The NCAA basketball tourney is in FULL swing! As it does every year, March Madness is capturing the passion of fans nationwide; already, the upsets and storylines unfolding are stoking our fervor for the game and for the up-and-coming players who are fighting not just for their college teams, but for their futures. I tend to watch the games from an NBA perspective: every year, a player comes out of nowhere and finds himself on the radar for the NBA draft, while existing ranked prospects set out to prove their worth, rising up- and sometimes slipping down- the ever-evolving draft boards. Even at this stage of the tournament, several players have broken away from the pack, and I’m keeping an eye on them as the games continue.
Stephon Castle, Uconn (PG/SG): 6'6”, 205 lbs, age 19
Teams in the modern era don't often repeat National Championships (the last one being Florida in 2006 and 2007), but Stephon could be a big reason that UConn has a shot at back-to-back titles (which would be their sixth).
At 6’6” Stephon is a little taller than your average ball handler, which allows him to pass or shoot over defenders assigned to him (if not in zone). Stephon has shown the ability to finish at the rim with either hand, which is a definite advantage at the NBA level. Castle is not a knockdown shooter by any means (under 70% free throw and currently 20% from three), but his form doesn't seem to be too ugly, and with NBA shooting coaches, he can certainly refine his shot. When he plays off the ball, he does cut to help the ball handler, but a lot of his points in college have been from being open in the paint and lobbing a floater or a bank shot- which will not be available to him very often in the NBA. However, Stephon really has found chemistry with Donovan Clingan (another lottery pick) on the pick and roll (but that might also be a product of how good Clingan is as a lob threat with a 7'8” wingspan).
All that being said, modern high school and NCAA players always focus on offensive highlights or photo op dunks, BUT it’s on the defensive end that Stephon really brings an NBA-level tenacity. He has an absolute dawg mentality on defense (often lost in modern ball): he naturally defends the switch if a pick happens, and I’ve seen him break right through screens with a level of urgency seen in the NBA. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that he’s usually taller than the opposing guards he’s defending.
Comp: a taller Victor Oladipio (pre-knee injury)
3/27/24 against Seton Hall: Stephon defensive foot work and fighting through screens
2. Kyle Filipowski, Duke (C): 7'0”, 230 lbs, age 20
I'm always intrigued when I see a big man that can dribble and make plays when the ball’s in his hands. Kyle really has a game that’s ready-made for NBA play. Kyle seems to have an elite vision to find the open man- and a great bounce pass to boot. His knack for shooting or passing to the cutter makes him lethal in the pick and roll. He doesn't have to just sky hook: his footwork is such that he can work with his body down low by moving defenders with spin moves. While he is not a ball stopper, he can shoot and seamlessly keep the ball moving or stay in motion offensively.
This year, Kyle’s defense has improved, though he may not be a bonafide rim protector at a pro level. His body type and weight right now are perfect for college, but if he puts on too much weight, there’s concern he could lose his mobility and craftiness on offense, though it’d make him more stout on defense (even in college, he can still get bodied at 7'0”).
The challenge he brings while on offense is multi-faceted because he can shoot; defenders have to play him differently, and Kyle has mastered taking fully advantage of this by taking guys off his first step or with a simple spin move. Other outlets have him out of the lottery, but I do have him at a lottery grade, as I’m of the opinion that he has modern NBA written all over him. Other teams, watch out for him when you run on the court.
Comp: Nicola Vucevic
2/21/24 against Miami: Kyle spinning out of a double team
3. Zach Edey, Purdue (C): 7'4, 300 lbs, age 21
Zach Edey is a big ol sum-bitch, and if you've watched college basketball the last few years, you know who this guy is. When thinking of a comp, I kept trying to force Yao Ming because of how big they both were- but when you watch the film, they really don’t have the same moveset or body style. Yao would often face the defender and shoot a jumper right outside the paint or just absolutely body guys down low for a dunk. Yao also played in a much different era with less space and a somewhat different ruleset. in A somewhat more physical NBA, Yao’s career was marred by injuries, though he did have a more slender build. Edey is thicker than frozen peanut butter and has thighs the size of tree stumps, and his frame is more liable to hold up to the rigors of modern NBA punishment.
