March Madness Draft Prospects To Watch: Sweet 16
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With its first weekend coming to a close, it’s fair to say March Madness is well underway. Two one-seeds have already fallen, including Purdue’s loss to the sixteen-seeded Farleigh Dickinson Knights. Most people’s brackets have already been torn to shreds (mine ranks in the 98th percentile), but there are still a lot of thrilling hoops to be played.
While enjoying the 16 remaining teams battle for glory, be sure to keep an eye out for NBA prospects. Many featured players are primed to make the jump to the league next season, and their performance in the ensuing weeks could significantly sway their stock. Here are some of the most notable names you should keep an eye out for:
Brandon Miller, Alabama
After Victor Wembenyama, Scoot Henderson has been regarded as the top guy in this draft class forever. However, Brandon Miller is seemingly inching closer to that title by the day. The 6-foot-9 wing’s blistering shooting ability has been the catalyst for one of the best freshman campaigns in recent history. His brilliance has propelled Alabama to status as the current National Championship favorite. Over the next few weeks, the world will get a glimpse of what Miller can bring to the table as he attempts to deliver a title to Tuscaloosa and cement his place in the top three of this June’s NBA Draft.
Noah Clowney, Alabama
Miller isn’t the only ‘bama freshman getting first-round love, though. Noah Clowney has seen his draft stock surge as a symptom of the Crimson Tide’s success this season. Evaluators have gotten to see the 6-foot-10 big man's impact on a winning team via versatile defense, rebounding, finishing, and some shooting. Clowney’s two-way impact will be vital for both his squad’s title hopes and his individual draft stock.
Jarace Walker, Houston
After Alabama, Houston is the most common title pick, and freshman Jarace Walker is a big reason why. The 6-foot-8, 240-lb, forward does it all. Fresh off a six-block outing, he’s a force to be reckoned with defensively and also has had his moments as an offensive shot-creator. As a result, he’s been one of the most impactful freshmen in the country and seems destined to be a top-10 selection on June 22nd. Now under the bright lights, Walker’s next performances could help the Cougars capture their first National Championship as well as potentially vault himself into the top five on many draft boards.
Jordan Hawkins, UConn
In a class full of sharpshooters, UConn’s Jordan Hawkins may have the most precise scope. This season, he’s made 37.4% of his 14.9 3-point attempts per 100 possessions. He has good size at 6-foot-5 and his lightning release is easily translatable to the next level. Additionally, the sophomore is no slouch on defense. Hawkins should already be a lock to be a first-round selection, but some big performances down the stretch could help push his name even further up draft boards.
Stay tuned for part two of this mini-series in which I’ll preview the rest of the top prospects who are still dancing.
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