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2018 NBA Draft: 5 prospects who showed up big at Champion’s Classic

By Josh Cornelissen

CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 14: Grayson Allen #3 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts following a three-point basket during their game against the Michigan State Spartans during the Champions Classic at United Center on November 14, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 14: Grayson Allen #3 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts following a three-point basket during their game against the Michigan State Spartans during the Champions Classic at United Center on November 14, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Lance King/Getty Images
Photo by Lance King/Getty Images /

The Champion’s Classic displayed four of college basketball’s best teams Tuesday night. Which 2018 NBA Draft prospects showed up big in the season’s first big games?

For seven years running, the college basketball season has truly kicked off at the United Center in Chicago, IL. The Champion’s Classic pits four of the nation’s most storied schools against each other in rotating fashion, and for seven straight years many of the biggest NBA prospects in the country have shown up for the games.

The first game of the night saw the top-ranked Duke Blue Devils take on the second-ranked Michigan State Spartans. Duke prevailed 88-81 despite losing the top freshman in his class, Marvin Bagley III, early on. The game was a back-and-forth affair, and plenty of players stepped up throughout.

The nightcap saw the two winningest schools in NCAA basketball history battle in another tight contest, with the more experienced Kansas Jayhawks winning 65-61 against one of the nation’s youngest teams in the Kentucky Wildcats. While Kansas is relying more on internal development, Kentucky is all-in on one-and-done NBA prospects.

While the number of draft prospects skies into the 20s between the four teams, a handful of players in first round contention put together big performances. Kansas’ best prospect, guard Devonte’ Graham, had a middling performance despite his team’s victory. But the other three teams were loaded with high-level NBA talent, and scouts attending the games saw plenty to see.

Which five potential first round picks in the 2018 NBA Draft had a big night on Tuesday? We start with the young Kentucky Wildcats and their leading scorer from their close loss. Then the star-studded classic between Duke and Michigan St. will supply plenty of big performances.