Welcome back to the Ahead of the Curve series as we move along to the Big East bigs! As a reminder, this series is designed to identify prospects by conference who evaluators, decision makers, and fans should be tracking as potential risers and sleepers this cycle.
To qualify, I’m focusing on those that are projected to be second round picks and undrafted free agents (UDFA) to begin the 2026-2027 season. I’ll make the pitch for each prospect, accompanied by three questions to monitor. Let’s get it started with a transfer who I’ll have the opportunity to see a bunch this season in my own backyard: Chol Machot.
Chol Machot | Junior | 7’0” | 199 pounds | Georgetown
2025-2026 Stats: 8.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 0.2 APG, 2.5 BPG in 19.6 MPG (32 G)
2025-2026 Shooting Splits: 59.2/27.3/68.1
The Pitch
Chol Machot is one of the most intriguing bigs not just in the Big East, but the entire country. At 7’0” with plus length and above-the-rim athleticism, Machot combines superb positional size and length with fluid movement skills, evolving ball skills, and three-point shooting upside.
He excels in the two must-have areas for bigs: finishing at the rim (73.3% with 56 dunks) and protecting it (2.5 BPG). Some of his defensive possessions can’t help but bring a smile to my face, especially his awesome recovery tools and ability to provide defensive versatility from switching, playing at the level, and in drop coverage.
Georgetown offers an incredible platform for Machot to shine on and raise his draft profile. Because of his NBA tools and foundational skill set that align with both a translatable and valuable NBA role, Machot is an easy sleeper and potential draft riser to potentially plant your flag on.
Questions to Monitor
Will his transfer up success continue; if so, to what degree? Machot found major success at the College of Charleston last season after transferring up from Florida Southwestern State (JUCO).
Can he add the requisite functional strength required for the NBA level?
How real is the shooting potential? Machot shot just 27.3% from deep on 0.7 3PA, but the form is very repeatable and fluid.
Na’jai Hines | Sophomore | 6’11” | 278 pounds | UConn
2025-2026 Stats: 6.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 0.6 APG, 2.2 BPG, 0.4 SPG in 18 MPG (31 G)
2025-2026 Shooting Splits: 60.2/0/69
The Pitch
Following in the footsteps of Tarris Reed Jr. and Donovan Clingan, Na’jai Hines is next in line to develop into a highly coveted NBA big under Head Coach Dan Hurley after transferring in from Seton Hall.
I see why he was a three-star tight end recruit before focusing on basketball. There simply aren’t many bigs in the collegiate game who bring his blend of size, physicality, and fluidity to the floor. His presence and impact are absolutely felt on both ends by excelling at the big man things.
In fairly limited minutes, Hines led the Big East in blocked shots (2.2 BPG) thanks to his length, timing, and mobility. Although there is still plenty of room for offensive development, Hines is a fantastic offensive rebounder (2.4 ORPG) and viable playfinisher (69% at the rim with 21 dunks) that effectively utilizes his strength and length. Look for Hines to be a safe bet to improve under Hurley and solidify himself amongst the best bigs in the class.
Questions to Monitor
Does he need a modern big skill (whether it’s playmaking feel, a functional handle, or capable open three-point shooting) to be a viable first round pick?
Is there upside as a post scorer?
Can he take another step forward with his conditioning?
Magoon Gwath | Senior | 7’0” | 221 pounds | DePaul
2025-2026 Stats: 8.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 0.3 APG, 1.5 BPG, 0.4 SPG in 19.1 MPG (25 G)
2025-2026 Shooting Splits: 51.9/43.5/60.6
The Pitch
Though my confidence has wavered a bit because of injuries (fractured ankle and knee surgery over the past few years), I’m still riding with Magoon Gwath and the Goon Squad!
