6’5” | Wing | Elite Defender | Marquette 

Chase Ross is arguably one of the best perimeter defenders in college basketball. Averaging 14.7 PPG and 2.3 steals per game, Ross is a high level athlete who consistently disrupts opposing offenses with his speed and physicality. He is a great on ball defender and is extremely effective jumping passing lanes. Ross is among one the best athletes in the country and holds one of the top steal percentages in the Big East. He has the burst to stay attached to quick guards, the strength to hold up against bigger wings. Intangibly he is a high motor guy that defends across possessions without losing intensity. The clear swing skill is shooting. He hasn’t been consistent this season, and is shooting 28.3% from three (113 attempts). However he’s proven over his previous two seasons that can be a shot maker. Last two seasons he shot 36.5% from three on good volume. Even though his shooting has not been consistent this season, he’s shown real stretches of shot making when confident and in rhythm. If Ross can regain consistency from the perimeter, the projection becomes very clean. With his elite defensive impact and athletic profile, a reliable outside shot would solidify him as a true two way NBA wing.

6’6” | Athletic Disruptor | San Diego State

Byrd is one of the most impactful defensive playmakers in college basketball. At 6’6 he moves athletically and is extremely effective at disrupting offenses. On the defensive side of the ball he averages 2.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per game, where he ranks #1 in steal percentage and #3 in block percentage in the Mountain West. Byrd is great at jumping passing lanes, and has the timing and vertical pop to contest and block shots both at the rim and on jump shooters. He’s an extra possession creator and can shift momentum without needing the ball. However Byrd needs to improve on the offensive end. He is a streaky player who is capable of knocking down tough shots off the dribble and has shown confidence as a scorer, but he hasn’t yet strung together consistent offensive nights. He has shown true flashes of scoring but not consistency. He can score in rhythm when things are flowing, but his impact fluctuates from game to game. The upside is clear: if Byrd can develop a consistent offensive game, his defensive floor alone gives him real NBA value. Byrd has nights where he drops 20 and nights where he drops 4. If he can put the pieces together on the offensive end he's a legit two way prospect.