Ten Must-Scout Games in Week One of the 2025-26 College Basketball Season
College basketball is back! Maxwell is here with a rundown of the must-scout games for NBA Draft fans during Week One of the 2025-2026 NCAA basketball season!
Folks… college basketball is back!
As someone who hates making preseason draft boards, I couldn’t be happier. Sure, a lot of the top prospects have already crossed paths throughout their grassroots and high school careers. But when we get to see them in packed arenas, surrounded by a plethora of other extremely talented players, it’s a lot more enjoyable to watch. We not only get to see the incoming freshmen play better competition, but also see what new wrinkles returning prospects have added to their games.
Today, we’re going to look at the 10 games I’m most excited to scout this week. Keep in mind—we’re talking about the entirety of the matchup and what we can learn from it. There are some fantastic, high-level players that I won’t be covering today. That doesn’t mean I think they’re bad; I just don’t necessarily think we’ll learn as much about them in their opening-week contests as we will about some other prospects. Let’s get into it! But first, because I’m a sicko, you know we’ve got to do the honorable mentions, in chronological order. Also, make sure you’re following me on Twitter/X.
Honorable Mentions:
-High Point vs. Furman, Monday, 6:30 P.M./ET
-Quinnipiac vs. St. John’s, Monday, 6:30 P.M./ET
-Georgetown vs. Maryland, Friday, 6:00 P.M./ET
-Charleston vs. Liberty, Friday, 6:00 P.M./ET
-VCU vs. Utah State, Friday, 8:00 P.M./ET
-Oklahoma vs. Gonzaga, Saturday, 10:30 P.M./ET
-Indiana vs. Marquette, Sunday, 1:00 P.M./ET
10. San Francisco at Memphis, Saturday, 3:00 P.M./ET
San Francisco’s Tyrone Riley IV is one of the best mid-major prospects in the sport. The 6’6”, 200-pound wing burst onto the scene as a freshman last season with his hyper-athletic, high-motor play style. Riley has excellent cutting instincts and routinely finds holes in the opposing defense. He’s also lethal in transition. Those traits enabled him to register 37 dunks last season, which, for context, is more than players like Bennedict Mathurin, Lu Dort, and Mikal Bridges had during their respective final pre-draft seasons. He uses those tools well on the glass, too, where he posted a 7.3 ORB% and 17.1 DRB%, numbers more common for a power forward than a shooting guard. His quick feet and tenacity help him to bring value on and off the ball defensively. On offense, his understanding of how to play within a team concept prevented him from stopping the ball, resulting in a slightly positive assist-to-turnover mark.
There are questions to ask about Riley. Last year, he thrived, but he was a role player on a talented, older Dons squad. He’ll need to show he can carry a bigger usage load. Additionally, there’s some work to do as a shooter, as he only hit 32.2% of his threes on moderate volume. Regardless of what type of leap he makes this coming season, his frame, athleticism, work rate, and selflessness make him a prospect worth monitoring long-term. But the reason this game in particular is so interesting is that we’ll get an early peek into how far along Riley’s skill set is against a high-level opponent. How well will Riley wear his new, higher-usage role? How will he look when the athleticism across the floor can start to approach his own? These are questions we’ll start to get answers to, and we’re getting them early in the season. This should provide valuable insight into whether Riley is a 2026 proposition or more of a “down the road” guy for now.
Riley isn’t the only San Francisco name to watch, either. 7’0” senior big man Guillermo Diaz Graham feels like an ideal system fit for San Francisco. He’s a skilled playmaker and shooter, and in the five-out era, a breakout year could easily get him on NBA radars. Past “No Stone Unturned” prospect Ndewedo Newbury is back for one more go, though he’s currently recovering from a knee injury. The 6’7”, 235-pound forward is a bruiser who can guard up-and-down the lineup. He’s also made 39.2% of his threes on good volume over the past two years, he averaged 2.6 APG to only 1.6 TOV last year, and he has the bounce to finish above the rim. That’s a lot of boxes being checked for a sleeper on the margins. 6’7” wing Mookie Cook was the 26th-ranked prospect on the 2023 RSCI list, but didn’t get much run at Oregon. I’m excited to see what he can do in a new environment. I’m also intrigued by freshman Legend Smiley, a 6’5” sharpshooter who played for Link Academy.
Memphis has some interesting prospects, too. The name most familiar to draft enthusiasts is likely Aaron Bradshaw, a 7’0” junior big man who was a top ten recruit in the 2023 high school class. His combination of length, mobility, and willingness to shoot has long made him interesting. Unfortunately, he’s remained a bit more theoretical, as he’s never been quite as productive as front offices had hoped. Now on his third school in three seasons, Bradshaw is entering make-or-break territory. I’m also intrigued by Hasan Abdul-Hakim. The 6’8” wing has a quirky, do-it-all play style that enabled him to stuff the stat sheet at UT-RGV. His 8.4 ORB%, 16.5 DRB%, 19.2 AST%, 2.8 STL%, and 2.3 BLK% aren’t a common combination of numbers, especially for a dude who’s 6’8”. He also scored 26 points with 11 rebounds, four assists, and four steals in a down-to-the-wire game against Creighton last season. The shot is a bit of a question mark (34% on good volume over two college D-I seasons) and he’s on the older side as it’s his sixth year playing college ball. But if he scales up well, I could see him getting on the map.
9. South Florida vs. George Washington, Saturday, 1:30 P.M./ET
I believe that George Washington’s Rafael Castro is the most underrated mid-major prospect in the country. The 6’10” senior big man moves like a pro, boasting blazing end-to-end speed and covering ground more like a wing on defense. He’s a big-time lob target who finished 9th in the country in dunks last season, per BartTorvik. He uses the bounce on the glass, too, posting strong rebounding rates on both ends of the floor. What’s more, Castro is a tremendously skilled playmaker. He became the Revolutionaries’ primary hub of offense late in the year last season and posted a 17.3 AST% during conference play. Castro can put it on the deck, sling it out of the short roll, and read the floor on the go. There aren’t a lot of centers who have Castro’s run-jump athleticism, and even fewer can pair those tools with a high level of feel and on-ball talent. Given the center talent at South Florida, which we’ll get to in a minute, I immediately circled this game on my calendar, as it’s a premier mid-major big man matchup.
Still, there are other GW players who are worth monitoring. 6’3” junior guard Jean Aranguren is a physical guard who defends well, competes on the boards, and sees the floor. 6’2” sophomore Christian Jones is a defensive menace who registered a comical 4.2 STL% last season. He has some promise offensively, too. After missing last season due to injury, 6’8” sniper Garrett Johnson is back in the fold. He drilled 40.3% of his threes during the 23-24 season. 6’7” junior Bubu Benjamin has some three-and-D juice.
Across the floor will stand the South Florida Bulls, who may be the deepest mid-major squad in the country. The reason this matchup in particular is so interesting is USF’s big man crop. 6’9” graduate Daimion Collins might be something of a “remember when?” prospect, as he never fully reached expectations as a highly touted recruit at Kentucky. But he’s as mobile as they come and will provide a great gauge for where Castro stands movement-wise. Collins may not even start, though, as Izaiyah Nelson boasts a similar profile. The 6’10” senior moves well, throws down a ton of dunks, and competes hard on the glass. They might be the best one-two big man punch Castro faces until he matches up with the Florida Gators in December.
