NCAA tournament: Which NBA Draft prospects have boosted their stock heading into the Sweet 16?

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The first two rounds of the NCAA tournament are over and NBA scouts and executives traveled to each region to get extended looks at players projected in the upcoming NBA Draft. The tournament can help boost a player’s draft stock with how well they play, and this year a number of players have had strong showings in their first two games.

Purdue’s Zach Edey is dominating the paint with his 7-foot-4 frame and Duke freshman Jared McCain set a new tournament record for the most 3s made by a Duke player when he went 8-for-11 from deep in a win over James Madison.

With two rounds down, Yahoo Sports takes a look at 10 players who have played above the competition and how it’s helped their draft stock.

Zach Edey, Purdue

Teams haven’t figured out how to stop Edey in the paint yet and he’s making everything look easy in the tournament. Edey is averaging 26.5 points and 17.5 rebounds and has posted a double-double by halftime in Purdue’s first two games. He’s much more than a big body, and head coach Matt Painter has done a good job playing to Edey’s strengths and running the offense around him. As an NBA prospect, his game doesn’t exactly translate to the next level. Edey isn’t very mobile defensively and doesn’t even try to guard the pick-and-roll guard switch when teams attempt to extend him; he just hangs back in the lane. The center position in the NBA is a bit more positionless with Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokić taking players off the dribble and being a threat past the 3-point line. Edey’s role in the NBA will likely be one of a backup center who can come in and give 15-20 minutes per game and provide some rim protection and size.

Duke guard Jared McCain (0) made eight 3s against James Madison. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Jared McCain, Duke

McCain had the hot hand Sunday night, posting 30 points in Duke’s commanding win. The 6-3 freshman guard has been shooting it well and confidently all season long. Even though he’s smaller at the guard position, he has a quick release and deep…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa-tournament-which-nba-draft-prospects-have-boosted-their-stock-heading-into-the-sweet-16-165052736.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-03-26 16:50:52

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