2015 NBA Draft: Preseason Top 10 NBA Draft Prospects
By Jacob Rude
8. Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
WCS would have likely been a lottery pick last year, but turned down a chance at the pros for another year at Kentucky. The decision may earn him millions of dollars, as he’s more highly rated in a weaker draft class this year.
As the adage guys, you can’t teach size, and as a seven-footer, WCS is one of the bigger players on this list. His above average shot-blocking is what many scouts will see, which translates nicely to the next level. While raw, he has the size and athleticism that scouts drool over, making him a potential great big man.
However, he is a raw player. He can’t create shots for himself in the post and relies on his athleticism in many situations. For most of his career, he’s been overshadowed at Kentucky, playing with both Nerlens Noel and Julius Randle. Despite playing behind Karl Towns this year, WCS should have a big year, and a defining one for his draft stock.