South Florida’s talent doesn’t stop there. I’m a big fan of Joseph Pinion. He’s a 6’5” wing who hit 36% of his threes last season. That might not blow you away, but the volume and difficulty will. He launched 14.5 threes per 100 possessions last year, showcasing movement capability and parking-lot range. Plus, he made 60% of his twos, and he averaged 1.4 APG to 0.9 TOV, so he can make stuff happen when he’s run off the line. The big differentiator for Pinion relative to most marksmen is that he’s an awesome team defender. He’s super quick covering ground and has functional bounce, which helped him post a 2.6 STL% and 2.8 BLK% last season. He’s a big-time three-and-D sleeper.
It just keeps going. 6’5” wing Devin Haid is a do-it-all Swiss Army knife who stuffed the stat sheet at Central Connecticut State. While he didn’t hit his threes last year, his 84.7% mark at the free-throw line and good volume from deep are strong indicators. He could find his way into the mix. 6’2” sophomore guard CJ Brown is a non-shooter currently, but not many freshmen post a 3.1 STL% and 2.7 BLK%. Throw in that he’s a high-feel foul-drawer offensively, and there’s reason to get excited. And while Auburn’s Elyjah Freeman is the hot D-II up-transfer name, don’t sleep on his former Lincoln Memorial teammate Wes Enis. The 6’2” guard is built like a tank at 200 pounds and can shoot the cover off the ball, going 41.3% from deep on over seven attempts per game last season.
It’s hard to find mid-major matchups with this much talent on the floor.
8. Providence at Virginia Tech, Saturday, 4 P.M./ET
Virginia Tech freshman Neoklis Avdalas is one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft world. He has a smooth handle and a level of floor vision that you don’t often come by in a 6’8”, 215-pound frame. His blend of size and skill enabled him to produce across the board during the FIBA U20 European Championships, where he averaged 14.0 PPG, 7.1 RPG, and 8.0 APG. Now, we’ll get to see the Greek prospect stateside, and in week one, we’ll get an opportunity to see him square up against high-major competition. How Avdalas moves athletically, how he stacks up defensively, and how comfortable he looks shooting the three will all be worth collecting early data points on.
6’8” senior forward Toibu Lawal has worked his way onto draft boards, too. He’s a super-athlete who dunked 48 times last season, per Synergy. His tools make him a versatile defender. Plus, he started shooting last season, going 37.1% from deep on 2.1 attempts per game after being a complete non-shooter in years past. His ball skills remain an issue, as he averaged 0.9 APG to 2.2 TOV last year. But if Lawal can continue his transformation from small-ball big to true wing, he could generate serious interest.
There are some intriguing deep cuts here, too. I’m bullish on 6’5” Delaware transfer Izaiah Pasha, a bruising downhill guard who lives at the rim and improved as a passer throughout last season. Tyler Johnson has fans in our collective. He’s a 6’5” powerhouse with inside-out scoring chops. I’ve also long been enamored with 6’8” junior Amani Hansberry, a physical forward with on-ball talent who hasn’t quite gotten his jumper in order yet despite the volume being there.
Providence has a slew of solid players. Across the floor from Avdalas will be another international standout, Stefan Vaaks. Vaaks is a 6’6” wing who also has a dribble-pass-shoot skill set. He can string together slick counters to get to his spots, and he’s comfortable shooting at all three levels. Last year, he averaged 15.1 PPG on 46.0/34.9/76.6 splits while slinging 2.6 APG to 1.7 TOV across various international leagues. This matchup between smooth jumbo guards could make for must-see TV.
On the interior, 6’10” sophomore Oswin Erhunmwunse quietly had a great first year with the Friars. He dominated on the offensive glass (14.3 ORB%) while blocking a ton of shots (8.7 BLK%). His playmaking and free-throw shooting are both serious issues, but he has ways to impact the game, and that gives him an avenue to figure those things out in time. 6’8” forward Duncan Powell is a physical forward who moves well, which should help us get a read on how Avdalas looks from that standpoint. 6’4” Jaylin Sellers is a career 37.3% shooter on good volume, and he’s up to snuff athletically.
7. Alabama at St. John’s, Saturday, Noon/ET
Alabama’s Labaron Philon is one of the best returning prospects in the country. The 6’4” guard exploded onto the scene as a freshman, and his decision to return to school for his sophomore season surprised many evaluators. Philon checks a lot of boxes for a guard. He’s a shifty mover with a slick handle who can get to his spots on a consistent basis. Once he collapses the defense, he’s an intelligent passer who can fit the ball through tight windows on the move (3.8 APG to 1.7 TOV). Defensively, his speed and tenacity make him a potent playmaker (2.9 STL%, 1.2 BLK%). Plus, he has a real motor and “it factor” that make him stand out on film. His 3.8 ORB% was great for a guard, he’s visibly a fiery competitor, and he outperformed several top guard prospects in last year’s class when matched up against them.
Still, Philon’s decision to go back to school made a degree of sense. For starters, he needs to get stronger. He weighed only 174.6 pounds at the NBA Combine in May, and the effects of that are obvious on tape. He struggled against contact, converting only 45.0% of his halfcourt rim attempts. Defensively, he gets pinballed by screens and has a hard time getting back in the play once he’s been rocked. Plus, at 31.5% from deep, his jump shot remains a real question.
Labaron Philon is at a crossroads of sorts. If he can’t adapt to physicality and/or become a more consistent shooter, NBA teams could lose interest. An early test against a St. John’s team predicated on toughness will provide an interesting look into where he stands currently. If Philon looks good, he could kickstart a rise in his draft stock. His ball handling, feel, passing, toughness, and defensive production are all extremely enticing. If the jumper comes along and he can play through contact a little better, watch out.
Watch out for freshman London Jemison, too. The 6’8” wing hit just under 37% of his threes in EYBL play while posting a positive assist-to-turnover ratio and making positive contributions on the defensive end. His size and skill give him a chance to make a real surprise freshman run in the same vein as Philon last year. Fellow 6’8” newcomer Amari Allen has stuffed the stat sheet during scrimmages, too, and fits a similar bill.
I’m very intrigued by 6’10” junior Taylor Bol Bowen, who is transferring in from Florida State. He’s a big, long wing who hit 41.2% of his threes on 2.4 attempts per game last season. Defensively, his size is overwhelming for opponents, which led to him registering a 2.3 STL% and a 7.1 BLK%. He’s not much of a ball handler, and his passing (0.8 APG to 1.4 TOV) needs to come along. I’m very excited to see him in a new context. 6’10” sophomore Aiden Sherrell didn’t get much run last year, but he’s a mobile big with touch who can really compete on the glass. I could see him exploding this year. 6’3” Latrell Wrightsell Jr. has been in college for ages. He’s an awesome shooter who could get on the map with improved playmaking and defense. 6’1” junior Aden Holloway lacks size, but he did hit 41.2% of his threes on high volume last season. 6’5” combo guard Jalil Bethea was a buzzy freshman last year but had a rough first year at Miami. He’ll be looking to get back on the horse. 6’5” combo guard Houston Mallette was a big name at Pepperdine a few years back, but his profile has faded in prominence after redshirting last season. He’s an impressive shot-maker who could make waves (that’s a Pepperdine pun) if he takes steps forward defensively and as a passer.
