This is a fascinating Final Four in the NCAA men’s tournament, especially because we may only have one first-round draft pick playing in either game.
Between the two matchups, UConn vs. Miami is the game to watch if you want to see likely future NBA players. Even if there aren’t many players selected in the first round, there are several who could find their way onto your favorite pro team.
Before the two games have their tipoffs in Houston on Saturday, these are the top NBA draft prospects you should keep your eyes peeled for whenever they are on the court.
NOTE: UConn’s Donovan Clingan would also make this list if he decides to declare for the 2023 NBA Draft.
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1
Jordan Hawkins (UConn)
It isn’t hard to see why UConn’s Jordan Hawkins is considered the top prospect playing in the Final Four. Scouts love his movement shooting because it is an elite skill in the NBA.
No one in the NCAA men’s tournament has scored more points using off-ball screens (17) and he ranks second-best when scoring after handoffs, according to Synergy.
Hawkins is likely a plug-and-play contributor for nearly any NBA offense.
2
Isaiah Wong (Miami)
Miami’s Isaiah Wong is a fearless scorer who is currently one of the leaders in points scored after jump shots off the dribble. He can get you a bucket as the ball-handler in the pick-and-roll, transition or isolation.
He is also one of the leaders in points scored on mid-range field goals. Wong draws a ton of contact and currently ranks third-most in personal fouls drawn (20) during the men’s tournament, too.
He still has limitations on the defensive end of the floor but he could provide legitimate value as scoring threat in the NBA.
This year’s NCAA Men’s Final Four may lack big name NBA prospects, but @BryanKalbrosky has a list of players you should still lookout for this weekend pic.twitter.com/19as06F7tk
— For The Win (@ForTheWin) March 28, 2023
3
Andre Jackson (UConn)
UConn’s Andre Jackson needs to improve his scoring efficiency, but he is one of the most athletic prospects in this draft class and he is a playmaker on both sides of the ball.
Among high-major players 6-foot-6 or taller, he is one of just twenty on record with a career assist rate above 20.0 percent, a steal rate above 2.0 percent, and a block percentage above 2.0 percent. Others include Draymond Green, Scottie Barnes, Kyle Anderson, Lonzo Ball and Ben Simmons.
Although he is a 6-foot-6 wing, he currently has the second-most assists of any player in the men’s tournament. In fact, via Hoop-Math, Jackson has recorded more assists in a transition offense (48) so far this year than the entire combined roster of the Wisconsin Badgers (44).
Jackson keeps the ball moving but he is, at times, too passive. He may need to rework his jumper to have a longer career in the NBA, but he should hear his name called in the draft.
4
Jordan Miller (Miami)
Miami’s Jordan Miller is more of a slasher than a shooter, but he’s incredibly efficient with a low turnover rate. He is 17-for-23 (73.9 percent) on shots at the rim during the tournament thus far, per CBB Analytics.
Miller is one of the leaders in free-throw assist percentage (1.9 percent) and 25.0 percent of his passes have led directly to a field-goal attempt from his teammates, per AI-Powered statistics provided by Stats Perform. Both rank the highest among prospects projected in a draftable range.
He needs to be more willing to shoot and trust his jumper if he is going to play on the perimeter in the NBA. But no one has improved their draft stock in March Madness as much as Miller has thus far.
5
Wooga Poplar (Miami)
Miami’s Wooga Poplar is a projectable 3-and-D wing who is shooting over 40.0 percent on his catch-and-shoot opportunities, via Synergy.
Opponents were 14-for-43 (32.6 percent) from the field and 2-for-22 (11.1 percent) on 3-pointers when he was credited as the nearest defender during nine games tracked by AutoStats, per AI-Powered statistics provided by Stats Perform.
Poplar plays hard with maximum effort whenever he is on the court. He boxes out on 38.9 percent of rebounds, via Stats Perform, which is one of the highest rates among prospects projected in a draftable range.
6
Johnell Davis (FAU)
Florida Atlantic’s Johnell Davis is only a sophomore, but we can probably expect him to at least test the waters after a strong showing in the Big Dance.
Davis is a good ball-handler in the open court who currently leads the men’s tournament for assists recorded in transition, per Synergy.
How important is Davis to this team? FAU has outscored opponents by 13.5 points per 100 possessions during the 200 possessions he has played so far in the men’s tournament, per Pivot Analysis. They have been outscored by 15.7 points per 100 during the 51 possessions he has rested.
Honorable Mentions
Norchad Omier (Miami)
Adama Sanogo (UConn)
Nijel Pack (Miami)
Lamont Butler (SDSU)
Alijah Martin (FAU)
