With March Madness set to begin, these prospects can prove that they are ready for the NBA.
3) V.J. Edgecombe - Baylor
The 6’5” guard out of Baylor has consistently turned heads with his otherwordly athletic ability, complete offensive game, and ball-hawking defense. It's not hard to understand why NBA scouts have Edgecombe projected as the fourth or fifth pick in the draft.
Although Edgecombe's stock is already high, he has a chance to make a meteoric rise in the next few weeks. Playing for a nine-seed Baylor team has been far from inspiring, Edgecombe can put the Bears on his back in the Big Dance.
With Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper - the consensus second and third-overall picks - not playing in the tournament, Edgecombe will be the center of attention for NBA scouts. Not to mention, with a win against Georgia in the Round of 64, Edgecombe would likely be taking on Cooper Flagg and the Duke Blue Devils. If he puts up an impressive performance or even secures a win, Edgecombe would be seriously considered for the second overall pick.
Beyond draft projection, Edgecombe would establish himself as more than an athletic anomaly. Year after year, NBA franchises take swings on uber-athletic guards, hoping the rest of their offensive and defensive game will develop. Oftentimes, those guys don't contribute much to winning in their college careers - and things usually aren't much different on the NBA level.
Edgecombe could separate himself from that worrisome lineage this March. Not only would he put his complete offensive and defensive skill set on display on the biggest stage, but he would exhibit something that every NBA scout is after; a winning mentality.
2) Derik Queen - Maryland
Few players in the 2025 NBA Draft class are as polarizing as Maryland’s Derik Queen. Depending on who you ask, he’s either a top-five talent or a late-lottery pick. His performances in the Big Dance will be crucial in determining which direction his stock trends.
On paper, Queen checks many boxes. At 6’10” and 246 pounds, he has a strong interior frame, yet moves with the agility and footwork of a guard. He possesses a rare finesse around the rim and can dominate in the post. Defensively, his 2.2 combined steals and blocks per game suggest he has the tools to be a disruptive force.
However, Queen’s game comes with concerns. Some scouts worry that his frame lacks the strength needed to compete with the NBA’s elite interior players. Additionally, his 6’10” height and 14.3% shooting clip from beyond the arc place him in an awkward in-between role—too small to be a dominant center, yet lacking the perimeter skills of a modern power forward. Worse, reports have emerged that scouts are worried about his defensive effort and motor.
That said, Queen could silence any doubts in the next few weeks. weeks. If Queen can lead No. 4 seed Maryland on a deep run—and his red flags are not on display—his stock will hold strong. With all of his offensive upside, a strong showing could convince franchises to take a swing on the cerebral offensive talent of Queen. Queen.
1) Kon Knueppel
Everyone knows one simple fact about Kon Knuepppel: he can shoot the basketball at an elite level. With a 39.2% clip from beyond the arc, and a 6-6 frame, there is little doubt that Knueppel's shooting prowess will translate to the league.
However, with coveted lottery picks, teams are looking for more than a spot-up shooter. They are looking for dynamic scorers. In the tournament, Knueppel will have a chance to prove that his talent stretches beyond spot-up looks.
After Cooper Flagg turned his ankle in the ACC tournament, Knueppel got his first chance to shine as a primary scorer, and he was impressive. With savvy screening and strong drives to the hoop, Knueppel looked like one of the best scorers in the draft. Although Flagg will be back for the tournament, scouts would be excited to Kon continue to thrive in a more dynamic offensive role.
No matter what, a franchise in the lottery will be excited to acquire Knueppel's services as a three-point marksman. However, if he can shine as an offensive focal point for the one-seed Blue Devils this March, many more teams will be fighting to select Kon.