Duke’s NCAA championship win on Monday night allowed a lot of the nation get to know Justise Winslow and Jahlil Okafor, two elite freshmen who will most likely declare for the NBA draft soon. While Winslow and Okafor both had uneven games against Wisconsin, they showed they have tremendous potential and allowed casual fans to see why NBA teams have been salivating over them for the past few months.
While Okafor — a 6-foot-10 center with an elite offensive post game — has received more attention over the year, it is Winslow who, over the course of March Madness, showed he should be the first one of the two picked in the 2015 draft.
It should be noted that I think Kentucky’s Karl-Anthony Towns is a better prospect than both of these players, and I think that order — Towns, Winslow then Okafor — will be the first three picks in this year’s draft.
Here’s why I think Winslow just edges his teammate as an NBA prospect:
1. Winslow can guard three positions at the NBA level
Winslow is only 6-foot-6 but his insane athleticism and long arms allows him to guard just about anyone. He successfully handled everyone from shooting guards to centers during the tournament, and at the NBA level will be able to guard just about any wing player and most undersized 4s.
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In a league dominated by athletic wings, Winslow will be invaluable to a team looking to improve.
2. It’s not clear that Okafor can guard anyone
Winslow can guard at least three positions in the NBA, and it’s not clear that Okafor can guard even one. While Okafor is a sublime offensive player — Tim Duncan comparisons don’t come around often, and Okafor deserves them — he has struggled mightily both in one-on-one post defense and, more importantly, guarding the pick and roll.
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Imagining Okafor trying to deal with someone like John Wall or Chris Paul or Stephen Curry or (dear lord) Russell Westbrook coming off a pick is laughable. Teams will take advantage of him on the defensive end, and he needs to improve that side of his game dramatically.
3. Winslow is exactly the type of player that NBA teams want right now
Look at the players that teams are going nuts for in the NBA right now. The league is learning how valuable athletic wings who can guard anyone (and create their own shots) can be, and guys like that — Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green come to mind — are guys that will earn max contracts because the league appreciates just how good they are.
Teams love these guys because they’re versatile, they play both sides of the ball, and they can score. They are the keys that open all the locks. They are perfect players in today’s NBA.
Justise Winslow reminds me a lot of Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.
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4. Okafor doesn’t makes his free throws
Jahlil Okafor has perfect footwork on offense and demands a double team every time he’s in the post. He’s a near can’t-miss offensive prospect … until he gets to the free throw line. He shot 51% from the line this year, and most NBA teams will happily put him on the foul line if he’s not going to make much more than half of his three throws. It puts a serious dent in his offensive game.
It should be noted that Winslow needs to improve his free throw shooting as well, but his ability to contribute on defense and rebounding means his entire game isn’t hindered by his free throw shooting.
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5. Winslow is going to have an outside shot
Winslow hasn’t been a great shooter in his career so far, but he just turned 19 a few weeks ago. His shot isn’t broken, either; he’s got decent form that a good NBA team will have perfected in a year or two. If and when he becomes a good 3-point shooter, combined with his ability to get to the basket (and defend … and rebound) he’s going to be an NBA player with few holes.
Listen, both Okafor and Winslow are going to be great NBA players. Okafor will improve his defense and hopefully become better from the line. I think both will go in the top 3. But if you were to force me to choose, I’m taking Winslow over Okafor. He’s the kind of guy that’s perfect for today’s NBA.
