This is not just Cade Cunningham’s show. The NCAA tournament is replete with top NBA prospects.
Here are 10 other people to follow:
Father G. Scotty Barnes, Florida State
His offensive numbers were not heavy, and his jump shot needed improvement. But 6-foot-9 Barnes does so well, averaging 4.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.5 steals. Perhaps most influential, the top-10 recruit checked his ego at the door and was the ACC Sixth Man and Freshman of the Year.
Soph. G. James Buknight, Connecticut
Scouts like his basketball IQ, extensive offensive repertoire and ability to break down defenders. If the dynamic Brooklyn native rolls over, UConn could score at the end of the second week.
Junior G Ayo Dosamu, Illinois
National Player of the Year contenders returned to school to win a national championship and improve their draft stock. The former is within reach and the latter has been completed, as Dosanmu has not only improved his shooting percentage, but has stepped forward as a rebound and distributor.
Father G. Keyon Johnson, Tennessee
The teams will place bets on Johnson’s physical gifts, high defensive ceiling and scoring instincts, and dismiss some of his offensive struggles as a result of Tennessee’s slow pace and point guard problems.
Soph. F. Kai Jones, No. 3 Texas
A Big 12 Six Man of the Year, Jones is a highly-refractable project-worthy prospect, skilled and gifted to 6-10 forwards. He plays above the rim, and can resist defending beyond the arc. Like Texas, he is unpredictable but extremely talented.
Sr. F. Corey Kispert, Gonzaga
His powerful perimeter shot and quality size will ensure that he has a long NBA career. The 6-7 mark makes 44.4 percent from deep, which is the fifth-largest mark in the country.
Father F. Evan Mobley, No. 6 USC
The versatile 7-footer made a clean sweep of the Pac-12 awards, being named the league’s Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. His skills – Mobli shot 16.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 31.4 percent from 3-point land – and length make him a perfect fit for the new-age NBA big man.
Father F. Moses Moody, No. 3 Arkansas
Long and athletic wings like Moody who shoot it well from 3, defend and move the ball are usually lottery locks. Moody led Arkansas to their best NCAA tournament seed since 1995 and is looking to lead the Razorbacks to their first Sweet 16 since 1996.
Father G. Jalan Suggas, Gonzaga
Sugg projects as a guard at the next level, as a virtual lock, a skilled scorer, playmaker and defender for a top-five pick in the draft. With so much talent around him, his numbers are not as eye-popping as the others on this list, but when the game is in balance, he will handle it.
Father G. Cameron Thomas, LSU
Thomas, who entered under-college, led LSU to its second straight NCAS tournament with 22.6 points per game scoring. He will need to shoot the ball better at the next level, but his habit is an important skill for the free-throw line (7.4 attempts per game).
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