The 10 best NBA prospects in ‘March Madness’
NCAA March Madness is about to begin, and NBA scouts and front office executives will travel across the country to watch the top draft prospects playing on college basketball’s biggest stage. .
Unlike last year, where the five best players in the draft appeared in this tournament: Paolo Banchero (Duke), Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga), Jabari Smith Jr. (Auburn), Keegan Murray (Iowa) and Jaden Ivey (Purdue). The 2023 NBA Draft is different than in recent years, with only one or two top players choosing to play college basketball. Victor Wembanyama (France), Scoot Henderson (G League Ignite), Amen and Ausar Thompson (Overtime Elite) chose the professional route over college basketball.
There will be plenty of opportunities for other players to emerge and steal the spotlight in the coming weeks. But for now, these are the top 10 NBA Draft prospects in March Madness that every NBA fan needs to watch.
1. Brandon Miller, Alabama
Projected pick: 3
NBA Comparison: Paul George / Khris Middleton
Freshman: 19.6 PTS — 8.3 REB
There is no player in college basketball or in this draft class who plays like Miller. At 6-foot-9, he has a tight handle and limits his turnovers when he gets to the paint, making the right read when the defense makes mistakes. The most impressive part of his game is his outside shooting and the way he creates separation for himself. Miller is averaging 40% from 3-point range on at least six attempts per game and can score in a variety of ways. His percentage increases to 60% on open catch-and-shoot 3-pointers and he has made tough layups for Alabama. Miller also set the Alabama record for most points scored in a freshman season, surpassing Collin Sexton with a total of 633 points.
His off-court issues and involvement in the shooting death of Jamea Harris is something NBA teams continue to monitor, but as he continues to play, the NBA front office staff will do their due diligence to explore to the 20-year-old and get as much information about the case as possible before the draft in June.
2. Nick Smith Jr., Arkansas
Projected pick: 5
NBA Comparison: Immanuel Quickley / Bones Hyland
Freshman: 14.0 PTS — 2.1 AST
Smith Jr. made his return to the court in mid-February after being sidelined for two months with a minor knee injury. Many NBA scouts expected Smith Jr. to sit out the rest of the season and prepare for the draft, but his return has been productive for both the Razorbacks and his draft stock.
He has averaged just under 20 points per game since he returned to the court and scored a game-winner against Auburn in the SEC tournament to advance. Smith Jr. is a three-level scorer who prefers the right side when he is in transition and projects more as a ‘combo guard’ in the NBA. At 6-foot-5, he has found creative ways to float much bigger players and is shooting the three comfortably, connecting on 42% of his attempts over the last six games.
3. Jarace Walker, Houston
Projected pick: 6
NBA Comparison: Rui Hachimura / PJ Washington
Freshman: 11.1 PTS — 6.6 REB
Walker has the most NBA-ready body in this draft and it is his defensive versatility that has caught the attention of many projected lottery teams. At 6-foot-8 and 240 pounds, he can guard all five positions.
Houston senior guard, Marcus Sasser, suffered an apparent groin injury in the conference semifinal games against Cincinnati and no timetable for his return has been announced. It could end up being a big coup for the Cougars, the №1 seed in the Midwest region, and NBA scouts will be watching to see how Walker elevates his game in Sasser’s absence. In the most recent loss to Memphis, Walker was active in the paint, recording three blocks and adding 13 points in 30 minutes.
4. Anthony Black, Arkansas
Projected pick: 10
NBA Comparison: Josh Giddey / Kevin Porter Jr.
Freshman: 12.8 PTS — 5.1 REB — 4.2 AST
Black is one of the best shooting guards in college basketball and combined with his height and length at 6-foot-7, his ceiling is high as an NBA shooting guard in the way he can see over defenses and create for others. His role expanded in Smith Jr.’s absence allowing him to be more confident with his shot selection and making reads as the primary ball handler. Over the last few games, Black and Smith Jr. are showing why they were so highly rated coming out of high school and things are falling into place at the right time with how they are in the transition.