St. John’s has heaps of depth. My favorite prospect on their squad is Zuby Ejiofor. The 6’9” junior is a versatile defender who can protect the rim (career 6.9 BLK%) or overwhelm smaller players with his big frame. Offensively, he’s feisty on the glass (career 14.9 ORB%), and he can pass a little bit. He’s not quite traditional-center-sized, nor is he overwhelmingly skilled as a non-shooter, making him a bit of a tweener. Still, he always feels like a positive force on the floor.
The Red Storm player with the most buzz is 6’4” sophomore Ian Jackson. He’s coming off an excellent scoring season at North Carolina, where he posted 28.4 points per 100 possessions on 45.6/39.5/72.3 splits. He’s a herky-jerky handler who gets off the floor well and has total confidence in his pull-up. He can consistently create advantages and subsequently convert wherever they take him. I’m a bit lower on him than consensus, as he can get behind the play as an off-ball defender and suffer from tunnel vision on offense (7.0 AST%, 0.9 APG to 1.2 TOV). Still, North Carolina’s roster construction last year left a lot to be desired. In a new setting, Jackson could show off a new level of well-roundedness. Given how capable of a self-creator he is, doing so would propel him up boards.
6’5” sophomore Joson Sanon generated early buzz with a hot scoring start last season. He didn’t make much of a statistical impact outside of his scoring, so it will be interesting to see him in a new environment. 6’6” Bryce Hopkins has been hobbled by injuries, but he’s powerful and skilled. If he can put together a healthy season, he could work his way back into draft conversations. “Defense and dunks” forward Dillon Mitchell has been on the radar for ages. The 6’8” senior has an awesome frame, and he’s a great mover in every sense. He also posted a positive assist-to-turnover ratio for the first time last season, pointing to skill growth. His lack of a shot (29.4% from three on one attempt per game, career 48.5% on free throws) is a serious issue, though. 6’5” senior Oziyah Sellers is a deadeye shooter who went 40.1% from deep at USC last season, and he knows how to keep the ball moving. 6’2” Idaho State transfer Dylan Darling is extremely interesting. He’s a solid shooter who draws a ton of fouls (.538 FTr), can read the floor (35.3 AST%), and he really gets after it on defense (2.9 STL%, 1.4 BLK%). I’m very intrigued to see how he scales up. I also wouldn’t slam the door shut on 6’10” sophomore Ruben Prey. He was a hot international name a while back because he moves really well for his size and has some ball skills. I could see him having a breakout campaign given their lack of traditional size.
6. Arkansas at Michigan State, Saturday, 7:00 P.M./ET
Arkansas is deep with prospective NBA talent, and we’ll get to see them get a good test out of the gate against the Michigan State Spartans.
First, there are intriguing newcomers. The one I’m drawn to the most is Meleek Thomas. Listed at 6’5”, he has good size for the guard spot. He’s got an exciting shot-maker bag, which is accentuated by his interesting footwork and dribble combinations that allow him to generate space on a consistent basis. Plus, he’s a real competitor. He rebounds like a much bigger player, and his defensive want-to allows him to collect steals at a high clip. The blend of the traditional guard skills, combined with his toughness and motor, has me very excited about his pro upside. He’ll need to fill out his frame and find more consistency as a passer to maximize his potential.
Darius Acuff Jr. is the other buzzy freshman. Listed at 6’2”, he has the strong-bodied frame common among shorter guards who end up achieving NBA success. He’s a true point guard who can read the floor and make long, accurate passes. There’s also shooting upside here, as he has a quick release off the catch and has historically made free throws at a good clip. I’m a bit leerier of Acuff as a one-and-done prospect than consensus, as I worry about his defense, pull-up scoring arsenal, and lack of vertical athleticism. An early outing opposite a polished backcourt should give a sense of where he’s at.
The Razorbacks’ returning crop is headlined by Karter Knox. The 6’6” sophomore wing ended last year on a high note, averaging 11.5 PPG on 55.7/42.4/80 splits over his final twelve games. His powerhouse build helps him to draw fouls and finish inside (71.1% on halfcourt rim attempts last season, per Synergy), but he still has some polish with his footwork to get to his spots on the perimeter. His strength goes a long way defensively, too. Knox didn’t show much as a passer last season (7.6 AST%, 14.0 TOV%), and he can suffer from tunnel vision at times. If he can round out his offensive skill set, he could be a first-round pick come June.
6’5” sophomore Billy Richmond III has fans, too. He’s ultra-physical on both ends of the floor, living at the rim on offense while draining opponents on defense. Given his size, his lack of a jumper (12.5% from deep on 16 three-point attempts last season) is a serious concern. DJ Wagner was a top recruit in the 2023 high school class, but the 6’3” junior has struggled to get over the hump. A 30.4% shooter from deep last year, he’ll need to be able to command respect from the three-point line. Still, he’s a speedy driver who can make some nice passes on the go. It will be interesting to see what his role looks like given the addition of the two talented freshmen guards. 6’10” junior Malique Ewin is a buzzy sleeper. He did a great job on the glass at Florida State, and he’s a tremendous passer (15.5 AST%). He could really shine while surrounded by multiple play finishers. Trevon Brazile has been on the radar for ages. The 6’9” hybrid big has comically long arms, a solid jump shot (career 35.7% from deep), and he moves like a pro in every sense. Unfortunately, the connective tissue has never really come along, as he doesn’t have a handle to speak of, and he’s a poor decision-maker as a passer. If he can come along there, the framework of his game will always be interesting to front offices.
For Michigan State, the player I’m most excited to watch is Coen Carr. First, let’s talk about what he’s not. The 6’6” junior took only 15 threes last season. His career 4.6 AST% points to a lack of playmaking that is backed up by the film. He doesn’t have a breakdown game off the bounce, nor does he wow with advanced reads. Now let’s talk about what he is, which is one of the best athletes in the sport.
Now I know what you’re thinking. “Maxwell, there’s a lot more to scouting than a Ballislife Dunk Contest video.” I disagree. Just kidding, obviously. What makes Carr so interesting is that there is a practical application of his athletic tools that manifests in on-court production. He was a force on the offensive glass (8.7 ORB%). His frame, agility, and bounce make him a multi-positional on-ball defender and a terrifying helper (career 1.9 STL%, 4.6 BLK%). Few can match him in transition, where, per Synergy, he ranked in the 90th percentile in frequency and the 97th percentile in efficiency. While Carr does need to refine his offensive skill set, he doesn’t need to reach the same level of refinement as most of his peers. Simply put, the gifts that he has lower the thresholds for him. If Carr can hit a few more shots and display some playmaking equity, he could get into draft discussions in short order.
I’m also quite fond of Jeremy Fears Jr., who played high school ball just down the road from me at Joliet West. He’s a tenacious downhill guard who gets two feet in the paint time and time again, drawing fouls (.788 FTr) and finding holes in the defense (5.4 APG to 2.0 TOV). Defensively, he competes with intensity, generating steals at a high clip and hounding his man. It’s tough out there for 6’2” guards, especially with iffy shooting track records, but the junior’s blend of feel and toughness gives him a puncher’s chance. 6’9” senior Jaxon Kohler is a player I’m open to, also. He’s a force on the boards (14.4 ORB%, 25.7 DRB%), and he can shoot a little bit (37.3% from deep on low volume).
