Which college players helped their draft status in tourney

With the NCAA tournament over, prospects for the 2015 NBA draft have played their last competitive basketball before NBA decision-makers have to make projections about their future potential.

Up next is this week's Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. Then there will be combines, and measurements, and players dazzling executives and fans as they dominate over-matched training cones in 1-on-0 displays of athleticism and skill.

Because of that, recency bias looms large, and that can present a little bit of a trap, as we sometimes allow the stage to trick us into throwing typical small sample size reservations to the wind. But for players who continue to show what they have throughout their collegiate careers – just on a bigger stage, with more pressure, and against tougher competition -- the NCAA tournament can be an invaluable tool for NBA personnel.

So what top prospects got the most out of the tournament? Here are a few:

Justise Winslow , SG, Duke, Freshman

While Winslow's per-game totals in the tournament were impressive (14.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.7 blocks, 1.5 steals, 57.1% from three-point range), it was the way that he contributed in every game that highlighted his potential.

One particular area was his scoring. He had 21 points against Utah and 19 against Michigan State in the Final Four. But it might have been Winslow's defense in the championship game, where he shot 3-of-9 from the field, that may have been the most impressive.

That ability to impact the game, at such a young age and when his shot isn't falling, is one of Winslow's calling cards as a prospect, and an ability NBA decision makers love.

Frank Kaminsky, PF, Wisconsin, Senior

Sam Dekker's explosion from three-point range was crucial in Wisconsin's victory over a tough Arizona defense, and Nigel Hayes' consistency from the perimeter allowed Wisconsin to space out tough interior defenses, but it was Kaminsky who was the most consistent in the Badgers run to the championship game.

Kaminsky scored at least 20 points in each of his final three games and he averaged 22 points. His ability to hit from the perimeter pulled Duke's Jahlil Okafor away from the basket, forcing the freshman big man to defend in space, something that is not his strong suit, and Kaminsky's ability to get the dominant Okafor into foul trouble was a key factor in Wisconsin's push for the championship.

It wasn't just the numbers that helped Kaminsky's stock, though, but against whom those numbers came. With Kaminsky taking on – and succeeding against – college basketball's best front lines, that success will help ease concerns about his ability to succeed at the next level.

Tyus Jones, PG, Duke, Freshman

Jones wasn't always on top of his game (six points on 3-of-9 shooting against San Diego State, nine points on 3-of- 8 from the field against Michigan State), but Jones did two things that will undoubtedly help his standing over the coming months: coming up big in the most critical of times and taking care of the basketball.

Jones, just a freshman, committed eight turnovers in six games, making smart decisions, and getting the Duke offense into their half-court sets. His 3.4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio belied his lack of experience, and that decision making will be a big part of his appeal at the next level.

More importantly, Jones' 19 second half points in the NCAA title game, over half of Duke's total points during the half, will leave a lasting impression. Jones is gaining a reputation for great play on the big stage.

There will still be some in NBA circles who will struggle to get past his relatively small physical stature and his lack of explosive athleticism, and some who will question how well he can defend the athletes that he will see at the next level, but Jones has done everything he could in his year at Duke to overcome those concerns.

Five more NCAA tournament winners:

Nigel Hayes, forward, Wisconsin: Consistently made shots and was a key contributor to Wisconsin's run.

Jakob Poeltl, C, Utah: Impressive defense on Duke's Jahlil Okafor was big in showcasing his defensive potential.

Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky: Wasn't asked to do much offensively early in the tournament, but carried Kentucky's offense in its last two games against against Notre Dame and Wisconsin.

Grayson Allen, SG, Duke: Provided a huge spark off the bench for Duke in the Final Four, showcasing his athleticism and ability to create off the dribble.

Delon Wright, PG, Utah: While Wright didn't shoot the ball well, his pressure defense helped ignite Utah's team defense, which kept the Utes in games.