5. Keyonte George, Baylor
Projected pick: 12
NBA Comparison: Eric Gordon
Freshman: 15.8 PTS — 4.2 REB
George suffered a minor ankle injury in a win over Texas on Feb. 25 and is now feeling more comfortable on the court heading into games later this week. The 6-foot-4 guard came into a veteran backcourt with Adam Flagler and LJ Cryer and found ways to contribute right away.
George is a high-volume shooter who has recorded more than 20 points in 12 games this season and, before his injury, was stringing together consecutive games averaging 22 points and four rebounds. George has a quick release that allows him to shoot from multiple spots on the floor, and his explosiveness after a defensive turnover gives him the advantage in the open court to convert easy layups.
6. Gradey Dick, Kansas
Projected pick: 7
NBA Comparison: Kevin Huerter / Duncan Robinson
Freshman: 14.1 PTS — 4.9 REB
Dick struggled in the loss to Texas in the Big 12 championship, going 0-for-5 from 3-point range and scoring just six points. There have been times throughout the season where he seems lost on defense and lets his man slip away for a cut or drop to the corner for an open three-pointer. What he does extremely well comes on the offensive side of the ball with his ability to get into open space and make plays late in the shot clock. Dick is interchangeable at small forward and does a good job in the high pick-and-roll option shooting the three or getting to the elbow with a pull-up. When his shot isn’t falling, he finds other ways to impact the game, particularly on the offensive glass, creating second chances for the Jayhawks.
7. Cason Wallace, Kentucky
Projected pick: 13
NBA Comparison: Donte DiVincenzo / Alex Caruso
Freshman: 11.6 PTS — 4.2 REB
This was an up and down year for Kentucky and the same can be said for Wallace. He is one of the most impactful defenders in this draft, but his shot selection remains an area of development. Coach John Calipari’s system doesn’t accommodate guards who excel in space or use their quick twitch to make decisions. Tyrese Maxey, Devin Booker, De’Aaron Fox and Tyler Herro have all had more success at the NBA level than they did under Calipari and NBA scouts know to keep this in mind when scouting Kentucky guards. Wallace had one of his most complete games of the season in a win over Auburn in late February, where he flirted with a double-double finishing with 19 points, nine assists and four steals.
8. Jalen Hood-Schifino, Indiana
Projected pick: 14
NBA Comparison: D’Angelo Russell
Freshman: 13.6 PTS — 4.1 REB — 3.6 AST
Hood-Schifino took a little longer to adjust to the college season after dealing with back pain earlier in the year. Since he entered the starting lineup, he has been one of the most improved players in college basketball and is rising up draft boards.
The 6-foot-6 point guard has a mature game and the Hoosiers look more settled on offense when the ball is in his hands. The guard-forward tandem of Hood-Schifino and senior Trayce Jackson-Davis has been instrumental in Indiana’s success down the stretch as it enters the tournament as the №4 seed in the Midwest region.
9. Kris Murray, Iowa
Projected pick: 16
NBA Comparison: Keegan Murray / Marcus Morris
Junior: 20.4 PTS — 7.9 REB
Murray’s minutes increased from 18 minutes to 35 minutes per game from last season to this season. He became the go-to guy on offense after his twin brother, Keegan, was taken with the №4 pick in last year’s draft by the Sacramento Kings. Murray is one of three players in the Big Ten to average 20 or more points all season and has found ways to use his size to his advantage against smaller guards on the perimeter. Murray is patient when he has the ball in his hands, averaging less than two turnovers per game, and defensively, he is excellent at using his body and size to secure rebounds on the weak side and push the ball in transition.
10. Jalen Wilson, Kansas
Projected pick: 25
NBA Comparison: Michael Porter Jr
Junior: 20.1 PTS — 8.4 REB
Wilson is a player who could help his draft stock the most during the NCAA tournament, similar to Ochai Agbaji last season when he led Kansas to a national championship. Wilson tested the NBA waters and elected to return for his junior season after receiving feedback from NBA teams.
The most notable improvement in his game has been his 3-point shot. Wilson has doubled his three-pointers from last season and is shooting more consistently at 34% from deep. He has also taken on a larger leadership role this season and has put the team on his back at times throughout the season, creating big plays when the game is on the line.