5. Washington at Baylor, Sunday, 8:30 P.M./ET
The Baylor Bears’ prospect crop is headlined by Tounde Yessoufou, a powerfully built, 6’5”, 215-pound freshman. He uses his strong frame, long arms, and potent athleticism to overwhelm his opponents on defense. Offensively, he’s most comfortable in the open floor. Still, there’s a level of translatable practicality to his ever-improving skill set. His first step, ability to get low on drives, and strong balance enable him to attack closeouts effectively. Plus, he has some nice dribble counters and a unique bag of touch shots when he can’t get all the way to the cup.
There are fair questions to be asked about how well Yessoufou’s game can adapt at the next level. For starters, he’s yet to be a consistent shooter. While he made 85.1% of his free throws in EYBL play, he went 7-for-31 on his catch-and-shoot threes there. He also suffers from tunnel vision at times and has yet to display consistency as a playmaker. At 6’5”, that’s a scary combination of issues. Still, everywhere he’s gone, Yessoufou has been one of the best and most productive players on the floor. His frame, high motor, and toughness, paired with his skill growth trajectory, are extremely intriguing. An early season matchup against a power conference squad like Washington should give us a peek at how close or far he is from being an NBA contributor.
Baylor has a heap of interesting fringe prospects, too. 6’5” redshirt sophomore Cameron Carr was a hot sleeper name prior to his tenure at Tennessee, but for whatever reason, things never clicked there. After transferring to Baylor, he’s posted big numbers on their international tour and during their scrimmages. A change of scenery may have been just what the doctor ordered for him. 6’9” senior Michael Rataj is fascinating to me. He’s a bit of a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none, but at 6’9”, that can work. He went from interior post-up guy to leading man at Oregon State last year, posting a 57.4 TS% despite a hefty 28.4 USG%. He’s a solid shooter, he can put it on the deck, he’s grown as a playmaker, and he uses his size well on defense. 6’3” guard Obi Agbim will be fighting an uphill battle as an older, skinny guard, but my goodness can he hoop. He drained 43.7% of his threes on high volume as the leading man at Wyoming last season. He’s a slick self-creator who makes solid reads as a passer, and he can use his quickness well on defense. It will be interesting to see how he handles high-major physicality. I think 7’0” junior Juslin Bodo Bodo is going to surprise people. He’s a total non-passer and a poor free-throw shooter, but he’s phenomenal at the “big man basics.” He’s an awesome mover who dunks everything, owns the glass, and blocks a ton of shots. He didn’t post gaudy counting numbers at High Point, but I think he was a great portal pickup who does have a chance at an NBA cup of coffee. Daniel Skillings Jr. is an impact defender (3.3 STL%, 3.1 BLK% last season), but the 6’6” senior has yet to hit over 30% of his threes during a college season.
The Washington Huskies will be headlined by Hannes Steinbach, a 6’11” German prospect. Steinbach is a favorite among the analytics community, and a quick glance at his advanced numbers makes it clear as to why. He’s an efficient scorer who averaged 17.4 PPG during the FIBA U19 World Cup this summer on 65.7/22.2/77.8 splits. On the interior, he goes up strong and wants to rip the rim off the basket, but he still has some touch. He’s a willing jump shooter, too. He’s a smart passer who registered an 11.9 AST% across various pro leagues last season. Steinbach is a force on the boards, grabbing a preposterous 13.0 RPG during FIBA U19 World Cup play this summer. He’s also an intelligent defender who posted a 6.1 BLK% in pro competition last year.
Still, I do have some scalability concerns here. Steinbach isn’t the greatest athlete in the world. He’s not super-fast off the floor on either end, which gives me pause about his rim protection and finishing at the next level. And while he’s a willing shooter, I’m not sold on his jumper. He tends to shoot it off the top of his head, and the energy transfer throughout his motion isn’t as smooth as I’d like to see. Baylor should make for an interesting test, as they appear to be an up-and-down type of team on paper. Seeing how he handles the push-pull of the temp in this matchup will be interesting.
There’s depth on this side of the coin, too. 6’4” guard Wesley Yates III has some real buzz. He’s got a powerful frame, and he’s a tremendous scorer. Last year, he posted 14.1 PPG on 47.8/42.9/79.8 splits. He’ll need to display growth as a player, as his assist-to-turnover ratio was dead even last year. Still, I’m very intrigued by his physical tools and multi-level scoring output. 6’1” guard Quimari Peterson may lack size, but he’s an excellent scorer and takeaway threat who quietly had a 7.2 BPM at East Tennessee State last season. 6’11” JuCo product Mady Traore struggled in his previous D-I spots, but he’s a mobile big with some ball skills who averaged 2.7 BPG last season. He’s worth keeping an eye out for early, at least. 6’5” guard Desmond Claude has long had fans due to his power and playmaking (4.2 APG at USC last season), but he’s a suspect shooter at a career 27.1% from deep. 6’4” sophomore Zoom Diallo is like a skinnier, quicker version of that same archetype. He went 18.2% from three last year, but pressured the rim at will and made some great passes. 6’11” big man Franck Kepnang might get some looks because he’s such a great shot blocker, but he also posted zero assists in 280 minutes last season. Freshman JJ Mandaquit has a long way to go as a scorer, but he’ll make some of the coolest passes you’ve ever seen.
4. Florida vs. Arizona, Monday, 7:00 P.M./ET
There is a lot going on with this one.
Let’s start with Florida Gators prospect Thomas Haugh, whom I’m personally high on relative to consensus. The 6’9” junior is a do-it-all wing. You want shooting? Haugh went a respectable 34% from deep on good volume and just a hair under 80% at the free-throw line. You want interior scoring? Haugh hit just under 60% of his twos. You want toughness? Haugh relishes contact, registering a monstrous .649 FTr. You want playmaking? He posted a 14.2 AST% and a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. You want rebounding? Haugh gives you that on both sides of the ball. You want defense? Haugh has the length to cover multiple positions, and he knows where to be away from the ball. While he may not have a particular blow-away, standout skill, Haugh has a skill set that is tremendously valuable and plug-and-play, given his size. With some turnover to the Gators’ roster, it will be interesting to see if he can take on a larger offensive role.
Sophomore guard import Boogie Fland is a marquee name to watch for the Gators. His freshman campaign at Arkansas was both productive and confusing for evaluators. On the plus side, Fland showcased his high-feel offensive orchestration, averaging 5.1 APG to only 1.4 TOV. He also showed real fight and timing on the defensive end despite his lack of size, registering a 2.7 STL%. His shooting was there, too, as he sank 46.5% of his catch-and-shoot threes. The framework is there, but the other stuff wasn’t pretty. Fland’s subpar physicality led to him shooting a disastrous 29.7% on halfcourt rim attempts. He projects to be a defensive mismatch target at the next level, as he weighed only 172.4 pounds at the NBA Combine. He doesn’t rebound or draw fouls. Conversely, these issues could be partially excused due to Fland dealing with a UCL injury for much of last season. If nothing else, that certainly muddied the waters. I’m hoping this year that we can get a clear picture of a healthy Boogie Fland. If he puts on size and can present a threat inside the arc, he could be off to the races.
