10 NBA draft prospects to watch in Thursday's NCAA Tournament games

You’ve filled out your March Madness NCAA Tournament brackets.

Now, it’s time to enjoy the games.

And pay attention to who might be playing in the NBA next season.

The NCAA Tournament is loaded with NBA prospects – the projected No. 1 pick, multiple lottery picks, first-rounders and second-rounders. From big conferences and mid-major conferences. Freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors and post-grads are represented.

And there is international appeal. V.J. Edgecombe (Baylor), Egor Demin (BYU), Kasparas Jackucionis (Illinois) and Khaman Maluach (Duke) play for teams competing in the NCAA Tournament. They were born outside of the USA – and they are projected lottery picks in USA TODAY Sports’ latest 2025 NBA mock draft.

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Here are some of the NBA prospects to watch in Thursday’s NCAA Tournament games:

Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton

Senior, center, 7-1, 270, 23
2024-25 stats: 19.4 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.7 bpg, 1.5 apg, 65.5% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 68.2% FT
Projected pick: Late first round, early second round

Another player who can be a modern-day NBA big man: runs the court well, knows how to run the pick-and-roll as the screener, finishes at the rim, posts up when necessary and can step out and hit 3-pointers though his attempts are limited. Gets offensive rebounds and a solid shot-blocker.

First-round matchup: No. 8 Louisville vs. No. 9 Creighton, 12:15 p.m. ET, CBS

Johni Broome, Auburn

Senior, forward-center, 6-10, 240, 22
2024-25 stats: 18.9 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.3 bpg, 51.3% FG, 28.9% 3PT, 60.7% FT
Projected pick: late first round, early second round

A powerful and physical forward, Broome is a double-double machine in points and rebounds but also has a penchant for assists – 31 points, 14 rebounds against Georgia; 19 points, 14 rebounds, six assists and two blocks against Alabama; 21 points, 20 rebounds, six assists, three blocks against Ohio State. He is in the running for college player of the year, and in two SEC tournament contests, Broome averaged 23 points and 11 rebounds and shot 63% from the field.

First-round matchup: No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 16 Alabama State, 2:50 p.m. ET, CBS

Egor Demin, BYU

Freshman, forward, 6-9, 190, 19
2024-25 stats: 10.3 ppg, 5.4 apg, 3.8 rpg, 1.2 spg, 41% FG, 27.1% 3PT, 67.5% FT
Projected pick: mid- to late lottery

The Russian is a playmaker who can make quick decisions and facilitate for others. Demin is the size of a wing player but has guard-like skills. On defense, he uses his length to his advantage while forcing turnovers and being active in passing lanes. His shooting efficiency is a concern. Demin had difficulty with his offense as the season progressed. He had just three points with four turnovers, three assists and three rebounds in a Big 12 conference tournament victory against Iowa State and six points on 2-for-9 shooting (1-for-7 on 3s) with four assists and five turnovers in a conference tournament loss to Houston.

First-round matchup: No. 6 Brigham Young vs. No. 11 Virginia Commonwealth, 4:05 p.m. ET, TNT

John Tonge, Wisconsin

Sixth-year, guard, 6-5, 218, 24
2024-25 stats: 19.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.8 apg, 46.9% FG, 39.1% 3PT, 90.8% FT
Projected pick: late second round

Tonge was a handful in the Big Ten with his size, ability to take contact and shooting. He scored 32 points against Michigan State and 26 against UCLA on 16-of-24 shooting in the conference tournament but had just nine points on 1-for-14 shooting against Michigan in the conference tournament championship game.

