March Madness: Top NBA Draft Prospects to Watch
by Sam Cox | by Tyler Doty
March Madness is underway. The highlight for college basketball fans brings hoops action throughout the day, starting at around midday on March 19 with games tipping off through to 10:10 p.m. ET.
It’s a relentless schedule for those following the NCAA Tournament. Keeping up with all the March Madness tip-off times is a challenge in itself, but it’s a worthwhile endeavour considering the drama of winner-takes-all basketball that March Madness treats us to.
It’s not always the case that the top NBA draft prospects are competing in the tournament. It is in 2026, however, so let’s take a look at the most intriguing prospects to follow in March Madness.
AJ Dybantsa, BYU
There’s no consensus on whether AJ Dybantsa will be taken first, second, or third in this summer’s draft, but he’s a lock to go in the top three and represents one of the premium prizes in the lottery.
A gifted scorer from all three levels and an improving playmaker, Dybantsa is going to have the ball in his hands for the majority of BYU offensive possessions. He’s got the second-highest usage rate among all players involved in March Madness.
Cameron Boozer, Duke
Duke are potentially facing a string of top-tier head coaches in March Madness. That gives NBA fans are ideal opportunity to evaluate Cameron Boozer’s adaptability when schemes are designed to slow him down.
Thus far, Boozer has passed every test presented to him in college hoops. He’s a basketball genius with the physique and skillset to succeed whatever the defense shows him and he’s shown efficiency as a scorer from all over the court.
Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas
What Darius Acuff Jr. did to win Arkansas the SEC is going to live long in college basketball history. Acuff averaged 27.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 6.9 assists and only had two turnovers across a 14-game period, which has led to him leaping up draft boards.
Defense, like with many lead guards, is a problem. It will probably stop him going in the top three of the draft, but the offensive production could be enough to vault him above Caleb Wilson for fourth.
Darryn Peterson, Kansas
The talent is clear, but Darryn Peterson has a bit to prove in the Tournament. He’s been in and out of the lineup this season and has been inefficient offensively over the last nine games as Kansas has posted a 4-5 record.
A deep run would help to quell some of the concerns about Peterson. He’s still firmly in the conversation for the first-overall pick, though it depends on which front office gets lucky in the lottery. Some teams might prefer the relative certainty of Boozer or Dybantsa compared with the sky-high upside of Peterson.
Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan
Nothing about Morez Johnson Jr.’s traditional stats is going to catch the eye. He’s not on the level of the aforementioned quartet as a scorer and it’s not like he’s blocking three shots per game.
What Johnson does offer, though, is winning basketball. He might not be the first player drafted on his team, and the lack of a jumper is a worry in the pros, but the screens, rebounds, finishes at the rim, and disruptive defense are all worth watching and could help Michigan go on a deep run.
Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville
From scoring outbursts to performances packed with turnovers, it’s hard to get a read on Mikel Brown Jr. as an NBA prospect. A first-round duel with South Florida should be up-tempo, which works in Brown’s favor, while the hustling defense of Michigan State could cause him problems in the second round.
Front offices can be lured in by the big-time offensive numbers in the lottery. It’s not outrageous to imagine Brown scoring 22+ per game in the NBA. Equally, he could end up going the Cam Thomas route.
Nate Ament, Tennessee
Coming out of high school, Nate Ament projected as a top-five pick. Going into March Madness, Ament is a fringe top 10 prospect and might be best off playing another year of college and gunning for first overall in 2027.
Attacking the basket has brought fouls, and there have been positive signs with his shooting touch, but he’s not the most explosive athlete and hasn’t been effective finishing at the rim. NBA scouts will surely want to see more from Ament before taking him in the top 10 in a loaded draft.
