Where Carolinas players stand entering the NBA Draft Combine

Draft-eligible players from the Carolinas and where they might be selected in the NBA draft.

Lottery candidates

▪ Center Jahlil Okafor, freshman, Duke

Comment: A true low-post scorer in the mold of a Tim Duncan or Al Jefferson. He has refined moves, can score with either hand and can read and pass out of double-teams, which is usually the last skill post scorers learn. He has huge hands, which helps him protect and manipulate the ball. He may struggle defensively at the NBA level because he lacks great lateral quickness. He shot only 51 percent from the foul line in his one college season, which will be problematic in late-game situations.

▪ Forward Justise Winslow, freshman, Duke

Comment: The beauty of Winslow is he can be equally proficient as both a scorer and a defender. While he didn’t post huge scoring numbers his one season at Duke (12.6 points per game), he shot 49 percent from the field and 42 percent from the college 3-point line. At 6-6 he’ll be able to guard small forwards, shooting guards and some power forwards at the NBA level. He has a solid body and his wingspan (6-foot-10) allows him to play longer than his height suggests.

First-round pick

▪ Point guard Tyus Jones, freshman, Duke

Comment: Jones’ situation entering the draft as a freshman is comparable to the decision Tyler Ennis made a year ago to leave Syracuse after a single college season. Could Jones have possibly improved his status by spending another season at Duke? Perhaps. But like Ennis he immediately demonstrated the skills to be an NBA point guard. His limitations (6-1 height, limited quickness) won’t necessarily improve through playing more college ball. So having a prominent role on a national championship team is about as a good a resume-builder as anything more he could accomplish.

Possible second-round picks

▪ Guard Quinn Cook, senior, Duke

Comment: Though he played mostly off the ball as a senior, the 6-foot-2 Cook would probably have to make it as a point guard to be on an NBA roster. He improved his 3-point shooting from 25 percent as a freshman to 40 percent as a senior. He has a quick release in catch-and-shoot situations, which is valuable in creating spacing around a post scorer. Marginal to be drafted, Cook might need to spend some time in the Development League or overseas to establish a pro career.

▪ Guard Trevor Lacey, junior, N.C. State

Comment: Lacey chose to turn pro despite having a season of eligibility remaining, a decision that appeared to catch the Wolfpack coaching staff by surprise. Lacey’s age – he’ll turn 24 in October -- may have been a factor in his decision. He was a productive scorer last season, averaging 15.7 points on 47 percent from the field and 39 percent from 3-point range. At 6-3 he’s a bit short for shooting guard at the NBA level. If he plans to make a living off pro basketball, playing overseas figures to be the most likely course.

▪ Small forward-shooting guard J.P. Tokoto, junior, North Carolina

Comment: Tokoto chose to turn pro, with a season of college of eligibility remaining, despite not having a strong junior season. His field-goal percentage dropped from 49 percent two seasons ago to 43 percent last season. Tokoto has a good chance of being drafted in the second round primarily due to his defensive abilities. But he knows he needs to improve the consistency and range of his jump shot to make an NBA roster. He spent the spring with trainers, working on his offensive game in preparation for pre-draft workouts.

This story was originally published May 9, 2015 at 2:00 AM with the headline "Where Carolinas players stand entering the NBA Draft Combine."