NBA Draft: Five Interesting Box Scores from the Friday of Conference Tournament Weekend
© Alan Poizner/For The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK
Devin Carter | Guard | Providence
27 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists in loss to Marquette, 79-68
The Big East Player of the Year Devin Carter put on a show in Providence's loss to Marquette, scoring 27 points on 7-for-14 from the field and 10-for-12 from the free-throw line.
He was very active on the glass as well, including two offensive boards of his eight total. He managed two steals and block as well, showing off some defensive versatility despite being just 6-foot-3.
Despite a tough end to the game for Carter, which resulted in a loss, this team wouldn't be anywhere near where it is now without his services. Carter is a bonafide first-rounder at this point.
Rob Dillingham | Guard | Kentucky
27 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists in loss to Texas A&M, 97-87
A guy that's beginning to get legitimate no. 1 buzz from scouts, Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham showed off the offensive ability despite the loss to Texas A&M in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament.
He shot 9-for-19 from the field and 5-for-10 from deep, as well as grabbing four boards and dishing seven dimes. Though they lost the game and were bounced from their conference tourney, the performances Dillingham has been putting up over the last month have his name gaining traction amongst the top names in the 2024 class.
Though the defense is not a strength (and that's putting it kindly), the self creation and ability to create for others off the bounce has Dillingham as one of the most intriguing prospects of the year.
Carlton "Bub" Carrington | Guard | Pittsburgh
24 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists in loss to North Carolina, 72-65
Pittsburgh Panthers freshman guard Carlton "Bub" Carrington went off against a probable future 2-seed in North Carolina, and though they lost, Carrington showed off what has been interesting scouts since the beginning of the season.
Though he had a rough start to ACC play, he's rallied as of late, scoring 23+ points in three of his last five games, all against conference opponents. While the three-point shooting slumped after a very hot start, he seems to be regaining the confidence on his deep shot, as he hit 4-of-8 three pointers attempted in this game.
Carrington is an interesting inclusion here in that he said postgame that he would "for sure" return to Pitt next season, which could improve his draft stock.
Whether that materializes or not remains to be seen, of course. If he does remain in college, he is a guy that will go into the 2024-2025 season as a Top-10 prospect.
If he declares for this draft, he's still a first-round pick by most standards.
Johni Broome | Forward | Auburn
18 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists in win over South Carolina, 86-55
The Auburn Tigers are slowly emerging as a sleeper team for the NCAA Tournament, and their leader is absolutely big man Johni Broome, a true force at the power forward spot that has been their defensive anchor this year.
On the season, Broome is putting up 16.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.1 boards per game with an eFG of 57.1% and a PER of 31.9. He also sports a defensive rating of 89.4, meaning the stats back the "defensive anchor" label.
As Auburn gears up to possibly win an SEC Tournament Championship as the highest remaining seed in the semifinals, all eyes will be on Johni Broome.
Jadyn "JT" Toppin | Forward | New Mexico
16 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks in win over Colorado State, 74-61
New Mexico Lobo Jadyn "JT" Toppin has been spectacular as a freshman for this UNM squad this year, and pt up a stat line consistent with what he's been able to do all season long.
One of the most efficient scorers in the country, Toppin has an eFG of 64.5%, which, by volume, is one of the best not just in the conference, but in the country.
Toppin got after it on the boards as well, matching his season average of nine boards. Yet another freshman making waves in the 2024 Draft Class, Toppin is a player considered right around the edge of the first round.
Should he return to school, he could climb even higher for next season. He could also, like Bub Carrington, go pro after his freshman year and snatch a late-first-round selection. It'll be interesting to see what decision he makes.
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