Tanking is a dirty word around the NBA. But can you really blame NBA executives for punting on a season if the result would net them a generational talent? Sometimes you need to take a step back to move forward.

We haven’t seen a draft this rich in talent since 2003, a draft that produced LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade. Darko Milicic was the No. 2 overall pick. Sorry, Detroit Pistons fans. Darko pick still stings.

Three of the top five players selected in the 2003 class became Hall of Famers (Anthony, Bosh, Wade), and LeBron should be the fourth once he decides to hang up his sneakers.

There is no shortage of game changers in the 2026 NBA draft, especially at the top of the draft lottery. Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, Caleb Wilson, Darius Acuff Jr., and Darryn Peterson are the five names consistently popping up in several mock drafts. Each player brings something special to the table, and you can make a case that any of them could be the No. 1 overall pick.

Need a point guard? Acuff Jr. has all the tools to be an outstanding playmaker. Need a shooting guard? Darryn Peterson is a professional scorer. Need an athletic small forward? Dybantsa is the perfect choice. Need a versatile power forward? Caleb Wilson fits the profile. Need a big man who can be an offensive hub? Boozer is your man.

OneManFastBreak.net put together a comprehensive scouting report on the top 12 prospects with their NBA comparisons.

1-AJ Dybantsa, forward, Brigham Young
NBA comparison: Tracy McGrady
Scouting report: Dybantsa is a gifted athlete who plays with a sharp edge. Dybantsa grew up in Brockton, Mass., the hometown of boxing legends Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Rocky Marciano. He is Brockton tough. Dybantsa is as tough as they come. He is a fierce competitor who embraces challenges. He was the MVP of the 2025 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup after leading Team USA to a gold medal. He could have gone to any of the blue bloods, but decided to play college ball at Brigham Young. Dybantsa is an athletic, two-way wing with a relentless motor. His physical features are similar to Andrew Wiggins but his offensive game resembles Tracy McGrady’s, especially the one-two pull-up jumper. He has ideal positional size and length (6-9 with a 7-foot wingspan). His 42-inch vertical allows him to elevate over defenders and attack the rim with bad intentions. Dybantsa put together a spectacular freshman season at BYU, including a 43-point performance against Utah that broke Danny Ainge’s school record for most points in a game by a BYU freshman. The Big 12 freshman of the year shouldered much of the BYU scoring burden after teammate Richie Saunders went down with a season-ending ACL injury. Dybantsa led the nation in scoring, averaging 25.5 points per game while shooting 51% from the field. He also averaged 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He’s the first player to have a season with all those averages and be named a consensus All-American since Larry Bird did it in 1978-79.

2-Cameron Boozer, forward-center, Duke
NBA comparison: Chris Webber
Scouting report: The best part of Cameron Boozer’s game is his consistency. The son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer has been consistently dominant at every level, from high school to AAU to college. “He’s all about winning,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said about the 2026 AP and Naismith college basketball player of the year. Cameron shares similarities with his father’s game, as both are extremely strong in the block and have Vise-grips for hands. His strong hands allow him to rebound the ball in traffic, and he catches almost everything thrown at him. He isn’t blessed with great explosiveness or a long wingspan. He measured at 6-8 1/2 without shoes at the NBA combine in Chicago, but he has a 7-1 wingspan, which more than makes up for the lack of ideal height. He knows how to use his body well. He relies a lot on physicality to carve out space. “Whatever you need, he can provide,” college basketball analyst Bill Raftery said about the Duke freshman, who averaged a double-double (22 points and 10 rebounds) and shot 56% from the field. His shooting technique from beyond the 3-point arc isn’t textbook, but it goes in 40% of the time. His ability to put the ball on the deck at his size to create offense for himself or his teammates is what separates him from other big men. He has unbelievable instincts, and he can surgically dissect a double team. He always seems to make the right read. He also possesses one of the best two-handed outlet passes you’ll ever see, similar to Wes Unseld and Kevin Love.

3-Caleb Wilson, forward, North Carolina
NBA comparison: Shawn Kemp
Scouting report: Caleb Wilson has the highest ceiling among the Tier 1 prospects. He’s barely scratching the surface of his true potential. He is a springy, athletic 6-9 forward. He is a throwback power forward with a modern twist. If you squint, you might see shades of Kevin Garnett, Jermaine O’Neal, Antonio McDyess, or Shawn Kemp. He competes on both ends of the court and wears No. 8 in honor of the late great Kobe Bryant. Like Kobe, Caleb plays through exhaustion and doesn’t lack confidence. He attacks the rim like the Reign Man and plays defense like the Big Ticket. Wilson put the basketball world on notice in his second college game, dropping 24 points, grabbing seven rebounds, and adding four steals to lead the Tar Heels over Darryn Peterson’s Kansas Jayhawks. Wilson showed off the entire repertoire, dunking over defenders, swishing fadeaway jumpers in the post, tossing lobs on big-to-big action, and picking up full court on defense. His ability to handle the ball in the perimeter makes him an ideal fit in today’s NBA. He is comfortable bringing the ball up as the initiator on offense, and he can also play some small-ball 5. A broken thumb forced Wilson to miss March Madness, and North Carolina struggled mightily without him. The Tar Heels lost to VCU in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

4-Darius Acuff Jr., guard, Arkansas
NBA comparison: Allen Iverson
Scouting report: Hall of Fame coach John Calipari calls Darius Acuff Jr. a “beast.” Calipari knows a beast when he sees one. Coach Cal coached Derrick Rose, John Wall, Jamal Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, De’Aaron Fox, and Tyrese Maxey. Acuff (6-2, 185) may not possess the size of SGA or the speed of Fox, but his drive and determination, combined with incredible instincts as a point guard, more than make up for his shortcomings. Armed with brick-like shoulders and natural Detroit toughness, Acuff doesn’t shy away from contact. He has a strong core and outstanding balance, allowing him to absorb hits. He has superb footwork. He plants his last step and uses a change-of-pace approach to create angles. Acuff’s body type closely mirrors Stephon Marbury, but his game resembles Allen Iverson. Acuff’s signature game came against Alabama on the road, where he dropped 49 points on 16-of-27 shooting from the field. It was the most points scored by a college freshman since 1990. But the most impressive part about his historic game was that he committed only one turnover in 50 minutes. Texas coach Sean Miller, a former point guard, summed it best while discussing Acuff’s overall impact. “In my time [it goes 34 years], I’ve never seen a point guard better,” Miller said of Acuff, who was the first freshman since Pete Maravich to lead the SEC in points and assists. “Guys like him don’t just come into college basketball very often. He’s a generational player.”

5-Darryn Peterson, guard, Kansas
NBA comparison: Devin Booker
Scouting report: Peterson might be the most polished scorer in the draft. The Naismith prep player of the year in 2025 and consensus five-star recruit possesses a combination of size (listed at 6-4 with a 6-9 wingspan), length, explosiveness, and shot creation. He is a dynamic, three-level scorer who can play either guard spot, but he’s a natural 2 in the NBA. He has a lot of Devin Booker in his game. Peterson has a deep connection with CJ McCollum. Both are from Canton, Ohio, and Peterson has been working out with CJ and his brother, Errick, since he was 12. “After the first workout, my brother called me and said, ‘I’ve never seen anything like this, CJ. He’s just like you but bigger, stronger, and more athletic,” CJ McCollum told ESPN’s Marc J. Spears. The knock on Peterson is his inability to stay on the court. A series of hamstring and cramping issues knocked him out of several Kansas games, including the big showdown against then top-ranked Arizona. The Jayhawks pulled off the major upset against the Wildcats without Peterson. He earned the dubious “DNP” moniker for checking himself out of several games, including a high-profile game at Allen Fieldhouse against AJ Dybantsa’s BYU squad. Peterson scored 18 points in the first half but missed the entire second half. These red flags shouldn’t be brushed aside, and could give some teams enough of a reason to pass on him.

6-Aday Mara, center, Michigan
NBA comparison: Zach Edey
Scouting report: Aday Mara posted ridiculous measurements at the NBA combine. He was listed at 7-3 without shoes with a 7-6 wingspan and 9-9 standing reach. His standing reach was the second-best in combine history behind only Tacko Fall. Mara was a huge reason why the Michigan Wolverines captured their first NCAA men’s tournament title since 1989. The 21-year-old from Zaragoza, Spain, significantly raised his draft stock after impressive performances in March Madness, including a 26-point output on 11-of-16 shooting from the field in the Final Four. Mara made his presence felt on the defensive end as opponents attempted 20.9% of their field goals at the rim when the Big Ten defensive player of the year was on the court, per CBB Analytics. He has excellent hands with a soft touch around the basket. The NBA comparison for Mara is Zach Edey based on size and mobility. It’s very difficult to discover skilled 7-3 centers, and when you do find them, you stash them and you develop them.

Mara is far more advanced than other center prospects, having played in Europe and at two major college programs (UCLA and Michigan). It might take him a few years to reach his full potential, but teams willing to wait could reap the benefits. “He probably won’t go in the first 10 [NBA draft picks], but in five years [NBA teams] will be like, ‘I probably wish I had taken Mara,'” former Michigan coach John Beilein told the New York Times. The NBA is constantly evolving. Because of the presence of young unicorns such as Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren, there is a bigger need for skilled big men than ever before.

7-Keaton Wagler, guard, Illinois
NBA comparison: Tyrese Haliburton
Scouting report: Wagler has been overlooked throughout his basketball career. He keeps proving people wrong at each stop. He was a four-star recruit coming out of high school. When he arrived in Illinois, he played a role and mostly played off the ball. Illini coach Brad Underwood saw something in his wispy 6-5 guard and made him the primary ball handler. Wagler took full advantage of the opportunity and became the catalyst on an Illinois squad that reached the Final Four. His breakout performance came against Purdue when he dropped 46 points — the most points by a Big Ten freshman in 30 years. He finished the season averaging nearly 18 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. He is an elite shooter (40% from 3-point range) who operates at his own pace. Despite not possessing elite quickness, he finds ways to score by utilizing sharp footwork and changing direction to freeze defenders. He shot 246 jumpers in total, 40% of which were catch-and-shoot and 60% were off-the-dribble. Those advanced statistics show he can be both an effective on-ball guard or off-ball guard. He’s crafty when he drives to the basket, making it tough on defenders to cut him off. His herky-jerky style enables him to draw fouls. Wagler gives off Tyrese Haliburton vibes.

8-Mikel Brown Jr., guard, Louisville
NBA comparison: Damian Lillard
Scouting report: Brown might be the best pure shooter in the draft, which says a lot because there are plenty of snipers in the 2026 draft. After a slow start to his freshman season at Louisville, the dynamic combo guard exploded for an ACC record 45 points against North Carolina State, including 10 3-pointers. Brown’s hot streak continued the following game as he dropped 29 points against Baylor in a highly competitive matchup against Tounde Yessoufou. He tormented Yessoufou and wasn’t affected by his physicality. Brown is a bigger version of Damian Lillard. Brown isn’t bashful about launching 3-pointers from the logo. He has unlimited range as a shooter (34.4% from 3-point range). He also has outstanding positional size (listed at 6-4). His lethal jumper keeps defenders off balance, and he is shifty enough to get past his man off the dribble if he’s blitzed. At times, he falls in love with his jumper too much, which leads to prolonged cold spells. He can get bullied on defense because of his slight build. But the biggest concern most NBA teams have about Brown is his availability. A back injury sidelined Brown during the ACC tournament and NCAA tournament, and he played in only 21 games in his one season at Louisville. Back injuries are tricky, so Brown must prove it won’t hinder him moving forward.

9-Kingston Flemings, guard, Houston
NBA comparison: Kevin Johnson
Scouting report: Flemings didn’t have the best measurements at the NBA combine (6-2, 183, 6-3 wingspan), but he made up for it with strong performances in the athletic drills. Flemings improved his draft stock by testing well, posting outstanding numbers in the vertical (41 inches), shuttle run (2.69 seconds, second), and three-fourths court sprint (3.07 seconds, second). The combine stats solidified his position as a top-10 prospect. Flemings took over the starting point guard spot after the departure of Jamal Shead, and the Houston Cougars didn’t miss a beat. Flemings possesses elite quickness, and he effectively uses it to beat traps and blitzes. The Cougars were one of the best defensive teams in college basketball because of Flemings’ on-ball defense. He shot a surprisingly high percentage from 3-point range despite poor mechanics. It’s a fixable problem, and it shouldn’t devalue his draft stock. Because of his lack of size, Flemings doesn’t finish well at the rim. He tends to lean on his mid-range shot too much. Flemings’ NBA comp is former Phoenix Suns point guard Kevin Johnson. KJ was a blur and made a living shooting mid-range jumpers.

10-Yaxel Lendeborg, forward, Michigan
NBA comparison: Terry Cummings
Scouting report: Lendeborg was the driving force behind Michigan’s run to the Final Four in March Madness. The “Dominican LeBron” came back for another year in college after dipping his toes in the NBA draft process following two seasons at Alabama Birmingham (UAB). Returning to college turned out to be the best decision as Lendeborg put together an outstanding season at Michigan, leading the Wolverines to a Big Ten conference title and NCAA tournament title. At 23, Yaxel is one of the older players in the draft, but that shouldn’t be seen as a negative. Lendeborg has a blend of power and finesse, much like former Milwaukee Bucks standout Terry Cummings. Lendeborg proved his toughness by playing through an ankle injury in the NCAA national championship game against UConn. He is a versatile power forward who moves well at his size (6-9, 240). He possesses an above-average handle for a big man, and he is comfortable initiating offense. He’s a terrific rebounder and outstanding defensive player who can switch 1 through 5. Even though Lendeborg may have already hit his ceiling, it shouldn’t stop lottery teams from picking him. The first-team All-American is a plug-and-play talent with strong character traits.

