NBA Draft Prospects Whose Stock Will Rise or Fall During March Madness

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Allen Graves, 6-foot-9 freshman forward, Santa Clara

The NCAA’s box plus-minus leaderboard lists projected top picks and All-American candidates like Cameron Boozer, Yaxel Lendeborg, Zuby Ejiofor, Caleb Wilson, Aday Mara, Darryn Peterson — and Allen Graves. From an NBA scouting standpoint, the tape on Graves remains interesting as well. At 6-foot-9, 225 pounds, he has clear skill and feel, particularly as a roll man, pick-and-pop shooter, post scorer and passer. The instincts show on defense as well, where he has an incredible 5.0-percent steal rate for a player his size.

Graves is firmly on scouts’ radar, and though many believe he’s a year away with likely transfer-up opportunities and a weaker 2027 Draft, his NBA fit is already obvious. And a strong showing against Kentucky (and possibly Iowa State) could sway NBA teams to act quicker on a prospect who’ll likely be in high demand one year from now. 

Billy Richmond, 6-foot-5 sophomore wing, Arkansas 

With Karter Knox out for Arkansas, Richmond’s play over the last month has been a major storyline. Averaging 16.0 points over his last 10 games heading into the NCAA Tournament, the sophomore wing has been able to score off his explosiveness attacking downhill and finishing off the ball. 

NBA scouts will have to think out of the box on a non-shooting guard or forward. But he’s the type of two-way player who can convince scouts to picture an outlier, given how he’s able to impact games with his athleticism and motor by flying in transition, capitalizing as a slasher in space, cutting, crashing the offensive glass and making plays defensively. 

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Davis Fogle, 6-foot-7 freshman wing, Gonzaga

Fogle was out of the rotation when Gonzaga faced its noteworthy nonconference opponents early in the season. Since then, he’s emerged as an efficient bench contributor with an interesting mix of shooting, size, ball-handling, three-level shotmaking, open-floor athleticism, defensive instincts and IQ.

The numbers and analytics in 16.2 minutes per game are very encouraging. It would make sense that scouts will want to see him produce in a larger role against more quality opponents. The NCAA Tournament scouting on Fogle may really be for 2027, but with winnable games in the bracket against BYU and Arkansas, the freshman will have some opportunities to generate buzz before the 2026 draft process. 

Ivan Kharchenkov, 6-foot-7 freshman wing, Arizona

As the season has progressed, Kharchenkov’s value to Arizona has become more evident. Watching him impact games with versatility and toughness has also helped paint him as a potential NBA Glue Guy at 6-foot-7, 220 pounds. 

He reads the game well, playing off others and picking the right spots to attack or pass. His defensive intensity is a major positive. Shooting represents an obvious swing skill, but he has made 30 threes, including six of his last nine, and a decent 73.7 free-throw percentage and reliable float game hints a touch to work with. 

The further Arizona advances in the tournament, the better chance Kharchenkov has to sell himself as a version of Josh Hart for an NBA rotation.

Amari Allen, 6-foot-8 freshman forward, Alabama

While we’re hearing Allen is planning to test the draft process, scouts are still deciding how to value him in a strong 2026 class. This NCAA Tournament represents one important, final opportunity to sell scouts before the draft process, especially with Aden Holloway likely out. 

His archetype is always coveted — a 6-foot-8 wing averaging 1.6 threes, 7.1 boards and 3.1 assists. Allen’s versatility is a clear draw, but he’s also finished with five points or fewer in three of Alabama’s last four games.

Allen may need a strong performance against Hofstra — and more — to fully sell himself as a surefire one-and-done first-rounder. But the NBA fit and potential are clear, and teams figure to see real value in adding a shoot-dribble-pass combo forward with some toughness. 

Tarris Reed, 6-foot-11 senior center, UConn

Braylon Mullins is the popular draw for UConn, but Reed has turned himself into a legitimate prospect by complementing his post game with outstanding passing and shot-blocking. He could have big opportunities over the first weekend against Furman and UCLA or UCF, teams lacking interior physicality to combat Reed’s 265-pound frame and unique coordination around the basket.

Though bigs who don’t handle or shoot won’t be coveted by every NBA team, those looking for interior scoring, rim protection and some extra ball-moving could give Reed a hard look. 

Pryce Sandfort, 6-foot-7 junior wing, Nebraska 

Sandfort’s shotmaking has registered on scouts’ radar during Nebraska’s 26-win season. He leads the nation in off-screen scoring points per possession. A nice run in the NCAA Tournament could shine more light on Sandfort’s signature movement shooting and give him plug-and-play appeal for an NBA specialist role. 

As of now, it may make more sense to return for one more year and make NIL money, rather than compete for a spot in the 2026 second round. Regardless, Sandfort has earned a spot on scouts’ watch lists before the NCAA Tournament, where he could have an opportunity to further move the needle with Vanderbilt and Florida in Nebraska’s bracket. 

Duke Miles, 6-foot-2 senior guard, Vanderbilt 

Tyler Tanner is Vanderbilt’s top pro prospect, but NBA teams could also see second-round or undrafted free-agent value in Miles, who at 24 years old brings the type of aggression, defensive pressure and improved shotmaking that front offices could find useful for an energizer role off the bench.

He just gave Tennessee 30 points before finishing with 19 and 9 assists against Arkansas in the SEC Tournament. Jamal Shead, Davion Mitchell, Jose Alvarado, Deuce McBride and Jevon Carter have blazed a path for an undersized, two-way guard like Miles.

Donovan Dent, 6-foot-2 senior guard, UCLA

After a slow start at UCLA, Dent has turned things around, leading the Bruins to wins over Purdue (23 points, 13 assists), Illinois (14 points, 15 assists) and Michigan State (23 points, 12 assists). Since Feb. 21, he’s totaled an incredible 78 assists to just six turnovers. 

Dent has a chance to make a big statement against a UCF team that’s one of the nation’s worst at defending pick-and-roll ball-handlers. Though a lack of shooting improvement has kept his name out of the draft discussion, Dent is still worthy of consideration due to how effective he is creating advantages, facilitating for teammates and finding ways to score off penetration and floaters.

Mason Falslev, 6-foot-4 junior guard, Utah State

Falslev feels like one of the nation’s most slept-on players. Versatility is his calling card — he’s one of two players in the nation with a 15.0 assist percentage, 15.0 defensive rebounding percentage, 3.0 steal rate and 40.0 three-point percentage.

Interchangeable between both guard spots, Falslev is an excellent catch-and-shooter who can also run Utah State’s offense, initiate fast breaks and disrupt defensively. He should receive more attention if the Aggies can beat Villanova and make it tough on Arizona in the Round of 32. 

Malik Reneau, 6-foot-9 senior forward, Miami

Reneau has slowly modernized his game, becoming a bigger face-up threat to complement the signature post scoring and inside instincts. He’s also made 24 threes and 78.8 percent of his free-throws this year.

Reneau’s strong frame, footwork, counters and touch all seem NBA-caliber, but it won’t be enough. The ability to now drive and potentially stretch the floor creates the right type of versatility for an NBA power forward. There’s a good scouting opportunity ahead with a matchup against 6-foot-9, 230-pound Mark Mitchell of Missouri.