When it comes to the NBA Draft, college players make their strongest impressions on NBA organizations during the actual college season. In some cases, however, prospects emerge late in the process – even after their senior year – and push for draft selections. Here are five seniors contending for second round spots after making a late impression at the Portsmouth Invitational, NBA Combine, or both.

Darion Atkins, PF, Virginia

Atkins was never quite considered a legitimate NBA prospect at Virginia, as he wasn’t even one of the 64 seniors initially invited to the Portsmouth Invitational, but received a late invite to the event after an open spot emerged. As the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, his calling card was as a post defender with the biggest knock being his perceived offensive limitations. Atkins posted just 7.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per game for Virginia, although he did shoot a respectable 51.1% from the field. He looked like a different player in Portsmouth, however, averaging a tournament-best 20 points per game while shooting 60% from the floor and adding 10.3 rebounds per contest. He shot just 52% from the free throw line at Virginia, but mixed in some mid-range jumpers at Portsmouth and was 6-for-7 at the stripe. It was a much smaller sample size, but Atkins already showed improvement as a jump shooter while he used some effective hook shots in the post. His defense was also as expected, blocking an event-high 3.7 shots per game. He measured well with a 7-foot-2 wingspan and 8-foot-11.5 standing reach to complement his strong frame. He may not get drafted, but Atkins did all he could in his three games to impress NBA scouts. If Atkins goes undrafted, he’ll certainly receive a Summer League invite and could crack an NBA roster if he shows continued development in the D-League.

Rakeem Christmas, PF/C, Syracuse

After spending four years at Syracuse, Christmas wasn’t exactly under the radar, but he wasn’t considered a lock to be drafted either. Christmas had a breakout senior season for the Orange after averaging less than six points per game in his first three seasons at Syracuse. He saw career-highs with 17.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game and was a lengthy shot-blocking presence in the middle of Syracuse’s 2-3 zone. Christmas measured well at the combine, at 6-foot-9.75 in shoes with a 7-foot-5.25 wingspan and 9-foot-2.5 standing reach, but left a lasting impression in the actual 5-on-5 sessions. In two games, Christmas averaged 19.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per contest while shooting 13-of-22 from the floor. He displayed a solid mid-range jumper, shot 13-of-18 from the charity stripe, and used his length to score inside. Christmas now looks like a candidate to be selected early in the second round as a mature, rim-protecting center with an expanding offensive game.

Pat Connaughton, SG, Notre Dame

Connaughton was the story of this year’s athletic testing of the NBA Combine, jumping 44 inches, but it wasn’t just his athleticism that stood out. After shooting 6-of-14 from three-point range in Portsmouth, Connaughton was 6-of-12 from deep in the 5-on-5 sessions at the combine. He was a catch-and-shoot threat at both events and also showed an occasional drive to the basket that kept defenses honest. At 6-foot-5, Connaughton played power forward for the Irish this season, even guarding Willie Cauley-Stein in the NCAA Tournament, and averaged a team-high 7.4 rebounds per game. There was a question that he would pursue baseball, since he was a fourth round draft pick by the Baltimore Orioles, but it appears that Connaughton will instead try to crack an NBA roster. He shot 42.3% from three-point range last season, so his 46.2% rate at the two postseason events wasn’t far-fetched. He’s a tough shooter on the wing that could fight for one of the final spots on an NBA bench. Connaughton now has a decent chance to be drafted, but if not, he could pursue baseball or go into the D-League and prove he’s a two-way shooting guard that can defend on the perimeter.

Richaun Holmes, PF, Bowling Green

A near unknown before the Portsmouth Invitational, Holmes emerged as a legitimate second round prospect after an impressive display at the postseason event. He averaged 14.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.7 blocks and 2.0 steals per game while shooting 61.3% from the floor and used the event to earn an invite to the NBA Combine. He wasn’t as dominating in Chicago, but did show potential to play at the next level. He measured out well at 6-foot-9.5 in shoes with a 7-foot-1.5 wingspan and 9-foot standing reach. In 5-on-5 action, Holmes scored just eight points in 41 minutes, but blocked nine shots and was active defensively. He ran the floor well and provided a nonstop motor in both events. After averaging 14.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks as a senior at Bowling Green, Holmes showed that he could compete against top competition. With NBA size and athleticism, Holmes is now a likely second round candidate that could develop into an energetic, shot-blocker off the bench. There may not be a player in this draft rising as fast as Holmes.

Cady Lalanne, PF, Massachusetts

Although Lalanne was the leading scorer, rebounder, and shot-blocker for Massachusetts, he wasn’t a known commodity in the NBA Draft realm. He showed up to the Portsmouth Invitational with impressive measurables, standing 6-foot-8.25 without shoes with a 7-foot-5 wingspan and 9-foot-2.5 standing reach, and translated his potential into production in Portsmouth. Lalanne averaged 13.3 points, an event-high 12.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game at the event and made his case for a second round selection. He shot an efficient 51.7% from the field and even showed stretch four potential with a 2-of-4 showing from deep, although he was just 10-of-47 from three in his four-year career. Lalanne hit multiple mid-range jumpers and was 8-of-11 from the free throw line. His length and rebounding ability are intriguing, but he may need to become a consistent jump shooting threat to find an NBA role. If he impresses in workouts, Lalanne could sneak into the second round due to his potential. He could also earn a shot into the league by translating his potential into consistency at the D-League level and earning a possible Call-Up.