#1 Minnesota: Karl-Anthony Towns (Kentucky)

Mock: 1  Minnesota - 7-0  250 C/Fr. Kentucky

Karl-Anthony Towns

    Birthday: 11/15/95
    NBA Position: Center
    Class: Freshman
    Ht: 7-0
    Wt: 250
    Hometown: Piscataway, NJ
    High School: St. Joseph's
    NBA Comparison: Andrew Bogut/Vlade Divac

Strengths:

• Center prospect with the size and skill set to make a strong impact at both ends of the floor in the NBA ... 
• Hard worker, smart kid, with strength of character ... 
• Shows desire and a competitive nature ... 
• Possesses a great feel for the game ... 
• Offensive game oozes potential with a text book shooting form, great touch and ability to hit outside and mid range jumpers effortlessly and consistently ... 
• Has even implemented a steadily improving hook shot into his repertoire ... 
• His length and strong body gives him excellent ability to rebound and hold position in the post... 
• Tremendous rebounder on a per 40 minute basis, with big hands, good box out fundamentals, post positioning and energy ... 
• Has worked hard on his body and has developed broad shoulders and good strength ... 
• Should be able to add additional weight and play comfortably in the 260-270 range ... 
• Shows a willingness to play physical and fight in the post... 
• Terrific passer, good vision, he's able to find players when doubled, and even have the offense run through him at the high post ... 
• Very good shot blocker. Though not a huge leaper, has excellent timing and shows the ability to use his great length as a rim protector ... 
• Shows better speed than quickness, and can really motor once he gets a head of steam ... 
• Hustles and shows the willingness to defend and play hard ... Underrated foot speed and perimeter defensive ability ... 
• Doesn't seem to get winded easily, though the UK "platoon system" helps in this area ... 
• Has shown the ability to defend players much smaller than himself with success on the perimeter ...

Weaknesses:

• Has struggled mightily with his post offense early in the season. Post play, foot work and confidence on the block needs a lot of work ... 
• Still appears to be growing into his body, movements are gangly ... 
• A very solid athlete, but not the most explosive leaper without momentum, though he's shown the ability to dunk from the free throw line, so he's not exactly a plodder ... 
• Second jump leaping not a strong point ... 
• Appears to leap better off of one foot than two which is better for wing players ... 
• Huge feet seem to weigh him down some and challenge his ability to make quick moves from a standstill position ...
• Has shown a tendency to get in foul trouble and the current "platoon system" at Kentucky does not allow scouts to accurately judge his ability to play full games and stay out of foul trouble ... 
• Has a lot less pressure to produce on a daily basis on a stacked UK team. It's easy to look good when teams are not able to focus all of their attention on a player the caliber of Towns. Coach Calipari's system also does an excellent job of showcasing a player's strengths while masking their weaknesses ... 
• Top heavy. Despite showing a huge set of arms and shoulders, his lower body strength needs work, as he gets knocked off balance and pushed around at times. Balance can improve. Granted, considering his age and work ethic, these are not hugely concerning issues...

Notes:

• 6'11.5 (in shoes) 235 lbs, with a 7'3.5 wingspan at the 2013 Nike Big Man Skills Academy... 
• One of 3 prospects in the 2015 draft (along with Mudiay and Okafor) with franchise potential...
• Just scratching the surface of his abilities, and appears to have a lot of upside left to develop...
• Mother hails from Dominican Republic... 
• Less polished and proven than Duke center Jahlil Okafor , but we view him to be the better long term prospect for the NBA level... 
• Played for the Dominican Republic National Men's Team, at age 16, coached by John Calipari, during the summer of 2012...