Nets NBA Draft: 5 players to watch during NCAA Tournament first round
The Brooklyn Nets are still in the midst of their season as they are visiting the Indiana Pacers on Thursday in the hopes of getting back into the winning column. However, at this point of the NBA season, there are multiple events to keep track of, including the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, the first round of which begins on Thursday.
Prior to the beginning of the first-round of the NCAA Tournament, Nets Wire covered players that are expected to be drafted or close to it that were playing in those four games, such as Texas guard Tre Johnson. However, with Texas losing in the First Four, Johnson's season, and possibly his college career, is over. That means that there are still guys playing for the chance of winning a national championship along with increasing their draft stock.
As many Nets fans know at this point of the year, the Nets have four picks in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft, with their pick being the most valuable by far given that their other three picks are expected to be outside of the lottery. As such, there are players throughout the first round of the Draft that will be in action and therefore, under consideration by Brooklyn. Here are five players to watch out for in the first round:
Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
This was an obvious choice given how well Flagg has played this season even in comparison to his lofty expectations coming into this season. Flagg is dealing with an ankle injury that he suffered during the ACC Tournament, but even if he is unable to play, Duke is one of the favorites to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament and that is due to his teammates as well.
Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma
Fears is one of the players that the Nets could take a look at if their own pick falls outside of the top-5 as he could be the point guard of the future with the way that he can handle the ball and get to his spots on the floor. Fears is one of the youngest players in college basketball right now and that means that he's still raw as a player, but with Brooklyn just beginning their rebuild, Fears would have plenty of time to learn the ropes.
Derik Queen, C, Maryland
Queen is an interesting player given that is had one of his best games of the season in a Big Ten Conference Tournament loss to Michigan, a game that seems to have risen Queen's stock by a significant amount. In the beginning of the season, Queen was projected as a player who could sneak into the Lottery, but after his performance against Michigan, it seems like he is firmly in the Lottery with a chance of cracking the top-10. If Brooklyn loses backup center Day'Ron Sharpe in free-agency, or trades away starting center Nic Claxton, Queen would be an interesting player to see grow within head coach Jordi Fernandez's system.
Will Riley, F, Illinois
Riley is an interesting player for the Nets to consider given that he is projected to go somewhere in the later part of the first round who can score with some intriguing playmaking traits as a 6-foot-8 forward. Does that sound like someone that is already on Brooklyn's roster? Regardless of how similar Riley's profile sounds like sharpshooting forward Cam Johnson, the Illinois forward has a lot riding on his performance in the NCAA Tournament.
Kam Jones, G, Marquette
Jones is another player that is projected to be selected towards the end of the first-round of the NBA Draft and part of the reason for the rise in his stock is due to what he has shown from a playmaking perspective. One might think that adding Kam Jones would put too many players of the same name on the same team, but this Kam would be the kind of combo guard that could be a replacement for Cam Thomas if he departs Brooklyn in free-agency.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets NBA Draft: 5 players to watch during NCAA Tournament first round
-
5 Nets 2025 Draft prospects to watch heading into NCAA First Four
Here are five 2025 NBA Draft prospects for Nets fans to watch during the NCAA Tournament's First Four stage.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
5 women's NCAA Tournament players to watch who aren't JuJu Watkins
Everyone knows JuJu Watkins can single-handedly blow up a game. Here's five other players to watch entering the 2025 women's NCAA tournament.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Women's March Madness schedule: NCAA Tournament start times, TV, streaming for first round
The NCAA women's basketball tournament bracket is set. Here's how to watch every first-round game.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Here's how you can watch Friday's MSU-Bryant NCAA Tournament basketball game
Here's how you can watch the NCAA Tournament first round matchup between Michigan State and Bryant on FridayYahoo Sports - 12h -
Women's March Madness 2025: Ranking the top five NCAA Tournament first round matchups
The first round of the Women's NCAA Tournament begins FridayCBS Sports - 1d -
NCAA Tournament: No. 10 New Mexico to play No. 7 Marquette in the first round
Mar. 16—There were cheers, some woofing from fans and genuine excitement as the UNM Lobos and a few hundred of their fans gathered in the Pit on Sunday to watch the NCAA Tournament Selection Show. ...Yahoo Sports - 4d -
13 key players to watch during the 2025 women's NCAA tournament, including Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles
Our list of 13 top players to monitor during the women's 2025 NCAA tournament, including Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
March Madness first round: What to know, how to watch Colorado State vs Memphis
A look at Friday's NCAA Tournament matchup between Colorado State and Memphis: How to watch, key players and more.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Women's NCAA tournament: How to watch Lauren Betts and UCLA vs. Southern
March Madness 2025: Here's how to watch the NCAA women's basketball tournament first-round game between UCLA and Southern on Friday.Yahoo Sports - 11h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Manchester United rival Arsenal for transfer of €90m-rated attacker
Manchester United are reportedly keen to sign Juventus attacking midfielder Kenan Yildiz, though he also has interest from Arsenal.The talented young Turkey international has impressed in Serie A ...Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Wood hits hat-trick as rampant New Zealand move to brink of World Cup
Chris Wood scored a hat-trick of headers as New Zealand moved to within one win of the World Cup with a 7-0 demolition of Fiji on Friday.In the first semi-final of Oceania qualifying, New Caledonia ...Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Lewis Hamilton wins pole position in the sprint for Ferrari at the Chinese F1 Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton has astonished the crowd and himself by securing his maiden Sprint pole position for Ferrari in the final moments of qualifying at the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix. Hamilton ...Yahoo Sports - 21m -
Pundits suggest Sean Payton has not yet added his 'Joker'
The Broncos found their Joker in Evan Engram, right? Not everyone is convinced.Yahoo Sports - 24m -
St. Philip's Mike Kimber leads 2025 Battle Creek Enquirer All-City Boys Basketball Team
Enquirer All-City Boys Basketball Team is made up of members of the six city programs and includes Coach of the Year Mike Kimber of St. PhilipYahoo Sports - 24m
More in Sports
-
Ovechkin nets No. 888, Caps clinch playoff berth
Alex Ovechkin scored his 888th career goal Thursday to move seven away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's NHL career record.ESPN - 15m -
Warriors' Curry exits win early with pelvic injury
Warriors star Stephen Curry was ruled out in the second half of Thursday's 117-114 win over the Toronto Raptors because of a pelvic contusion, the team said.ESPN - 15m -
Skenes' 1-of-1 rookie card fetches record $1.11M
Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes' 2024 Topps Chrome Update MLB debut patch autograph card sold for a stunning $1.11 million, including buyer's premium, on Thursday.ESPN - 15m -
Bronny has season-high 17 points in Lakers' loss
Bronny James scored a season-high 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting and added five assists, three rebounds and a block in 30 minutes of playing time Thursday.ESPN - 15m -
Source: DE Omenihu gets 1-year deal with Chiefs
Defensive end Charles Omenihu is returning to the Kansas City Chiefs on a one-year deal worth a maximum of $7 million, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.ESPN - 15m