11-Nate Ament, forward, Tennessee
NBA comparison: Jabari Smith Jr.
Scouting report: Ament came to Knoxville with a lot of fanfare as a five-star recruit. He’s arguably Rick Barnes’ best high school recruit since Kevin Durant (KD played for Barnes at Texas). Ament showed flashes of what he could be at the next level. He’s more like Jabari Smith Jr. than KD. Ament is a fluid scorer with outstanding positional size (6-10 with a 7-1 wingspan). He shot close to 80% from the free-throw line, which suggests he has the proper shooting mechanics to be a solid two-level scorer. In terms of weaknesses, he struggled against physicality and quicker defenders and seemed overwhelmed at times. He’ll need to bulk up and get stronger to avoid getting pushed around. He averaged 15 points per game in his first 18 games and shot just 28% from 3-point range. He boosted his averages as the season progressed, but his overall 39.9% field goal percentage is a bit alarming given his physical tools. Adding muscle to his 6-10 frame might correct his subpar shooting. He came on strong in the latter stages of SEC competition, stringing together 20-point games, including a 29-point outing against Kentucky.

12-Karim Lopez, forward, New Zealand Breakers (NBL)
NBA comparison: Deni Avdija
Scouting report: Lopez is one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft. The Mexican-born forward began playing professionally in Spain for Joventut Badalona at the age of 14. In 2024, he left Spain and joined the New Zealand Breakers of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). The NBL has become a solid pipeline for NBA prospects, producing standouts like LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey, Dyson Daniels, and Alex Sarr. Lopez, who turns 19 this year, could be the next big thing to come out of the NBL. Lopez uses his 6-8, 220-pound frame to get to his spots, and he can go downhill with either hand. He plays with a ton of energy and isn’t bothered by physicality. His big breakout game in the NBL came in January when he dropped 32 points against Melbourne United. He capped off his season with 12 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals in helping the Breakers capture the NBL Ignite Cup. Many scouts view Lopez as a high-risk prospect because he doesn’t have a unique skill that he can hang his hat on. But on the other hand, Lopez checks a lot of major boxes scouts love: good positional size, a lengthy wingspan, and physical toughness.

Joel Huerto is editor and publisher of OneManFastBreak.net. He hosts a sports podcast on YouTube @onemanfastbreak1.

If there were two players who raised their NBA draft stock, it had to be Michigan’s Aday Mara and Connecticut’s Tarris Reed Jr.

Mara, a 7-foot-3 center from Saragoza, Spain, was a huge reason why the Wolverines captured their first men’s NCAA tournament title since 1989. His presence in the paint, particularly on defense, allowed Michigan defenders to stay home on shooters and his guard-like skills afforded Michigan head coach Dusty May another playmaker on the court to go with point guard Elliott Cadeau and Yaxel Lendeborg.

The 21-year-old Mara was projected to be a late first- or early second-round pick, but after his impressive performances in the NCAA tournament, some mock drafts elevated him in the top 20 of the first round.

The other center who elevated his draft stock was UConn’s Reed Jr. The 6-11, 265-pound burly big man — who spent his first two college seasons at Ann Arbor, Mich. — was the driving force behind the Huskies’ run to the national championship game where they lost to Mara’s Wolverines.

Projected to be late second-round pick in the draft, Reed, who turns 23 in August, has completely flipped his draft status and could hear his name called in the first round.

A closer look at Reed and Mara.

Tarris Reed Jr., 22, senior, center, UConn
Reed averaged a double-double during March Madness, posting averages of 19.5 points and 13.1 rebounds while shooting 54.4% from the field. During the regular season, Reed posted 14.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.

His tournament run was highlighted by a historic 31-poing, 27-rebound effort in the first round against Furman. Reed became the first men’s college player in 58 years to achieve a 30-25 stat line in the NCAA tournament. Elvin Hayes was the last player to pull off the 30-25 feat, doing in twice in 1968. Reed was also the first player since Bill Walton in 1972 to record a 30-point, 20-rebound game while shooting over 80% from the field.

In a highly anticipated matchup against AP and Naismith player of the year Cameron Boozer of Duke in the Elite Eight, Reed more than held his own, scoring 26 points and grabbing nine rebounds with four blocks and two steals.

PFSN’s Alex Kennedy wrote: “Tarris Reed Jr.’s NCAA Tournament run has been nothing short of spectacular. The UConn Huskies star has turned March Madness into his coming-out party.”

Kennedy added: “After transferring from the Michigan Wolverines, Reed has maximized his potential under UConn head coach Dan Hurley while taking on more responsibility.

And yet, Reed’s NBA draft projection is a bit complicated. He’ll be 23 years old in August, and his game does not stretch beyond the arc in a league where that’s now extremely important. He’s currently the No. 55-ranked prospect in PFSN’s NBA Mock Draft Simulator, and ESPN ranks him as the 63rd-best prospect on their 2026 NBA Draft big board, meaning there’s a chance he doesn’t even get drafted.”

Reed struggled a bit against Mara and Michigan in the national championship game, but still put up a decent stat line. He finished with 13 points on 4-of-12 shooting from the field and grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds.

Aday Mara, 21, junior, center, Michigan
In the national championship game against UConn, Mara contributed eight points, four rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block in 30 minutes. More importantly, he provided an inside presence that made life difficult for UConn’s Reed.

“He probably won’t go in the first 10 [NBA draft picks], but in five years [NBA teams] will be like, ‘I probably wish I had taken Mara,’” former Michigan coach John Beilein told the New York Times.

Through five games in the 2026 NCAA tournament, Michigan center Aday Mara is averaging 16.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game.

The 7-3 junior center has been a focal point of Michigan’s run to the national championship game in Indianapolis. He saved his best in the Final Four as he pumped in a career-high 26 points on 11-of-16 shooting from the field in a 91-73 blowout win over Arizona. Mara was on the receiving end of several nifty lob dunks, which he triggered with some old fashioned screen-and-rolls.

Mara’s outstanding performance on both ends overcame the partial absence of All-American forward Yaxel Lendeborg, who injured his knee and ankle in the first half and was never himself the rest of the game. With Lendeborg hobbled, Mara stepped up and became the focal point of Michigan’s inside attack. His length bothered Arizona’s frontcourt players, including freshman star Koa Peat, who had to earn all 16 of his points on 6-of-18 shooting from the field.

Mara left UCLA for Michigan in April 2025 primarily due to a desire for more playing time and frustration over not achieving his personal, high expectations during his two seasons in Westwood under UCLA head coach Mick Cronin. Despite enjoying his time at UCLA, Mara felt his development was stalled and sought a better fit for his skill set under Coach Dusty May.

“I had expectations when I came here that I didn’t achieve… so I took the decision to go to Michigan to try to meet all the expectations,” Mara said.

He felt Michigan offered a better system for his, specifically looking at how Coach Dusty May uses big men. May had success with Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf (both seven footers), and Mara joked that he saw both up close and personal as a sophomore — from the UCLA bench.

USA Today’s Bryan Kalbrosky thinks Mara jumped into the middle of the first round with his March Madness performance.

Kalbosky said: “After leading his team to the collegiate national championship game, Michigan center Aday Mara became one of the prospects who helped himself the most during March Madness. The 7-foot-3 big man, who transferred from UCLA, is a fantastic rim protector. Opponents only attempted 20.9 percent of their field goals at the rim when the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year was on the court, per CBB Analytics, which ranks near lowest among all NCAA players. He can also pass well, finding some awesome outlet looks in transition and at the rim. Especially in short spurts, Mara would make an excellent backup to Victor Wembanyama.”

He is the Maine Event. The Great White Hype. The next Larry Legend.

Everything you’ve heard, read, or seen about Cooper Flagg is true. He’s the real deal.

Flagg has been on the radar of practically every NBA executive ever since his buzzy performance as a then 17-year-old against the U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team preparing for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
It was just a simple three-day scrimmage in Las Vegas, but it was more than enough to convince many basketball decision-makers that Flagg is worthy of being the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft.

While playing for the USA Select Team, Flagg made some eye-opening plays against a U.S. Olympic squad loaded with NBA stars and all-world defensive players. He made a 3-pointer over Anthony Davis. On the next possession, he had a putback plus an and-one over Bam Adebayo. A few moments later, he connected on a turnaround jumper over Jrue Holiday.

Even though Flagg was fresh out of high school when he was invited to the USA Basketball camp, he certainly didn’t look out of place or intimidated.

Kevin Durant told HoopsHype that Flagg looked like a “hell of a player,” someone who will only get better with more experience. “Seventeen years old coming in here playing like he’s a vet almost. No emotion. Just going out there and doing his job. That’s a good sign,” Durant said.

After a one-year pit stop at Duke where he had an incredible freshman season — powering the Blue Devils to the Final Four and sweeping all the major college basketball awards — Flagg is ready to take his talents to the NBA. He is a unique, generational talent who has the potential to become one of the faces of the league.

OneManFastBreak.net ranks the 12 best prospects in the 2025 NBA draft (the list is updated through April with the expectation that these players are declaring for the draft).

1-Cooper Flagg, forward, Duke
NBA comparison: Scottie Pippen
Scouting report: Flagg is such a unique talent that evaluators are finding it difficult to frame an accurate NBA comp for him. Some observers compare him to Andrei Kirilenko, some say it’s Grant Hill or Scottie Pippen because of the similarities in body type. Flagg is a huge Larry Bird fan. It’s ironic both Flagg and Bird lost in the national championship game in their final collegiate games. Bird lost to Magic Johnson’s Michigan State squad in 1979 and Flagg fell short against Houston in 2025. When Flagg was in elementary school in his hometown of Newport, Maine, his parents gave him DVDs chronicling Bird’s career. From that point, Flagg was hooked on Larry Legend. “What we tried to instill in our kids is that however you can have an impact on winning, that’s the most important thing,” Cooper’s mom Kelly told Yahoo Sports. Just like Bird, Flagg doesn’t mind doing the dirty work. He’ll do whatever is required to win a game. Duke head coach Jon Scheyer said when your best player doesn’t care about statistics and only cares about winning, it is contagious. Flagg led Duke in points (19.2), rebounds (7.5), assists (4.2), steals (1.4) and blocks (1.4). He made 38.5% of his threes and shot 84% from the free-throw line. What separates Flagg from other prospects is his defensive instincts. Flagg (measured at 6-8, 221 pounds at the NBA combine) uses every bit of his 7-foot wingspan and 40-inch vertical to lock down his opponents, whether it is out in the perimeter or near the basket. He has remarkable timing in blocking shots, a skill set that sets him apart from other wing players. “He makes hard plays look easy,” ESPN college basketball analyst Seth Greenberg said.

2-Ace Bailey, forward, Rutgers
NBA comparison: Paul George
Scouting report: Airious “Ace” Bailey is one of the most polarizing prospects in the 2025 NBA draft. His baseline NBA comp is probably Shaedon Sharpe but his ceiling could be Paul George. And Paul George would agree. If George had to pick between Cooper Flagg and Ace Bailey, he’d choose Bailey. “I think Ace is a little bit more raw talent with still a ton of upside. I think Ace has a little bit more upside to him,” George said. Ace and Rutgers teammate Dylan Harper came into the 2024-25 college basketball season with tons of expectations. Bailey and Harper had decent individual stats during their freshman seasons for Rutgers, but the Scarlet Knights finished underwater in the Big Ten (15-17 overall, 8-12 conference) and got bounced in the first round of the Big Ten tournament. Bailey is a gifted athlete who can score at all three levels. He is bouncy but wildly inconsistent offensively. He is a tough one-on-one cover because of his size and elite athleticism, and he’s got the perfect frame (6-8, 202) to be a solid wing player. Scouts love his shot-making ability, but scouts are terrified of his shot selection. He chooses a higher degree of difficulty over simplicity. He takes a ton of bad shots, which is a tough habit to break. He’ll need to clean that up and prove to teams that he can play inside a structured system.

3-VJ Edgecombe, guard, Baylor
NBA comparison: Victor Oladipo
Scouting report: According to ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla, Edgecombe hasn’t fully realized how good he can be at the next level. Fraschilla thinks Edgecombe’s ceiling is Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade, but a more realistic comparison is Victor Oladipo. Edgecombe is an ultra-athletic 6-4 off-ball wing who plays with the same fearlessness as Wade and Oladipo. He is nearly unguardable when he puts his head down and drives to the basket. Part of the frustration with Edgecomb was that he was a little passive and deferred too much despite his well-rounded game. Edgecomb has to understand his natural tools. He has above-average athleticism and must know when to hunt for his shot when the right moment arises. In two games against NCAA tournament runner-up Houston, Edgecomb averaged 18.5 points, 2.5 steals, and was 11-for-19 from the field. Before moving to the U.S., Edgecombe spent his childhood in the Bahamas. He’ll be following in the footsteps of other Bahamian ballers in the NBA, including Buddy Hield and Deandre Ayton.

4-Dylan Harper, guard, Rutgers
NBA comparison: Jalen Brunson
Scouting report: Dylan Harper is a triple-double threat whenever he steps on the court. The son of former NBA player Ron Harper is a big combo guard (6-5, 213) who can fill up a stat sheet. And just like his father — a four-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls and L.A. Lakers — Dylan uses his big frame to get to his spots without getting rushed. Harper is a bigger version of Jalen Brunson. He is not an explosive athlete but plays under control. He is crafty, uses angles well, and is comfortable on ball screens. Like most lefties, he tends to lean on his strong hand a little too much and declares his initial move. Dylan recorded the first triple-double for Rutgers since 1983 when he produced 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists in a victory over Columbia. Harper and Rutgers teammate Ace Bailey came into the 2024-25 college basketball season with tons of expectations. Both had decent individual stats during their freshman seasons, but the Scarlet Knights finished underwater in the Big Ten (15-17 overall, 8-12 conference) and got bounced in the first round of the Big Ten tournament. The disappointing Rutgers season might be a dark cloud hanging over Harper during the draft process.

