their entry by a deadline date of June 16^th, 10 days prior to the Draft.

In 2015 as early entrants 48 players from college and 43 international players applied for the NBA Draft but after 16^thJune, there remained only 11 international players while only one college player withdrew. Heres the final list of players who form the pool from which NBA teams will chose on Draft night.