Big man Alex Condon finds himself at a crossroads, too. The 6’11” big man’s game has some high highs and low lows. At his best, he’s a total Swiss Army knife. Offensively, he can put the ball on the deck and make great passes for a player his size, as evident by his 15.0 AST%. He’s a hard-charging rebounder who loves to mix it up on the boards (12.5 ORB%, 19.3 DRB%, .617 FTr). He’s also a solid shooter given his height and age, hitting 32.8% of his threes on 1.6 attempts per game. Defensively, he can anchor things from the center spot or incite chaos as an off-ball helper (2.0 STL%, 5.5 BLK%). Still, at 221.8 pounds with an 8’11” standing reach, he’s a bit small for a center without a totally reliable perimeter skill set. He looked jittery in NCAA Tournament play, averaging 2.2 APG to 2.3 TOV while posting a far from ideal 47.1 eFG%. If Condon can’t reliably score, and his defensive role isn’t as clear, he could find himself in trouble. His junior season should give him a chance to continue progressing on these fronts. His blend of size, motor, and skill will be extremely enticing to NBA teams if he keeps developing.
Princeton import Xaivian Lee will be one of the most interesting transfers to monitor in the country. During his tenure with the Tigers, the 6’4” senior guard was tasked with doing a lot, carrying a 28.4 USG% over the past two seasons. This led to some incredible displays of shot-making, as Lee hit 40.9% of his pull-up threes and 45.7% of his pull-up tows last season. Lee has real polish off the dribble and a shifty type of quickness, giving him a multitude of ways to create separation. He’s far from selfish, too, as evidenced by his 30.7 AST%. And despite the big workload, Lee still did the little things, competing on the glass and making plays as an off-ball defender. The reason I’m fascinated to see this play out is because I want to know how Lee adapts to playing with more talent. He could get a bit over-indulgent as a creator at times during his Princeton tenure. Will he still do that, or will he defer more often in this context? Is it possible he has even more juice as a defender and rebounder with less of an offensive burden? And are his inconsistent results from three as a catch-and-shoot player just a case of a small sample size, or does he need to fix that to play a complementary NBA role? I don’t know the answer to these questions yet, but I’m excited to find out, and a test at Arizona will be a good first step toward that.
I also want to give a quick hat-tip to Florida’s big men sleepers, Rueben Chinyelu and Micah Handlogten. Chinyelu is a 6’11” junior who dominates on the boards, and his 7’7.75” wingspan measurement at G League Elite Camp generated serious buzz. If he can show refinement as a defender and playmaker while getting a little more efficient, he could be in business. Handlogten is an enormous 7’1” center who has a nice fluidity to his movements. He is also an excellent rebounder (18.0 ORB%), and he can pass it, too (13.2 AST%). Unfortunately, he hasn’t quite been the shot blocker I’d hoped at Florida, and his 33.3% mark at the charity stripe the past two years is terrifying. Still, I think he could have a “Dylan Cardwell Year” where he generates NBA buzz in a limited role because of how big and productive he tends to be.
In an era of the transfer portal, the Arizona Wildcats will be one of the rare young-blooded power programs in the sport. That doesn’t mean they’re short on talent by any stretch, either.
The big name for the Wildcats is Koa Peat. At 6’8” and 235 pounds, he’ll be way ahead of the physicality curve. Offensively, he has a surprising smoothness with his dribble game, but he’s also more than content to overwhelm opponents with his strength. If Koa Peat wants to move you backwards, he will. He gets to his spots reliably, and he’s a great interior finisher. Still, he’s comfortable pulling up in the mid-range or behind the three-point line. He’s impactful on the defensive end, too. He’s tough to get through and around at the point of attack, he knows where to be off the ball, and he’s eager to make plays.
Still, I do worry about Peat’s scalability at times. For starters, he doesn’t see the floor that well and will miss open teammates while forcing his way to the basket. He stops the ball time and time again, which is part of why he’s taken alarmingly few catch-and-shoot threes during his pre-college career. The ones he did take looked a bit rickety, and he’s never been great at the free-throw line, either.
Peat’s range of outcomes feels a bit wide at the moment. If he’s a non-shooting ball stopper who can’t find open teammates on a consistent basis, it will be hard for him to find his footing at the next level. On the other side of the coin, he’s a big, strong player who has routinely taken on large usage burdens, still played with a high motor on both ends of the floor, and won everywhere he’s been. In most cases, the truth is somewhere in between the two extremes. An early-season contest against a Florida team loaded with front court talent might give us an indication as to which side of the spectrum Peat is closer to as he starts his college tenure.
6’8”, 220-pound freshman wing Dwayne Aristode is an internal favorite here at No Ceilings. The appeal is simple—he’s a big, versatile wing and the NBA values those a lot. He hit 36.4% of his catch-and-shoot threes on a heavily guarded shot diet in EYBL play. He moves like a pro, appearing to float for the air when he goes up for a big-time dunk or to collect on the glass. He had a positive assist-to-turnover ratio during his final AAU season. Defensively, he uses his tools well to guard the ball and create events. The question here is the in-between stuff. He went 1-for-11 on pull-up twos and doesn’t seem super comfortable putting the ball on the deck. Additionally, his touch can be a bit suspect inside. An opening night contest against the reigning national champs could help us figure out if he’s a surprise one-and-done candidate, or more of a “down the road” proposition.
Freshman guard Brayden Burries is generating some buzz, too. At 6’4” and 205 pounds, he definitely looks the part. He made over 80% of his free throws in EYBL play, and while his results from three were spotty, he hit some impressive deep ones. He’s a strong, ambidextrous finisher with some bounce to him. I like how he creates for himself, too, blending his power with slither and speed changes to create openings. His playmaking for others could stand to improve, and he’ll need to start hitting threes more consistently to really pop, but I’m interested in him long-term if nothing else.
Among the returning crop, Motiejus Krivas is probably the name with the most hype. On the plus side, the 7’2” big man is a fantastic mover for his size. He does good work on the offensive boards (career 14.6 ORB%). And while his season got cut short after eight games last year, he looked more comfortable moving the ball, averaging 1.1 APG to only 0.8 TOV. Conversely, it feels like the production has always lagged behind the tools, as his 60.3 TS% is lackluster for a player his size, and his career 4.7 BLK% is underwhelming. If he can show more as a finisher and defender, he should rise back up boards, as he was a hot first-round name last year. 6’3” guard Jaden Bradley is another name to know. The senior has a strong frame, makes good decisions as a ball handler (3.7 APG to 1.9 TOV), and wears down opponents defensively. A career 35.2% from deep on low volume, he could move the needle with a great shooting season. 6’6” wing Anthony Dell’Orso is a potential sleeper. He hit 41.3% of his threes last year and looked far more under control as a decision maker (1.4 APG to 0.7 TOV).
In total, we’ve got a lot of fun matchups here at every position. It’s Haugh vs. Peat/Aristode/Dell’Orso, Condon/Chinyelu/Handlogten vs. Krivas, and Fland/Lee vs. Burries/Bradley. This is a game every scout should watch.
3. Villanova vs. BYU, Monday, 9:30 P.M./ET
BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa is one of the top prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft. The 6’9” wing has long been heralded as one of the best players in his class. Throw on the tape or look at the numbers, and it’s easy to see why. Offensively, Dybantsa can create his own shot far better than most of his size. If he wants to get to the rim, he can get there efficiently with big, long strides to the cup. If he wants to generate space east-west or with a stepback, he can do that while maintaining exceptional balance prior to launching a pull-up jumper. His blend of creativity, athleticism, and multi-level scoring makes him a lethal threat with the ball in his hands. Dybantsa is also a master foul-drawer, posting a .455 FTr at Utah Prep. He actively seeks out contact and loves to pump-fake big men off their feet. He’s not a bad passer, either, as he posted a positive assist-to-turnover mark both in his final high school season with Utah Prep and during the FIBA U19 World Cup. Defensively, he covers ground really well, and given his length, it feels like he takes up a ton of space off the ball. He moves well at the point of attack and seems to take on-ball defense personally.