5-Tre Johnson, guard, Texas
NBA comparison: Norman Powell
Scouting report: Tre Johnson is the archetype of what NBA execs are looking for in a wing. He is big (6-5), has good length (6-10 wingspan), and can score at all three levels. Johnson, 19, averaged 19.9 points per game in his one-and-done season at Texas. He showcased his creative shot-making ability against stout competition in the SEC. Johnson could be a Normal Powell-type professional scorer with room to grow into a solid combo guard. He might have the best mid-range jumper in this draft class, and he uses his size to score over defenders on dribble handoffs and mid-post isolations. Tre moves well without the ball, capable of being a catch-and-shoot threat. He shot 37% from 3-point range, which should make his transition from college to pro pretty easy. With a name like Tre, he should be able to knock down threes. He does struggle guarding his position, but his size will help him mitigate that weakness. Tre claims to be a “big basketball nerd,” which is a plus. NBA teams love to hear that. He has shown good work habits and is willing to go the extra mile to improve his game.

6-Derik Queen, forward-center, Maryland
NBA comparison: Elton Brand
Scouting report: When Maryland needed a basket to advance to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament, coach Kevin Willard asked his players in the huddle during a timeout who wanted to take the last shot. Freshman Derik Queen delivered a strong message. “Give me the motherf******* ball,” he said. Willard drew up a play for Queen and the 20-year-old from Baltimore delivered in the clutch as he banked in the game-winning shot as time expired. The buzzer beater showcased Queen’s repertoire. He flashed his crafty handle in a crowded space while making a tough, contested shot. He’s the ideal 4-man or small-ball 5 as he can trigger the offense from the mid-post. You can envision him being used as an offensive hub out of “horns” sets. He doesn’t possess elite athleticism but he has outstanding footwork for a 6-9 big and he has great touch around the basket comfortable using either hand. The 3-pointer is not in his tool box yet, but with more reps — he was a 75% free throw shooter at Maryland — he’s capable of extending his range. He does need to remake his body (weighed 247 at the combine) when he gets to the NBA, but with proper training and a more disciplined diet he should be able to tone his body. The Big Ten freshman of the year was a key member of Maryland’s “Crab Five,” which might be the coolest nickname in the tourney, averaging nearly a double-double (15.7 points, 9.2 rebounds) for the season. The other cool nugget about Queen is that he was Cooper Flagg’s high school teammate at Montverde Academy (Fla.).

7-Walter Clayton Jr., guard, Florida
NBA comparison: Jamal Murray
Scouting report: Maryland coach Kevin Willard said Walter Clayton Jr., 22, reminded him of Steph Curry “a little bit of how good he is off the dribble.” It might be absurd to compare Clayton to the greatest shooter in basketball, but he does look the part. Clayton — named the most outstanding player of the 2025 Final Four after leading Florida to a national title — might be closer to Jamal Murray than Curry. Like Steph and Jamal, Clayton shoots the ball well off the bounce and stays balanced even under duress with a quick release. He is also supremely confident and isn’t afraid of taking (and making) big shots — check out the video from the Elite Eight when Clayton dropped two dagger 3-pointers in the final 1:50 to advance the Gators to the Final Four.

When he is rolling, few can contain Clayton. He led Florida in scoring (17.4) while shooting 38% from the 3-point line. Clayton was a highly recruited high school football safety, but turned down offers from Notre Dame and Georgia. His football background shows in his game. He doesn’t shy away from physicality and plays through contact.

8-Egor Demin, guard-forward, Brigham Young
NBA comparison: Josh Giddey
Scouting report: The 6-9 point-forward with a 6-10 wingspan flashed some of his immense potential with a near triple-double (11-8-8) in BYU’s upset win over third-seeded Wisconsin in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Many Demin detractors point to his shooting woes (27% from 3-point range) as a major red flag, but it is hard to ignore the other brilliant facets of his game. Demin plays with remarkable poise for a 19-year-old and relies on his great instincts to make the right play. He has above-average handles for a 6-9 player and throws dazzling passes in traffic. He is creative with the ball and does not get rattled when trapped. His court vision and decision-making out of pick-and-rolls are elite. He’s able to whip passes over and around defenders. Defensively, his great positional size makes him an ideal defensive helper or low man helper around the basket, and he has enough lateral quickness to keep up with twitchy guards. Demin was born in Moscow and played one year in Europe for Real Madrid. He’s a plug-and-play prospect despite his age and inconsistent jumper.

9-Maxime Raynaud, forward-center, Stanford
NBA comparison: Lauri Markkanen
Scouting report: Raynaud is a skilled 7-footer who made a big jump from his junior year to his senior year at Stanford. He bumped up his points from 15.5 to 20.2, raised his rebounds from 9.6 to 10.6, and improved his blocks from 0.8 to 1.4. These are significant bumps that cant’ be overlooked. It means his arrow keeps point up and he’s developing at a really good pace. The Frenchman could be an ideal pick-and-pop center at the next level. He shot 36.7% of his 3-pointers as a junior and 34.7% as a senior. He’s not a banger so he’ll need to bulk up and add more muscle to his 236-pound frame. He does have a nice post-up game to go with his face-up jumper. He prefers to stay out in the perimeter, but he has decent touch around the basket and can score with either hand. Like most bigs, he lacks lateral quickness which could expose him against strong one-on-one players. Raynaud boosted his draft profile with a strong showing at the NBA combine in Chicago, especially during the 5-on-5 scrimmages. He projects more of a 4-man rather than a 5-man, but he can play both spots. He could really shine if paired with a physical center who can cover up for his shortcomings.

10-Danny Wolf, forward-center, Michigan
NBA comparison: Boris Diaw
Scouting report: Many mock drafts have Wolf slotted in the mid-to-late first-round range. The 20-year-old versatile big man is a unique prospect who could blossom into an outstanding pro. Wolf is a 6-11, 250-pound big with guard-like skills, exactly what teams are looking for in a 4- or 5-man. He can be a hub on offense as a “point center” because he is comfortable handling the ball in space, and his size allows him to see over the defense. He takes calculated risks as the trigger man on pick-and-rolls. He’s also a strong rebounder, averaging 9.7 boards during his sophomore season at Yale and his junior season at Michigan. He plays with a lot of energy and has a consistent motor, which bodes well for his defensive projection. Here are some concerns: He is prone to turning the ball over, shot just 49% from the field, and does not protect the rim despite his large frame. He also shot under 60% from the free throw line at Michigan, but he did shoot 71% at Yale, which could mean it is a correctable weakness. Despite the drawbacks, Wolf might be worth the risk because the reward could be great.

11-Collin Murray-Boyles, forward, South Carolina
NBA comparison: Julius Randle
Scouting report: Murray-Boyles raised his draft stock after a strong sophomore season at South Carolina. He improved in every major statistical category and made second-team all-conference in a very competitive SEC. Murray-Boyles, listed at 6-7, was forced to play center for an underwhelming Gamecocks team that finished 12-20 overall. But he will likely be slotted as a big forward in the NBA. CMB plays bigger than his size and brings a ton of physicality. He uses his 240-pound frame to carve out space in the paint (shot 58% from the field) and has decent handles for a power forward. As a bonus, CMB plays hard on the defensive end and could potentially be a strong perimeter and post defender because of his wingspan and quick feet. His defense could become his calling card at the next level and make him part of a rotation.

12-Ben Saraf, guard, Ratiopharm Ulm (Bundesliga)
NBA comparison: Goran Dragic
Scouting report: Israeli guard Ben Saraf is the best international prospect in a weak international class. The 19-year-old played a year for Ratiopharm Ulm in the very competitive Bundesliga in Germany. He plays with a ton of energy and passion. He’s listed at 6-5 but lacks strength. He relies on his craftiness to shed defenders, but he’s got a solid handle that allows him to get to his spots. He’s got decent body control and has enough athleticism to score over and around bigger defenders. He has plenty of international experience playing for Israel’s national team, and he was named MVP of the FIBA U18 EuroBasket. He didn’t shoot the 3-ball well in his first season with Ulm (22.2%), so whoever drafts him will have to work with his shooting form. Despite his shortcomings as a long-range shooter, Saraf has all the intangibles to be a solid pro. NBA scouts got a sneak peek at Saraf in 2024 as he scored 16 points and made three 3-pointers in a preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Joel Huerto is editor and publisher of OneManFastbreak.net. Follow and subscribe to his YouTube channel at @onemanfastbreak1.

Cooper Flagg and Johni Broome have they eyes on an NCAA tournament title run. (Getty Images)

Jack Gohlke and DJ Burns weren’t household names at the start of March Madness last year. By the time the tournament reached peak interest, Gohlke and Burns became major headlines.

Gohlke starred in the opening round of the 2024 NCAA men’s tournament, spearheading tiny Oakland University to an upset victory over Kentucky. Gohlke finished the game with 32 points, making 10 3-pointers. Burns’ tournament celebrity status lasted two weeks as he powered North Carolina State to its first Final Four appearance since Jim Valvano’s Cinderella run in 1983. Burns’ big moment came in the Elite Eight when he scored 29 points to knock off ACC rival Duke.

Who will be this year’s Gohlke and Burns? A closer look at new potential March Madness heroes. OMFB picked eight players who could be major difference-makers in the 2025 NCAA men’s basketball tournament. These are not necessarily the best pro prospects — although Flagg and Queen are high on most experts’ mock drafts — but they may deliver the shining moments in this year’s Big Dance.

Cooper Flagg
Duke’s NCAA championship hopes hinge on Flagg’s ankles. He’s only got one healthy ankle entering the tournament, and that may be good enough. The Blue Devils have a good roster, but they have a great roster with Flagg in the lineup. Flagg was the engine that drove Duke to the No. 1 seed in the East Region. He finished the regular season leading the team in points (18.9), rebounds (7.5), assists (4.1), blocks (1.3) and steals (1.5). There is no one on Duke’s roster who can provide that same type of productivity.

Johni Broome
Three years ago, Auburn was ranked No. 1 and was among the favorites to win the NCAA title. Bruce Pearl’s squad was then led by a fabulous freshman, Jabari Smith Jr., who was selected third overall in the 2022 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets. Pearl and the Tigers enter the field of 68 in 2025 with another big-time forward, Johni Broome. Broome, a fifth-year senior who started his college career in 2020 at Morehead State before transferring to Auburn, was the SEC player of the year and led the conference in rebounds (10.6) and blocks (2.3).

Walter Clayton Jr.
The Florida Gators are among the favorites to cut down the nets in San Antonio. The SEC tournament champions have the talent and depth to make a deep tourney run. They have a top-10 offense and top-10 defense. It all starts at the point with Walter Clayton Jr. When he’s rolling, there is no team in the West Region that can keep up with the Gators. Clayton led Florida in scoring (17.4) while shooting 38% from the 3-point line.

Derik Queen
Queen is the reigning Big Ten freshman of the year and a key member of Maryland’s “Crab Five,” which might be the coolest nickname in college basketball. Queen nearly averaged a double-double (15.7 points, 9.2 rebounds) during the regular season. He and senior Julian Reese form one of the best frontcourt duos in the nation. This might be Queen’s only tourney appearance as he’s expected to go high in the NBA draft.

L.J. Cryer
The 23-year-old fifth-year senior certainly has loads of experience. He was a member of Baylor’s 2021 national championship team and started 37 games last season for the Houston Cougars. He came back for his super senior season (thanks to the COVID eligibility rule) with hopes of helping coach Kelvin Sampson reach the Final Four. The Cougars have a balanced offense and a rugged defense. Cryer, who averaged a team-leading 15.2 points while shooting 42.2% from the 3-point line, is the head of the snake on both ends.

Chaz Lanier
Tennessee coach Rick Barnes leaned on All-American Dalton Knecht to provide much of the firepower offensively for the Vols last season and this season he has leaned on fifth-year senior Chaz Lanier. Barnes’ teams have historically been very stout defensively. His previous Achilles’ heel has been on the offensive end. Knecht fixed that Achilles’ heel last season and Lanier continues the same formula in 2025. Lanier is a knock-down shooter who can heat up like a microwave oven. He set the Vols single-season record for most 3-pointers, becoming only the third Tennessee player to make over 100 3s in a season. The SEC newcomer of the year is shooting 40% from 3-point range.

Braden Smith
Point guard Braden Smith had some massive shoes to fill this year after the departure of two-time NCAA player of the year Zach Edey. Smith didn’t dominate the Big Ten like Edey did a year ago, but he did manage to lead Purdue back to the NCAA tournament. Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn formed a potent 1-2 punch for Matt Painter’s Boilermakers. Smith is one of the steadiest guards in the country, averaging 16.3 points and 8.8 assists while shooting 39.7% from 3-point range.

Jase Richardson
The last time Michigan State won a national championship, Jase Richardson’s dad, Jason Richardson, played for coach Tom Izzo. Jase may not be the slam dunk prowess of his NBA dad, but what he brings to the table is shooting. Izzo has a well-balanced squad that had just two players average over 10 points per game. Jase Richardson was second on the team in points (11.6) and second in 3-point percentage (38.8%). If Jase gets hot, Izzo and the Spartans might make a Final Four trip.

The NBA Summer League is the best teaser on what to expect from the incoming rookie class. As expected, the top lottery picks didn’t disappoint, while others have obvious weaknesses that need to be corrected.

The California Classic in San Francisco and Sacramento kicked off the summer league season, with games at Chase Center and Golden 1 Center. As usual, the crown jewel of the summer hoops season was the Las Vegas Summer League. All 30 teams, armed with their first-round picks from the 2024 NBA draft, showed up to The Strip to showcase the potential stars of tomorrow.

Here are the studs — and duds — from the full NBA summer league slate.

