Despite months of games to evaluate NBA prospects, stellar performances in March carry extra weight.
In recent years, players such as Donte DiVincenzo, Jordan Hawkins, and Davion Mitchell have boosted their draft stock with standout tournament runs.
Several future NBA prospects started this year’s tournament strong during the opening weekend. Who stood out the most through the first two rounds?
Cooper Flagg, Duke
There were no signs of ankle soreness or freshman jitters in Cooper Flagg’s NCAA Tournament debut.
As Duke cruised through two dominant wins, Flagg remained the team’s do-it-all engine. He showcased his ability to attack the rim, create for teammates, knock down perimeter shots, and impact the game in multiple ways.
The Blue Devils haven’t needed Flagg to shoulder a heavy offensive load yet, but still, his impact was felt.
One of the few areas for growth in his game is the ability to take over offensively in high-pressure moments. That test should come soon in the coming weeks.
Tyrese Proctor, Duke
Speaking of Duke, Tyrese Proctor has been lights out from deep. Through two games, he’s shooting a scorching 13-for-16 from three while tallying 44 points, making him the tournament’s fifth-leading scorer so far.
Proctor has made shots in all forms — catch-and-shoot, off-the-dribble, off-balance — if he can get a look, he’s taking it and making it. Right now, he is arguably Duke’s best pure shot creator, and the Blue Devils will lean on him in tight moments as the tournament progresses. After a disappointing zero-point performance in Duke’s Elite Eight loss last season, Proctor hopes to finish off this year’s tournament on a better note.
Proctor entered March Madness as a projected second-round pick, but a strong tournament run could change that, especially if he stays this hot from beyond the arc.
Walter Clayton Jr., Florida
After Florida’s comeback win over UConn, Dan Hurley gave Walter Clayton his flowers:
“Credit Clayton, he made some NBA-level threes off the dribble to beat us,” Hurley said in his postgame presser.
Clayton’s clutch shot-making powered the Gators’ comeback and showcased his upside as an on-ball creator. The First-Team All-American guard entered the tournament as a borderline first-round pick, but performances like this could solidify his status as a top-30 prospect.
Derik Queen, Maryland
Hitting the first buzzer-beater of the NCAA tournament in years? That alone earns Derik Queen a spot on this list.
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1903990250147582237
Maryland head coach Kevin Willard revealed that Queen asked for the final shot, got it, and delivered.
Queen’s skill set as a modern big is intriguing. His soft touch around the rim, smooth footwork in the post, and surprising ball-handling for his size all stand out. If he continues to hit threes like he did Sunday (2-for-3 from deep), his ceiling gets even higher.
Offensively, Queen has more to offer than his 14.5 points per game in the tournament would indicate, but his production is still solid so far.
Defensively, his shot-blocking is steadily improving. He’s now recorded at least one block in nine straight games, with two in each of his tournament matchups.
While he has yet to fully impose his will in the opening rounds of the tournament, he has showcased his positive traits and served as a motor for Maryland’s first Sweet Sixteen appearance since 2016.
Nique Clifford, Colorado State
This one’s a personal favorite. Nique Clifford was quietly one of the most electric players in college basketball this season and nearly led Colorado State to Cinderella status, if not for Queen’s buzzer-beater.
Over the Rams’ final 12 games, Clifford averaged 21.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 52.2 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from three.
His size and athleticism allow him to attack the rim and create for others. Despite struggling from deep (0-for-9 from three), his ability to knock down mid-range shots and his 37.7 percent three-point shooting over the past two seasons suggest he’s a legitimate three-level scorer with defensive versatility on the other end.
Clifford saved the best basketball of his five-year college career for last. Even in defeat, he positioned himself nicely with his performance down the stretch of the season to have NBA prospects entering the pre-draft process.
Leave a comment