Despite all of these incredible traits, Dybantsa often finds himself as the third wheel in the top of the draft conversation. A few factors are at play. One concern is around his jump shot, as we just saw him go 2-for-18 during FIBA play. His release point can be low, and he can shoot sort of a line drive. Additionally, his offensive process can be frustrating. Dybantsa is prone to launching exceedingly difficult, smothered mid-range jumpers, which led to him going 29.5% on 88 such shots at Utah Prep. Defensively, his off-ball engagement comes and goes. These are real concerns when we’re talking about projecting his next level outcomes. If Dybantsa is intent on hunting his shot, and he’s a subpar perimeter scorer with defensive inconsistencies, how valuable is that type of player?
Personally, I’m optimistic about Dybantsa. I do think the concerns are valid, but I also think the tide has turned too hard on him. I love his confidence and his ability to get to his spots. While he went cold from deep in FIBA play, his overall shooting resume is rock-solid, especially when you take things like volume and difficulty into account. And though he’s not the most consistent playmaker for others, he’s far from being Cam Whitmore. Dybantsa has some things to work through, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be super excited about him. It’s even more exciting that we’ll get to see him in a high-major matchup on opening night.
And BYU is far from a one-man show. 6’5” senior wing Richie Saunders has become a popular name on preseason mock drafts. He’s a great inside-out scorer. On the perimeter, he sank 43.2% of his threes on over 10 attempts per 100 possessions. He has answers when run off the line, boasting a good first step while taking long strides to the cup. Saunders gets up well inside and plays through contact well, which led to him converting 63.2% of his halfcourt rim attempts last season. His athleticism, spot-up shooting, and ability to get to the basket make him a tremendous second-side weapon. Defensively, his frame and ability to move stand out. While Saunders’ playmaking process can be inconsistent, and he’ll turn 25 during his NBA rookie season, he has a lot going for him. If he can make better reads downhill more often, he could be a popular sleeper come June.
Longtime readers of my work will know I’m a small guard skeptic, so take note when I tell you that I think Robert Wright III has a real shot at making things work in the NBA. The 6’2” guard is coming over from Baylor. While the Bears felt like a mess at times, Wright was a calming, steadying force. Everything felt more seamless and organized when he was running the show. He’s a poised playmaker who posted a 27.5 AST%, sunk 40.3% of his catch-and-shoot threes, and put heaps of pressure on the rim. While he’ll need to improve as a pull-up shooter, finisher, and defender, I think his savvy gives him a puncher’s chance down the road. I could also see small-ball big man Keba Keita getting some looks. While he’s way undersized at 6’7”, he’s a dominant rebounder (16.5 ORB%, 27.1 DRB%) and versatile defender (1.8 STL%, 7.2 BLK%).
Villanova doesn’t have a surefire prospect like Dybantsa, but they still have a few guys I’m interested in checking out. I’ve long been intrigued by freshman guard Acaden Lewis. He’s undersized at 6’2” and he only shot 30.7% from deep in EYBL play, but let me sell you a little bit. Lewis is an unbelievable passer who slung 5.5 APG with a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover mark on the circuit. His creativity knows no bounds, but he still knows when and when not to add some flair to his deliveries. And while he does need to improve as a pull-up shooter, his 44.2% mark on catch-and-shoot threes, paired with an 82.7 FT% are reasons to believe. There’s work to be done defensively; it’s probably going to take a bit for him to grow into his frame, and he’ll have to iron out the kinks as a shooter. But long-term, he’s an exciting playmaking prospect.
Junior guard Bryce Lindsay is a deadeye sniper who went 40.8% from deep on nearly seven attempts per game at James Madison last season. He also averaged 2.2 APG to only 1.1 TOV. The holdup here is that he’s not a true point guard at 6’3” and he needs to show more defensively, but he’s a name to watch on the margins. I’m also quite bullish on Matt Hodge. The 6’8”, 220-pound freshman is my type of player. He’s a big-bodied wing who can score inside and out, connect the dots, and guard multiple positions. The returner to watch is 6’4” junior Tyler Perkins. I initially thought he transferred up a year too soon after a nice freshman season at Penn, but he ended up being totally fine last year. He’s super strong, can create his own shot, and he’s a handful defensively. If he can use his frame to get inside more while growing as a passer, I think he could pop onto radars.
The reason we’re all here is AJ Dybantsa. But it will also be interesting to get progress reports on Saunders and Wright while finding out how Villanova’s newcomers adapt to their new high-major digs.
2. Texas vs. Duke, Tuesday, 8:45 P.M./ET
The Duke Blue Devils have an embarrassment of riches at their disposal.
The man we’re all here for is Cameron Boozer. The 6’9” forward has put together one of the most preposterous pre-college resumes in recent history. In EYBL play, he averaged 22.9 PPG on 57.5/33.3/84.0 splits while grabbing 12.6 RPG, slinging 3.5 APG to 2.3 TOV, and producing 2.1 stocks per contest. His senior year at Columbus was more of the same, posting 22.0 PPG on 54.9/40.0/79.6 splits, 10.9 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.4 SPG, and 1.5 BPG in games logged by Synergy. Statistically, he has an exceptionally strong case for the number one spot on draft boards coming into the year.
Let’s dig into what it actually looks like on film. He’s a fantastic interior scorer. Boozer can feast on putbacks for easy buckets, but he’s far from tools-reliant. He’s a strong, savvy player who wins positioning battles time and time again. He has a degree of post-up polish you don’t often find in a young player these days. He’s comfortable taking threes when given space and will even pull up from distance if defenders sag back on him. He’s an awesome passer who can make great reads on the go, deliver razor-sharp “.5” touch passes, or sling breathtaking outlet passes after a defensive rebound. On the defensive end, there’s a great fundamental baseline. He has good balance, uses his chest well, and maximizes his length well at the point-of-attack, which has allowed him to guard a variety of player types successfully thus far in his career. It feels like he’s always in the right spots off the ball, too.
My concerns with regard to his upside largely pertain to his athleticism. He’s not a “Young Blake Griffin” type of run-jump mover. Offensively, he can be more comfortable slowing down and operating with his back to the basket at times than playing out of a more modern face-up. His first step leaves something to be desired. He can be a bit robotic and clunky trying to string together dribble combinations. Defensively, he’ll occasionally struggle with slick, quick guards due to his foot speed. On a more technical level, I’d also like to see him speed up the release on his jump shot.
I feel extremely confident saying that Cameron Boozer is going to be an excellent NBA player for a very long time. I understand having a degree of pause about where he might slot positionally. He’s slow for a 4 and undersized for a 5. That type of player can really cap a team’s ceiling. But what I think differentiates Boozer from someone like a Domantas Sabonis-type player is that he has a much better understanding of defensive principles, and he has a much better shot diet. For those reasons, I think he could be a genuine franchise-changing prospect. He’s an excellent multi-level scorer, an intelligent, selfless playmaker, an elite rebounder, and a smart, strong defender. A big opening game could allow him to make his case for number one early in the cycle.