STUDS: Donovan Clingan, Kel’el Ware, Dalton Knecht, Bub Carrington, Zach Edey, Stephon Castle, Reed Sheppard, Matas Buzelis

Donovan Clingan, center, Portland Trail Blazers — Clingan’s high-profile matchup against No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr turned out to be a one-sided affair. Clingan thoroughly outplayed Sarr, helping hold him down to an embarrassing 0-for-15 shooting from the field. The national champ from UConn came in with a reputation as a defensive stalwart and he has certainly lived up to the billing, leading all players at the Vegas summer league in rebounds (12.3) and blocked shots (4.3). Clingan’s mere presence (7-2, 285 pounds) on the court should greatly improve a Blazers squad that ranked in the bottom 10 in terms of defensive rating last season. He is far from a finished product offensively, but with the help of dynamic young point guard Scoot Henderson, Clingan could be on the receiving end of lobs and put-backs. The Blazers didn’t select Clingan with the No. 7 overall pick in the draft for his offense. They drafted him to be their defensive anchor, and he should fill that role immediately.

Kel’el Ware, center, Miami Heat — Last year, the Heat found a gem in 18th overall first-round pick Jaime Jaquez. The Heat may have struck gold again this year in 15th overall first-round pick Kel’el Ware. After a shaky debut, the former Indiana product rebounded with a 26-point, 11-rebound performance in his second game at the California Classic. Ware flashed all the skills that made him an exciting prospect: rim running, lob threat, soft touch around the basket, rim protector. Ware did miss all his shots from behind the 3-point line, so he’ll need to improve that aspect of his game to be a more well-rounded big man. But his ceiling is high and he could play an immediate role on the Heat, much like how Dereck Lively did his rookie season with the Mavericks. Ware and Lively not only have similar body types but they also mirror each other on the court in terms of skill set. Ware capped off an outstanding summer by leading the Heat to the championship game of the Vegas summer league. In the final against the Memphis Grizzlies, Ware had 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the field and 10 rebounds in helping Miami take home the trophy with a 120-118 victory in overtime.

Dalton Knecht, guard, L.A. Lakers — Knecht was one of the few bright spots for an otherwise challenging summer season for the Lakers. The former Tennessee Volunteer’s shot-making ability in college has translated well into the pro game. He averaged 21.3 points per game in three games, shooting 41.8% from the field and 39.1% from 3-point range. He showed an ability to put the ball on the deck and create offense not only for himself but for his teammates. Defensively, Knecht is still a work in progress. He tends to straighten up too much when he gets in his defensive stance, allowing quicker players to get by him. His weakness on the defensive end might have been the reason why he dropped to the 17th spot in the first round of the draft. But the Lakers won’t be asking Knecht to be a defensive stopper. As long as he can get buckets on the other end, head coach JJ Redick will have a spot for him in the rotation.

Carlton “Bub” Carrington, guard, Washington Wizards — Not many experts had Bub Carrington on their tarot cards to make the all-summer league team in Las Vegas. Carrington was one of the biggest surprises of the summer season with an impressive showing in Vegas. The 14th overall pick averaged 15.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists in 32.6 minutes. While at Pitt he was known for a lethal midrange shot, but he showed he can extend his range by knocking down 35.9% of his 3-point shots in summer league. He had an outstanding debut in a win over Zaccharie Risacher’s Atlanta Hawks, scoring 19 points and grabbing nine rebounds. The Wizards are planning to put Bub at point. It’s not his natural position, but he seems to be a quick learner. He should get plenty of run on a Wizards squad that isn’t expected to make the playoffs any time soon.

Zach Edey, center, Memphis Grizzlies — The 7-foot-4 big man out of Purdue was the most polarizing prospect in the 2024 draft. Nearly all of the mock drafts — except for OMFB — had Edey going mid- to late-first round and some mocks (we know who they are) even had him slotted in the early second round. OMFB ranked Edey as the top prospect in the draft and graded him very high going in. Edey fired his first shot at his doubters with a strong performance in his debut for the Grizzlies in Salt Lake City. The ninth overall pick in the draft put up 14 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and blocked four shots in 33 minutes against a stacked Utah summer squad led by second-year pros Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks, and Walker Kessler. Edey won his spicy matchup with Kessler, and delivered two eye-popping moments against the Jazz center. Edey sent shockwaves online when he dunked on Kessler and made a watch-your-head gesture as he ran back down the court. Then, he made up for missing an easy tip dunk when he muscled past Kessler and Kyle Filipowski and tipped in a shot following an intentionally missed free throw to send the game into overtime. Edey suffered an ankle injury at SLC, which caused him to miss nearly all the games in Vegas. He played for about a half in his only Vegas appearance before leaving with another ankle injury. The Grizzlies had seen enough at that point and decided to shut down their prized rookie for the remainder of the summer.

It’s too early to make a proper evaluation on Edey as we’re only given a small sample size. But based on what transpired in Salt Lake City, it’s safe to say Edey will prove his critics wrong and the Grizzlies may have found their starting center for years to come.

Stephon Castle, guard, San Antonio Spurs — Castle told people at the NBA draft combine that he preferred to play point guard instead of off-ball shooting guard, the position he mostly played in his lone season for national champion UConn. The fourth overall pick in the NBA draft has shown the maturity and the control to handle point duties and even Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is impressed. “I love his seriousness for such a young kid,” Popovich told ESPN. “I love his pace. You’ll see his expression never changes. He doesn’t go too fast, he doesn’t go too slow, he reads the situation. The more minutes he gets, the better he will be.” Castle got better each time he took the court in summer league, averaging 15.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in the California Classic and dropped 22 points in his Vegas summer league debut. If there was a hole in his game it’s 3-point shooting as he made just 20%. A wrist injury forced Castle to miss the remaining of summer league, disappointing some fans. But the Spurs were protecting their investment and there was no need for him to make the injury worse.

Reed Sheppard, guard, Houston Rockets — After a solid 23-point debut at the Vegas summer league against Bronny James and the L.A. Lakers, the No. 3 overall selection in the draft put together an outstanding all-around game against the Washington Wizards, teaming up with second-year pro and 2023 Vegas Summer League MVP Cam Whitmore on a couple of dazzling plays. Sheppard struggled from 3-point range (1 for 5) but still finished with 22 points, using an array of shots around the paint. He also filled up the stat sheet with six rebounds, seven assists and impressive five steals. Sheppard could be more than just a high-level role player for Houston. He’ll play behind veteran Fred VanVleet, but could eventually become the team’s point guard of the future.

Matas Buzelis, forward, Chicago Bulls — Buzelis said he was disappointed in his first game at the Vegas summer league despite a solid stat line (15 points, seven rebounds, two blocks). “Honestly, I was very sloppy,” the 11th overall pick told NBC Sports Chicago. “I can play a lot better.” And he did play better. In his second game, the Lithuanian-American teenager dropped 28 points on the Golden State Warriors, including a social-media-busting dunk on a fastbreak. The dunk itself was spectacular, but what made it a meme was Buzelis staring down his opponent as he completed the dunk.

When Buzelis wasn’t dunking on people’s heads, he was draining shots from long range as he rattled home four of his eight 3-point attempts, the last one coming on a step-back corner 3-ball with a heavy contest. He took on the difficult defensive assignment of guarding Warriors second-year pro and All-Rookie team selection Brandon Podziemski. There is a lot to like about Buzelis’ game, and once his body fills out he could turn out to be one of the best players in the 2024 draft class.

DUDS: Alex Sarr, Zaccharie Risacher, Rob Dillingham, Tidjane Salaun, Kyle Filipowski, Isaiah Collier

Alex Sarr, forward/center, Washington Wizards — The No. 2 overall pick in the draft had a historically bad night in his third game in Las Vegas. He went an abysmal 0-for-15 from the field and missed all seven of his 3-point attempts against his highly anticipated matchup with No. 7 pick Donovan Clingan. Sarr did have nine rebounds and three blocks, but few will remember that. The Wizards big man have a ton of work to do between now and the start of training camp. His shot mechanics is not terrible, but his shot selection has to improve. He has been consistently bad with this shot attempts throughout his time in Vegas, and he seems to settle instead of working to get a better look. In a game against the Houston Rockets, Sarr put up eight points, four rebounds and two blocks. Not awful numbers, but those are the kind of numbers you’d expect from a second-round pick.

Zaccharie Risacher, guard-forward, Atlanta Hawks — The 6-9 swingman had a solid outing in Vegas. He had a smooth stroke from 3-point range. He showed that he can create his own shot off the bounce, and even threw down a left-handed dunk on a break that got fans and NBA personnel all excited. He showed a willingness to defend multiple positions, and he also didn’t appear overwhelmed by the NBA experience. In three games, he averaged 14.5 points and 5.0 rebounds. If he was a mid-round draft pick those numbers would be sufficient. But Risacher was the No. 1 overall selection in the draft. There’s a level of expectation that come with being the top pick, and Risacher didn’t meet those expectations. He shot just 39.3% from the field and was even worse from 3-point range at 25.0%. Luckily for the Hawks, he’s only 19 and has plenty of time to grow and mature into his leading role.

Rob Dillingham, guard, Minnesota Timberwolves — While at Kentucky, Dillingham served as a primary scorer off the bench, a role in which he thrived in. But in summer league, he’s been tasked with running the show for the Timberwolves at point. The No. 8 overall pick seems capable of playing point guard, but it’s quite obvious it’s not his natural position. Against the 76ers in Vegas, Dillingham posted a decent stat line (10 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists), but he had seven turnovers and shot just 3-for-10 from the field. It also doesn’t help his cause that his former Kentucky teammate Reed Sheppard has been lights out in Vegas. Dillingham finally found his footing in his final summer league game in Vegas with 25 points and 12 assists against the Orlando Magic, flashing all the skills that the T-Wolves loved about him. He could eventually be the stud most projected him to be, but it’ll take some time.

Tidjane Salaun, forward, Charlotte Hornets — Salaun was part of the impressive French talent surge in the 2024 draft, rocketing all the up to No. 6 overall. His 6-9 frame and 7-2 wingspan to go along with his age (he won’t turn 19 until Aug. 10) made him an extremely enticing prospect. So far, he looks like he’ll need time to develop and would benefit greatly from more reps. There were times on the court in Vegas where he looked impressive while there were other times where he looked lost. He had a double-double in his Vegas summer debut, but he took a step with a 3-for-7 shooting performance in just 14 minutes in his second game. It didn’t help that he missed the Hornets minicamp due to a minor laceration near his knee. The Hornets will need to be patient with Salaun as he’s far from a finished product.

Kyle Filipowski, forward, Utah Jazz — Many basketball experts were quite surprised that Filipowski dropped to the second round in the draft. The former Duke product didn’t do much to completely prove his naysayers wrong that he was worthy of a first-round pick, but he did show enough promise. He scored a grand total of four points (went scoreless in his debut) in two games at the Salt Lake City summer league. He finally broke loose in his fourth game with a 20-point game on 9-of-16 shooting from the field against the Toronto Raptors. The Jazz are hoping Filipowski can play the stretch-4 role next to Walker Kessler. That plan might eventually play out, but it’ll require a bit more lab work for Flip because he seems to be struggling with the speed and physicality of the pro game.

Isaiah Collier, guard, Utah Jazz — Collier was rated as one of the top high school prospects when he came to USC and appeared to be a lock to a surefire NBA standout. But finding success at the pro level is not easy, and Collier is struggling to find his footing. The concerns scouts had about him came to fruition in Vegas. He turned the ball over too many times (4.3) and he was one of the worst shooters from 3-point range, making just a shockingly bad 9% of his 3-pointers. When defenders are not respecting Collier’s 3-ball, they tend to go under the screens making it difficult for Collier to get downhill. Collier’s story is a common narrative in the world of basketball. Let’s just hope he’ll be able to bust through his early struggles and be a rotational player for the Jazz.

To say Purdue’s Zach Edey is the most polarizing prospect in the 2024 NBA draft would be a gigantic understatement.

Edey is a throwback center who plays in a phone booth. He’s an old-school, back-to-the-basket big man who uses his imposing size (7-4) and strength (300 pounds) to physically beat up and wear down his opponents. The 21-year-old Toronto native wasn’t just good in college. He was historically good. You’d have to dig deep into the basketball archives to find comparable performances. Edey put himself in the company of Walton, Alcindor, Ewing, Sampson, and Robinson.

Edey put up eye-popping statistics during his senior season at Purdue while leading the Boilermakers to the national championship game, where they lost to a stacked Connecticut squad. Edey dominated the competition throughout the NCAA tournament, including a highly anticipated matchup against UConn’s 7-2 center Donovan Clingan.

Edey scored 37 points on 15-of-25 shooting from the field and grabbed 10 rebounds while mostly being guarded by Clingan. Clingan’s Huskies won the game, but Edey clearly won his individual matchup against his fellow NBA prospect. Edey consistently moved Clingan during their battles in the low block. He was also able to finish over Clingan, who had been the tournament’s most impactful defensive player. Clingan, who had been averaging 3.1 blocks in the tournament, only had one blocked shot and picked up four fouls trying to slow down Edey.

“If Zach Edey is not like a lottery pick and a tremendous NBA player, then there’s something wrong with the NBA,” UConn coach Dan Hurley said on “The Herd” with Colin Cowherd. “They’re maybe not playing the right game at that level. This guy has been dominant, brings you back to Ralph Sampson, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson type of performances at that spot.”

Hurley continued: “The kid’s a special player and special players when they go to that next level, they add new skills quickly. So, I think he’s going to get to the NBA, increase his range, shooting, his passing, his dribbling and he’ll adapt. That’s what special players do.”

Despite the gaudy numbers and the undeniable measurable, the vast majority of NBA scouts and basketball experts remain skeptical about Edey’s game and how it could translate to the next level. The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, CBS Sports’ Kyle Boone, Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman, and longtime draft expert and current ESPN insider Jonathan Givony all have Edey outside the top 10 in their latest mock drafts.

The concerns are consistent across the board. Not mobile enough. Can’t guard in space. Will struggle in ball-screen situations. Doesn’t shoot enough 3s to space the floor. Overall game won’t translate to the modern NBA game.

The vast majority of the concerns are valid. But many experts may be missing the obvious. They are so fixated on what Edey can’t do, they’re overlooking the amazing things that he can do. He is a skilled big man with soft hands. His baseball background shows as he catches almost everything thrown at him. He also rebounds well in traffic because of his strong hands. These traits are transferable to the next level.

