10 Players Dallas Mavericks fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament

With the NCAA Tournament starting this week, all eyes will be on the college basketball world.

It's the most wonderful time of the year for basketball fans, as you get to see Cinderella stories, players turn into stars, and games almost daily. There isn't anything better than March Madness, and right as the NCAA Tournament ends, the NBA Playoffs start just a few weeks later.

The NBA Playoffs are also a great time for basketball fans, and Dallas Mavericks fans are hoping that their team will be playing in it. The Mavs are in a great position to make the playoffs, as they are 40-29 and the seventh seed in the Western Conference after Tuesday's win over the San Antonio Spurs, but nothing is guaranteed.

10 Players Dallas Mavericks fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament

The Mavs must finish the season strong, and behind their star duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, that is more than possible. They continue to prove that they are a top duo in the NBA, and the pieces around them are stepping up as well.

P.J. Washington has been a great defender for the Mavs and Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford have been phenomenal bigs for the Mavs, but you can always get better.

The Mavs likely won't have a first-round pick this year due to their pick being top-10 protected and probably going to the New York Knicks, but they will have a late second-round pick from the Boston Celtics.

Dallas' selection this year will be at the end of the second round due to Boston's record, and we could see the Mavs strike gold in the second round again. Two of the Mavs' last two second-round picks were Jalen Brunson and Jaden Hardy, and they could look to make a similar splash again.

Here we look at 10 players from the NCAA Tournament that Dallas Mavericks fans should watch because they could end up being Mavs next season.

10. Harrison Ingram

North Carolina, Forward, 6'7"

There is always a need for big wings no matter how deep your team is, and a player for Dallas Mavericks fans to watch during the NCAA Tournament is North Carolina forward and Dallas native Harrison Ingram.

The Mavs would be lucky if Ingram somehow fell all the way into the late second round, and he'd be a fun piece for Dallas' future.

This season for the Tar Heels, Ingram is averaging 12.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game while shooting 42.4 percent from the field and 37 percent from downtown.

Ingram's 3-point shooting has significantly improved this season, and he is someone who could crack the rotation next season if the Mavs were to draft him.

Ingram has a great feel for the game, and his ability to operate in the pick and roll as both a ball handler and a screener. The Mavs lack wings who can create, and Ingram is someone who they could occasionally play through due to his passing and decision-making.

Ingram also has great 3-and-D potential due to his switchability and shooting off the catch. He always brings great effort, and his 6-foot-7, 230-pound frame and 7-foot wingspan are good measurements for his position.

North Carolina's first game is on Thursday.

9. Baylor Scheirman

Creighton, Wing, 6'7"

One of the least talked about changes following the trade deadline has been the Dallas Mavericks' struggles shooting the ball, and this has to be something that changes over the offseason.

Although the Mavericks have changed the way they play and are rebounding much better and dominating down low, adding a knockdown shooter should be a priority. Tim Hardaway Jr.'s struggles as a shooter have been magnified as of late, and P.J. Washington has also been struggling as a shooter.

Someone the Mavs can consider drafting to be their shooter off the bench is Baylor Scheirman, and although he is 23 years old, using a late second-round pick on him wouldn't be a bad idea.

This season for Creighton, Scheirman is averaging 18.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 37.4 percent from downtown on a mammoth 8.3 attempts per game. Scheirman is the definition of a shooter, and his high percentage along with his high volume tells you everything you need to know.

The left-handed sniper doesn't need much space to get his shot off and is a good movement shooter. He is a threat from anywhere around the arc and has deep range.

Other than shooting, Scheirman is also an underrated passer and has a high basketball IQ. He makes good decisions in transition and isn't someone who chucks bad shots.

Scheirman's 6-foot-7 frame would allow him to play the two or three in Dallas, but his defense hasn't been great. Although he uses his hands well and brings effort, his feet are slow.

8. Coleman Hawkins

Illinois, Forward, 6'9"

University of Illinois big man Coleman Hawkins has been in the spotlight since being Jalen Green's high school teammate, and he has shown all season long that he is ready to make the jump to the NBA.

This season for the Fighting Illini, Hawkins is averaging 12.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 45.5 percent from the field, 37 percent from the field, and 80.4 percent from the free-throw line.

Having a great 3-point and free-throw percentage is often telling on if a player's shooting will transfer to the NBA, and Hawkins checks that box. He shot 28 percent from downtown and 61.4 percent from the free-throw line last season, but his dedication to his craft has paid off.

