10 sharpshooters to watch in the 2015 NBA Draft

Stephen Curry is the 2015 NBA MVP, but he had doubters when he first entered the league. Scouts said he had limited upside due to his "average first step." There were questions about whether he could play point guard after being off the ball often at a small school like Davidson.

But what Curry could do better than everyone else was simple: He could shoot the damn ball. More importantly, he could shoot the damn ball at an elite level out of a myriad of different play types. His shooting versatility set him apart from the pack as a young prospect and it still does to this day as the leader of the league's premiere team.

The 2015 NBA Draft doesn't necessarily have the next Curry, Kyle Korver or Ray Allen in it, but it does have a plethora of three-point sharpshooters. Here are 10 perimeter players that could translate their skills to the next level:

Projected First Rounders

D'Angelo Russell, Ohio State

Russell says that he models his game after Curry and Manu Ginobili, which is abundantly clear when he punishes defenders by pulling up out of the pick and roll and knocking down triples. Russell's long wingspan makes his shot is impossible to contest. Better yet, with sensational passing instincts, defenders must be conscious of all his lethal weapons. He doesn't need the ball in his hands to score, since he can drain shots off the catch and off screens.

The team that drafts Russell will have a field day drawing up plays for him.

Mario Hezonja, Croatia

The Croatian wing is one of the best all-around scorers in the draft, and his smooth jumper is his meal ticket to a long career in the NBA. Hezonja has perfect mechanics, a quick release, fluid body control and consistent footwork both off the dribble and the catch. Hezonja is known to take wild shots at times, but that confidence will serve him well in pressure situations.


R.J. Hunter, Georgia State

Why does a player that shot 30 percent from three-point range make this list? Because he had defenders draped over him on nearly every shot he took last season. Hunter is a pure shooter with effortless mechanics and unlimited range, so opponents focused all of their defensive attention on him to limit his looks.

But with the spread floor of the NBA and a supporting cast of actual pros instead of mid-major talent, Hunter will only be a secondary threat. If Hunter falls onto the lap of a playoff team, don't be surprised if he's incorporated into the offense immediately, especially off screens, where he excels at creating space.

Devin Booker, Kentucky

Booker is an advanced shooter, but was held back by streakiness throughout his freshman campaign. Still, he shot over 40 percent and displayed the stroke that makes him such an intriguing prospect. Booker has beautiful fundamentals on catch-and-shoots, but what sets him apart from many young players is his ability to launch without his feet set. He does an exceptional job of elevating and then balancing himself mid-air, and he should be able to translate that skill beyond the NBA's three-point arc.


Kelly Oubre, Kansas

Oubre is years away from honing his shooting skills, but the building blocks are there. With a long wingspan and a high release, Oubre could someday take advantage of his soft touch. But at Kansas, he went through long, streaky spells caused by inconsistent mechanics. He has yet to show any ability to hit threes off screens or off the dribble, which will limit his ability to immediately effect a team.

The tools are there, but he isn't yet in the same class as some of the others on this list.

Second-round sleepers

Tyler Harvey, Eastern Washington

Harvey fits the mold of a spark plug off the bench, though he could be much more than that if he improves his shot selection and point guard instincts. He thrives with the ball in his hands and features an ankle-breaking step-back jumper, but he shines off the catch and off screens. While he faced weak competition in his collegiate career, he still shot over 44 percent from three against teams ranked in the top 100 in defensive efficiency, per KenPom.com. Productive pre-draft workouts could push Harvey into the first round.


Anthony Brown, Stanford

Brown has smooth mechanics and is rarely bothered by a hand in his face. He knows how to create space for himself off the ball, both through screens and in space. But Brown is not good pulling up off the dribble and doesn't project as more than a one-dimensional spot-up shooter.

Joseph Young, Oregon

Young is excellent out of all play types, but is particularly a threat after timeouts. Oregon frequently used him off screens and in secondary pick and roll actions to spring him loose. If he sticks in the NBA, he'll need to improve his passing and defense, but he's worth a flyer late in the draft for his shooting versatility.


Rashad Vaughn, UNLV

Vaughan had horrific shot selection during his incomplete season at UNLV, but he still sank triples with a high degree of difficulty, especially out of isolations. Considering his smooth mechanics and pristine footwork, he could develop into a highly efficient shooter in a role that keeps him on a tight leash.

Michael Frazier, Florida

Frazier was one of the best shooters in the country as an underclassman, but saw his percentages dip as a junior. Despite that, he still projects as superb shooter at the pro-level, whether that's in the NBA or overseas. Frazier has mature instincts relocating off-ball to find openings and he knows how to use screens to elude his defender.

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Why does Hunter drop to 29 in the mock drafts?

worcester wrote:Why does Hunter drop to 29 in the mock drafts?

depending on who's profile you read on him, he's either a big time scorer from a small school with great shooting form
or
a small school scorer who can't seem to hit a high % of outside shots.

is he stauskas or Redick?

or maybe someone much worst.

again I go only from what others write, but I think their will be other options , if Ainge wants an outside shooter at #28.