5 players with the most to gain from March Madness

Few things can make you a legend in basketball faster than having a memorable performance in the NCAA Tournament. Whether it’s a star leading his team to a Final Four, or an unknown talent shocking the world, many players have had their names etched in history during the final two weeks of March.

For some, it’s not just about leaving a lasting memory with the fans, but also about making an indelible impression on NBA scouts and general managers. Here are the five college basketball stars whose NBA draft stock could be impacted most during March Madness.

1. Franz Wagner (Michigan)

The injury to Isaiah Livers for the Wolverines gives Wagner a chance to step up and shine. The top seed in the East, Michigan is expected to be a favorite to make the Final Four, and Wagner has been a big reason for their success. The third-leading scorer on the team, he has averaged almost 13 points per contest while grabbing six rebounds, dishing out three assists, and shooting nearly 50 percent from the floor.

He has boosted his outside shooting from around 31 percent last year to almost 40 percent, and that's a big reason why he has moved up most NBA draft boards. Wagner sits as the 13th pick in The Athletic’s latest mock draft, but with their second leading scorer on the sideline, Michigan will likely look to the 6’10” forward to play a much bigger role in the offense. If he succeeds, he could play his way into the top 10.

1. Ayo Dosunmu (Illinois)

Named an AP first team All-American on Tuesday, Dosunmu and the Fighting Illini have high expectations entering the NCAA Tournament as a No. 2 seed. The guard has had a terrific season, averaging almost 21 points per game while adding over six rebounds and five dimes. He recorded a pair of triple-doubles in Big Ten play, but has been inconsistent from the floor at times this season. That includes a 5-17 game in their three-point win over Ohio State in the conference tournament.

The Athletic and ESPN currently have Dosunmu sitting just inside their top 20 picks. He has a reputation for making big shots in clutch moments, and there is no better way to prove that than in the NCAA Tournament. If he can get Illinois to the Elite Eight, and a potential match-up with Baylor, Dosunmu could play his way closer to the lottery. A poor tournament, however, could see him slip into the 20s.

3. James Bouknight (Connecticut)

One team with a history of guards leaving a mark on the tournament is Connecticut, and Bouknight is hoping to add his name to the list. Currently on the edge of the top 10 in most NBA draft lists, the 6’5” guard has had an outstanding season. He has averaged 19 points per game, while adding almost six boards and two assists. He scored in double figures in all but one game, and had a 40-point performance against Creighton in a December overtime defeat.

The one big knock on Bouknight is his poor outside shot, as he connected on just over 30 percent of his threes this season. In his two games in the Big East tournament, he missed all seven of his attempts from deep. However, Connecticut has some very winnable games early in the tournament. If Bouknight can show off his playmaking ability and knock down a few treys, he could play his way into the top five of the draft.

4. Chris Duarte (Oregon)

Older players tend to have their draft stock taken down a bit as their potential ceilings are not perceived as being as high as their younger counterparts. However, a player like Duarte has shown he has the skill-set to hold a place on an NBA roster for a long time. Both ESPN and The Athletic’s rankings have him as a late first-round selection, but the 6’6” guard has a very good chance to move his way up draft boards with a strong tournament performance.

Duarte’s first-round matchup will allow him to display his excellent defensive skills, as the Pac-12’s leader in steal percentage will be matched up with Nah’Shon Hyland from VCU. In addition to being a great on-ball defender, Duarte’s shooting from the outside is lights out. He made 43 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc this season, and if he can build on having the best true shooting percentage in the Pac-12 this season, he could easily move himself into the top 20 in the draft, and potentially closer to the middle of the round.

5. Davion Mitchell (Baylor)

Similar to Duarte, Mitchell is a 3-and-D guard who currently sits as a late first-round selection in most mock drafts. He has made immense strides in his game this season, raising his three-point shooting from about 30-percent his first two seasons to over 46-percent in 2020-21. The combo guard is outstanding at protecting the basketball, and his tenacity on defense should keep him in the league for many years.

However, as one of the main men in Baylor’s talented backcourt, he should get plenty of chances to build that stock as he averages nearly six assists and five three-point attempts per game. In addition, his defensive numbers this season are off the charts, and he will get a chance to display the skills that led to the man he’s guarding turning it over one in every four trips this season. The Bears are a heavy favorite to make the Final Four, and should they make that run he will be a big reason why.