Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 players to watch in the Sweet 16

2. Jarrett Culver

Texas Tech’s Jarrett Culver’s game screams NBA. A long, strong 6’6″ wing with a stat line of 18.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game on a 48.4 percent shooting in a major conference is something to salivate over. It looks almost identical to James Harden‘s career line at Arizona State of 19.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game on 50.6 percent shooting.

Prior to the NCAA Tournament, Culver was kind of muddled with about 10 other prospects somewhere between a top-five pick and borderline lottery worthy. With an impressive tournament run — 35 points and 18 rebounds in two games — he’s edged past the rest of the pack.

Against a feisty Buffalo Bulls team, Culver scored or assisted on seven of the Red Raiders’ nine points in a late first-half push that eventually helped the team go from being a point down to up eight by halftime. His performance in the game was one of the best for a Red Raider.

Coupled with his team’s tournament run, Culver’s performance is turning heads — like on this play, when he comfortably maneuvered past a double-team, finishing with a flashy layup as the shot clock expired.

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These are the kinds of things top NBA scorers can do; they face pressure without flinching and finish at the rim. This is the kind of game Culver has, making him a potential star in the NBA.