Five "Last Push" Prospects to Monitor in March | The Prospect Overview
These five prospects find themselves on the margins of the 2025 NBA Draft. With little season left and no eligibility remaining, it’s time for their last push!
March Madness is drawing near. As a result, many NBA prospects are running out of potential data points to bolster their stock prior to the end of their season. Today, we’re going to look at five players from five of college basketball’s best teams. For these prospects, the stakes couldn’t be any higher. They currently find themselves on the margins, and they have no eligibility remaining. I’ll be diving into what brought them to the dance, and how they can make one last push during the month of March!
Mark Sears, 6’1”, Graduate, Alabama
Mark Sears started his college career at Ohio. He had a solid but unspectacular freshman year before bursting onto radars as a sophomore. Then, he transferred to Alabama. As a junior, he started to turn heads as a complementary player next to Brandon Miller. The Crimson Tide handed him the keys to the offense during his senior season, and it’s hard to imagine it going any better than it did. Sears led Alabama all the way to the Final Four. And when I said led, I mean led. Sears was the engine of their up-temp offense. He stuffed the stat sheet with 21.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 4.0 APG, and 1.6 SPG.
Perhaps most encouragingly from an NBA standpoint was Sears’s scoring profile. He had an absurd 65.8 TS% and went 43.6% from three on nearly ten attempts per game. While many undersized guards can drain threes, it was the other aspects of Sears’s point production that separated him from the pack. He got to the free-throw line often (.466 FTr, 6.9 FTA/game), made 56.5% of his twos, and converted 57.1% of his halfcourt rim attempts.
Many believed him to be different than the dime-a-dozen small chuckers who fail to stick in the NBA. Sears drew comparisons to Jalen Brunson and started to pop up in the first round of some mock drafts. Ultimately, he chose to return to Alabama for a graduate season. Unfortunately, the results didn’t sustain themselves. Part of it is that he cooled off from beyond the arc. While 35.2% from deep on 11.3 threes per 100 possessions is nothing to sneeze at, it is a regression. Sears’s efficiency trailed off mark inside the arc, too.
This year’s Alabama team isn’t an elite shooting squad like last year’s, and that’s had a real effect on Sears. His 2FG% has fallen from 56.5% to 47.7%. He’s also shooting a dismal 48.7% on halfcourt rim attempts. His lack of bounce and quickness doesn’t allow for him to get many easy looks without pristine spacing. And while he does have solid power for his size, he doesn’t overwhelm opponents with it the same way Jalen Brunson was able to at Villanova. He’s not exactly making up for these issues defensively, either, as his 1.5 STL% is a career low.
The Challenge: Prove to be a low-variance player and impact every contest in a variety of ways.
I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about small guards. I think one of the biggest challenges that faces them is variance. Their shot diet is often comprised of long threes, tough ones in the mid-range, and difficult touch shots around the basket. When they can’t make those shots, which are far more prone to variance than others, their value can plummet. I think Fred Van Vleet is an interesting blueprint. His playmaking, physicality, and defense have allowed him to withstand poor shooting stretches that other small guards can’t. When Sears fell victim to shooting variance this year, interest waned. But if Sears can get back to his defensive grind, make plays, and find as many ways to contribute outside of his scoring as possible, it will be worth taking notice.
Keshon Gilbert, 6’4”, Senior, Iowa State
Keshon Gilbert arrived at UNLV with little fanfare. After an unremarkable freshman campaign, Gilbert put together a breakout sophomore season. His size for a guard, athleticism, and physicality helped him to stand out on film. He transferred to Iowa State, where he’s helped the Cyclones form one of the most formidable squads in the country for back-to-back seasons.
Offensively, the name of the game for Gilbert is paint touches. He has an awesome frame and a great first step, allowing him to put tremendous amounts of pressure on the rim. Per Synergy, 45.7% of Gilbert’s halfcourt rim attempts come at the rim. That’s an elite mark for a guard prospect, topping the likes of Ja Morant, Jalen Suggs, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and De’Aaron Fox during their pre-draft seasons. He’s that good at collapsing defenses. From there, Gilbert can convert with acrobatic finishes. He’s also able to make dump off passes to bigs or spray it out to perimeter shooters, as evident by his 25.0 AST%. Lastly, he can use his love of contact to get to the charity stripe. His career .454 FTr demonstrates a love of contact that few possess. And when Gilbert gets to the free-throw line, he makes 72.9% of his shots. That’s a good, efficient way to put up points.
