As March Madness looms around the corner, it also means that we’ve seen around 20 games of this year’s class, enough to make strong distinctions between prospects. Of course, this big board is subject to change with March Madness and draft preparation. Another important fact is that the transfer portal and NIL continue to expand, so younger players outside the lottery are seeing more and more incentive to return to college, making the Second Round and late First filled more with older players who have less college eligibility left.
Tier 1: Top-end All-NBA Talent
- Darryn Peterson – G – Kansas
Peterson is a super shifty Combo Guard who stands at 6’5″ and can be a future Offensive Engine in the league while also being a plus defender. His profile is reminiscent of SGA, being a proficient scorer, willing passer, and a lengthy, athletic defender. His main drawback right now is a recurring Hamstring Injury that has seen him sit out numerous Second Halves for the Jayhawks.
- AJ Dybantsa – F – BYU
Dybantsa is another guy at the top of this class who is a very gifted bucket getter with a very nice frame, standing 6’9″. Dybantsa gets to the rim at will and has the tools to be a high-level defender. Along with this, he is a tough shot maker and serviceable as a passer. Dybantsa is very good, but Darryn Peterson showed in their matchup why he should be the consensus #1.
- Cameron Boozer – F/C – Duke
Boozer is the best player in College Basketball and looks to be the current frontrunner for Naismith POY. However, there are questions as to how translatable his game is as a 6’9″ Big who is not super athletic. The rest of his game is there; he is a great passer for a big, has great shooting touch, and can switch onto guards. Boozer’s landing spot will be very important. If he goes to a team where he is expected to protect the rim and be a typical 5 man, it may not turn out well for him.
Tier 2: Potential Future All-Stars
- Caleb Wilson – F – North Carolina
Wilson has made a name for himself for his relentlessness on the offensive end and his dogged defensive playstyle. Wilson definitely has the mentality to be one of the best, and it’s clear he loves the game. His problem is that he is a 6’8″ Wing that cannot shoot right now. Despite that, he still gets buckets and averages 10 Rebounds as a Wing. Wilson is another team-dependent player who projects more as a super-high-level role player rather than a future star of the league.
- Kingston Flemings – G – Houston
Kingston Flemings has emerged as one of the premier guard prospects of this draft, along with Darius Acuff and Mikel Brown. What separates Flemings is his efficiency at which he is playing right now and his high-level playmaking and scoring potential. His defense could be a problem, however coach Kelvin Sampson is the best Defensive Coach in College Basketball, and this is not something I would worry about.
- Keaton Wagler – G/F – Illinois
Wagler is the true surprise of this draft class. Coming in as a 4-star at Illinois, he was on nobody’s radar. However, his impressive performances this season have propelled him into a premier prospect. Wagler is a 6’6″ wing who plays Point Guard for the Illini and is a gifted Scorer and Passer, while being a capable defender.
- Mikel Brown Jr. – G – Louisville
Mikel Brown is my personal favorite player in this class, standing at 6’5″, he is a super crafty and gifted Point Guard who has struggled with his efficiency this season. Despite his terrible shooting splits, Brown is super promising as one of the best passers in the draft and a terrific shooter, as he displayed in the U19 World Cup this past summer.
- Darius Acuff Jr. – G – Arkansas
Acuff is another one of the higher-end Guard Prospects in this class; his physical profile is not quite as impressive as Brown and Flemings which is what differentiates him. He’s had a very impressive Freshman season, and his scoring ability is his calling.
- Hannes Steinbach – F/C – Washington
Steinbach is another one of my favorites in this class; he’s a guy who, similar to Mikel Brown, burst onto the scene at the U19 World Cup and has had a super impressive season. He’s kind of a tweener, but a very good rebounder for his size, and his offensive game is super impressive. What’s important for him is pairing him with another big who can better protect the paint and maybe is more switchable.
- Yaxel Lendeborg – F – Michigan
Lendeborg is one of the best players in college basketball this season and the first upperclassman on this big board. Standing at 6’9″, Lendeborg caught many eyes last season at UAB and actually tested out the draft waters before choosing to return and transfer to Michigan. Lendeborg is an all-around player who can defend, pass, shoot, rebound, and score in the paint. The only real downside to Lendeborg’s game is his age; he is 23 currently and will be 24 to start his rookie season.
- Nate Ament – F – Tennessee
Ament is a super raw Forward and came into the season slotted as a top 5 guy. However, he started the season off really rough, and his stock plummeted, as of recent, he is trending back up. Ament has great length and a knack for scoring on the perimeter but his Inside game has left much to be desired this season.
- Jayden Quaintance – C – Kentucky
Jayden Quaintance is a super polarizing prospect. He stands 6’10” and has only appeared in 4 games all season. He’s a very athletic guy with shooting upside, however, he is recovering from an ACL Tear from last season and was not super impressive aside from his first game back.
- Koa Peat – F – Arizona
Koa Peat has been the leader of the best team in College. Peat is another undersized guy with a more inside-focused game. Peat is a non-shooter, and despite his dominance inside, I am not sure if his game will translate to the next level.
- Labaron Philon – G – Alabama
Labaron Philon was a high-profile returner last season, and he tested the draft waters before deciding it would be best for him to return to Alabama. Philon is a very athletic, undersized Combo Guard; he has all the skills to be an NBA guard. However, his size is not great. His performance this year at Alabama has been super impressive and just what scouts wanted to see in his Sophomore season.
