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We’re headed toward some big basketball moments in the coming weeks. Ones that will change the lives of many young hoopsters and the faces of several NBA franchises. They’re both interconnected, of course, and the future for players and NBA teams starts Saturday night with the two Final Four semifinal matchups (Saturday, April 4, 4:09) followed by the national championship game Monday night (April 6, 8:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT, TBS/TNT/truTV/MAX).
Those three games will be chock-full of NBA scouts in attendance.
They’ll get a final college look at some intriguing prospects before some of them descend on Chicago for the annual NBA Draft Combine (May 10-17).
Sunday, May 10, is also the night of the momentous 2026 NBA Draft Lottery. This is a big one, this year’s lotto, because this draft is considered one of the best and deepest in league history.
Most of this year’s top players won’t be playing in the Final Four, but there will be standout NBA prospects from Illinois, UConn, Arizona, and Michigan on the floor in Indy.
MORE: 2027 March Madness future stars shine in McDonald’s All-American Game
Here are six prospects who should hear their name called during the first round of the NBA Draft (date TBD).
Mar 26, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) dribbles the ball against the Houston Cougars in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the South Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Here’s a great story: The 2025 Gatorade Kansas Player of the Year wasn’t recruited by Bill Self and the Jayhawks or in-state rival Kansas State.
Instead, the 261st-best high school prospect in the nation according to 247Sports has skyrocketed up draft boards thanks to his fantastic freshman season, which has only gotten better from 2025 to the present.
He scored 46 points against Purdue back in January.
Wagler will be the first of the Final Four participants left to be taken in June. He’s looking more and more like a top-10 pick.
Wagler is a smart, savvy player with a smooth shooting stroke, has been compared to two-time NBA All-Star Tyrese Haliburton.
Mar 26, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Brayden Burries (5) celebrates after a play against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the West Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
Wildcats guard Brayden Burries has produced one of the greatest freshman seasons in Arizona history.
He is the second frosh in school history to score over 600 points (613) in his first season. DeAndre Ayton holds the Wildcats’ record with 704 points from 2017-18.
Burries is the leading scorer for Arizona heading into its showdown against Michigan on Saturday night in the late Final Four semifinal.
He’s drawn comparisons to NBA superstar Devin Booker, as well as Khris Middleton and Luke Kennard.
Mar 26, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Koa Peat (10) reacts after a pay against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the West Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
Another Arizona freshman who’s been terrific in his one-and-done season.
Peat is a physically versatile player who can play both forward positions. He’s a solid rebounder and passer, but his shooting needs serious work.
Most scouts can’t seem to agree on what Peat’s peak is, just that he’ll contribute in various ways and help a team win.
He’s drawn comparisons to former Arizona star and current Denver Nuggets starter Aaron Gordon.
Peat’s listed as being selected anywhere from No. 8 overall to No. 28. But he’s certain to make his way to the podium on the draft’s first night.
Apr 2, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) during open locker room ahead of the Final Four of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
There will be questions about his age (turns 24 in September).
But there’s no doubting that Lendeborg has been a total stud for Michigan, particularly during March Madness.
He was named the AP Big Ten Player of the Year after averaging 14.6 points, 7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.2 steals.
He’s showcased a solid all-around game all season. He’s a stretch-4 forward who’s vastly improved his 3-point shooting.
Lendeborg will likely come off the bench and could develop into a Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
His NBA comps are Keegan Murray and Cam Johnson.
Lendeborg is projected to go anywhere from No. 12 to No. 22.
Michigan center Aday Mara (15) yells in triumph during a NCAA Tournament Elite 8 game against Tennessee at the United Center in Chicago on March 29, 2026.
Some believe Mara will be drafted ahead of his teammate Lendeborg.
That’s possible.
Mara is a tall, slender European who can shoot while also protecting the rim on defense.
His height and wingspan will be tempting for teams to resist.
Mara has been called a poor man’s Chet Holmgren. Any NBA team would take that.
He should be picked late in the first round (No. 24 – No. 30).
Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; UConn Huskies guard Braylon Mullins (24) smiles from the court during a stoppage in play against the Michigan State Spartans during a Sweet Sixteen game of the East Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Have you heard about him? He made a ho-hum shot last weekend against Duke you may have seen.
Mullins is now basically a household name after his 3-point dagger stunned the Blue Devils.
He’s more than a one-shining-moment, one-hit wonder, though. Or so NBA scouts believe.
Mullins is a 3-point sharpshooter with a quick release. He’s instinctively solid all-around player who plays good defense.
Those are all qualities that should make Mullins a middle to late first-round pick (No. 15-No. 25).
Scouts compare him to Miami’s Tyler Herro.