At 7’0” with a 7’4” wingspan, Gwath still brings a ridiculous mix of positional size, rim protection (career 2.1 BPG), shooting touch, and evolving ball skills. Offensively, he’s a lob threat at the rim and a floor spacer on spot-up and pick-and-pop scenarios (career 40.7 three-point shooter on 91 3PA). Teams respect his ability to stretch the floor, opening up lanes for his teammates and opportunities to attack closeouts where he’s flashed an intriguing handle to get to the rim serviceably. On the defensive end, Gwath understands how to utilize his incredible length, good timing, and movement skills to block shots and recover when beat in space.
Appearing to enter the season healthy and in a new environment full of opportunity, DePaul fans and my fellow Goon Squad members should feel optimistic about Gwath’s potential resurgence on the NBA draft scene,
Questions to Monitor
Can he raise his three-point shooting volume (career 1.8 3PA) without a significant percentage drop-off?
Will he commit to being a better rebounder, especially considering his physical tools?
Can he become a better playfinisher at the rim in the halfcourt (54%).
Oswin Erhunmwunse | Junior | 6’10” | 240 pounds | Creighton
2025-2026 Stats: 6.9 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 0.8 APG, 2.1 BPG in 25.1 MPG (33 G)
2025-2026 Shooting Splits: 67.3/0/52.5
The Pitch
Oswin Erhunmwunse knows his role and shines in it by leveraging his physical tools and activity to uphold the foundational big man responsibilities: finish at the rim (converting at a 71.7% clip), protect the rim (second in the Big East with 2.1 BPG), and hit the glass on both ends of the floor.
Erhunmwunse doesn’t need plays called for him to provide value offensively. He keeps it simple by strictly operating as a long and athletic paint playfinisher that teams can rely upon to finish above the rim (55 dunks) out of the dunker spot, pick-and-roll, and get out in transition for easy opportunities. Furthermore, Erhunmwunse will just go get the ball himself. He’s a load on the offensive glass as he consistently creates second-chance opportunities through the utilization of his physicality, length, and motor (3.0 ORPG).
Defensively, the Providence transfer has shown excellent timing alongside his length to block and alter shots from the weak side and on the ball. Though he might be limited to just drop coverage, there is potential to be stout there because of that timing, length, and mobility.
Questions to Monitor
Is there real potential to become a more versatile defender?
Does he need any modern big tools?
Can he cut down on the fouls? Erhunmwunse committed 3.3 fouls per game in 25.1 MPG. He obviously can be too aggressive when looking to swat shots with that big lefty paw, and he must learn how to make his defensive presence known without fouling.
Kwame Evans Jr. | Senior | 6’10” | 220 pounds | Villanova
2025-2026 Stats: 13.7 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.3 BPG, 1 SPG in 30.8 MPG (30 G)
2025-2026 Shooting Splits: 45.4/30.4/79.9
The Pitch
Kwame Evans Jr. is no stranger to the draft scene. Evans is a former five-star prospect and McDonald’s All-American who’s shown a ton of alluring flashes on both ends of the floor throughout his collegiate tenure.
Long (7’0.5”), athletic, and agile with broad shoulders, Evans is capable of putting his physical tools to work as a play-finisher while offering flashes of ball-handling, shotmaking touch, and glimpses of feel.
When he’s at his best, it’s the defensive playmaking (2.3 stocks per game) and versatility that drives his draft stock. There are possessions where Evans seems like he’s all over the floor to disrupt the offense from rotational weakside shot blocks, stops in space on switches, passing lane anticipation, and steals with his quick hands on the ball and as a digger in help.
Making the move to Villanova after three seasons at Oregon, Evans is primed to be an essential figure in the team’s defensive identity while handling significant offensive usage. Everything is in place for him to take a massive step forward and rekindle his draft appeal for evaluators.
Questions to Monitor
Can he put to bed some of the noise around his consistency and motor?
Is the offense still a bit too raw? There are a ton of tools, but nothing is a polished skill just yet.
What’s the ideal NBA role?