Defensively, Gilbert is exactly what you’d expect from an Iowa State guard. He’s tough, gritty, and clever. He’s an overwhelming force at the point of attack. His size and quickness enable him to smother the ball when needed, but he also showcases an understanding of the scouting report and sags back when that makes more sense. Gilbert’s quickness and size make him difficult to separate from. He also does a great job using his hands to get in on the ball. Off-ball, he covers ground well for a guard and is a big-time threat in passing lanes (career 3.7 STL%). If it all pans out, he could provide value on both sides of the ball.
The Challenge: Let that three-ball fly.
Keshon Gilbert has long been a reluctant three-point shooter. He’s taking 4.8 threes per 100 possessions this year, which is in line with his career mark. For context, the last guard to be drafted who took less than 5.0 threes per 100 possessions was Jaden Springer. Springer was a freshman cut from a similar cloth to Gilbert, and he's still yet to find his footing in the league after four seasons. It’s really, really tough for guards to stick in the NBA when they’re not willing to shoot. Gilbert is too content to pass up open looks. It hurts his efficiency on drives in college (49.5% at the rim in the halfcourt) because teams know they can sag off him. That issue will only be exacerbated when he has to get to the rim and convert against bigger, better athletes at the next level. Gilbert does shoot a bit of a moonball, but even with his adequate results (career 34.5% from deep), I think simply taking more shots would go a long way. Also, I’d like to see him cut back on his turnovers (21.7 TOV%), but the shot is the bigger hangup for me. If Gilbert can let it fly, there will be a lot to like. His size, physicality, ability to get into the paint, and defensive production are all common traits among long-term switchblade guards. We just need to see that he has the requisite confidence and efficiency from long range.
Igor Milicic Jr., 6’10, Senior, Tennessee
Igor Milicic Jr.’s college career started quietly at Virginia. But after moving over to Charlotte, he quickly established himself as one of the best all-around forwards in the country. I covered him during my No Stone Unturned series this off-season, and I had high expectations for him as he moved over to Tennessee.
There are few players with as well-rounded of a statistical output as Milicic. He’s a comfortable shooter from long range, taking 9.5 threes per 100 possessions over the course of his college career. He can move into his shot, and he gets it off quickly, giving him a level of long-range dynamism rarely seen from a player with his measurements. Still, he’s effective on the interior. He has a fantastic nose for the offensive glass (9.3 ORB%) and has soft touch inside, converting 61.8% of his halfcourt rim attempts on the year. Also, while he displayed passing flashes at Charlotte, he’s become much more consistent on that front this system, which was a focal point of his development this past off-season. His 16.7 AST% and 2.3 APG to 1.4 TOV grade out well positionally. He sees the floor quickly and is capable of making creative deliveries to find teammates.
There’s a lot to like on defense, too. Milicic is light on his feet and plays long on the perimeter, making him difficult to get around. Simply put, he does a good job of staying in front. Off the ball, his feel goes a long way. His length, timing, and bounce help him to operate effectively as the low man. Per Synergy, he’s held opponents to 35.4% at the rim in the halfcourt this year, a testament to his ability to inhibit opponents at the rim. He’s all over the boards on this side of the ball, too, with a 22.0 DRB%.
The Challenge: Be a consistent scoring threat.
Igor Milicic Jr. is always going to rebound, be a defensive pest, and move the ball. However, his scoring impact can wax and wane in a way that makes it difficult to get too excited about him as a scout. Some days you’re getting 16 points on eight shots against Vanderbilt, and the next you’re getting three points on five shots against Mississippi State. There’s been some three-point variance this year, as Milicic is shooting 32.7% from three this year after going 37.6% on year ago. His volume and mechanics have me buying his shot overall, but Milicic can lack assertiveness and pass up high-quality looks at times. He could also stand to be more aggressive on the interior, too. The reason I was so bullish on Milicic coming into the year is that his size, efficiency, and versatile statistical production had me convinced he could be that dude. I want to believe he’s convinced of that, too.