Continue reading...
Those three games will be chock-full of NBA scouts in attendance.
They’ll get a final college look at some intriguing prospects before some of them descend on Chicago for the annual NBA Draft Combine (May 10-17).
Sunday, May 10, is also the night of the momentous 2026 NBA Draft Lottery. This is a big one, this year’s lotto, because this draft is considered one of the best and deepest in league history.
Most of this year’s top players won’t be playing in the Final Four, but there will be standout NBA prospects from Illinois, UConn, Arizona, and Michigan on the floor in Indy.
MORE: 2027 March Madness future stars shine in McDonald’s All-American Game
Here are six prospects who should hear their name called during the first round of the NBA Draft (date TBD).
Keaton Wagler, 6-6, SG (Illinois)
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Mar 26, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) dribbles the ball against the Houston Cougars in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the South Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Here’s a great story: The 2025 Gatorade Kansas Player of the Year wasn’t recruited by Bill Self and the Jayhawks or in-state rival Kansas State.
Instead, the 261st-best high school prospect in the nation according to 247Sports has skyrocketed up draft boards thanks to his fantastic freshman season, which has only gotten better from 2025 to the present.
He scored 46 points against Purdue back in January.
Wagler will be the first of the Final Four participants left to be taken in June. He’s looking more and more like a top-10 pick.
Wagler is a smart, savvy player with a smooth shooting stroke, has been compared to two-time NBA All-Star Tyrese Haliburton.
Brayden Burries, 6-5, SG (Arizona)
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Mar 26, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Brayden Burries (5) celebrates after a play against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the West Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
Wildcats guard Brayden Burries has produced one of the greatest freshman seasons in Arizona history.
He is the second frosh in school history to score over 600 points (613) in his first season. DeAndre Ayton holds the Wildcats’ record with 704 points from 2017-18.
Burries is the leading scorer for Arizona heading into its showdown against Michigan on Saturday night in the late Final Four semifinal.
He’s drawn comparisons to NBA superstar Devin Booker, as well as Khris Middleton and Luke Kennard.
Koa Peat, 6-8, PF (Arizona)
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Mar 26, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Koa Peat (10) reacts after a pay against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the West Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
Another Arizona freshman who’s been terrific in his one-and-done season.
Peat is a physically versatile player who can play both forward positions. He’s a solid rebounder and passer, but his shooting needs serious work.
Most scouts can’t seem to agree on what Peat’s peak is, just that he’ll contribute in various ways and help a team win.
He’s drawn comparisons to former Arizona star and current Denver Nuggets starter Aaron Gordon.
Peat’s listed as being selected anywhere from No. 8 overall to No. 28. But he’s certain to make his way to the podium on the draft’s first night.
Yaxel Lendeborg, 6-9, PF (Michigan)
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Apr 2, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) during open locker room ahead of the Final Four of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
There will be questions about his age (turns 24 in September).
But there’s no doubting that Lendeborg has been a total stud for Michigan, particularly during March Madness.
He was named the AP Big Ten Player of the Year after averaging 14.6 points, 7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.2 steals.
He’s showcased a solid all-around game all season. He’s a stretch-4 forward who’s vastly improved his 3-point shooting.
Lendeborg will likely come off the bench and could develop into a Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
His NBA comps are Keegan Murray and Cam Johnson.
Lendeborg is projected to go anywhere from No. 12 to No. 22.
Aday Mara, 7-3, C (Michigan)
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Michigan center Aday Mara (15) yells in triumph during a NCAA Tournament Elite 8 game against Tennessee at the United Center in Chicago on March 29, 2026.
Some believe Mara will be drafted ahead of his teammate Lendeborg.
That’s possible.
Mara is a tall, slender European who can shoot while also protecting the rim on defense.
His height and wingspan will be tempting for teams to resist.
Mara has been called a poor man’s Chet Holmgren. Any NBA team would take that.
He should be picked late in the first round (No. 24 – No. 30).
Braylon Mullins, 6-6, G/F (Connecticut)
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Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; UConn Huskies guard Braylon Mullins (24) smiles from the court during a stoppage in play against the Michigan State Spartans during a Sweet Sixteen game of the East Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Have you heard about him? He made a ho-hum shot last weekend against Duke you may have seen.
Mullins is now basically a household name after his 3-point dagger stunned the Blue Devils.
He’s more than a one-shining-moment, one-hit wonder, though. Or so NBA scouts believe.
Mullins is a 3-point sharpshooter with a quick release. He’s instinctively solid all-around player who plays good defense.
Those are all qualities that should make Mullins a middle to late first-round pick (No. 15-No. 25).
Scouts compare him to Miami’s Tyler Herro.
Continue reading...