First-round matchup: No. 3 Wisconsin vs. No. 14 Montana, 1:30 p.m. ET, TNT

Asa Newell, Georgia

Freshman, forward, 6-11, 220, 19
2024-25 stats: 15.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.0 spg, 1.0 bpg, 54.1% FG, 29.9% 3PT, 74.4% FT
Projected pick: mid- to late lottery in first round

Based off of his size, Newell wouldn’t appear to be as quick and fluid as he is, which should make him an instant threat in pick-and-roll situations. He was one of the lone bright spots for the Bulldogs in a loss against No. 1 Auburn with a team-high 20 points. His scoring dipped at the end of the regular season. However, he had 21 points and 17 rebounds in an SEC tournament loss to Oklahoma.

First-round matchup: No. 8 Gonzaga vs. No. 9 Georgia, 4:35 p.m. ET, TBS

Chaz Lanier, Tennessee

Fifth year, guard, 6-5, 207, 23
2024-25 stats: 17.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.0 apg, 43.5% FG, 40% 3PT, 73.5% FT
Projected pick: early, mid- second round

Lanier’s scoring dropped in the SEC tournament, but he had efficient offensive games down the stretch of the regular season, scoring 30 points on 18 shots against Texas A&M and 23 points on 15 shots against Texas. He shot 41.8% on 3s in Tennessee’s final six regular-season games.

First-round matchup: No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 15 Wofford, 6:50 p.m. ET, TNT

Boogie Fland, Arkansas

Freshman, guard, 6-2, 175, 18
2024-25 stats: 15.1 ppg, 5.7 apg, 3.4 rpg, 1.5 spg, 39.1% FG, 36.5% 3PT, 83.9% FT
Projected pick:Late first round, early second round

Fland is an aggressive defender, can hit mid-range shots, makes 3s off the dribble and on catch-and-shoots and attacks the rim. He is getting more comfortable reading defenses and finding advantages with the pass. Fland sustained a thumb injury Jan. 11 and hasn't played since Jan. 18, undergoing surgery on Jan. 22. However, Razorbacks coach John Calipari said this week Fland has been cleared to play and has resumed full basketball-related activities.

First-round matchup:No. 7 Kansas vs. No. 10 Arkansas, 7:10 p.m. ET, CBS

Adou Thiero, Arkansas

Junior, forward, 6-8, 220, 21
2024-25 stats: 15.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.7 spg, 54.8% FG, 26.2% 3PT, 68.8% FT
Projected pick: late first round, early second round

Thiero hasn’t played since Feb. 22 (hyperextended left knee) and will miss the first game of the NCAA Tournament. A quick and athletic leaper, Thiero likes to run the court for easy transition buckets. He is solid off the dribble and attacks his defender on the way to the rim. Thiero gets his hands into passing lanes for deflections and steals. He will need to improve his outside shot.

First-round matchup: No. 7 Kansas vs. No. 10 Arkansas, 7:10 p.m. ET, CBS

Danny Wolf, Michigan

Junior, forward-center, 7-0, 250, 21
2024-25 stats: 12.9 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.4 bpg, 50% FG, 34.4% 3PT, 60% FT
Projected pick: mid- to late first round

The Yale transfer is shooting up draft boards thanks to his fluid scoring and play-making portfolio in the package of a 7-foot stretch big. Wolf has played point guard at times this season for the Wolverines just like he’s played center. His handles make him a threat as the initiator in pick-and-roll actions and his range should translate to the NBA.

First-round matchup: No. 5 Michigan vs. No. 12 UC San Diego, 10 p.m. ET, TBS

Darrion Williams, Texas Tech

Junior, guard, 6-6, 225, 22
2024-25 stats: 14.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.2 spg, 44.1% FG, 36.5% 3PT, 84.2% FT
Projected pick: early to mid-second round

Williams has a right leg injury, missed Texas Tech’s Big 12 semifinal game against Arizona and his status is unclear. In the quarterfinals against Baylor, Williams had 14 points (4-for-6 on 3s) and eight rebounds.

First-round matchup:No. 3 Texas Tech vs. No. 14 UNC Wilmington, 10:10 p.m. ET, truTV

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness today: 10 NBA draft prospects to watch

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