One of the most underrated parts of Edey’s game is his competitive spirit. He meets the moment. He plays his best when his best is needed. He took on the challenge of guarding North Carolina State’s DJ Burns and shut him down. He took on the Clingan challenge and dropped 37 on the best team in college basketball. Each time a challenge is put in front of him, he has embraced it.

There’s also no doubts about his work ethic. He has greatly improved from year to year, especially his mobility and conditioning. He played the most minutes of any player in the NCAA tournament. He played 119 out of a possible 120 minutes in the Elite Elite, Final Four, and national championship game.

Being doubted is nothing new to Edey. He has been overlooked his entire athletic career. He is unfazed by the countless question marks about his game and the overly critical scouting reports. He delivered a thoughtful answer when reporters asked about his college legacy.

“You can say anything you want about my game, you can say anything you want about how I play,” he said. “But I don’t think you could ever say I never stepped on the court and didn’t give it my 100%. I never took a night off, I never took a practice off for four years. I left everything on the court every time I stepped on. That’s the only thing I want to be remembered for.”

Basketball execs and the media gravitate to narratives. The narrative these days is about pace and space. It’s about positionless basketball and an emphasis on analytics.

But why keep following trends? It should be acceptable to be different. It’s OK to turn left when everyone else is turning right. Drafting Edey in the top half of the lottery would be a move straight from left field. But it’s the right move. It’s the smart basketball move.

Basketball is still a big man’s game. In case you haven’t noticed, three of the five best players in the NBA are centers. Outside of the Golden State Warriors, championship teams are built around centers. Edey is a strong foundational piece to build around.

OneManFastBreak.net ranks the 12 best prospects in the 2024 NBA draft (list is updated through April 10 with the expectation that these players are declaring for the draft).

1-Zach Edey, center, Purdue
NBA comparison: Yao Ming
Scouting report: A common comparison to Edey is former Iowa center Luka Garza — a ridiculous comparison when you think about it. Garza is nearly five inches shorter and 50 pounds lighter than Edey. Edey is also far more skilled than Garza, who is extremely limited and doesn’t possess Edey’s soft hands. Edey took an unusual path en route to becoming the best big man in college basketball. He played baseball and hockey as a youngster and didn’t play basketball until he attended IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. After playing under the shadow of Jaden Ivey as a sophomore, Edey raised his profile with an outstanding junior season at Purdue. He bumped up his scoring average (from 14.4 to 22.3), rebounding average (from 7.7 to 12.2), while maintaining an extremely high field goal percentage (62.8%). He raised it up a notch from his junior year to his senior year, leading the Big Ten in scoring (25.2), rebounding (12.9) and field goal percentage (62.3%). He shot a respectable 71.1% from the free throw line while attempting 11.2 foul shots per game. He was even better during March Madness. He scored 177 points (29.5) in six NCAA tournament games, tying Princeton’s Bill Bradley for second-most points scored in a single tournament. “When you look at his numbers against the greats, there’s no question he’s in the conversation,” Purdue coach Matt Painter said of his All-American. In a three-game stretch during the season, Edey became the first Big Ten player since Glenn “Big Dog” Robinson to score 30-plus points, grab 10-plus rebounds in three consecutive games. There are only three players in NCAA history to score over 2,000 points, grab 1,000 rebounds, block 200 shots, and shoot at least 60% from the field. That list includes Edey, David Robinson, and Patrick Ewing. Pretty good company.

2-Alex Sarr, forward-center, Perth Wildcats (Australia NBL)
NBA comparison: Evan Mobley
Scouting report: French teenager Alex Sarr, 19, is an Eiffel Tower-like big who opened some eyes in Henderson, Nev., after his Perth Wildcats took on the G League Ignite in an exhibition game that was supposed to showcase Ignite’s top guys Ron Holland and Matas Buzelis. Instead, the 7-footer with a 7-5 wingspan stole the show and became the talk of the showcase event, averaging 21.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, six blocks, and two assists in two games. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony said Sarr’s “continued improvement this season, overall consistency and outstanding NBA fit playing a similar role to the likes of Evan Mobley and Chet Holmgren makes him a safe choice currently as the potential No. 1.” Mobley is the most common comparison to Sarr, but there’s a lot of Chris Bosh in his game. Like Bosh, Sarr is comfortable operating in the high post — now commonly referred to as the “nail.” Sarr began his basketball odyssey with Real Madrid. He possesses a rare blend of length, size, instincts, and reactivity. He displayed all of those traits when he was matched up gainst Ignite’s Ron Holland. Holland, who is considered by many scouts to be a top-10 pick, couldn’t shake Sarr despite throwing him everything but the kitchen sink. Sarr’s father, Massar, is a former professional basketball player from Senegal, while his older brother, Olivier, currently plays in the NBA for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Alex Sarr is far from a finished product. He still needs to gain upper body strength and has to build up leg strength to be able to explode off the floor. But in a relatively weak draft class, Sarr might be at the top of the class.

3-Stephon Castle, guard, Connecticut
NBA comparison: Jimmy Butler
Scouting report: Castle, 19, wasn’t your ordinary freshman. He had a certain maturity about him. UConn head coach Dan Hurley called Castle “the anti-entitled five-star freshman.” He does nothing but help his team win, whether it’d be setting up teammates or scoring on his own or stopping the other team’s best perimeter player. UConn center Donovan Clingan calls Castle one of the best on-ball defenders. He utilizes his 6-6 frame to his advantage. He plays with an edge and embraces competition, qualities often found in players with championship rings. Castle bottled up Northwestern’s all-conference guard Boo Buie in the second round of the NCAA tournament, as Buie shot just 2-for-15 from the field and finished with nine points. Because the Huskies are a balanced team with a boatload of talent on the roster, Hurley said Castle didn’t get to show everything in his bag. He waited until March Madness to unleash the full arsenal. Castle, who averaged 10.7 points during the regular season, saved his best when the Huskies needed it most during the Final Four. He scored a season-high 21 points in UConn’s hard-fought win over Alabama, while also hounding ‘Bama guard Mark Sears all night. Castle plays with controlled aggression on both ends. You can’t speed him up on offense, and he’ll make you rush on defense. About the only weakness in his game is his 3-point shooting. He shot just 26% from behind the arc. But everything else about his game is pro level.

4-Donovan Clingan, center, Connecticut
NBA comparison: DeAndre Jordan
Scouting report: The big man from Bristol, Conn., put his stamp on Connecticut’s dominant Big East season with a 22-point, 16-rebound performance in leading the Huskies to a convincing win in the Big East tournament championship game over Marquette. It was UConn’s third win over Marquette in the season and it was the third straight game in which Clingan outplayed fellow NBA prospect Oso Ighodaro. “There’s a bunch of other centers that have gaudier numbers. He’s one of the most impactful players in the country. Top two, top three most valuable players in the country, that kid,” UConn coach Dan Hurley said about his 7-foot-2, 280-pound center. Clingan, 20, finished his sophomore season at UConn strong after returning from a midseason foot injury that forced him to miss a month. His presence in the middle was one of the many reasons the Huskies earned a No. 1 seeding in the NCAA tournament and captured the school’s sixth national championship. Clingan is a superb finisher off pick-and-rolls (he shot 64% from the field) and he’s also a big-time lob threat. Clingan, who has a 7-7 wingspan, is far from polished on the offensive end but he can immediately make an impact on the defensive end. Teams who are willing to be patient could reap the reward of having a center set solid screens, runs the floor, and protects the rim.

5-Dalton Knecht, guard, Tennessee
NBA comparison: Bogdan Bogdanovic
Scouting report: Dalton Knecht helped his draft stock with a good showing in the NCAA tournament for the Tennessee Volunteers. Knecht began his D1 career at Northern Colorado where he averaged 20.2 points per game. He used the extra COVID year to play one year in Knoxville, where he opened more eyes and greatly improved his draft stock. He has good positional size (6-6, 204) but he is 23 years old and may have already hit his ceiling. Teams looking for a superstar player might be greatly disappointed. However, those teams looking for a sniper who can occasionally put the ball on the deck then Knecht might be a fit. He chose Tennessee because Rick Barnes has a reputation of being a defensive coach. Defense isn’t Knecht’s forte, but it has improved under Barnes. Shooting the ball is Knecht’s favorite jam. In his final college game, Knecht scored 37 points in 37 minutes and buried six 3-pointers in a loss to Zach Edey and Purdue in the Elite Eight. During his super senior season at Tennessee, Knecht shot 46% from the field and 39% from 3-point range. The SEC player of the year is sneaky good athletically. He’s able to create his own shot and can score in traffic. Knecht may not have the highest of ceilings compared to younger draft prospects, but he’s a plug-and-play player whose game translates well in today’s 3-point happy NBA.

6-Matas Buzelis, forward, G League Ignite
NBA comparison: Franz Wagner
Scouting report: An ankle injury cost Buzelis, 19, the first three months of the G League season, but when he came back he flashed the impressive ball-handling and shot-making abilities that made him one of the top prospects coming out of Sunrise Christian Academy. In his one season with G League Ignite, Buzelis averaged 14.3 points and 6.9 rebounds. He shot 44% from the field, but made just 27.3% of his 3-point shots, which is somewhat concerning. Buzelis is more of a slasher than a pure shooter. He can create his own shot off the bounce, preferably going to his left, and has a point-guard mentality as a 6-9 forward. He can play the catch-and-shoot role, but that part of his game is still evolving. He was a better shooter in high school than in the G League, so there’s enough evidence that he can become a solid shooter at the pro level. He has a little bit of Franz Wagner — Orlando Magic’s talented young star — in his game. Buzelis grew up in Chicago, but his bloodline runs deep in Lithuanian basketball. His grandfather Petras played for Zalgiris Kaunas for more than a decade and his dad Aidas played professionally for a number of teams in the Lithuanian league. This is a major plus for Matas Buzelis, given the impressive list of Lithuanians who’ve played in the NBA such as Domantas Sabonis, Arvydas Sabonis (Domantas’ father), Sarunas Marciulonis, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and Jonas Valanciunas. The Ignite hasn’t had a good track record of late when it comes to NBA prospects, but there’s an Ignite player from this class who is worth a lottery pick, it’s Buzelis.

7-Zaccharie Risacher, forward, JL Bourg-en-Bresse (France LNB)
NBA comparison: Trey Murphy
Scouting report: Zaccharie Risacher is the son of former French League star Stéphane Risacher, who won a silver medal for France at the 2000 Summer Olympics. Zaccharie Risacher turns 19 two months before the draft and he is fast-rising name in many mock drafts. Some draft experts have Risacher near the top of the draft. But before teams get too excited about Risacher, there are some glaring weaknesses that needed to be addressed. He is not an explosive athlete and has average length for his size (6-9). He has shown some ability to create his own shot, but his chart doesn’t project 25-point scorer at the next level because his handle isn’t elite. He’s more of a 3-and-D wing who could be a solid NBA starter. His NBA comparison is Pelicans forward Trey Murphy. Because he is the son of a former pro player, Risacher has a good feel for the game and has good instincts. He could still make another leap, but it’s a big roll of a dice if you take him in the upper half of the lottery.

8-Tidjane Salaun, forward, Cholet Basket (France LNB)
NBA comparison: Nic Batum
Scouting report: Salaun is a fascinating prospect, especially for teams needing a space-the-floor big forward. He’s got superior positional size at 6-10 with a 7-1 wingspan. Those spicy measurables would make NBA execs drool on their notepads. He also plays with a ton of energy on both ends. Offensively, 60% of his baskets are either 3s or dunks. He doesn’t have much of an in-between game offensively yet, but he has shown the necessary traits to be a superb defensive player. He understands how to use his immense wingspan to deflect balls and contest shots. In a game against Saint-Quentin in the French LNB, Salaun started the game by intercepting a pass and finishing with a dunk. He ended the game in the same fashion as he picked off a pass near halfcourt and finished the play with a crowd-pleasing dunk to seal a 73-69 win for Cholet. ESPN draft guru Jonathan Givony posted this on Twitter about Salaun: “It’s easy to see why Tidjane Salaun is a riser on NBA draft boards, standing 6-11 with an athletic frame, long arms, fluid movements and dynamic shooting ability. It’s rare to see an 18-year-old shoot the ball with the confidence, range and versatility Salaun has all season.” Most mock drafts have Salaun somewhere in the middle first round or late first round. Given the lack of star power in this year’s class, it might be worth rolling the dice on Salaun. He could grow into an outstanding two-way player.

9-Rob Dillingham, guard, Kentucky
NBA comparison: Darius Garland
Scouting report: Dillingham, 19, is well traveled. He is a native of Hickory, N.C., and gained attention as high school sophomore. He transferred to Donda Academy for his junior year. Donda is the much-maligned private school in Simi Valley, Calif., founded by Kanye West. Dillingham spent his senior year in Overtime Elite, a pro league for late high school and early college-level players. He decommitted from North Carolina State and enrolled at Kentucky in 2022. Dillingham has earned his way playing for John Calipari. Kentucky’s 2023-24 squad was armed with high-profile prospects like Justin Edwards and DJ Wagner. Dillingham performed better than Edwards and Wagner despite coming off the bench. Dillingham is a 6-2 combo guard with a boatload of confidence. He is a three-level scorer who isn’t afraid to take and make tough shots. He’s got some Jamal Murray — who also played for Calipari at Kentucky — in his game, but a better athlete. A closer comparison is another former Kentucky product Tyrese Maxey. Dillingham possesses the same type of quick, shifty moves that Maxey is known for, and Dillingham might have a tighter handle. Kentucky assistant coach Chuck Martin, who worked as Calipari’s assistant at Memphis, had high praise for Dillingham. “He’s as dynamic of a player I’ve been around in 25 years,” Martin said, “and I’ve been around Derrick Rose, been around some really good players.”

