60 44 Played in NBA First Overall Pick

WEB Highlights from the Draft

The 2015 NBA Draft was a historic one for several reasons. First, it marked the first time a Dominican player was selected first overall, with Karl-Anthony Towns being taken by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Second, it saw the highest number of Kentucky Wildcats players selected in the first round, with five players being taken in the top 14. Third, it featured a number of unexpected picks, with several players being selected ahead of their projected draft position.

Karl-Anthony Towns: The Top Prospect

Karl-Anthony Towns was widely regarded as the top prospect in the 2015 NBA Draft. The 6'11" center from Kentucky had a dominant season, averaging 20.3 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. He was also named the SEC Player of the Year and the Defensive Player of the Year. Towns was a consensus All-American and was named to the All-SEC First Team.

A Strong Performance in the NCAA Tournament

Towns' strong play in the NCAA Tournament further solidified his status as the top prospect in the draft. He averaged 21.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game as Kentucky advanced to the Final Four. In the Final Four, Towns had a monster performance, scoring 25 points and grabbing 16 rebounds as Kentucky defeated Wisconsin to advance to the championship game. Towns' performance in the NCAA Tournament showed that he was ready to make an immediate impact in the NBA.

A Growing Consensus

As the draft approached, there was a growing consensus that Towns was the best player available. He was the most physically gifted player in the draft, and he had shown that he could produce at a high level both in college and in international competition. Towns was also seen as a high-character player with a strong work ethic. As a result, it was no surprise when the Minnesota Timberwolves selected Towns with the first overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.