<p>Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils cheerleader performs in the first half of the 2015 NCAA Men's Division I Championship semi-final game against the Michigan State Spartans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports </p>
<p>Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) drives against Kentucky Wildcats forward Willie Cauley-Stein (15) in the first half of the 2015 NCAA Men's Division I Championship semi-final game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports </p>
<p>Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski stands with his team before the 2015 NCAA Men's Division I Championship semi-final game against the Michigan State Spartans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports </p>
<p>Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats players react on the bench during the second half of the 2015 NCAA Men's Division I Championship semi-final game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Wisconsin won 71-64. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports </p>
<p>Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans former player Magic Johnson greets fans before the 2015 NCAA Men's Division I Championship semi-final game against the Duke Blue Devils at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports</p>
Mar 19, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; A LSU Tigers cheerleader performs on the court during a stoppage in play against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Consol Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
<p>Mar 18, 2015; Dayton, OH, USA; Robert Morris Colonials forward Elijah Minnie (5) and guard Marcquise Reed (2) celebrate their win over against the North Florida Ospreys during the second half in the first round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at UD Arena. Robert Morris won 81-77. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports </p>
<p>Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans fans pose with cheerleaders before the semifinals of the 2015 Final Four of the NCAA Tournament against the Duke Blue Devils at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports </p>
<p>Mar 19, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Georgia State Panthers gather around Panthers guard R.J. Hunter (right) following their victory over the Baylor Bears in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Jacksonville Veteran Memorial Arena. Georgia State defeated Baylor 57-56 on Hunter's three point basket with 2.8 second left in the game. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports </p>
<p>Mar 19, 2015; Louisville, KY, USA; UAB Blazers bench reacts against the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports</p>
<p>Mar 19, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Georgia State Panthers head coach Ron Hunter reacts after the Panthers 57-56 victory over the Baylor Bears in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Jacksonville Veteran Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports </p>
Mar 19, 2015; Louisville, KY, USA; UCLA Bruins cheerleaders perform during the first half of the game against the Southern Methodist Mustangs in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
<p>Mar 14, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Villanova forward Darryl Reynolds (14) dances with teammates after winning the Big East Tournament Championship game at Madison Square Garden. The Wildcats won 69-52.Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports </p>
<p>Mar 15, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari addresses the crowd after the second half of the SEC Conference championship game at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky Wildcats defeated Arkansas Razorbacks 78-63. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports </p>
<p>Mar 12, 2015; Greensboro, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Marshall Plumlee (40) scores as North Carolina State Wolfpack forward Kyle Washington (32) and forward Abdul-Malik Abu (0) defend in the first half in the quarter finals of the ACC Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports </p>
<p>Mar 15, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Trey Lyles (41) holds up the SEC sign after the second half of the SEC Conference championship game at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky Wildcats defeated Arkansas Razorbacks 78-63. Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports </p>
<p>Mar 14, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks players watch the last minute of the game against the Iowa State Cyclones during the championship game of the Big 12 tournament at Sprint Center. Iowa State Cyclones won 70-66. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports</p>
<p>Mar 14, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; The Iowa State Cyclones with head coach Fred Holberg raise the championship trophy after the game against the Kansas Jayhawks in the championship game of the Big 12 tournament at Sprint Center. Iowa State Cyclones won 70-66. Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports </p>
Mar 18, 2015; Dayton, OH, USA; Boise State Broncos cheerleader reacts after the game against the Dayton Flyers in the first round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at UD Arena. Dayton defeated Boise State 56-55. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-221576 ORIG FILE ID: 20150318_sal_aa1_331.JPG
<p>Mar 14, 2015; New York, NY, USA; The Villanova Wildcats players celebrate after winning the Big East Tournament Championship game at Madison Square Garden. The Wildcats won 69-52. Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports </p>
<p>Mar 18, 2015; Dayton, OH, USA; Boise State Broncos cheerleader reacts after the game against the Dayton Flyers in the first round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at UD Arena. Dayton defeated Boise State 56-55. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports</p>
<p>Mar 18, 2015; Dayton, OH, USA; Dayton Flyersd fans cheer during the second half against the Boise State Broncos in the first round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports </p>
<p>Mar 18, 2015; Dayton, OH, USA; Dayton Flyers bench reacts to guard Jordan Sibert's (not pictured) three-point shot with 35 seconds left on the clock during the second half against the Boise State Broncos in the first round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports</p>
<p>Mar 19, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Northeastern Huskies guard T.J. Williams (10) battles for the ball with Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Steve Vasturia (32) during the second half in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Consol Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports </p>
Mar 19, 2015; Louisville, KY, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs guard Ryan Manuel (1) sits on the court as the UCLA Bruins celebrate their 60-59 win in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Xavier Musketeers center Matt Stainbrook (40) adjusts his glasses during a break in the action against the Mississippi Rebels in the second half of a game in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Jacksonville Veteran Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; The Georgia State Panthers bench surrounds Panthers guard R.J. Hunter (22) after their victory over the Baylor Bears in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Jacksonville Veteran Memorial Arena.Georgia State defeated Baylor 57-56 on Hunter's three point basket with 2.8 second left in the game. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-221720 ORIG FILE ID: 20150319_gma_sx1_062.jpg
<p>Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor (15) dunks while guarded by Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) during the second half of the 2015 NCAA Men's Division I Championship semi-final game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports</p>