Ian Schieffelin, 6’8”, Senior, Clemson
Ian Schieffelin is one of the quirkiest players in college basketball, and I mean that as a compliment. The man is an absolute hoss on the interior. He is as tough as they come, and he’s constantly winning positioning battles. Offensively, that allows him to dominate on the low block. Per Synergy, he ranks in the 91st percentile in college basketball as a post-up scorer. Schieffelin also cleans up on the offensive glass with an outstanding 11.1 ORB%. He’s not just a brute there. He’s a savvy passer both out of the post and from the perimeter. His 2.8 APG ranks him second amongst Tigers players. Plus, he’s grown more comfortable shooting, too. He’s made 35.8% of his 2.6 threes per game this year, giving him an inside-out scoring punch.
The Challenge: Prove that there is a defensive role for him at the next level.
We’re going right into the challenge on this one. Schieffelin’s defense is a mixed bag. His physicality goes a long way. His strength enables him to hold up well against opposing big men. On the perimeter, he wins the “bump battle” and forces drivers off their lines. If he’s able to body up an opponent, it’s tough for them to get where they want. Instinctually, he knows where to go. He’s awesome on the glass here, too, with a 24.4 DRB% over the past two years. Where it gets tricky, though, is that he’s heavy-footed. It’s easy for higher-level athletes to attack his closeouts. Ball handlers with a counter bag can shake him and get him off balance to create advantages. Given his lack of height and length, Schieffelin will need to prove that he can guard on the perimeter. If he holds up well in space throughout March, his stat-sheet stuffing production could make him a hot sleeper name.
J’Wan Roberts, 6’8”, Graduate, Houston
J’Wan Roberts isn’t supposed to be here, but that’s never stopped him before. He arrived at Houston as an unheralded recruit and redshirted his freshman season. Year over year, he progressed and evolved into the type of player you can’t help but notice every time he’s on the court. Roberts is partially a “garbage man” big. He scores on the interior, using his 235-pound frame and grit to bully his way to spots and finish. His career 12.1 ORB% is a strong mark and shows how well he competes on the glass. Defensively, he uses his body well to stifle opponents inside. His hand-eye coordination helps him to nab blocks, and he does a great job routinely finding bodies on the boards.
What makes Roberts particularly interesting to me, though, is how he ties that hard-hat, lunch-pail style game with a level of modern feel and finesse. He’s a really smart player. He sees the floor well and can make impressive passes from the post, top of the key, elbow, and nail. Roberts is a sharp floor mapper who leaves nothing on the table from an execution standpoint, whipping precise passes the second he sees an opening. Add in a slick handle, and there’s some awesome DHO/face-up functionality here. Defensively, his instincts go a long way, too. He does a fantastic job of reading the opposing offense, and he covers ground well. His combination of size, strength, and balance goes a long way when closing out and responding to closeout attacks. He’s an impressive perimeter defender with nimble feet and good hands (career 2.2 STL%).
The Challenge: Show that height isn’t always everything.
Positional size matters, and it’s something that J’Wan Roberts lacks. He’s functionally a 6’8” center. Offensively, that’s challenging in that he doesn’t have an obvious place to score. He’s not a lob target, nor has he shown that he can shoot. It’s tricky defensively, too. While Roberts can switch, his lack of bounce limits him as a rim protector. He’s not a great leaper, and his career 4.7 BLK% is a poor mark for a big man prospect. Roberts will need to prove that he can out-punch his height—or that he’s so effective in general that he can get away with being on the shorter side for an interior player.
