NBA Draft 2015: Potential Fantasy Basketball Super Sleepers

June 22, 2015

Brady Grove takes a look at the deep sleepers from the 2015 NBA Draft. These players should be targeted in your fantasy basketball leagues in 2015-2016.

If you watched the 2014-2015 college basketball season, you are well aware of the talent in this year's NBA draft. From Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor, and D'Angelo Russell at the top of the draft; to Jordan Mickey, Montrezl Harrell, and Sam Dekker near the end of the first round.

There are many players who are projected to go in the first round that can be expected to provide statistical impact for Fantasy Basketball teams in the 2015-2016 NBA season. There is also a prospect-loaded second round this year with players like Joseph Young, Rakeem Christmas, and Andrew Harrison.

With such talent, there are many highly skilled players who are on the bubble of the NBA draft this year. These seven players are going to be nervous on June 25th, as their pro futures are in doubt. However, if their names are called, Fantasy Basketball Owners need to take notice. If the names of any of these seven players are called (or they make a roster after being undrafted), they have upside potential to produce greatly in some important statistical categories. It isn't a secret that Towns and Okafor will have real life and fantasy impact, but these NBA Draft super sleepers could make the final difference in your 2015-2016 Fantasy Basketball Season.

Pat Connaughton (University of Notre Dame)

Pat Connaughton is a 6'5'' guard-forward from Notre Dame. He used to be labeled as "deceptively athletic" back when he was also a minor league baseball pitcher with a 2.51 ERA. Then he showed off his 44-inch vertical leap at the NBA draft combine. Since Connaughton posted the second highest vertical leap ever recorded at the combine, teams started to take notice if they hadn't already. This season Connaughton averaged 7.4 rebounds and 12.5 points per game, 8.3 rebounds and 14.1 points per 40 minutes, and 13.1 rebounds and 22.1 points per 100 possessions. He also shot 42.3% from three-point range, and his advanced leaping ability allowed him to sky for 1.7 blocks per 100 possessions. Connaughton had a True Shooting% of 61.5% (takes 2pt, 3pt, and FT into account), an Effective FG% of 59.7% (takes into account the fact that a three pointer is worth one more point than a two point field goal), and a Total Rebounding% (An estimate of the percentage of available rebounds a player grabbed when on the floor)  of 13%. Athleticism and shooting ability are in demand at all places in the draft and Connaughton has a lot of both. If Connaughton is on an NBA roster next season, look for him to fill a lot of gaps on his new team and produce in points, 3pt%, rebounds, and more blocks than the average shooting guard.

Larry Nance Jr. (University of Wyoming)

It is hard to believe this 6'8'' small forward can be a two-time Mid-West Conference All-First Team and the MWC Defensive Player of the Year, and yet his Wikipedia page still says, "Larry Nance Jr. is the son of Larry Nance Sr." This season Nance averaged 7.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 1.2 blocks, and 16.1 points per game. Nance was also a decent jump shooter with a 33.3% 3pt percentage and a 78.6% FT percentage. Nance had a True Shooting% of 58.1%, an Effective FG% of 53.3%, a Total Rebounding% of 14.1%, a 2.3% steal% (An estimate of the percent of opponent possessions that end with a steal by the payer while he was on the floor,) a 4.3% block% (An estimate of the percentage of opponent possessions that end with a block by a player when he was on the floor,)  and .199 Win Shares per 40 minutes (WS/40, which measures a player's overall contributions per game to his team, with the average number being .100). Nance has a seven-foot wingspan and has had several dunks throughout his collegiate career that were nominated for Dunk of the Year. If Nance makes his way onto an NBA team this season, keep an eye on him to produce in points, blocks, steals, and rebounds. He also should be a better free throw shooter than the average 6'8'' forward.

