Every year, teams and fans look toward the NBA draft as a chance to improve their franchises by adding game-changing talent. In the footwear world, each draft is also looked at as an opportunity to bolster a brand's roster with dynamic players who might blossom into stars.

Leading up to the 2015 NBA draft, the available talent wasn't highly thought of from a sports marketing perspective. The on-court potential of the top projected picks was impressive and it was certainly a deep draft. But from a corporate sense, the class was considered below average because it lacked explosive guards and scoring wings, whom brands usually seek.

View photos Karl-Anthony Towns is a brilliant talent, but it isn't easy for big men to sell shoes. (AP) More

“It’s a phenomenal group of young players, but they’re all centers and power forwards,” Chris Grancio, adidas basketball general manager, said before the draft. “For a GM, it’ll be a fantastic draft. For our business, it’s a little bit less appealing.”

As the season began, several of the top picks made their marks early. Karl-Anthony Towns, the No. 1 overall selection and eventual Rookie of the Year, instantly showcased a versatility and athleticism rarely seen from a player his size. He's a franchise center for years to come for Minnesota. From an endorsement standpoint, Towns wears a size 20 shoe. Before the draft, he expressed interest in signing with Under Armour, but the brand was weary of the resources and extra effort it would take to custom make all of Towns' footwear, and the brand cooled on the idea.

After Towns eventually signed with Nike, the brand created several versions of white and blue hued pairs of the Air Max Body U, Hyperfuse 2014 and Air Max Audacity, which didn't create much interest in the sneaker world. While his play and ability could make him a potentially transcendent center, Towns isn't likely to move the needle in the footwear industry.

Of the remaining 29 players selected in the first round, Nike signed 20, adidas five and Under Armour three, and Jordan Brand’s lone new player was Charlotte’s Frank Kaminsky. Within that group, a handful of rookies rose above the rest from a marketing standpoint because of their performance, ability to create awareness with their rotation of sneakers, and playing in key markets.

Here are the top five sneaker endorsers, in no particular order, from the 2015 rookie class.

EMMANUEL MUDIAY | PG, DENVER NUGGETS

Mudiay was actually the only rookie to have his game shoes also released in stores. Six editions of his Under Armour ClutchFit Drive 2 and Fire Shot sneakers dropped, each featuring Nuggets hues and a “0 | EM” custom tongue tab.

Mudiay's play was up and down, and his jump shot is still a work in progress. He shot just 36.4 percent from the field. There were even stretches in which he was noticeably reluctant to shoot, instead driving into the lane and creating for his teammates. He finished the season averaging 5.5 assists per game.

He initially signed his shoe deal with Under Armour a full year before entering the draft because he played a season in China before joining the NBA. That added time allowed the brand to plan ahead and build out Mudiay apparel and footwear product launches.

As Stephen Curry continues to lead the charge with his signature series for Under Armour, Mudiay will be the up-and-coming player who will help carry the company’s statement-level team shoes.

Story continues