Ranking the NCAA Prospects in the Sweet 16

The NCAA Tournament resumes action today, let’s take a look at some of the top prospects remaining on teams in the Sweet Sixteen.

The Mavericks season may be coming to a close without a playoff birth but that doesn’t mean there isn’t still important basketball to be watched. The NCAA Tournament is still loaded with draft talent that Dallas could take with its 1st rounder or one of its two 2nd rounders. Below I rank my top 15 prospects who are still dancing to get you ready for all the action before it returns tonight.

Marvin Bagley III, PF/C, Duke- Bagley is pretty clearly the best prospect still standing in my opinion. His unique combination of size, athleticism, energy, and skill will make him a nuisance for opposing teams at the next level. He will undoubtedly swallow up rebounds and throw down lobs in the NBA. His stock has taken a tumble due to warranted defensive and positional concerns, but I’d be surprised to see him slip out of the top 6 picks come June.

Wendell Carter Jr., C, Duke- Bagley might be the top prospect today, but Carter could very well be one of the best players in this class when it’s all said and done. Carter is also a terrific rebounder, has unique floor-vision for a big, and can score in a variety of ways. His defense is also a bit of a question mark but it looks to be a lot safer than Bagley’s. Carter is a well-rounded player that I believe could be one of the safest selections in this class.

Mikal Bridges, SF, Villanova- It was a very close call between Carter and Bridges for me with Carter ultimately getting the nod. Bridges has an NBA ready body (6’7″, 7″ wingspan, 210 lb frame), a consistent outside shot, and is maybe the best wing defender in this class. Bridges likely will never be a go-to scorer in the NBA but if he can unlock that part of his game he could follow a similar developmental path to guys like Kawhi Leonard or Paul George. Bridges would fit on any team in the league and is exactly the type of player you want for the modern game.

Kevin Knox, S

F/PF, Kentucky-

Knox plays the SF position for the Wildcats but I believe it is more likely he’ll be a PF in the NBA. The bouncy freshman is a good defender, an exceptional athlete, and has fluid mechanics on his jumper. His ball-handling leaves much to be desired which means he’ll probably make his living playing off the ball in the NBA. Knox would be a great pickup just outside the top 10.

BOISE, ID – MARCH 17: Kevin Knox #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball during the second half against the Buffalo Bulls in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG/SG, Kentucky- Alexander makes this Kentucky team go and his size (6’6″) should allow him to play either guard positions in the NBA. He is an efficient shooter who uses his size well against opposing guards. If he can clean up the turnovers a bit, he could be a great addition to any team lacking shooting and defense.

Robert Williams III, PF, Texas A&M- Williams is the prime example of why you don’t come back for your sophomore year. Williams’ failed to improve his game in any significant areas and it appears he’ll never add the outside shot scouts hoped he could based off his freshman campaign. Still, Williams is an athletically elite big with great defensive instincts. There’s still a chance he could provide the Clint Capella role for a team.

Zhaire Smith, SG, Texas Tech- Smith exploded onto the scene as a freshman who is the best player on a competitive Texas Tech team. The Garland, Texas native might be the most athletic guard in the draft class. Smith has a rare feel for the game and can score in a variety of ways inside the arc. His long range shooting looks to be good but he’ll have to be willing to take more shots from deep in the NBA.

Jalen Brunson, PG, Villanova- Brunson is the best player in college basketball. A coach’s dream, Brunson runs an offense effortlessly and has a sweet stroke. The only thing holding him back in the NBA is his lack of lateral and vertical explosiveness.

Devonte’ Graham, PG, Kansas-

Brunson may be the future player of the year, but Graham is not far behind. The senior can also run your offense practically blindfolded and is a little bit quicker than Brunson. However, Graham will need to become a more efficient shooter and a craftier finisher to overcome his average athleticism and lack of size.

PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 15: head coach Jay Wright of the Villanova Wildcats talks to Jalen Brunson #1 in the first half during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament held at PPG Paints Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /

Vince Edwards, SF, Purdue– Edwards does it all for Purdue. He’s 2nd in scoring and assists and somehow leads the biggest team in the nation in rebounding as a SF. Edwards senior status and good but not great athleticism makes him a likely 2nd round pick.

Grayson Allen, SG, Duke- He’s the man we all love to hate. Allen does not effect the game in a lot of other ways, but the man can certainly find ways to score the basketball. His off-the-court antics will likely hurt his stock. Can you believe a guy on top of the college basketball world just two years ago could be a 2nd rounder today? What a trip, man….

Moritz Wagner, PF, Michigan-

Wagner has been one of the best big men in college basketball all season. He has a solid outside game, excellent footwork in the post, and is an OK athlete. Expect the German to be an early 2nd rounder.

NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 04: Tournament MVP Moritz Wagner #13 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts after making a three point basket in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers during the championship game of the Big 10 Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 4, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Killian Tillie, PF, Gonzaga- Tillie is a scoring big who has added the three ball to his game in his sophomore year. Likely Gonzaga’s best player, I think another year in school could do him good to improve his rebounding and frame. Nevertheless, Tillie is a near lock to be drafted if he declares by my estimation.

Gary Trent Jr., SG, Duke- Another guy I think should return to school, I’m a little lower on Trent than most because his perimeter defense has been down-right awful all year. Unless you’re an elite scorer, you won’t make it in the big leagues as that big of a defensive sieve. Trent can knock down outside shots with the best of them and is a plus athlete. Another year working on defense with Coach K could land him in the 1st round of the 2019 draft.

Jevon Carter, PG, West Virginia-

On the other side of the spectrum, Jevon Carter is my top ranked perimeter defender in the class outside of Creighton’s Khyri Thomas. Carter is a tenacious defender who takes matchups personally. He was the first player to get under Trae Young’s skin this season. The senior may not project as a great scorer but he can knock down outside shots and compete in the mold of Patrick Beverley.

Next: Forgotten Maverick: Roy Tarpley

Additional prospects to watch: Tyus Battle, G, Syracuse,Tyler Davis, C, Texas A&M, Hamidou Diallo, SG, Kentucky, Trevon Duval, PG, Duke, Keenan Evans, PG, Texas Tech, Rui Hachimura, F, Gonzaga, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, SG, Kansas, Malik Newman, SG, Kansas PJ Washington, SF, Kentucky, Jonathan Williams, F, Gonzaga