Top 10: Worst Draft Entries (5-1)

     



(Zimbio)

April 14, 2015
by Gabe Akins

NBA Draft 2015:
Worst Entries (5-1)

5: Michael Frazier
     The sharpshooter from Florida has decided to end his college career and enter the NBA Draft. Frazier was a key player on the Gators' 2014 Final Four team but couldn't lead Florida back to the NCAA Tournament in 2015. Frazier is a borderline draft pick in this year's loaded draft. ESPN's Chad Ford has him as his 83rd best prospect which means there is a good chance that we won't be picked. Sam Vecenie of CBS Sports said, "He could have improved his stock to where he gave himself a better chance of being drafted." A player as talented as Frazier shouldn't go undrafted in any NBA Draft. Another year at Florida would prepare him for the NBA and increase his chances of getting picked.

4: J.P. Tokoto
     The 6-6 Carolina forward made a surprising decision earlier last week when he decided to forgo his last season with the Tar Heels and instead enter the NBA Draft. This past season, Tokoto was a role player on a Carolina team that made it to the Sweet 16. Tokoto showed glimpses of his freakish athletic ability during the season but lacked consistency. Tokoto still needs to work on his outside shot and ball handling since he will most likely move from his forward position at UNC to a guard in the NBA. An article from News & Record about Tokoto's decision stated, "Another year would likely have improved his draft status and in the long run, earned him a more lucrative contract." Tokoto will leave behind a talented Tar Heel team that has the chance to compete for a National Championship next season. Being a part of a team like that could have helped Tokoto's draft stock for the 2016 Draft.

3: Justin Anderson
     Anderson was having one of the best individual seasons in recent years at Virginia until he broke his finger on February 7 at Louisville. Most had expected Anderson to be named an All-American on a Virginia team that was undefeated at the time. Anderson's great size and athletic ability signal that he will have a pretty good career in the NBA. Before his injury, Anderson's stock was rising as some NBA experts had him projected to be picked as high as number 15 in this years draft. After the injury, Anderson wasn't the same. DraftExpress has Anderson ranked as their 31st prospect in this year's draft. However, they also have ranked as the 6th best junior prospect. With this being true, why not stay another year and be a guaranteed first-round pick and a probable lottery-pick in the 2016 NBA Draft?

2: Chris McCullough
     Ranked as a five-star recruit coming out of high school by ESPN, McCullough was poised to have an instant impact on Syracuse in the 2014-2015 season. McCullough was only able to play in 16 games in his freshman season after suffering a season ending injury when he tore his ACL in January. In a Bleacher Report article about the upcoming NBA draft, Jonathan Wasserman said, "McCullough's decision to declare just might be the most interesting of them all." McCullough will most likely be a second round pick, which is very low for such a talented player. The Bleacher Report article later went on to say that McCullough could have been picked as high as the lottery in next year's NBA Draft if he was able to recover from his devastating knee injury.

1: Cliff Alexander
     Alexander is this years most questionable member in the upcoming NBA Draft. Ranked as the 2nd best high school basketball player in America, Alexander had a disappointing freshman season at Kansas. Alexander averaged 7 points and 5 rebounds per game and didn't see the court after February 23rd as questions were raised about his eligibility. Before the season, Alexander was regarded as a top 5 pick in this year's NBA Draft. Now, Alexander is projected to be picked 30th, which is the last pick in the first-round. A player with the talent and athletic ability that Alexander possesses should be able to be a top 5 pick in any draft year. Because of where Alexander's talent level corresponds with his draft projection, it would be very smart for him to stay another year at school. A top 5 pick in the draft can earn more than $3 million in their first year. By choosing to enter this year's draft,  Alexander is passing up this opportunity. That is why Alexander earns the top spot in the top 10 worst draft entries of the 2015 NBA Draft.