10-Isaiah Collier, guard, USC
NBA comparison: Collin Sexton
Scouting report: Collier’s freshman season at USC didn’t go as planned. Expectations were super high for Collier and the Trojans entering the season. But injuries and some bad losses have led to a disappointing year. Collier missed four weeks after suffering a hand injury and that’s when the Trojans’ season fell apart. But since coming back from injury, Collier has flashed all the skills that made him the No. 1 high school recruit. The 6-5 combo guard is a tough cover when he goes downhill. He plays with a lot of physicality. He’s a bigger version of Collin Sexton both offensively and defensively. And so far, nothing suggests that Collier is not willing to do the work. USC coaches raved about his work ethic and his appetite for improvement. He’s open to be coached hard, and Andy Enfield and his staff have done a good job in developing Collier in his one season with the Trojans. In a double overtime loss against Colorado, Collier finished with 25 points, nine rebounds and three steals. He cleaned up some of the turnover problems that plagued him earlier in the season and also improved his outside shooting. Collier’s freshman season with the Trojans didn’t go as planned but he did finish strong, including a statement performance in USC’s upset win over Pac-12 champion Arizona at Galen Center in which he took over the game in crunch time.

11-Cody Williams, forward, Colorado
NBA comparison: Jerame Grant
Scouting report: Cody Williams is a late bloomer. There were few preseason publications that had him slotted in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft. After one impressive season at Colorado, Williams opened some eyes and could be the hidden gem teams are coveting in an unpredictable draft. Williams is a 6-8, 180-pound forward with tantalizing 7-foot wingspan. He is the younger brother of Oklahoma City Thunder standout Jalen Williams. An ESPN draft expert calls Cody a “high-level, two-way wing” who makes “decisive, fluid and efficient” movements. He’s versatile and has untapped potential. A host of injuries prevented Williams from fully displaying his full potential. He suffered wrist and ankle injures and fractured an orbital bone that required him wearing a mask. Despite the physical setbacks, Williams flashed what he could be at the next level and he is confident his arrow will keep pointing up. He made the Pac-12 All-Freshman team, averaging 11 points per game and shooting 41% from the 3-point line. “I don’t really feel like I have anything to prove, just because I’ve already put in the work. I’ve already done what I need to do, my due diligence in terms of working off the court,” Williams told ESPN.

12-Ron Holland, forward, G League Ignite
NBA comparison: Terrance Mann
Scouting report: Holland might be the most underrated five-star prospect we have in this year’s draft. He came out of high school (Duncansville, Texas) as a top-three recruit, made the McDonald’s High School All-American squad, and earned a spot on Team USA for the Nike Hoop Summit. He opted to play for the G League Ignite where he averaged a team-best 19.5 points per game and 2.4 steals. Holland absorbed some of the blame for Ignite’s historically awful season (2-32), and rightfully so since he and Matas Buzelis were the biggest names on the squad. Skeptics focused on Holland’s porous 3-point shooting (23.9%) and turnovers (3.5), but they have missed some of the positive things he can bring to the table such as good positional size and athleticism. Holland also has a high motor and plays hard on defense, which translates to the NBA. If he can improve his shooting, the 6-8 forward could be a good rotational player who can compete right away for playing time.

Victor Wembanyama doesn’t like being called “The Unicorn.” It’s the nickname mostly associated with Latvian standout Kristaps Porzingis. About the only thing Wembanyama and Porzingis have in common is their height. Both are extremely tall men raised on European soil. But the comparisons end there. Wembanyama is a far, far better prospect at this stage of his career than Porzingis was. The 19-year-old from Le Chesnay, France, is the most talked about pro prospect in a long time, and some even compare the hype to 2003 when LeBron James was the consensus No. 1 overall prospect in the draft.

Wembanyama is currently playing for Metropolitans 92 in the French pro league. Prior to that, he played for LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in the EuroLeague. Former San Antonio Spurs star Tony Parker is the majority stake hold of the European club and the team is coached by Parker’s brother T.J. Wembanyama is listed at 7-foot-4 with an 8-foot wingspan. He plays forward and center, but he’s got guard skills with an NBA-ready 3-point shot. His defense is ahead of his offensive skills at this point, so he’ll make an immediate impact on that end of the court. However, he’s made huge strides offensively and it won’t take long before he becomes a beast on both ends.

Wemby is so uniquely gifted that there’s no real NBA comparison. The closest we can come up with is he’s Kevin Durant on offense and Rudy Gobert on defense. That’s a scary combination.

Steph Curry calls Wembanyama a “cheat code.” He’s an ethereal talent that only exists in create-a-player mode on NBA2K.

“Right now, it’s Wembanyama and everyone else for the 2023 draft,” one NBA scout told Yahoo Sports. “There’s always concern about someone so good so young, but it hasn’t gotten in the way of Wembanyama from getting better over the years. He’s the closest thing to a transcendent talent the draft has seen since probably Zion [Williamson], and even then the feelings throughout the league were much more mixed compared to where things stand right now with Wembanyama.”

Zion Williamson might not be an accurate comparison in terms of generational talent. Wembanyama is a much freakier athlete than Zion. He’s in the LeBron James category as far as hype and talent. And LeBron agrees.

“Everybody’s been a unicorn over the last few years, but he’s more like an alien,” James said of Wembanyama after seeing him play for the first time. “No one has ever seen anyone as tall as he is but as fluid and as graceful as he is out on the floor. His ability to put the ball on the floor, shoot step-back jumpers out of the post, catch-and-shoot threes, block shots.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Durant are also impressed — and worried.

“The league is really in trouble when he comes in,” Durant said.

Antetokounmpo warned his friend Serge Ibaka that the league better be ready because we’ve never seen anyone like Wembanyama.

“He’s taller than Rudy Gobert. He can block shots like Rudy, but he shoots like Kevin Durant. Bro, it’s crazy. And he has a good attitude,” Giannis added. “If he stays healthy, he’s going to be really good.”

The San Antonio Spurs won the NBA draft lottery and have the first selection. Head coach Gregg Popovich can’t turn in the draft card fast enough with Wembanyama’s name on it.

Here are OMFB’s top prospects in the 2023 NBA draft.

1-Victor Wembanyama, forward/center, Metropolitans 92
NBA comparison: Kevin Durant (but much taller)
Scouting report: Tons of NBA scouts witnessed Wembanyama go head-to-head against Chet Holmgren (the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft) at the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup in Latvia. Holmgren was named tournament MVP for leading Team USA to a gold medal, but it was Wembanyama who put up eye-popping statistics. In the 83-81 loss to Team USA in the gold medal game, Wenbanyama scored 22 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and blocked eight shots. He established a FIBA tournament record for blocked shots (40), averaging 5.7 per game. The next best player, Holmgren, recorded 19 blocks in the same tournament. “Never have I ever seen Chet Holmgren overshadowed physically like he was last year whenever the two met,” an NBA scout told Yahoo Sports. “He practically can and does do all that Chet can, but is three inches taller, probably shoots it better from three, may have a better feel as a passer and has a much better frame to develop than Chet.” Wembanyama put the entire basketball world on notice during two exhibition games in Henderson, Nevada, in October 2022. He averaged 36.5 points and 4.5 blocks in a pair of games against a G League Ignite team led by Scoot Henderson.

2-Scoot Henderson, guard, G League Ignite
NBA comparison: Russell Westbrook
Scouting report: Sterling “Scoot” Henderson was the top point guard and No. 7 overall prospect in the ESPN high school rankings prior to reclassifying. He averaged 32 points, seven rebounds, and sis assists per game as a high school junior and was named to the MaxPreps Junior All-America team. He turned down college basketball offers from Auburn and Georgia and decided to join the G League Ignite. The 6-2 guard averaged 14.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and shot 50% from the field in 10 games for the Ignite in 2021. Henderson, who turned 19 in February, inked a seven-figure, multi-year endorsement contract with Puma in 2022. Scoot combines speed, agility, and explosive vertical. He’s cut from the same cloth as the 2011 version of Derrick Rose when he was the NBA MVP and prime Russell Westbrook

3-Brandon Miller, forward, Alabama
NBA comparison: Paul George
Scouting report: Brandon Miller strolled into Tuscaloosa, Ala., with a ton of hype as a freshman. Miller not only lived up to the hype, he surpassed all expectations. Miller opened eyes when he dropped 36 points against Gonzaga, including six 3-pointers. The 6-9, 200-pound forward rolled that performance into the SEC as he became one of the best scorers in a deep and competitive conference full of pro prospects. He averaged 19 points per game while shooting 46% from the 3-point line. His ability to get hot from the 3-point line makes him a very intriguing pro prospect. His game and build is comparable to NBA star Paul George. If he’s anything close to PG13, Miller will be a valuable building block for any lottery team.

4-Amen Thompson, guard, Overtime Elite
NBA comparison: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Scouting report: Amen is one half of the talented Thompson Twins. Amen is pegged more of a playmaker than his twin brother, Ausar, but has the ability to play both point and shooting guard. Amen still needs some work on his shooting, but his athleticism for a 6-7 guard is already NBA level. Amen attended Pine Crest School in Florida with his brother. Instead of opting to play college basketball, the Thompsons signed with the Overtime Elite where they’ve been honing their craft for the past year. “Both Ausar and I know we’re not going to be able to get to the rim easily in the league, so we’ve been very intentional this last year working on our floater, working on our pull-up jumper off the dribble, getting more comfortable in those areas,” Amen told Yahoo Sports. “I try to implement it in game situations too just to develop that habit.”

5-Ausar Thompson, guard, Overtime Elite
NBA comparison: Jaylen Brown
Scouting report: Speaking of Amen’s twin brother, Ausar Thompson has a skillset coveted by most NBA teams: An explosive athlete who can defend his position. Ausar plays more of a 2 than a 1, and could develop into an outstanding two-way player. He has the length and athleticism (listed at 6-7) to be a terrific perimeter defender. Offensively, Ausar still needs to develop a consistent outside shot. He tends to shoot his jump shot on the way up, but with proper training and coaching he can easily fix it. He averaged 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists per game in the Overtime Elite league. While his twin Amen is more comfortable as a primary ball handler, Ausar feels more at home as an off-the-ball scorer. “Amen is more on-ball, ball-dominant, like a point and I’m more comfortable coming off the wing,” Ausar told Yahoo Sports. “I can run the point, but I feel like I can create more for myself and teammates off the wing.”

6-Cam Whitmore, forward, Villanova
NBA comparison: Jimmy Butler
Scouting report: Cam Whitmore is your typical Villanova player. He’s physical and tough, and fundamentally sound in all areas. Whitmore already possesses an NBA-type frame (6-7, 235) and has the potential to be a prolific three-level scorer with his shooting range and ability to get to the rim off the dribble. A thumb injury slowed down his progress at Villanova, but once he recovered from his injury he hit the ground running in the Big East. Even though Whitmore didn’t an opportunity to play for Jay Wright at Villanova, he is cut from the same cloth as past ‘Nova standouts who played for Wright. Former Wildcats Kyle Lowry, Josh Hart, and Jalen Brunson all found great success at the pro level, and Whitmore should follow in their footsteps.

7-Dereck Lively, center, Duke
NBA comparison: Tyson Chandler
Scouting report: Lively had huge expectations when he arrived at Duke as the No. 1 high school prospect in the country. But those expectations fell short for various reasons. Lively came off the bench during the early part of the season for first-year Duke coach Jon Scheyer and struggled to find consistent playing time. But something clicked somewhere in the middle the season for 7-foot-1 center, and once he figured out what Scheyer wanted him to be — which was a rim protector and rebounder on defense and lob threat on offense — he took off and became a force for the Blue Devils. Duke’s late-season run in the ACC and NCAA tournament was due in part to Lively’s improved play. His defense is what will earn him NBA minutes. He plays similarly to Jarrett Allen. Both are excellent shot blockers and lob threats at the rim. Lively is projected to go somewhere in the middle or late in the first round. But if a team needs a shot-blocking big who can switch pick-and-rolls, Lively is a helluva prospect worth taking a hard look.

8-Gradey Dick, guard-forward, Kansas
NBA comparison: Kevin Huerter
Scouting report: The 19-year-old wing enters the NBA armed with professional 3-point shooting touch. This skill set alone is enough to get him drafted in the top 10. He finished second on the team with 14.1 points per game while hitting 40.3% of his 3-pointers on 5.7 attempts per game. He made at least one 3-ball in 33 of 36 games. But during his one season with the Kansas Jayhawks, Dick showed he’s not a one-dimensional player and is more than capable of holding his own on the defensive end. At 6-8 with good mobility, Dick can defend multiple positions and won’t be exposed on pick-and-roll switches. He was rated as the Jayhawks’ second-best defender and most efficient player. If he’s anything close to Kevin Huerter, you got yourself a superb wing player who can space the court with his 3-point accuracy.

9-Keyonte George, guard, Baylor
NBA comparison: Darius Garland
Scouting report: Keyonte was the Big 12 freshman of the year, averaging 15.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists for the Bears, who finished 23-11 and lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament. He was part of a three-guard attack for Baylor that also featured Adam Flagler and LJ Cryer. George is talented three-level scorer with a special ability to get draw fouls and get to the free-throw line (averaged 5.5 FTA). He has good size for a shooting guard (6-4) and can create his own shot, especially late in the clock which is a must-have skill for an NBA guard. Even though George posted decent numbers in his lone season at Baylor, he had some glaring flaws. He had a tendency to be loose with the ball (2.9 turnovers) and his 3-point shot still needs improvement (33%). If the NBA comparison is Darius Garland, then George could be one of the best combo guards in the Association.

10-Jaime Jaquez Jr., forward, UCLA
NBA comparison: Alex Caruso
Scouting report: Jaquez, 22, is one of the older players in the draft, having played four years at UCLA. But Jaquez’s age and time spent in college shouldn’t be seen as a negative. There’s a lot of positives with the 6-7 versatile swingman. He plays at a controlled pace on offense and is a very rugged defender, who can match up with guards and forwards. He may not have the shooting range of some of the top prospects in the draft, but he’s getting better. He’s crafty enough to get his own shot with an array of pump fakes and nifty footwork. Jaquez was a decorated player at UCLA. He was the Pac-12 player of the year in 2023 and made second-team All-American. He was an integral part of Mick Cronin’s UCLA Final Four squad in 2021. In short, Jaquez is a winner. He is a plug-and-play type of player who can immediately be a part of a rotation. He has above-average ball handling skills as a forward and has good positional size and agility to be a solid defender. Alex Caruso is a close comparison, but Jaquez has a much higher ceiling.