Hawkins went from a versatile defender who had some offensive upside to a floor-spacing beast who is always a threat on offense. He has been a sniper from downtown this season, and for someone who is a 6-foot-10 big, that is impressive. He is also an underrated passer and makes highlight-reel plays often.

Defensively, Hawkins moves his feet well and effectively switches onto guards and wings without it being too much of a mismatch. He also has the size and wingspan (7-foot) to defend fives and does all the little things.

Versatile fours are invaluable in the NBA, and he may be the best fit of anyone on this list for the Dallas Mavericks.

7. Antonio Reeves

Kentucky, Guard, 6'6"

If the Dallas Mavericks are set on adding a shooter in the draft, they need to consider Kentucky guard Antonio Reeves. One of Reeves' biggest knocks has been his age, as he is already 23 years old, but if you can hoop, you can hoop. And that's exactly what Reeves does.

This season for Kentucky, Reeves is averaging 20 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.7 steals per game while shooting 50.8 percent from the field and 44.1 percent from downtown on 5.6 attempts per game. It seems like no scouts are talking about Reeves right now, and he could put everyone on notice through a solid showing in the NCAA Tournament.

Standing at 6-foot-6 with a silky smooth jumper, Reeves is built to be a flamethrower off the bench in the NBA. He can get hot quickly, and this kid has a knack for scoring. Reeves can knock down shots off the catch or off the dribble, attack closeouts effectively, and finish around the bucket with floaters.

Reeves is always ready to shoot and scores in bunches.

Although Reeves doesn't bring the athleticism or defense you may want, his 3-point shooting is too good to overlook. If the Mavs decide to let Tim Hardaway Jr. walk after his contract expires or trade him before then, Reeves could be a great replacement.

6. Jamal Shead

Houston, Guard, 6'1"

The odds of the University of Houston's Jamal Shead falling to the Dallas Mavericks all the way in the late fifties is not likely, but they would be striking gold if he somehow ends up being a late second-round pick. He has been one of the top players in the nation this year, and he would be an outstanding fit.

This season for Houston, Shead is averaging 13.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 0.5 blocks, and 2.3 steals per game while shooting 40.8 percent from the field and 32.1 percent from downtown.

Just like many of the other prospects on this list, Shead is older, and this could cause him to slide down draft boards. Shead is in his fourth year of college hoops, but despite that, he is only 21 years old. He'll be 22 years old by the time that opening night for the 2024-25 season rolls around, but someone will take a chance on this polished point guard.

Shead will always be known for his defense, but his offense can't be overlooked. He can get downhill and finish at the rim with layups and floaters, but he also has a solid pull-up jumper.

Being just 6-foot-1 and not excellent offensively, Shead could fall down the draft boards. If this happens, the Mavs could land their backup point guard of the future. His ability to guard full court and pester ball handlers is unmatched, and although he doesn't provide tons of versatility, his effort and energy more than make up for it.

5. Jalen Bridges

Baylor, Forward, 6'8"

Another Big 12 player makes this list, and this time it's the 6-foot-8 senior from Baylor, Jalen Bridges.

This season for the Bears, Bridges is averaging 11.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.6 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 45.4 percent from the field and 40.1 percent from downtown. Bridges is the perfect type of player for the Dallas Mavericks to take at the end of the second round, and he could fall right into their laps.

Bridges' 3-and-D ability is undeniable, and it looks as if it'll translate to the next level. 40.1 percent from downtown combined with 83.8 percent free-throw shooting is a recipe for success, and his defense is intriguing as well.

Bridges can guard two through four effectively and he uses his 7-foot wingspan to disrupt opponents' shots. He also moves his feet well in space and plays with physicality and energy. Bridges has good instincts off the ball and he would be a good fit into the Mavs' defensive scheme due to his ability to switch and his instincts off the ball.

Not everyone can succeed in Jason Kidd's defensive scheme, and Bridges is someone who they should consider late in the second round. There's even a chance that he goes undrafted, and the Mavs could consider pursuing him that way if they prefer to draft someone else.

4. Emanuel Miller

TCU, Wing, 6'7"

The Dallas Mavericks learned their lesson in 2020 when they didn't draft Desmond Bane out of TCU even though he was in their backyard, and they can't make the same mistake this year.

