Aday Mara - Michigan
Mara proved why he deserves top 20 consideration. Physically imposing at 7'3, 265 lbs, he is an extremely skilled and polished big man around the rim. He can back defenders down, throw up virtually unblockable jump hooks, and consistently alter shots on the other end. Throughout the tournament he averaged 14.7 pts, 5.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 64.4% from the field and 78.6% from the free throw line. His standout performance came against Arizona posting 26 points on 11 of 16 shooting, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks against a tall, physical squad. As a lob threat, shot blocker, and space eater with legitimate skill, Mara is a rare find at his size. His tournament run confirmed his versatility and physicality against top competition, and he can be a long term contributor at the next level.
Tarris Reed Jr - UConn
The pre-tournament scouting report on Tarris Reed pegged him as a late second round or undrafted prospect; alluding to him being undersized to play his “paint beast” type of game and having underwhelming upside. The tournament told a different story. At 6'11, 265 lbs, Reed was an absolute unstoppable force in the paint who put up a historic first round statline of 31 points and 27 rebounds. Reed’s dominance was a central reason UConn reached the national title game. He averaged 19.5 pts, 13.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks throughout the tournament and did it against legitimate size: Michigan State, Illinois, and Duke. Reed answered the key scouting question of whether he could produce against bigger defenders, and the answer was a resounding yes. He has the potential to be a reliable backup big who can rebound, protect the paint, and give a starter meaningful rest minutes.
Darius Acuff Jr - Arkansas
While Acuff is already considered a lottery pick heading into the tournament, his performance gave scouts reason to take him even earlier. Despite defenses being built around stopping him, he simply couldn't be contained, proving there's nothing gimmicky about his game. He averaged 29.3 pts and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 46.7% from the field and 37.5% from three. Statistically, Acuff ranks among the best players in Coach Calipari's tenure. Given his exceptional track record of player success in the NBA, it's something not to be ignored. Yes, scouts will question whether his height limits his translation to the next level. But the better question is: what's stopping him from becoming a guy like Jalen Brunson? Acuff will be competing in first NBA season as a 19 year old…
Yaxel Lendeborg - Michigan
The one factor that would dramatically increase Lendeborg’s draft stock is his three point shooting. He already had the size, athleticism, and finishing ability. I've touched on Lendeborg's shooting mechanics in the past and how there's potential for him to be a reliable shooter in the future. He answered that definitively. Lendeborg shot 46.7% from three in the tournament, and that includes an 0 for 5 night where he was playing through injury in the national championship. These weren't just spot up looks either; he knocked down pull up threes in transition. Over his final 15 games of the season, Lendeborg went 36 of 70 (51.4%) from three, that's not reliable shooting, that's elite shooting. A 6'9 physical athlete who can finish above the rim and now consistently knock down the three ball is an absolute steal wherever he falls. He may slip outside the top ten, but teams passing on him will regret it.
Meleek Thomas
What will make Meleek Thomas successful in the league is his ability to impact the game on both ends, knocking down shots and defending. On the season he shot 41.3% from three and averaged 1.5 steals per game. The tournament confirmed what his numbers already suggested on being a legitimate two way threat. Thomas averaged 19 pts and 2.7 steals per game in tournament play, including 4 steals in a single game against Arizona. His ability to shoot, stay active defensively, and create turnovers gives headway to a sustainable role at the next level.
Labaron Philon Jr
Philon is an elite bucket getter, and that wasn’t going to change in the tournament. His season numbers speak for themselves, 22 pts, 5 assists, 40% from three, 50% from the field, Elite. But this tournament added new dimensions to his profile. He dropped 35 against Michigan and 29 against Hofstra as expected, but what stood out was his playmaking and rebounding. Philon averaged 7 rebounds per game and had a 12 assist outing against Texas Tech and 7 assists against Michigan. Scouts already knew he could score; now they know he can facilitate and contribute on the glass as well. That kind of versatility confirmation heading into the draft is as good as it gets.
Felix Okpara
Okpara may not be on many draft boards, but after watching him in person during the tournament, he should be. He's not going to give you 30 points or dazzle you with post moves but that's not his role. At 6'11, 242 lbs, Okpara is an athletic, long, and mobile big who protects the rim, catches lobs, finishes above the rim, and cleans the glass. What struck me most in person was how he affected drivers before they even arrived; guards were pulling up and kicking out of the paint simply because of his presence. He makes bigs second guess going up strong in the post, and is what I call a “shot clock drainer”, his presence alone forces opposing players to hesitate and burn clock. In the tournament he averaged 10.3 pts, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks while shooting 65.5% from the field. He's a late second round pick or an undrafted steal who can carve out a real role as a bench big.
Pryce Sandfort
Sandfort's path to a successful NBA career is straightforward: he needs to be an elite, high volume shooter, so efficient from beyond the arc that whatever he gives up defensively doesn't matter. Think Duncan Robinson or Sam Hauser. At 6'7 with a 41% three point clip on over 310 attempts (one of the highest totals in the country) the shooting is unquestionably elite. But the tournament took it further. Sandfort averaged 21 pts per game and shot 57.1% from three on over 9 attempts per game, including 6 of 10 against Iowa and 7 of 12 against Troy. These weren't standard catch and shoot looks, he hit them off movement, every which way. If Sandfort declares, he gives teams a guy they can count on to knock it down, night in and night out.
