Every year, we have a few players that absolutely explode during the NCAA tournament and jump up on NBA teams’ draft boards. Some of those players turn out to be busts (Derrick Williams) and some actually make Division 1 coaches sick to their stomach’s thinking they could have had this player (Steph Curry). Here is a list of players that need to take advantage of the spotlight to improve their draft stock and potentially take over the number 1 overall pick.
Marcus Smart – I still like this 6’4’’ combo guard. He is competing with Trey Burke to be the first PG taken in the draft. Disregarding their first matchup, Oklahoma State has tough games potentially against Missouri and Louisville. Missouri can run up the score with the best of them, while Louisville features Peyton Siva. If Smart can obliterate Siva and lead his team to the Final Four and Burke falters, he could take over the top PG spot.
Otto Porter – Porter is almost assuredly a top 5 pick, but he can become the top overall pick with a strong showing. Potential meetings against Florida, Michigan, and Kansas can help him tremendously. Pay attention to the Glenn Robinson matchup if they meet up to see if his one on one length will affect Porter.
Alex Len – Although Len will be playing against inferior opponents in the NIT tournament, he can still improve his stock greatly. He can face Kentucky’s Willie Caullie-Stein, a possible lottery pick. Len will need to show that he is tough enough to bash with the big boys.
Michael Carter-Williams – The more I watch this kid, the more I am not really impressed. He is a terrible shooter. Carter-Williams will need to impress big time to avoid his stock dropping even further. A matchup against Victor Oladipo will give us a good idea of how Carter-Williams will be in the NBA.
Nate Wolters – You may remember this name from him scoring 53 points earlier this season. He also is the 3rd leading scorer in the nation. Wolters has a great matchup against Trey Burke and the Wolverines in the first round. This has the potential for a Steph Curry 2.0 ending. If Wolters can somehow lead South Dakota State passed Michigan, I would expect Wolters to jump into the lottery and overtake Michael Carter-Williams.
Kelly Olynyk – I have never heard of this guy before this season. The 7’0’’ center is primarily a post scorer, but can step out of the paint and knock down a jumper if need be. With being on the big stage, he can improve his draft stock greatly with some good performances. After averaging 17 points a game, it would be intriguing to see him matched up against a strong Evan Ravennal of Ohio State, or Mason Plumlee of Duke.
DeShaun Thomas – Thomas has been overshadowed by Aaron Craft the past few games but still remains Ohio State’s first scoring option. I don’t think he will be challenged in his region, so this is the perfect opportunity to jump into the first round of the draft.
Jeff Withey – The major knock on Withey has been his strength. I do have to give him credit for being a gym rat the past couple of seasons, though. One major test will be a matchup against a strong Jordan Morgan out of Michigan. Withey is ranked #7 among big men by Legion Report, but he can easily pass Willie Caullie-Stein and Isaiah Austin with a strong performance against Michigan.
CJ Leslie – A preseason All-American, Leslie fell off the map. He needs to improve his on court decisions to climb back into the first round. He will have plenty of opportunities against Indiana and Syracuse.
CJ McCollum – Unfortunately, McCollum will not be playing in the postseason this year. You may be wondering why he is on this list, but McCollum will shoot up draft boards if the other potential lottery picks falter. McCollum was 2nd in the country in terms of scoring before his injury. Defeating Duke last year solidified this bonafide scorer. If you forgot about CJ, here is a highlight video of his season last year.