NBA teams looking for a big man are in luck. This year’s draft is loaded with big men who could change the fortunes of several franchises.

Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren and Duke’s Paolo Banchero are two of the three best prospects in the 2022 NBA draft. The two went head-to-head last November and the 20,000 fans at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas were treated to an entertaining show that’ll soon be part of the NBA calendar.

“I’m sure you’ll be watching these two battle each other on and off for the next 15 years,” Gonzaga head coach Mark Few said. “They’re both incredible basketball players with a bright future.”

The third player at the top of every non-playoff team’s wish list is Auburn’s Jabari Smith. Smith is a gifted forward with a sweet shooting stroke. Smith, Holmgren, and Banchero each offer something different. But all three have the potential to be outstanding pros.

Here are OMFB’s top prospects for the 2022 NBA draft on June 23.

1-Chet Holmgren, forward/center, Gonzaga
NBA comparison: Kevin Durant
Scouting report: Holmgren is a unique prospect, probably the rarest pro prospect we’ve seen in quite a while. He’s a 7-foot wing player with a massive 7-foot-5 wingspan that allows him to cover a lot of ground and alter shots (3.7 blocks per game). He’s also an above-average ball-handler, which allows him to create his own shot. That freakish combination is rare even in today’s positionless basketball. He’s been compared to Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Durant, and Marcus Camby. He’s got a little bit of all three in his game, but there’s no real accurate comparison because Holmgren is an absolute unicorn. “Chet’s a game-changer on defense and there were a couple of layups that I would usually make with no problem but with him at the rim, that wasn’t happening tonight,” Paolo Banchero said after facing Holmgren in a non-conference meeting in Las Vegas. Holmgren shot 41% from 3-point range and 61% from the field. Against UCLA, he flashed his ball-handling skills in the open court when he went coast-to-coast for one of the best plays of the season. Holmgren may not have Durant’s scoring ability but he has a nice pick-and-pop game and his ability to put the ball on the deck allows him to get his own shot from anywhere on the court. Similar to Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Evan Mobley, Holmgren has a slight frame but great footwork in the paint. Mobley’s early success in the NBA is helping Holmgren’s case for No. 1, despite his lack of frame (195 pounds). Holmgren’s natural position in the NBA could eventually be at the 4, but he can certainly play small-ball 5.

2-Paolo Banchero, forward, Duke
NBA comparison: Chris Webber
Scouting report: At 6-10 and 240 pounds, Banchero fits the part of an old-school NBA power forward. He has guard-like skills and moves extremely well for his size. As a high school prospect, Banchero’s lateral movement on defense was one of his weakest traits, but he worked on his explosiveness and footwork this summer. In his matchup against highly touted prospect Chet Holmgren, Banchero outplayed Holmgren in the first half but suffered leg cramps in the second half, which limited his impact on the game. When Banchero was fresh, he was able to bully Holmgren. But as the game progressed, Banchero’s conditioning became a factor and that’s when Holmgren closed the gap. Banchero looks and plays a lot like former Duke big man Carlos Boozer, who had a long career in the NBA. Banchero has the potential to surpass Boozer and be more like Chris Webber. Either way, any team that drafts Banchero is getting a pro-ready player who can play traditional power forward or small-ball center.

3-Jabari Smith, forward, Auburn
NBA comparison: Rashard Lewis
Scouting report: Smith is a 6-foot-10 forward who led the SEC in 3-point field goal percentage, shooting 43% from behind the arc. He knocked down seven 3-pointers in a win over Vanderbilt during the regular season. Jabari’s dad, Jabari Smith Sr., played in the NBA for a few years and his distant cousin is Kwame Brown, so basketball is a big part of his family tree. Jabari Jr. combines textbook shooting mechanics with good size, above-average athletic ability, and balanced competitive intensity. He’ll be 19 when the NBA draft rolls in, so he has yet to hit his ceiling. He doesn’t force things on the offensive end and his high basketball IQ allows him to play any style. He’s also a capable defender, who can switch on guards and keep them out of the paint. But there were times during his freshman season at Auburn when Smith disappeared in games. He tends to defer to his teammates too much when he should be taking over. His Auburn teammate Walker Kessler occasionally looked like the better player on the court. If Smith can improve his handle, he’ll be more difficult to guard.

4-Jaden Ivey, guard, Purdue
NBA comparison: Ja Morant
Scouting report: Ivey is an explosive playmaker cut from the same cloth as Ja Morant and Russell Westbrook. Ivey is considered the best pro prospect to come out of Purdue since Glenn “Big Dog” Robinson, who went No. 1 overall in the 1994 NBA draft. Ivey has electric quickness, but he doesn’t have his foot on the gas pedal all the time. He plays at his own pace. He can slow it down if he doesn’t have a clear runway. Purdue coach Matt Painter said Ivey has greatly improved as a pick-and-roll guard since the start of the season and has learned to go through his progressions like an NFL quarterback. Ivey’s 3.5 assists per game don’t tell the whole story about his ability to run the show. The La Lumiere Prep product enjoyed a breakout season in his second year at Purdue. He has the right combination of size, speed, explosiveness to be an NBA star.

5-Keegan Murray, forward, Iowa
NBA comparison: Kyle Kuzma
Scouting report: Keegan Murray is one of the most unexpected stars of this season. After playing in the shadow of All-American Luka Garza, Murray improved exponentially in his sophomore season. Murray averaged 7.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game as a freshman. In his second season in Iowa, Murray averaged 23.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. His 3-point percentage also increased from 29.6% to an impressive 40.6%. At 6-foot-8, 225 pounds with a 7-foot wingspan, Murray has the size and length to do it all on both ends of the floor. Most scouts see Murray as a plug-and-play prospect who fits the mold of what almost every NBA team covets: a versatile 3-and-D wing. Murray can have an immediate impact as a 3 or 4.

6-Bennedict Mathurin, guard, Arizona
NBA comparison: Jaylen Brown
Scouting report: Ben Mathurin benefitted greatly from staying another year at Arizona. He improved his scoring average from 10 points to 17 points per game and was named Pac-12 player of the year. He added more shots to his arsenal. He looks like an NBA player. When he’s aggressive and locked in, he looks like a star. Mathurin put on a show during the second round of the NCAA tournament when he scored 30 points in an overtime thriller against TCU and authored one of the best dunks you’ll see at the collegiate level. At 6-6 and 195 pounds, Mathurin has the ideal size to play 2-guard in the NBA. He can defend his position and showed great leadership skills as the No. 1 option for the Pac-12 champion Wildcats. Mathurin is the latest in the growing line of basketball standouts to come out of Canada, following in the footsteps of other Canadian ballers RJ Barrett, Jamal Murray, Andrew Wiggins, Shai-Gilgeous-Alexander, and Kelly Olynyk. Mathurin is a plug-and-play athlete who can play any style and will be an immediate rotational player.

7-Jalen Duren, center, Memphis
NBA comparison: Deandre Ayton
Scouting report: Even though Duren is only 18 he’s already a physically imposing figure. He’s a man among boys. Since he was born in 2003 Jalen is eligible for the 2022 NBA Draft and projects as a likely lottery pick. At 6-foot-11 and 250 pounds, Duren moves fluidly off the ball and has excellent timing on blocked shots. The matchup with Holmgren in the second round of the NCAA tournament was a scout’s dream. Duren has extremely long arms and big hands, which help him catch lobs, grab rebounds, block shots. Duren’s stats won’t blow you away, but opposing coaches are fully aware of his presence and impact. Houston coach Kelvin Sampson called Duren “the best player on the court” when the Cougars took on Memphis in the AAC tournament final. Duren isn’t flashy, which is a big plus. He’s a lunch-pail, hard-hat guy who doesn’t mind doing the dirty work, such as setting screens and helping on defense. Even though he didn’t shoot the ball well from the free-throw line, he’s got a decent stroke and can improve on his free throws given enough coaching and practice. Because of his frame, Duren has been compared to Dwight Howard. A more realistic NBA comparison is Deandre Ayton. Either way, Duren has a boatload of potential and could turn out to be an absolute stud.

8-Shaedon Sharpe, guard, Kentucky
NBA comparison: Anthony Edwards
Scouting report: Sharpe is a complete mystery. He didn’t play a single minute of college ball after enrolling at Kentucky. But some basketball experts believe the 6-5 wing could turn out to be the best player in the draft. Sharpe only practiced with John Calipari’s Wildcats but never played in a game, so the only film we have of him is from AAU and high school invitational showcases. And from what we’ve seen on the Tube, Sharpe is an explosive athlete who can score at all three levels. He plays with great control for a teenager and he doesn’t seem to get rattled. Jeff Goodman, a former ESPN basketball insider, thinks Sharpe is exactly what the NBA loves right now. “He’s a long, tough, athletic scoring wing who can make players for himself and others. He’s not a point guard, but he can play the point and initiate offense.” Sharpe is the latest in the growing line of talented Canadian hoopers. The one knock Goodman has on Sharpe is his work ethic. Is Sharpe willing to compete every single minute of every single game? That’s a question teams will have to ask when evaluating him. It’s the classic high risk, high reward gamble.

9-Dyson Daniels, guard, G League Ignite
NBA comparison: Alex Caruso
Scouting report: Daniels is a highly touted international prospect from Australia. ESPN draft guru Mike Schmitz thinks the versatile combo guard is going to be a top-10 pick. Schmitz said Daniels is “one of the most complete prospects” with an ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Daniels is listed at 6-6 but he’s got a 6-11 wingspan, which makes him very intriguing for any team looking for a two-way wing player. Daniels has very good instincts on defense and is disruptive on the defensive end. He could turn into an elite-level defender. His quick hands, quick feet, and strong build allow him to guard multiple positions. Daniels is combination of Matisse Thybulle and Alex Caruso. He has Thybulle’s defensive instincts and Caruso’s versatility. In fact, Daniels models his game after Caruso. “Alex Caruso is one of the best defenders in the league, no doubt. The way he moves his feet, his instincts. Playing on that Lakers team, that was what kept him on the floor,” Daniels told ESPN. Daniels trained at NBA Global Academy in Australia before joining the G League Ignite. Daniels averaged 11.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.9 steals in 14 games for the Ignite, while playing 31 minutes per game.

10-Johnny Davis, guard, Wisconsin
NBA comparison: Devin Booker
Scouting report: Davis gutted it out during the NCAA tournament while dealing with a sprained ankle. Davis wasn’t the same player after the injury, but he gets kudos for playing through pain. Davis was one of four major conference players who led his team in points, rebounds, and assists. The 6-5 sophomore guard scored 25 or more points in nine regular-season games for the Wisconsin Badgers and put on a show in a game against Jaden Ivey’s Purdue Boilermakers on Jan. 3 when he scored 37 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, dished out three assists, had two steals, and blocked two shots. Davis’ other eye-popping performance came in the Maui Invitational where he averaged 23.7 points en route to being named tournament MVP. Davis is not an elite athlete but he has a Devin Booker-type ability to get to his spots and score from the midrange. He does need to improve on his 3-point shot, but that’ll come with reps. He’s a late bloomer, so he may not have hit his ceiling yet. He’s a decent playmaker and above-average rebounder for a guard. He’s a superb on-ball defender, capable of guarding 1s, 2s, and 3s. His football background from his days as a high school quarterback at La Crosse (Wisconsin) Central High School helps him with his physicality and mental toughness.

11-Mark Williams, center, Duke
NBA comparison: Hassan Whiteside
Scouting report: Duke center Mark Williams played in the shadow of teammate Paolo Banchero during the 2021-22 season, but Williams’ name is rising fast on NBA draft boards after posting some impressive measurements at the combine in Chicago. The ACC defensive player of the year was measured at 7 feet 2, with a 7-foot-6 wingspan. He also had a standing reach of 9-9 standing reach, which compares favorably with NBA centers Rudy Gobert, JaVale McGee, and Deandre Ayton, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. The 242-pound Williams has the length and strength to be a defensive anchor at the pro level. He has all the physical tools teams covet, and it will be hard for teams looking for a big man to pass up on him.

12-Ochai Agbaji, guard, Kansas
NBA comparison: Desmond Bane
Scouting report: Agbaji, 22, is one of the older players in the draft. The 6-5 guard is a versatile wing who has shown promise as a defender, slasher, and shooter. Early in his career, he was known for his athleticism and defense. During his senior year at Kansas, Ochai emerged as one of the best shooters in college basketball, making giant leaps as a scorer in both volume and efficiency. Bill Self said Agbaji — who has solidified himself as a viable 3-and-D option at the NBA level — has become an assassin. Agbaji wowed fans during the Big 12 tournament, throwing down a dunk that became a viral hit. He caught a lob pass and in one motion threw down an emphatic dunk that sent folks inside and outside the arena into a frenzy. It’s the type of superb athleticism Agbaji could bring to an NBA team looking for an exciting different-maker.

Joel Huerto is the editor and publisher of OneManFastBreak.net. Follow him on Twitter @onemanfastbreak.

Mark Few is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in college basketball. His resume speaks for itself. He has an incredible .830 winning percentage and has led Gonzaga to the national championship game in 2017 and 2021. His program has produced five first-team All-Americans (Dan Dickau, Adam Morrison, Kelly Olynyk, Nigel Williams-Goss, Rui Hachimura) and several NBA standouts (Ronny Turiaf, Domantas Sabonis, Zach Collins, Brandon Clarke, Corey Kispert, and Jalen Suggs).

The only thing missing on Few’s resume is an NCAA championship plaque.