Quick Hits
-While watching the Alabama take to dive in on Mark Sears, I fell into what’s become a recurring trap. That trap—being unable to take my eyes off of Mouhamed Dioubate. He’s wiry and bouncy, making him a dangerous cutter and put-back threat (14.0 ORB%). Plus, he’s shown some enticing feel as a passer. Defensively, his length, motor, and timing make him a persistent pest. He covers ground at warp speed. Sure, that helps him to pick off passes and swat shots, but it also takes away so many looks that would have otherwise been clean scoring opportunities. Dioubate rarely shoots, taking less than one three per game while making only 60.5% of his free throws. Without a jumper, it’s hard for 6’7” guys to stick at the next level. But if I could gift a jumper to any prospect, it would probably be Dioubate. The guy does everything else. His razor-sharp instincts, physical tools, and unparalleled effort have made him one of my favorite long-term sleepers in college hoops.
-6’6” Duke freshman Isaiah Evans has seen his stock heat up lately. I’m a bit conflicted with him. I do love my tall shooters, and that’s what Evans is. He’s knocking down 44.4% while taking, and I swear this is a real number, 18.9 threes per 100 possessions. That is outrageous. Plus, he’s a solid decision-maker who knows how to play within the flow of the offense. Where I pump the breaks, though, is with his skinny frame and lack of defensive production. He’s rail-thin, and I worry about how he could stay on an NBA floor from a physicality perspective. Defensively, his engagement and attention to detail away from the ball are lacking. Still, there’s a lot to work with. His shooting is unreal, he looks long, and he’s a trustworthy player. He just needs to fill out his body and shore up the defense. Personally, I’m hoping he develops in Durham for another year or two, but I understand the buzz.
-BYU’s Richie Saunders is a mega-producer worth taking note of. He’s older, as he turns 24 in September, but the 6’5” junior still checks a lot of boxes. He’s an outstanding shooter, drilling 43.7% of his threes while taking over five per game. He’s no slouch at the rim, either, making 63% of his halfcourt rim attempts per Synergy. Saunders gets up well and has the frame to play through contact inside. Defensively, he does a great job of mucking things up and getting into his opponent’s business. The swing areas for Saunders will be his playmaking and decision-making. His 1.5 APG to 1.3 TOV leaves something to be desired, given his size and age, and he misses some easy passing reads. He’ll enter the league older, but his inside-out scoring and defensive playmaking (2.4 STL%, 1.7 BLK%) make him someone who should be on radars.
-One of my mid-major favorites as of late: Bryant’s Barry Evans. At 6’8” and 215 pounds, he looks and moves like a pro in ways you don’t normally see at that level. He flies all over the floor defensively, darting passing lanes (2.4 STL%) and turning opponents away at the rim (1.7 BLK%). His agility and length make him a handful to deal with at the point of attack. Offensively, he shows real comfort putting the ball on the deck and throws some impressive passes on the go. His 2.6 APG to only 2.0 TOV is a great mark for a guy his size. Evans has serious leaping ability and has registered 31 dunks on the year. Plus, he’s comfortable launching from three, having made 37.1% of his threes on 3.5 attempts per game this year. He does need some refinement. He gets burned as a result of his gambling on defense at times, and he gets too much dip on his chip as an offensive creator. Still, his multi-level scoring output, playmaking, and defensive upside make him a legitimate sleeper prospect for the 2026 NBA Draft.
-Isaac Nogues Gonzalez, who currently plays for the Rip City Remix in the G League, declared for the NBA Draft this week. He’s interesting! The 6’5” Spanish prospect has a wide variety of ways to impact the game. He’s a slick, polished passer who can make creative deliveries through tight windows on the go. As a result, he’s averaging 3.6 APG to only 1.5 TOV. He also gets up off one foot, and he’s no stranger to finishing above the rim. Defensively, he’s a menace. He moves well, has good length on him, and does a great job of getting in on the ball (1.8 SPG in 19.1 MPG). His blend of awareness and athleticism makes him a threat off the ball, too. Where it gets tricky is that he doesn’t do much scoring. He’s averaging 2.1 PPG on 44.3/27.8/50.0 splits. That lack of scoring gravity makes it exceedingly difficult to imagine him generating defensive respect at the next level. I have no idea what he would do off the ball on offense. Still, the rest of his overall package remains interesting. He could be an enticing E-10 target for a team interested in developing his jump shot.
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