There’s one time of year when even the most hardcore NBA fans shift their attention to college basketball—March Madness. The 2025 NCAA Tournament is finally here, and fans of every NBA team should be keeping their eyes peeled for potential draft targets their squad could snag this summer. And this year’s tournament is chock-full of intriguing talent.
After the first few picks, the 2025 NBA Draft could go in a number of different ways. Obviously, guys like Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, and Dylan Harper are going to stay toward the top, but after that, there’s room for movement. And the tournament could help determine who goes where.
With that in mind, here are five 2025 NBA Draft prospects poised to shine during March Madness. (For the sake of interest, and in an attempt to avoid the obvious, Flagg won’t be on this list.)
1. Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma
It’s already been quite the year for Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears. Coming into the year, Fears wasn’t projected to be drafted at all, let alone in the first round. Now, he’s a staple of most lottery projections.
The freshman has lit the NCAA world on fire, and now that the Sooners are officially going dancing, he has a chance to be the next March Madness darling.
Fears’ game is built perfectly to dominate the tournament, as exciting playstyle and nack for the big moments make him the perfect candidate to make a name for himself in March. (Especially if he can knock out the two-time reigning champs, as the Sooners drew UConn in the first round.)
2. Johni Broome, Auburn
Auburn has been one of the best teams in college basketball all season, and now, they are one of the favorites to win the National Championship. Johni Broome has been a huge part of that.
Broome turns 23 in July, so he’ll be one of the older prospects in this year’s draft class, but his talent is undeniable. Despite the fact that he’s been reliant on his size in college, which may not translate to the pros, Broome still has plenty of NBA-level skills.
If he can show off his shooting touch, defensive versatility, and other talents in March, then he may shoot up draft boards very quickly throughout the tournament.
3. RJ Luis Jr., St. John’s
For the first time since 2015, St. John’s will be playing in the Round of 64 in the NCAA Tournament. That, plus Rick Pitino sitting as the face of the club, is enough to draw eyes to the Red Storm.
That’s where RJ Luis Jr. could be able to shine. At 6-foot-7, he has the size to be an NBA prospect, and he’s already begun sneaking onto draft boards as a projected second-rounder.
If he lifts St. John’s to a deep run in the tournament and shoots the ball well from deep, he could seriously improve his stock.
4. Danny Wolf, Michigan
In a draft without many elite big men, Danny Wolf could separate himself from the pack if he can put together a strong run in March Madness.
The Wolverines drew UC San Diego in the first round, and after that they would take on the winner of Texas A&M vs. Yale. Both of those should be winnable games for them.
Wolf’s elite ball-handling as a seven-footer make him one of the most intriguing players in this year’s draft, and even though he’ll turn 21 in May, March Madness could help him skyrocket up draft boards.
5. Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois
Another guy who has climbed up draft boards this season, Kasparas Jakucionis has been a revelation for the Fighting Illini, and now, they’re in the tournament.
If they manage to make a run in March, and Jakucionis is at the center of it all, it could do wonders for his stock, setting him up beautifully for the NBA Draft.
He hasn’t been shooting the ball well as of late, but if all of that changes during March Madness, then a star could be born in front of everyone’s eyes.