Cameron Boozer is far from the only Duke prospect to watch. Heck, he’s not even the only Boozer family member to watch! There’s also twin brother Cayden Boozer, a physically powerful, 6’4”, 205-pound guard. Cayden checks a lot of important modern guard boxes. For starters, he has great positional size. He also has excellent feel. He does a lovely job of creating advantages through his use of pace; he has an advanced view of the floor, and rarely does he make frustrating mistakes. His bulk helps him to finish inside, hold his own against bigger players defensively, and contribute more on the glass than most guards. Still, I do have reservations. He’s an iffy shooter (27.3% from three in EYBL and 35.4% from three in high school games tracked by Synergy) with a low release, and he doesn’t seem super confident pulling up. Athletically, he’s more of a below-the-rim guy. I think the bones of a great NBA point guard are here, but I wouldn’t be totally surprised if it takes him a bit longer to put it all together. That said, he’s typically projected in the first round for good reason—he’s strong, smart, and skilled.
The list of exciting freshmen doesn’t stop there! There are two potential one-and-done prospects on the wing, too. 6’8", 215-pound freshman Nikolas Khamenia has a modern offensive arsenal. He went 11-for-25 from deep while posting a positive assist-to-turnover ratio for the USA squad during the FIBA U19 World Cup this summer. His size and dribble-pass-shoot skill set are highly valuable in today’s NBA. His athleticism is nothing to write home about, though, so how well he moves on a high-major floor will be worth monitoring. Conversely, 6’8”, 190-pound wing Dame Sarr absolutely moves like a pro. He’s a super mobile athlete who thrives as a defensive event creator. Offensively, he’s a bit of a work in progress. He hit 44.8% of his threes for Barcelona last year, but he only took a little over one per game, and he went 45.8% at the free throw line. I would say he’s a pretty good playmaker for his age and size, but he could stand to refine his handle. With Sarr, I’m willing to bet that he figures out the shot. If he does, he’ll be highly coveted come draft time. Still, there’s a chance it doesn’t all click this year, and he might be more of a “down the road” prospect.
The Blue Devils’ returning crop is loaded, too. Personally, the player I’m most excited to see take on a bigger role this season is Patrick Ngongba. The 6’11” sophomore only played 10.5 MPG last season, but he was productive in that time, registering an 11.3 BPM. He gets off the floor well, which allows him to finish above the rim, get second-chance buckets inside, and compete on the boards. He’s also got real ball skills, which is an increasingly valuable trait in modern big men. He can dribble a little bit and whip passes from the top of the key. Defensively, he moves pretty well and has some nice moments where he uses his length to force errors in drop coverage. Basically, he does the stuff NBA teams need big men to do. If he can take steps forward while taking on a bigger role, he could be a first-round pick.
6’6” sophomore wing Isaiah Evans has an NBA-level skill in his three-point shooting. He sank 41.6% of his triples last season while launching a ridiculous 18.1 threes per 100 possessions. Throw in the fact that he’s a capable ball mover, and there’s a lot to like. The rest of his statistical profile is pretty bleak. He’s not much of a rebounder, he rarely goes inside the arc, and he’s an okay-but-conservative defender. He’s also on the skinny side at a listed 180 pounds. If Evans can fill out his frame while showing a little bit more to the rest of his game, his elite three-point shooting could rocket him up boards.
I want to give a quick shout to two more sicko favorites on the margins. Senior Maliq Brown is a versatile impact defender at 6’8”. He’s great on the glass, he can guard all types of opponents, and he incites havoc off the ball (4.8 STL%, 2.4 BLK%). Offensively, he’s a bit up-and-down as a passer, and his shot is a serious question (career 35.5% from deep on 31 total attempts). That said, the blend of production, size, and feel is enticing. Darren Harris is an internal favorite around here, too. While the 6’6” sophomore saw limited playing time last year, he was an exceptional shooter and crafty playmaker in his pre-college days. Don’t write him off as a breakout candidate.
Texas may not have a Cameron Boozer-level prospect, but they have some interesting players to monitor. The buzziest among them is Dailyn Swain, who is following Coach Sean Miller to the Longhorns from Xavier. The 6’8” wing brings an intriguing blend of skill and production to the table. He projects to derive most of his pro value on the defensive end. He’s a great lateral mover with sharp instincts and serious vertical pop. As a result, he’s a versatile defender and potent event creator (3.2 STL%, 2.3 BLK%). Offensively, he’s a talented on-ball creator. He’s got a slick handle and he sees the floor well, which enabled him to post a 17.6 AST% that you don’t see too often from underclassmen his size. His ability to dice through the lane, finish above the rim (24 dunks, per Synergy), and draw fouls (.476 FTr) gives him some value as a scorer, too. The big question here is his offensive role at the next level. Swain is a career 20.4% three-point shooter on low volume, and defenses have found success playing far off him on the perimeter. His 81.6% mark from the charity stripe on high volume gives some reason to believe, though. If Swain looks more confident in his shot on opening night, his stock could heat up in a hurry.
A deep sleeper I’m bullish on is 6’7” wing Camden Heide. He didn’t get to show out much at Purdue, but I think he could surprise people. He’s hit 41.2% of his threes while making 71.1% of his twos, although the latter has been on low volume. He’s got a great shot, and he’s wildly explosive vertically. He’s also a good rebounder, solid defender, and competent ball mover. 7’0” Florida Atlantic import Matas Vokietaitis is coming off an American Conference Freshman of the Year campaign. He finishes everything, as he tallied 40 dunks (per Synergy) and made 67.7% of his field goals. He’s also a rock-solid rebounder. His playmaking and defense need to come along. 6’5” graduate Tramon Mark has struggled to get over the hump, but has shown playmaking, defense, and scoring acumen throughout the years.
This matchup will provide a great litmus test for where Duke’s prospects stand. We’ll get to see how Cameron Boozer looks against a name-brand opponent, which newcomers are ready for the big time, and which returners are prepared to take a leap. For Texas, it will give a group of prospects on the margins a chance to cement themselves as names to watch. There’s a lot of talent and hunger on the floor.
1. Kansas at North Carolina, Friday, 7:00 P.M./ET
As it stands currently, Kansas’ Darryn Peterson is the most popular pick to go number one in the 2026 NBA Draft. We’ll get to see him clash with a blue-blood program during the first week of the college basketball season.
The 6’6”, 205-pound freshman has wing size, wing skills, and point guard skills, too. He’s an excellent self-creator. He’s got a unique bag of herky-jerky movement patterns, he can effortlessly string together multiple dribble combinations, and he’s a quick mover. As a result, he’s able to create advantages over and over again. It’s hard to stay in front of him, and even if a defender is able to do that, he’s just as capable of lunging sideways or backwards to generate space that way. And it’s not just that he can create his own looks, it’s that he can execute on them. In his games at Prolific Prep that were logged by Synergy, he made 70.6% of his halfcourt rim attempts and 41.5% of his pull-up threes.
It’s not just that he’s a great bucket-getter. Peterson has continued to develop as a playmaker for others over the years. He has a strong understanding of where help is coming from, and he leverages that well. He’ll find cutters and rollers inside or spray it out to open shooters. And defensively, oh boy. He has excellent reactive foot speed when guarding the ball. He’s quick off the floor when contesting shots. His ability to cover ground stands out on film. In total, these traits, paired with his high level of feel, make him a defensive playmaking demon. Per Synergy, he averaged 2.7 SPG and 1.9 BPG on the Adidas Circuit.
