2015 NBA Draft: Top 13 Champions Classic Prospects

The Champions Classic, an annual showcase of high profile programs and coaching luminaries, has quickly become one of college basketball’s premiere in-season events.

However, the uncharacteristic occurrences of Kentucky players returning to school and Duke loading up on potential “one and done” prospects led to this year’s addition of the event being even more loaded with talent than usual. Duke and Kentucky left Banker’s Life Fieldhouse victorious, while Michigan State and Kansas were the respective recipients of an early season loss.

However, it became clear shortly after the final buzzer that the box score was a secondary story to the spectacle of watching so many future pros in competitive action at the same time. Last night’s proceedings were the equivalent of a wet dream for an NBA scout, an all-inclusive fantasy featuring all varieties of size, skill, and athleticism.

When fully accounted for, expect a number north of 20 prospects from last night’s doubleheader to eventually hear their name called in the first round of the NBA Draft at some point. Not even a Final Four Saturday has produced as much talent on the same floor in one night.

This triggered a thought. If last night’s rosters made up the player pool for next year’s NBA Draft Lottery, who would really complain? From that sentiment, the Champions Classic Draft Lottery was born. Here’s the top 13 players from last night, in the projected order they will appear in next summer’s NBA Draft.