NBA scouts have been keeping an eye on these players for a long time, but now comes another test.
The annual March Madness tournament focuses on how players handle pressure on and off the court, and whether they can withstand the conditions.
You can also very well determine each player's stock in the NBA Draft. As they continue to thrive, they will become even more coveted. Otherwise, the opposite is true.
So who are the top names to watch in 2024? Let's take a look at five players.
G Reid Shepherd, Kentucky
Shepard doesn't add up on the stat sheet, but he has shown flashes on both sides of the ball. The 6-foot-3 freshman guard is averaging 12.8 points, 4.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 2.5 steals on 54/53/85 shooting splits.
He was a great individual defender despite his size and small wingspan. And while his shooting percentage may not be able to sustain itself at the highest level, it may suggest that he can maintain solid numbers. He would need to become a full-time point guard to train with an NBA team, but that development will take time given his high turnover rate.
If he can become a prototype for the better shooter Austin Reeves, he'll definitely be a solid rotation player.
The opening game of the tournament will be No. 3 Kentucky and No. 14 Oakland.
C Zach Eady, Purdue
Eady had a remarkable 2023 run, but things quickly turned sour when the team was suddenly eliminated early in the tournament. Now a senior, the 7-foot-4 senior is averaging 24.4 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 2.1 assists while shooting 62 percent from the field and 72 percent from the foul line.
A player with his size and limited floor-spacing ability won't always work out at the next level, but there's a chance he could be a capable rotation center. Even though those profiles are no longer common, they still have value in the league. Eady has a chance to impress doubters after last season's poor performance.
No. 1 Purdue will play either No. 16 Montana State or Grambling State in the first round.
G. Stephon Castle, U.S.C.
Castle, a 6-foot-6 freshman guard, showed signs of further development in his first year of college. Although he's not the team's centerpiece, he is averaging 10.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists on shooting splits of 47/28/76.
At the next level, he will definitely need to improve his 3-point game. His free throw percentage shows some optimism, although low shooting volume and poor completion percentage aren't enough at this point. He has the size, athleticism, and entry-level skills to develop into a high-end role player.
No. 1 UConn will face No. 16 Stetson in the opening game.
C Kyle Filipowski, Duke
Filipovski, a 7-foot sophomore center, has one of the most interesting profiles in the tournament due to his potential, quality and production. He has improved some of his stats, averaging 17.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.2 steals on 51/35/66 shooting splits.
He is attempting 3.2 3-point shots per game, which is less than last season, but his conversion rate has improved. Whether his numbers hold up, especially his low rebounding rate and ease of switching between defenses, will likely determine whether he's closer to a 4 or 5 at the next level. How he handles against stronger defenses may answer that question.
4th place Duke University will face 13th place Vermont University in the first round.
F Cody Williams, Colorado
Williams is a little different from other prospects in that he may not even make it to the actual tournament. Colorado must beat Boise State to compete for the No. 10 seed in the South Region, and the Buffaloes will face No. 7 Florida State.
But Williams is a 6-foot-8 forward who has shown flashes of being a quality 3-and-D player, and any team would love to stack that kind of profile. He's shooting 42.1% from deep, but only making 1.8 3-pointers per game. He is also making 72.1% of his free throws on his 3.2 attempts.
For Williams to be a legitimate threat at the next level, he will need to refine his offensive game and become more versatile, while also adding more muscle on the defensive end.