There are three major ingredients in order to win the NCAA tournament.

You must have a first-round NBA talent on your roster.

You need experienced guards.

You must be able to defend at a high level.

Few’s 2022 Bulldogs team checks all three of those boxes. They have a potential No. 1 pick in 7-foot center Chet Holmgren, and All-American forward Drew Timme is one of the best low-post players in college basketball. Point guard Andrew Nembhard is a senior guard who was on last season’s Bulldogs squad that came within one game of completing an undefeated season.

Gonzaga enters the 2022 NCAA Tournament as a No. 1 overall seed and the top-seeded team in the West Regional. The Zags are the betting favorites (somewhere between +300 to +350 on various betting sites) to cut down the nets and enjoy their one shining moment. Here are the four teams OMFB projects will reach the Final Four in New Orleans.

Gonzaga — Aside from having the top offense in the nation, the Bulldogs are also a top-notch defensive unit. Anchored by Holmgren in the middle, the Bulldogs make it difficult to score in the paint. Their offensive efficiency keeps them from having to scramble defensively. NBA scouts are giddy over Holmgren’s potential matchups against other projected lottery picks in the West regional. Holmgren could potentially see Memphis’ Jalen Duren in the second round and he could have a rematch with Paolo Banchero of Duke in the regional final. Holmgren and Banchero went head-to-head Nov. 26 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The Blue Devils won the game, 84-81, and Banchero outscored Holmgren 21-16. the stakes will be even higher if Holmgren and Banchero meet again. On the line for the top-seeded Bulldogs and the second-seeded Blue Devils is a berth in the Final Four in legendary college basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski’s final NCAA tournament.

UCLA — Around this time last year, the Bruins had to play their way into the NCAA tournament. Once they secured a spot in the 64-team field, the Bruins went on a phenomenal run that culminated in a trip to the Final Four and it took a miraculous half-court heave from Jalen Suggs in overtime to knock them out. This season, head coach Mick Cronin brought back the core of his Final Four team led by Pac-12 all-conference first-teamers Tyger Campbell, Jaime Jaquez, and Johnny Juzang. Juzang caught fire in last year’s tournament, and the Bruins Juzang can recapture that same shooting stroke. UCLA is among the leaders in the nation in offensive and defensive efficiency, and it has four quality wins (Arizona, Villanova, Marquette, USC). Campbell controls the pace, Juzang and Jules Bernard provide most of the offensive punch, and Jaquez is the team’s heart and soul. UCLA feels it has some unfinished business and anything less than another Final Four trip would be considered a disappointment in Westwood.

Arizona — The Wildcats started the season unranked and finished the regular season 31-3, and won the Pac-12 regular-season title and tournament title. First-year head coach Tommy Lloyd was an assistant under Few for two decades and he brought with him Gonzaga’s winning culture to Tucson, Ariz. Lloyd’s Wildcats are loaded with NBA prospects, led by Pac-12 player of the year Bennedict Mathurin. Arizona also boasts one of the tallest team’s in college basketball, a frontcourt anchored by 7-1 junior center and Christian Koloko. When Koloko goes to the bench, the Wildcats insert 7-footer Oumar Ballo. When Azuolas Tubelis is on his game, Arizona is nearly unbeatable. The 6-11 Lithuanian native is one of the most versatile forwards in the nation. The one concern for the Wildcats is the injury to point guard Kerr Kriisa. The sophomore point guard injured his ankle in the Pac-12 tournament.

Wisconsin — The Badgers will attempt to erase the stain of the Big Ten’s failures in last season’s tournament. Nine Big Ten teams competed in the 2021 March Madness. The conference finished with an 8-9 record. This season, the Big Ten has nine teams again in the Big Dance. The conference will have extra motivation to do better than eight wins in 2022. When coach Greg Gard is not sticking a finger on the chest of Juwan Howard, he’s usually a steady hand on the sidelines. Gard has one major concern heading into the tournament. Big Ten player of the year and first-team All-American guard Johnny Davis hurt his ankle on March 9 and didn’t look particularly good against Michigan State in the conference tournament. If Davis is not 100%, the Badgers could have some trouble getting past the Sweet 16. But if Davis’ ankle holds up and he’s anything close to the player who scored 25 points or more in nine games, the Badgers could be booking a trip to New Orleans.

NCAA championship: Gonzaga will battle Arizona in the title game. In a battle of the two best offensive teams in the nation, Few will beat his former assistant Lloyd and finally get the monkey off his back. Zags win, 83-81.

Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham (2) could go No. 1 in the 2021 NBA draft. (Getty Images)

Detroit Pistons general manager Troy Weaver and the rest of the Pistons’ basketball decision-makers hold the top card in the 2021 NBA draft. The Pistons have an opportunity to change the fortunes of a franchise that’s been to the playoffs twice in 12 years and haven’t had a playoff win in 14 years.

Detroit fans are starving for a winner and they could finally hang their Motor City Bad Boys hat on their first homegrown star since Isiah Thomas. The Pistons roster is starting to take shape after drafting two All-Rookie players in Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart, and forward Jerami Grant — the team’s big offseason signing in 2020 — appears to be a foundational piece after enjoying a breakout season. Grant averaged 22.3 points per game (he averaged 12 in his last season in Denver), easily the highest scoring average of his seven-year NBA career. Grant was rewarded with a spot on Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics.

Another young player the Pistons are high on is point guard Killian Hayes. The seventh overall pick in the 2020 draft had an injury riddled rookie season and appeared in just 26 games. With Grant, Bey, Stewart and Hayes in the fold, the Pistons could be one draft pick away from becoming relevant again.

The 2021 NBA draft is loaded with elite talent at the top, good depth in the middle, and some potentially solid late-rounders. There is no clear-cut No. 1 pick this year but there are plenty of worthy contenders to be selected at the top of the draft.

OneManFastBreak ranks the 10 best prospects in the 2021 NBA draft.

1-Cade Cunningham, guard-forward, Oklahoma State
NBA comparison: Grant Hill
Scouting report: Cade Cunningham has the total package (18.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists), and flashed all his wonderful physical tools in his lone season at Oklahoma State. He has great size and strength (6-8, 220), and capable of playing four positions. His game is still evolving and he has yet to hit his ceiling. Cunningham has a knack for coming through in the clutch. He scored 10 of his season-high 40 points in overtime to lead Oklahoma State over rival Oklahoma 94-90 on Feb. 27. Cunningham’s previous high was 29 points. In his first and only Bedlam rivalry game, Cade made 12 of 21 field goals and 13 of 14 free throws. He also finished with 11 rebounds three steals and two blocks. Cunningham would be a good fit on any lottery team. ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla compared Cunningham to Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic. “He’s not going to jump over tall buildings. He’s not super explosive, but his size and strength and basketball acumen — [that’s] where he’s very similar to Luka,” Fraschilla told the Dallas Morning News.

2-Evan Mobley, forward-center, USC
NBA comparison: Jermaine O’Neal
Scouting report: Armed with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, Evan Mobley is the best shot blocker (averaging 3 blocks per game) in this draft class. He led all Pac-12 freshmen in scoring (16.3) and was among the leaders in rebounds (9.0). His defense is slightly ahead of his offense, but NBA scouts love his immense potential. He plays a bit like former Indiana Pacers big man Jermaine O’Neal, as both are natural pick-and-pop players. Mobley, who is a legit 7-footer, also compares well with last year’s lottery pick James Wiseman, except Mobley is much more polished on the defensive end. Mobley could easily go No. 1 in the draft, but there are a few knocks on him. First, he lacks aggression. He tends to float during games and doesn’t impose his will. Second, he must put on more weight because at 210 pounds he’ll get moved around in the paint.

3-Jalen Suggs, guard, Gonzaga
NBA comparison: Jason Kidd
Scouting report: Gonzaga coach Mark Few said Jalen Suggs has a magical aura about him. Suggs is a natural-born leader whose value goes beyond statistics. His football background is a huge plus. The former Minnesota high school football star plays point guard like a quarterback. He led the Gonzaga Bulldogs to a 31-1 season, coming within one game of completing a perfect season. His 3-point buzzer-bearing in the Final Four against UCLA will go down as one of the greatest shots in NCAA tournament history. He has great anticipation when he delivers passes. He doesn’t shy away from contact when he drives to the basket, as he uses his 6-4, 205-pound frame extremely well. His outside shot is still a work in progress (36% from 3-point), but his technique is sound. He is a terrific on-ball defender, often guarding the other team’s best perimeter player. His high-end NBA comparison is Jason Kidd. If he’s anything close to Kidd, he’ll have a long NBA career.

4-Jalen Green, shooting guard, G League Ignite
NBA comparison: Zach LaVine
Scouting report: Swingman Jalen Green has a boatload of talent who could turn out to be the best scorer in this year’s draft class. He was a prolific scorer in high school (31.5 points per game at San Joaquin HS in Fresno, Calif.) and he flashed that scoring ability (17.9 points) in 15 games for G League Ignite. When Yahoo Sports asked Green if he thought he was the best player in this draft class and he said, “Of course. You always have to put money on yourself. I do think I’m No. 1, but that’s just saying I know I have to keep working.” You have to love Jalen’s confidence.  Green has the ideal size (6-6, 186) to play shooting guard in the NBA. He is a three-level scorer with springs in his legs.  Shot selection is a little concern, but that can be easily fixed. Green got better the more games he played in the G League bubble, which shows he’s got a high ceiling.

Jonathan Kuminga played for Ignite in the G League. (Getty Images)

5-Jonathan Kuminga, forward, G League Ignite
NBA comparison: Pascal Siakam
Scouting report: Kuminga, 18, is one of the youngest players in the draft after reclassifying in high school. He got off to a hot start in the G League bubble, but tailed off a bit. He ended up averaging 15.8 points and shooting just 38 percent from the field in 13 games for Ignite. He did average 7.2 rebounds and showed some toughness in the paint. He can play either forward spot (small or power forward) but might be better suited as an undersized 4. The 6-7, 210-pounder is a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He moved to the U.S. in 2016, so he’s still adjusting to a new culture on and off the court. “He was our most physical guy. He was our best two-way player in terms of being able to guard on the defensive end one through four,” said former NBA player Brian Shaw, who coached Kuminga in the G League bubble.

6-Davion Mitchell, guard, Baylor
NBA comparison: Mookie Blaylock
Scouting report: Davion Mitchell is built like an NFL safety or running back (6-2, 205). He was the engine that powered the Baylor Bears to a national championship in 2021. “We call him Off-Night because people tend to have off nights against him,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said of his junior point guard, who was the Big 12 defensive player of the year. Mitchell plays suffocating defense, blessed with speed, strength, tenacity to shadow an opposing player 94 feet. Because of his last name and wears No. 45, there’s plenty of comparisons to Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell. But Davion’s game is much more comparable to former Atlanta Hawks defensive dynamo Mookie Blaylock, who was one of the best on-ball defenders in the ’90s.

7-Chris Duarte, guard, Oregon
NBA comparison: Dillon Brooks
Scouting report: Chris Duarte is another “veteran” player in the draft. The 24-year-old from the Dominican Republic may not have the highest of ceilings, but what he brings to the table is an NBA-ready skill set. He’s a plug-and-play wing player who should contribute right away. He can shoot the ball with range, he’s a capable wing defender, and has very good size for his position (6-6). He’s more of a smooth athlete than an explosive athlete. There’s a maturity about his game, with a blend of toughness and high basketball IQ. Duarte was the winner of the Jerry West Award as college basketball’s top shooting guard. He was a first-team All-Pac 12 selection and was named to the conference’s all-defensive team. He’s exactly what most winning teams covet: a two-way player. If you like Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks (also an Oregon product), then you’ll like Chris Duarte.

8-Scottie Barnes, guard-forward, Florida State
NBA comparison: Nicolas Batum
Scouting report: Scottie Barnes is an intriguing prospect who is moving up on many draft boards. The 6-8 versatile forward can play multiple positions and could potentially be an outstanding defender. Scouts love his 7-foot-2 wingspan, along with his footwork and speed to stay in front of perimeter players. Barnes can split time as a 3 or 4, depending on certain matchups. The downside of Barnes is on the offensive end. He averaged just 10.3 points per game and shot poorly from 3-point range (27% percent) in his lone season under Leonard Hamilton at Florida State. But according to Bleacher Report, there is a belief Barnes has “star potential, even if it’s the unconventional type.”

9-Josh Giddey, guard, Adelaide 36ers (Australia)
NBA comparison: Ricky Rubio
Scouting report: Josh Giddey is a highly touted Australian basketball prospect who possesses great vision and creativity, especially as a pick-and-roll ballhandler. He understands how to exploit angles, drop pocket passes and create easy looks for his big man. He is a bigger version of Spanish star Ricky Rubio, with a better outside shot. A large contingent of NBA executives traveled to Las Vegas to watch the 6-8 point guard with the Australian national team. Giddey is advanced for a teenager (doesn’t turn 19 until October), has good size and good feel for the game. He is also an improving shooter, and his form doesn’t appear to be the reason for his 29 percent shooting from 3-ball. If teams are willing to roll the dice on the Aussie, it could pay off in the long run.

10-Corey Kispert, guard-forward, Gonzaga
NBA comparison: Joe Harris
Scouting report: At age 22, Kispert is one of the older players in the draft but that shouldn’t prevent teams from taking a hard look at the Gonzaga sniper. The 6-foot-7 swingman averaged 19.9 points per game for the Zags and was the most consistent shooter in college basketball, making three or more 3-pointers in 11 games this season with a season-high 6 threes against Pepperdine. Kispert shot 44 percent from behind the 3-point line and nearly 88 percent from the free throw line. In the era of smallball and schemes influenced by analytics, Kispert brings an extremely valuable NBA skill set. And most NBA teams will look past at Kispert’s shortcomings and focus on his strengths. The obvious NBA comparisons are Joe Harris and Kyle Korver. Teams needing a shooter — and you can’t have enough shooters on a roster — will immediately fill a need by taking Kispert.