NBA Prospects Shine in March Madness Action

Best performers from yesterday's March Madness games.

Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after making a last second shot to end the first half against the Arizona Wildcats during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images | Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Last night we saw incredible March Madness action with four exciting games featuring numerous NBA prospects. Let's take a look at a few standouts.

Darrion Williams, Texas Tech

Mar 27, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Darrion Williams (5) reacts during overtime against the Arkansas Razorbacks during a West Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images | Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

The 6-foot-6, 225 pound junior was extremely impressive in Texas Tech's comeback win against Arkansas. He had 20 points, three assists, nine rebounds, three steals, and one block. While he didn't shoot efficiently in this one, he made it when it mattered -- including hitting a game-tying three to send the game to overtime and then hitting the game-winning bucket in overtime.

Williams is a projected second round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Read More: Darrion Williams Interview

Cooper Flagg, Duke

Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) blocks the shot of Arizona Wildcats forward Trey Townsend (4) during the second half during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images | Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

The 6-foot-9, 205 pound freshman continued to show why he's the projected first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, impacting the game tremendously on both ends of the floor. The Maine Event finished with 30 points, seven assists, six rebounds, three blocks, one steal, and went 6-for-14 on twos, three-for-five on threes, and nine-for-10 from the free throw line. The 18 year old's impact helped Duke defeat Arizona 100-93 to move on to the Elite Eight.

Flagg is one one of eight players on track to meet my Productive Young Athlete query, a query in which 76% of players who meet the criteria play five-plus years in the NBA or are currently in the league (84 player sample size).

Read More: Cooper Flagg Preseason Scouting Report

Mark Sears, Alabama

Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Mark Sears (1) handles the ball against Brigham Young Cougars forward Richie Saunders (15) during the second half during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The 6-foot-1 graduate student led the Crimson Tide to a 113-88 win over BYU last night, scoring 34 points while racking up eight assists, three rebounds, three steals and shooting 10-16 from beyond the arc (62.5%).

Sears is a projected second round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. While his size appears to be a concern, if his 6-foot-1 measurement ends up being accurate, data may actually support him sticking in the NBA.

In the 2003-2012 NBA draft classes, 62.5% of drafted players listed under 6-foot-2 "stuck" in the NBA. In the 2013-2022 draft classes, this number had a significant drop-off as only 45.7% of drafted players listed under 6-foot-2 "stuck" in the NBA or are currently in the NBA and considered likely to stick.

However, from 2003-2012, 50% (7-of-14) of players listed at 6-foot-1 stuck in the NBA. From 2013-2022, that number increased to a whopping 76.4% (13-of-17). This still means that, from totality of 2003-2022, 64.5% (20-of-31) of players listed at 6-foot-1 have stuck in the NBA. This is similar to the stick-rate of a late first round pick from 2003-2017, as 66% of players drafted in this range over that time period stuck in the NBA.

Read More: A Study on Undersized Guards

Derik Queen, Maryland

Mar 27, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Maryland Terrapins center Derik Queen (25) dribbles down court past Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) during the second half during a West Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images | Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

Last weekend, Queen hit a clutch game-winning shot that helped elevate Maryland past Colorado State. Yesterday, despite the loss to a talented Florida team, the 6-foot-10 freshman scored 27 points to go along with five rebounds, one assist, and two steals while shooting 47.1% from the field, 25% from three (four attempts), and 10-for-10 from the free throw line.

Queen is also, alongside Flagg, one of the eight players on track to meet my Productive Young Athlete query.

Read More: The Productive Young Athlete Query

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