Next year's freshman in Ford 2015 mock draft

[m g]

Okafor #1, Winslow #7, Jones #17
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft...Ford-Big-Board

[mr. synellinden]

Okafor #1, Winslow #7, Jones #17
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft...Ford-Big-Board

Draft Express has Winslow at #7 and Jones at #13.

[dukelifer]

Okafor #1, Winslow #7, Jones #17
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft...Ford-Big-Board

Not good for Duke. Constantly rebuilding the core.

[Troublemaker]

Not good for Duke. Constantly rebuilding the core.

Would be great for Duke if they were of that quality and stayed for a second year, which is the current expectation for Tyus and Justise, although obviously things can change. (Jahlil is assumed to be gone).

2-and-done rule can't get here soon enough.

(Still a very good thing for Duke if they all turn out to be 1-and-done. I'm gonna enjoy the heck out of this upcoming season.)

[JasonEvans]

Jahlil being #1 is fine. Much like Jabari, we pretty much know he is one-and-done. But I had really hoped to hang onto Justice and Tyus for a couple/few years at least. Seeing Justice this high bums be out...

...but it also gets me really excited for the coming season!

By the way, is the NBA insane about potential versus performance or what? Forde also rates "older" Duke players thusly...

Rasheed Suliamon - #50 overall prospect
Quin Cook - #69
Amile Jefferson - #156
Marshall Plumlee - #153

I get that Amile, Cook, and Plumlee are really only fringe NBA prospects at this point, but I really feel like Rasheed is likely to have success at the next level. #50 seem low on him.

-Jason "I agree that 2 and done cannot come soon enough... though I also think that kids should be allowed to go straight out of high school if they want" Evans

[Kedsy]

I get that Amile, Cook, and Plumlee are really only fringe NBA prospects at this point, but I really feel like Rasheed is likely to have success at the next level. #50 seem low on him.

The problem is "older" players are generally rated based on performance to date, while untested players are rated purely on potential. Based on what we've seen from Rasheed the past two years, #50 doesn't seem out of line. Based on his hoped-for improvement between now and whenever he enters the draft, he could drastically improve his draft position.

[johnb]

Jahlil being #1 is fine. Much like Jabari, we pretty much know he is one-and-done. But I had really hoped to hang onto Justice and Tyus for a couple/few years at least. Seeing Justice this high bums be out...

...but it also gets me really excited for the coming season!

By the way, is the NBA insane about potential versus performance or what? Forde also rates "older" Duke players thusly...

Rasheed Suliamon - #50 overall prospect
Quin Cook - #69
Amile Jefferson - #156
Marshall Plumlee - #153

I get that Amile, Cook, and Plumlee are really only fringe NBA prospects at this point, but I really feel like Rasheed is likely to have success at the next level. #50 seem low on him.

-Jason "I agree that 2 and done cannot come soon enough... though I also think that kids should be allowed to go straight out of high school if they want" Evans

I can see how they'd think Sheed, Quinn, and Amile are excellent college players who are likely to be primarily pros in Europe (though the jury is still out on all of them, especially Sulaimon), but Marshall is an athletic 7 footer who has been shaking off injuries; I'll bet he gets traction as he develops confidence and the game slows down. I'm guessing he spends multiple years in the NBA.

[dukelifer]

I can see how they'd think Sheed, Quinn, and Amile are excellent college players who are likely to be primarily pros in Europe (though the jury is still out on all of them, especially Sulaimon), but Marshall is an athletic 7 footer who has been shaking off injuries; I'll bet he gets traction as he develops confidence and the game slows down. I'm guessing he spends multiple years in the NBA.

Nobody thought Miles would be an NBA player. The Plumlee boys get better with time. Mason's growth from Freshman year until now is phenomenal. I am expecting good things from Marshall.

[Henderson]

Draft Express has Winslow at #7 and Jones at #13.

Okafor and Winslow look NBA ready, so no surprise there. But I want to see Tyus Jones play. His lottery status doesn't seem obvious to me at this point. Not at all. And that's not a criticism of his game, just a "show me" invitation.