Emanuel Miller isn't the same caliber of player that Bane was, but he is still someone that Dallas should consider late in the second round. This season at TCU, Miller is averaging 15.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.4 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 48.7 percent from the field, 38.2 percent from three, and 81.9 percent from the free-throw line.

Miller is a complete wing, and even though he will be 24 at the time of the NBA Draft, he is worth one of the last picks in the draft.

Offensively, Miller is a crafty finisher at the rim and uses a variety of moves to get to his spots and finishes with either hand. He also always crashes the glass and creates second-chance opportunities for himself and others with his hustle and athleticism. He can be trusted to bring the ball up at the next level, and his potential as a point forward is worth noting.

Defensively, Miller is versatile and can guard wings and guards. He should be much better defensively due to his athleticism, but it looks like he has all the tools to be a good defender in the NBA.

3. Justin Edwards

Kentucky, Wing, 6'7"

Another Kentucky player makes this list, and the Dallas Mavericks are lucky enough to have the chance to take Justin Edwards, they shouldn't pass it up.

This season for Kentucky, Edwards is averaging 8.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 0.9 assists, and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 48.8 percent from the field, 37 percent from downtown, and 77.1 percent from the free-throw line.

Edwards has been phenomenal as a freshman this year, and his youth and upside are attractive. He would be a two or three off the bench for Dallas, and he brings the things that Dallas needs out of their backup two or wing.

Edwards would bring shooting, off-ball cutting, and defense, and the Mavs have been desperate for a two-guard who can guard and shoot. Many of the Mavs' players are one-dimensional, and adding a two-dimensional young player with this selection is a safe route.

Offensively, Edwards can knock down open shots, plays selflessly, and always moves to find open spots on the floor, whether that's outside for a three or in the paint for a dunk. These types of players fit great next to Luka Doncic, and he would be another young project for this team to take on.

Edwards is also a good defender and brings high effort. Half of the battle of playing defense in the NBA is effort, and he has the perfect frame to be a good defender in the NBA. Standing at 6-foot-7 and possessing a 7-foot wingspan, the young wing would have no problem adapting to the NBA.

It would be a miracle if Edwards falls into the fifties, but we've seen crazier things happen.

2. Tyrese Proctor

Duke, Guard, 6'5"

After trading for P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, the Dallas Mavericks struck out on trying to sign a backup point guard. Dallas pursued former Maverick Spencer Dinwiddie but he ended up signing with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Rather than searching the buyout market for another point guard, the Mavs pivoted and converted A.J. Lawson's two-way deal to a standard contract. With Dante Exum's injury history and Jaden Hardy not being in the rotation, it may be time for the Mavs to consider drafting a point guard to hopefully lead the second unit one day.

The Mavs could consider someone like Duke's Tyrese Protcor in the draft, and although he looks like he may go early in the second round, the NCAA Tournament could ultimately decide his future draft position.

This season at Duke, Proctor is averaging 10.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 0.7 steals per game while shooting 47.9 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from downtown. Proctor is a true point guard, and he would be a great secondary creator.

His ability to create while also shooting off the catch would make him a good fit on the floor with Luka Doncic or Kyrie Irving, and the Mavs need another guard with size. Proctor is 6-foot-5, and having this size while also being an elite creator, shooter, and solid defender should make him a coveted prospect in the 2024 NBA Draft.

1. Kwame Evans Jr.

Oregon, Forward, 6'9"

Another potential late second-round pick that the Dallas Mavericks should consider is Kwame Evans Jr. of Oregon.

This season for the Ducks, Evans Jr. is averaging 7.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 44.9 percent from the field and 27.4 percent from downtown. Evans Jr. could be one of the most versatile forwards that will be selected at the end of the second round, and the Mavs could take a chance on the freshman forward.

If selected by Dallas, Evans Jr. would become a defensive piece that they could bring off the bench. Averaging 2.3 stocks per game isn't easy, and Evans Jr. could be used as a small ball center in Dallas. The Mavs love using Maxi Kleber as a small-ball five, and adding Evans Jr. to back up Kleber in this role may be a good idea considering Kleber's age.

Offensively, Evans Jr. isn't a great floor spacer yet, but his 78.4 percent free-throw shooting makes some scouts believe that his shooting could translate. Evans Jr. makes his impact felt on offense by finishing at the rim. If his shooting develops more, he will be much more complete on offense.

Evans' game is raw, but his defense, potential, and size are all attractive. The Mavs wouldn't have to rush him into the rotation and he could be a piece for the future.

For all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks this season, stay tuned.