T.J. McConnell (University of Arizona)

It seems that Kris Dunn was going to be one of the top point guards available until he decided to stay at Providence, but surprisingly a similar player in T.J. McConnell may not get drafted. If a team was looking to take a floor general this year, McConnell will be a great bargain in this draft. This season McConnell averaged 5.0 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 2.9 steals, and 13.6 points per 40 minutes. McConnell had a FT% of 82.9%, a True Shooting% of 57%, an incredible Assist% of 39% (An estimate of teammate field goals the player assisted while on the floor,) a Steal% of 4.3%, and a WS/40 of .224. The guard is a tempo-controller on offense who could contribute greatly next season in assists, steals, FT%, and can rebound better than the average point guard. If a team was hoping to get Kris Dunn this year, McConnell may be their best bargain bet at a rookie point guard.

Branden Dawson (Michigan State University)

It is understandable why Branden Dawson might not get drafted. As a 6'6'' power forward, his size for his position is turning scouts off. However, Dawson's ability could transition to the pro game in a big way. He weighs 230 pounds, has a 6'11'' wingspan, and has been described by scouts as having "an NBA ready body." There is no doubt that Dawson was a great college player. This season he averaged 9.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 1.7 blocks, and 11.9 points per game and 12.1 rebounds, 1.6 steals, 2.2 blocks, and 15.7 points per 40 minutes.. Dawson has a 2PT FG% of 53.5%, a fantastic 17.9% Total Rebounding%, a 2.5% Steal%, a 6.3% Block%, and a WS/40 of .168. If a team decides they need a hard-nosed big body like Dawson, he has great potential to contribute fine numbers in rebounding, blocks, steals, and FG%. Think of him as a less-pricey Jared Sullinger.

Sir'Dominic Pointer (St.John's University)

If this player develops the ability to make an open jump shot, then he will have a long and prosperous NBA career. Until that happens, here is what NBA general managers know about Sir'Dominic Pointer: He is a phenomenal athlete and an exceptional defender. The good news is that these qualities alone may get Pointer drafted without a steady jump shot. This season Pointer averaged 7.7 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 2.4 blocks, and 13.7 points per game.. He had a True Shooting% of 56.6%, an Effective FG% of 52.7%, a Total Rebounding% of 11.9%, a Steal% of 3.3%, a Block% of 7.4%, and a WS/40 of .180. Pointer also has an underrated passing game, averaging only 3.4 turnovers per 100 possessions and has an 18% Assist%. Pointer's raw athleticism and imposing defense for his 6'5'' height and 6'8'' wingspan very well might be enough to get his unique name called on draft day. If he adds even an average ability to shoot mid-range jump shots, this guy could be scary good. If he sees playing time in the NBA next season, look for Pointer to contribute above-average figures for a shooting guard in rebounds, steals, and especially blocks.

Derrick Marks (Boise St. University)

Of all the players in the NBA draft, none may have carried their team on their shoulders quite like Derrick Marks did. Quite simply, Marks can score in great quantities, score efficiently, and can play good perimeter defense. This season Marks averaged 1.8 steals and 19.4 points per game, 2.4 steals and 24.9 points per 40 minutes, and 3.8 steals and an incredible 39.9 points per 100 possessions. Marks had a 3pt FG% of 43.6%, a True Shooting% of 59.3%, an Effective FG% of 56.6%, a Steal% of 3.8%, and a WS/40 of .255 (which ranked 14th in the nation). If Derrick Marks gets playing time in the NBA this upcoming season, expect him to put up above-average steals. He may also contribute to three-pointers and total points in a big way.

It is important to note that it isn't guaranteed that any of these college stars produce big numbers in the NBA, it isn't even guaranteed that any of these players will be drafted. However it is always important to know about players with significant upside. If they do start to produce numbers up to their fullest potential, you don't want to be the fantasy basketball manager that freezes like a deer in headlights. You want to be the manager that did their homework to the fullest extent and is ready to act. Make sure to pay attention on June 25th to what happens to these talented super sleepers.