Although the only film we have of him is against college players, Edey outsizes almost everyone he plays (the same potentially being true in the NBA) and can back guys down with his back to the basket just by moving them. His bread and butter is a hook: Edey possesses one of the softest touches of a center his size, and it's mesmerizing to watch. He is a lumbering bigman- not much finesse- but he has improved his mobility. Edey is a solid rim protector, but in the NBA, he’d undoubtedly be beaten off the dribble by faster guards (though this can be mitigated with certain schemes). That being said- Edey had an issue with conditioning last year, but this year he’s significantly improved and really looks remarkable. And regardless, he is a lob threat by size and strength alone. Additionally, Edey is a superb free throw shooter, which is rare for a bigman, and this skill might translate to Edey taking spot-up shots in an NBA offense scheme that has more athletic wings to chase his rebounds.
I think the reason why he doesn't take as many spot-up shots is a coaching decision and due to Purdue’s scheme. Edey plays with alot of smaller players, and if Edey were to take a shot ten feet farther back, Purdue’s scheme doesn’t have anyone else left to rebound. Instead, when he backs guys down or takes shots close to the rim, he himself is always the one in the best position to chase a rebound. Regardless of Purdue’s finish in the tournament this year, Edey has transformed himself from fringe second-round circus attraction to bonafide first-round fringe lottery material.
Comp: Andre Drummond with a soft touch and 81% free throw shooting.
3/24/24 against Utah St.: Edey drawing the foul and sinking the FG.
4. Jared McCain, Duke (SG): 6'3, 200 lbs, age 20
It's no secret that modern NBA is all about offense, and it turns out 3 points are worth more than 2 (who knew?!). Against James Madison, Jared McCain's eight three’s were second most by a freshman in NCAA history, and six of them were consecutive. Yea, I know you've never heard of him, but the NCAA has been around for a long time- so second most in history by a freshman is nothing to scoff at. I think most fans would be satisfied with that alone, but beyond his 41 three-point percentage (on a somewhat high volume), some other things popped out on the tape.
Duke’s offense is very freeform and the ball moves a lot, and McCain fits in with this scheme. He isn't just a black hole, chucking shots up at will, and instead, he’s shown glimpses of pretty decent vision. McCain is pretty jumpy and has a nose for chasing rebounds down. At 6'3” 200 lbs, he may not really be a defensive stalwart or have enough length to be a lockdown defender, BUT his build is solid enough that if he can get his footwork down and stay in front of defenders, he may still prove to be an asset. Of those that can substantially raise their draft prospects, I feel like McCain has the most to gain of almost any player in the NCAA tourney, provided he continues his solid play and supports Duke on a run.
Comp: A less passing C.J McCollum
3/24/24 against JMU: The many three's of Jared.
5. Dalton Knecht, Tennessee (SG/SF): 6'6”, 205 lbs, age 23
For our last player to make the list and In keeping with our understanding that it’s offense that’s most highly coveted in the modern NBA, Dalton Knecht is a walking bucket. This dude probably never missed a paper towel "Kobe" launch into a trash can his entire life. Even with the whole room is watching him, it seems the higher the pressure, the more points this guy gets: 40 points against Kentucky (at rank 15), 39 points against Auburn (at rank 11), and 39 against Florida (unranked). Dalton is averaging 21 points a game, which is currently 14th in the NCAA.
He isn't just a shooter, either; Dalton has shown a propensity to get to the basket, draw fouls, and finish through contact. Combine that with being able to shoot off base, off of screens, or from hand-offs, he is a matchup nightmare. Defenders can't stay glued to him in hopes of blocking the spot-up because Dalton also has no problem putting the ball on the floor and getting past you. Nor can they give him space because he can just pull up. While a little older for most drafts at the age of 23, Dalton is seeing himself mocked to go in the lottery, and his skillset is well worth it. He's the perfect glue guy for any modern NBA rotation and can shoot himself onto the floor despite any flaws he might carry with him to the next level.
Comp: Gordon Hayward
3/9/24 in a win against Kentucky: Dalton showing paint ability, shooting, and blowing by defenders
Photo Credit: instagram/stephoncastle2
PHOTO BY CORY KNOWLTON/USA TODAY SPORTS (Kyle Filipowski)
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