Those watching the NCAA Tournament just to get a closer look at the top prospects in the upcoming NBA Draft will be disappointed.
Only one of the top five players in last year's draft was a college graduate, and the Charlotte Hornets took Brandon Miller from the University of Alabama with the second overall pick. There are similar predictions for this year's draft, with international players such as Zachary Lizacher and Alex Sarr at the top of most predictions.
Still, there are several players among the 68 teams who should hear their names called on draft night, even if they aren't necessarily among the first handful of picks. Here's a roundup of some of the most notable pro prospects looking to make an impact in March Madness.
This list is missing one notable name. That's Purdue center Zach Eady.
In previous eras, Eady would have been a surefire top-10 pick, as he was a 7-foot-4 center and likely to be named National Player of the Year twice. But he's a big man who stays close to the basket far more often than today's NBA centers, evidenced by the fact that he attempted just two 3-pointers in his entire college career. I am.
Eady has improved over the years at Purdue and has a strong resume that could lead to him being drafted someday, but the players on this list are likely to be selected before him.
Stephon Castle, U.S.C.
Castle struggled with a knee injury at the beginning of his freshman season, but continued to perform well in the second half of the regular season, performing well to become a top-10 recruit.
Castle had a 21-point performance against St. John's and Seton Hall, and a 20-point performance against Providence. He averaged 10.8 points and was named Big East Freshman of the Week 11 times. Castle's 3-point shooting will take work, but the 6-foot-6 guard has shown enough ability this season to be worthy of being a first-round pick if he chooses to enter the draft. The university has another first-round prospect in center Donovan Clingan. Clingan has been the more productive player this season, but Castle has more upside as a pro.
Rob Dillingham, Kentucky
Dillingham's speed and ability to provide immediate offense should translate to the next level. The 6-3 freshman is averaging 15.4 points and making nearly 45 percent of his 3-point attempts. His 35-point performance in the loss to Tennessee suggests his long-term potential. In Kentucky's SEC Tournament loss to Texas A&M, he had 27 points and seven assists.
Kentucky has two freshmen in Dillingham and Reid Shepherd who should be taken in the first round if they choose to enter the draft.
Kyle Filipowski, Duke
Filipovskiy was considered a likely first-round pick if he chose to enter last year's draft, but the 7-footer decided to return for his second season instead. He recorded 17.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Filipowski has improved his overall shooting percentage and 3-point shooting percentage since his freshman year, making him even more of a prospect.
He has also evolved into more of a playmaker by improving his assist totals and reducing his turnovers. Jared McCain is another Duke player who could be drafted in the first round.
Dalton Knecht, Tennessee
Knecht was the most impactful college basketball transfer this season. Northeastern (Colorado) Junior After starting his college career and playing two seasons at Northern his Colorado, this 6-foot-6 guard started his junior year at Tennessee as his fifth year at the University of Tennessee. He scored 21.1 points. He had 40 points against Kentucky, 39 points each against Auburn and Florida, and 37 points against North Carolina.
There will be questions about whether Knecht can defend at the NBA level. He will be 23 years old at the time of the draft, making him older than most prospects. But his pure scoring ability should take him somewhere in the first round.
Jacoby Walter, Baylor
This top-10 rookie is considered an NBA prospect due to his scoring ability. The 6-5 guard backed that up with 14.2 points per game during his freshman season. Walter is shooting below 40%, but his profile suggests he could improve in that area.
If Walter is drafted, he would be the second Baylor guard to be taken in the first round in recent years, after the Utah Jazz selected Keyontae George with the 16th overall pick in 2023. It will be.
Cody Williams, Colorado
Williams, the younger brother of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylen Williams, was a top-10 recruit when he signed with Colorado. The 6-8 forward didn't have an overwhelming record as a freshman at Colorado College, but he did show off exceptional defense while shooting over 55% and shooting 3-pointers over 40%. There is. It wouldn't be surprising if Williams became the first college player drafted this year.
