The annual NBA Draft Lottery took place on May 19 at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN. The 14 teams that did not make the playoffs are entered into the lottery. The lower the team’s record, the higher the chance they have of getting the #1 overall pick in this June’s draft.

“The lottery can be interesting to watch because there are so many possibilities of combinations and only one actually happens,” said sophomore William Bennett.

The Minnesota Timberwolves received the number one overall pick, the Los Angeles Lakers second, the Philadelphia 76er’s third, the New York Knicks fourth, and the Orlando Magic fifth. The actual draft takes place on June 25th.

“The draft should be fun to watch because of all the talent in the draft,” said freshman Kevin Russell. “It will be cool to see where the top players go.”

Mock Draft:

#1 Minnesota Timberwolves: Center Karl-Anthony Towns Kentucky

Standing at 6’11’’, Towns is a versatile big man that can play power forward, but shined at center for for the (almost) unstoppable Kentucky Wildcats. As a freshman, he had just more than ten points a game (second on team) and just less than 7 rebounds (team leader).

#2 Los Angeles Lakers: Center Jahlil Okafor Duke

With Kobe Bryant in need of another superstar teammate, Okafor is a great match to go along with him. We have seen how Bryant can work with big men like Shaquille O’Neal and it does not disappoint. Okafor finished second in the Wooden Award voting and lead the Duke Blue Devils to a championship.

#3 Philadelphia 76er’s: Point Guard D’Angelo Russell Ohio State

Notorious for poorly drafting players in the recent past, Russell may be able to break the streak for the 76er’s. Their last playoff appearance was in 2012 when they had a completely different roster. One thing the 76er’s have lacked is scoring and luckily Russell is a pure scorer who can add in a few assists and rebounds a game too.

#4 New York Knicks: Point Guard Emmanuel Mudiay China

The 6’5’’ point guard was a top recruit committed to play basketball at the up-and-coming SMU, but then decided to play overseas in China. What we know is that Mudiay is an athletic playmaker who is unbelievable to watch on offense. He is a risk going at the top of the draft, but it is a risk that some team’s willing to take.

#5 Orlando Magic: Small Forward Justice Winslow Duke

Winslow is one of the more all-around gifted players in the draft on both ends of the floor. He has got a sweet stroke from just about anywhere and he averaged six rebounds, two assists, a block, and a steal in his freshman season at Duke. He’d also pair up well with former Indiana Hoosier Victor Oladipo.