As with any prospect, there will be swing skills to monitor. For starters, while Peterson is a fantastic pull-up shooter from deep, he’s long been inconsistent off the catch. Our own Quinn Fishburne did an excellent job digging into that issue here. He’s also prone to forcing tough looks off the dribble. He’ll need to continue to show greater poise against double teams and aggressive ball screen coverages. His takeoff point on finishes can be questionable, which isn’t an uncommon issue among young, athletic players. His on-ball footwork defensively, while quick, can be overdramatic at times, causing him to get beaten.
With all of that being said, it’s important not to sweat the small stuff sometimes. When it comes to young players, sometimes it’s best to zoom out, look at the overall picture, and appreciate it. Darryn Peterson’s two-way talents, in his 6’6”, 205-pound frame, are exceptionally valuable. If he can continue to improve at those swing skills, a front office would be more than happy to select him at #1 come June. Heck, even if he doesn’t make a ton of progress on those fronts… that’s still an incredible prospect. We’ll get an early peek into where he stands currently on Friday night.
He’s not the only Jayhawks newcomer to watch. 6’6” freshman Kohl Rosario is an athletic, high-motor wing. He can step into his jumper from deep (45.5% from deep on 44 attempts in EYBL play this summer), which is always nice, but he’s also capable of flying in on the offensive glass for a put-back slam. Defensively, he plays tight on his man and can make plays all over the floor thanks to his speed and bounce. He’s often been more of an off-ball player, so questions about his handle and playmaking acumen remain. Don’t sleep on 6’11” big man Bryson Tiller, either. Once a highly touted recruit, his buzz faded after he missed the end of his prep career due to injury. He has a long, powerful frame, and he used it to rack up six stocks in a recent scrimmage against Louisville. He’s also comfortable dribbling, facilitating, and taking jump shots. He’s not an outrageous athlete, and he’s more of a theoretical shooter than an actualized one at this point, but he has my interest. Stephen Gillaspie recently went in-depth on Tiller here.
The top returner to watch is Flory Bidunga. The sophomore did “the big man things” very well last season. He finished inside, going 69.8% from the field and tallying 48 dunks this past season. He cleans up on the glass (12.9 ORB%, 22.9 DRB%). Defensively, he’s a top-notch rim protector (10.8 BLK%) who still has the agility to guard smaller players on an island. At 6’9”, he’s a bit short by center standards, and we’ve yet to see skill in other areas to compensate for that (53.3 FT%, 3.6 AST%). With Hunter Dickinson off to the pros, Bidunga might have a chance to show off more from a playmaking standpoint. If he can add wrinkles to his game, that would take him over the top. Otherwise, he has great “energy big” traits in the vein of an Adem Bona.
6’4” guard Melvin Council Jr. has some fans. The two-way playmaker averaged 4.1 APG to 1.7 TOV while grabbing 2.1 SPG at St. Bonaventure last season. A sub-30% three-point shooter, he’ll need to be more reliable from deep to get sizable NBA interest. 6’7” senior Tre White thrived as a slasher, rebounder, and defender at Illinois, but also needs to improve his results from deep (32.9% last season). 6’4” Loyola-Chicago import Jayden Dawson is a sniper who hit 36.3% of his threes on nearly 15 attempts per 100 possessions last season. He’s also a solid decision maker and defender, but will likely need to show more on the ball given his 6’4” listing. Elmarko Jackson had a brutal start to his college career. The 6’3” guard and former Top 20 recruit struggled as a freshman before missing all of last season due to injury. But he was once highly sought-after for a reason, and it would be great to see him work his way back into the conversation.
The North Carolina Tar Heels have prospects aplenty, too. Let’s start it off with Caleb Wilson, a 6’10” freshman and projected first-round pick. He was a standout alongside the previously mentioned Boozer twins for the NightRydas EYBL team. He’s best on the defensive end of things. Wilson is big, long, and physical. Regardless of who he’s guarding, he’s going to make them feel his presence and force them to play through him. Off-ball, his motor runs hot, he covers ground at warp speed, and he has excellent instincts as a playmaker. In his 15 games with the NightRydas, he averaged 2.5 BPG and 1.3 SPG. He’s a versatile, potent defender wherever he is on the floor. There’s stuff to work with offensively, too. He’s best on the interior, where he can convert with both touch shots and rim-rocking jams. He also makes clever, interesting passes from time to time. Wilson is also willing to shoot in the mid-range and beyond, whether that’s pulling up or off the catch.
Still, Wilson’s offensive projection is a bit murky. While he can deliver some dazzling dimes, he’s also prone to getting loose with his handle and forcing reads at times. He’s also not much of a shooter, going 4-for-24 from deep with the NightRydas while displaying a pushy shot with elbow sway on the way up through his motion. Throw in the fact that his wingspan is reportedly around the 7’0” mark, and it’s going to be more important for him to have ball skills at his disposal than other prospects of his listed height.
Ultimately, I’m a Caleb Wilson believer. He’s a physical force who plays his tail off and has a clear underlying level of feel. It may take him a while to fully actualize everything offensively, but with this type of player, that patience could very well pay off. This matchup against Kansas should give us a peek into what his role will be, and how comfortable he is in it against good competition. Then, we can see how he develops from there.
As far as other college basketball newcomers, there’s 6’5” junior Luka Bogavac, who arrives from Montenegro. He shot 41.4% from three on good volume in the Adriatic League last season. He can dribble and pass, too. Defensively and athletically, I have some pause. I’m also intrigued by Derek Dixon. He’s a 6’5” combo guard who shot 38% from three and 90.4% at the free throw line during EYBL play. He has some poise as a playmaker, too. He’s not much of an athlete, and his defense isn’t anything to write home about.
The returning college prospect crop is highlighted by Henri Veesaar, who is coming over from Arizona. The 7’0” big man has some real skill, posting an 11.0 AST% last season while showing comfort beyond the arc (32.7% from three). He’s also mobile, which helps him to finish lobs (55 dunks) and play in multiple ball screen coverages. He’s not particularly strong, which can lead to issues on the interior on both ends of the floor. It also limits him on the glass. If Veesaar can improve from a physicality standpoint while continuing to develop as a shooter and passer, there are first-round outcomes on the table for him.
Jarin Stevenson was a hot name going into last season. The 6’11” forward showed flashes as a freshman at Alabama and even received an NBA Combine invite. He chose to go back to school, but unfortunately, he didn’t take the step forward that many hoped. His jumper remains theoretical (31.2% from deep through two seasons), he doesn’t offer much on the glass, and his defensive metrics leave a lot to be desired. The hope is that he can fight his way back onto the radar in a new setting. Seth Trimble should finally get some more offensive reps now that the backcourt has cleared out. The 6’3” senior is a physically strong defender, rebounder, and foul-drawer, but questions about his shooting and on-ball skill set have limited his buzz. 6’6” wing Jonathan Powell and 6’2” guard Kyan Evans are both excellent shooters, but they’ll need to continue rounding out their games to generate NBA traction.
There’s a lot of talent on the floor here. Darryn Peterson is an elite prospect, and Caleb Wilson usually finds himself in the lottery on draft boards. Freshmen like Kohl Rosario, Bryson Tiller, and Derek Dixon could surprise people and work their way into the mix. Proven returners like Henri Veesaar and Flory Bidunga will be looking to get over the hump. If that’s not enough to get you excited, I have no idea why you read this entire column.
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