Who are the Best Players in the 2025 NCAA Tournament? A Complete Guide of March Madness NBA Draft Prospects
This year's NCAA Tournament has more than two dozen NBA draft prospects that have a chance to be taken in the first round on June 25 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, led by Duke star and Wooden Award odds favorite Cooper Flagg.
While the consensus No. 2 and No. 3 prospects by the NBA draft odds, Rutgers' Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper, won't be participating in the NCAA Tournament, there's a plethora of talents alongside Flagg that highlight the best NBA draft prospects in March Madness.
🥇 Who are the top NBA draft prospects in March Madness?
As I detailed in my comprehensive guide on how to fill out a March Madness bracket, it pays to know which teams have superstar-level talent capable of carrying a team through a deep tournament run. So I've broken down a list of every player you should know heading into the NCAA Tournament.
🎰 Potential NBA lottery picks
😈 Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach, Duke
- Flagg stats: 18.9 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.5 SPG, 1.3 BPG
- Knueppel stats: 14.4 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.7 APG, 39.2% 3P%
- Maluach stats: 8.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.2 BPG, 69.3% FG%
What makes Duke such a lethal March Madness odds favorite is the fact that it doesn't just have one freshman lottery talent in Flagg - it has three. Alongside the likely No. 1 pick, the Blue Devils have Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach, both of whom are considered potential top-10 picks in the draft.
The three of them complement each other well, too. Flagg is a do-it all player on both ends of the court with his scoring touch, passing ability, and defensive upside making him the No. 1 rated player by EvanMiya's BPR metric in the country. Meanwhile, Knueppel is a lights out shooter and Maluach is a rim protecting freak athlete. This trio is a big reason why Duke will be one of the most bet-on teams to win the NCAA Tournament - and my pick to win it all.
📊 Duke March Madness odds: +360 via BetMGM (bet $10 to win $36)
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🐻 V.J. Edgecombe, Baylor
- Stats: 15.0 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.3 APG, 2.1 SPG, 34.5% 3P%
View by many as the fourth-best NBA draft prospect, and the second-best to reach the NCAA Tournament, V.J. Edgecombe has gotten better as Baylor's season has gone on. Even if it hasn't translated to wins for a disappointing Bears team, Edgecombe has lived up to his billing as the No. 4 recruit in the country.
The freshman is a solid shooter with big-time defensive chops thanks to his athleticism, but this isn't the Baylor team to bet on to win a title. Scott Drew's program barely scraped its way into the NCAA Tournament.
📊 Baylor March Madness odds: +25000 via DraftKings (bet $10 to win $2,500)
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🧡 Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois
- Stats: 15.0 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.6 APG, 0.9 SPG, 32.9% 3P%
Despite Illinois collapsing in the back half of the season, which included a 43-point loss to Duke at Madison Square Garden, Kasparas Jakuiconis is a consensus top-eight prospect in the draft. While he lacks consistency, his scoring ability has been on display throughout the season with double-digit 20-point perfromances.
The Lithuanian is an oversized point guard whose passing instincts have flashed throughout the year. However, the Fighting Illini don't look like they have anything more than a Sweet 16 push in them.
📊 Illinois March Madness odds: +10000 via BetMGM (bet $10 to win $1,000)
🐢 Derik Queen, Maryland
- Stats: 16.3 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.1 BPG
Somewhat of a polarizing prospect, Derik Queen has quietly been among the best players in the Big Ten as a freshman. Thanks to the double-double machine, Maryland came out of nowhere to make a late push and nearly put itself in contention for the Big Ten regular-season title.
Queen, the No. 12 recruit in the country, is built like a defensive lineman with his power, but he's also a shockingly talented ballhandler with some legitimate shooting ability. His head coach Kevin Willard was so adamant that he's a top prospect that he told CBS Sports "if (Queen) was White and European, he’d be the first pick in the draft." I'm not so sure about that, but the Terrapins are an interesting March Madness long shot.
📊 Maryland March Madness odds: +7000 via BetRivers (bet $10 to win $700)
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🐺 Liam McNeeley, UConn
- Stats: 14.5 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.3 APG, 33.3% 3P%
Although the latest UConn March Madness odds are pessimistic about a three-peat under Dan Hurley, freshman Liam McNeeley has shown he's got the skill set to put the Huskies on his back at times. The leading scorer for the defending champs had a 38-point outing against Creighton in February.
Though I wouldn't bet on this disappointing UConn squad to win the NCAA Tournament, the Huskies are worth watching to see McNeeley's well-rounded skill set. Many NBA draftniks consider him to be a high-floor player thanks to his defensive effort and efficiency on offense.
📊 UConn March Madness odds: +12500 via bet365 (bet $10 to win $1,250)
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🤘 Tre Johnson, Texas
- Stats: 19.8 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.8 APG, 39.2% 3P%
One of the most electric scorers in college basketball this season, Tre Johnson has lived up to his five-star recruiting ranking. Thanks to the freshman, the Longhorns came alive in the SEC tournament and did just enough to earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
While his scoring versatility to thrive behind the arc, get to the rim, and create his own shot is impressive, his defensive ability is a question at the next level. Still, he's going to be one of the most fun players taking the court in March Madness, even if I wouldn't bet on Texas to go on a Cinderella run.
📊 Texas March Madness odds: +75000 via bet365 (bet $10 to win $7,500)
⚡️ Flashy underclassmen
⚔️ Jase Richardson, Michigan State
- Stats: 12.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.9 APG, 41.2% 3P%
An ascending prospect, Jase Richardson had a quiet start to the season, but the freshman started living up to the hype in the second half. Blessed with ridiculous athleticism - his father is two-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champ Jason Richardson - Jase has been an electric 3-and-D player for Tom Izzo. If he keeps up his late season play, Michigan State could make a deep run for Mr. March.
📊 Michigan State March Madness odds: +2500 via BetRivers (bet $10 to win $250)
🐶 Asa Newell, Georgia
- Stats: 15.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 1.0 BPG, 54.1% FG%
A five-star recruit, Asa Newell opted to play at Georgia over traditional basketball powers, much like Anthony Edwards did when he committed to the Bulldogs. It's paid off with Georgia heading to its first NCAA Tournament since 2014-15. While the Bulldogs aren't built to go far, Newell's explosiveness attacking and protecting the rim should lead to more than a few highlights.
📊 Georgia March Madness odds: +75000 via bet365 (bet $10 to win $7,500)
🚩 Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma
- Stats: 17.0 PPG, 4.1 APG, 4.1 RPG, 1.6 SPG
Outplaying his recruiting ranking - he wasn't considered a top-40 recruit - Jeremiah Fears has helped an inconsistent Oklahoma team reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time under Porter Moser. Just 18 years old, Fears has been sporadic as a shooter, but at times (if you squint) you can see some Trae Young to his eye-popping style. By no means are the Sooners a team to back to win it all this year, though.
📊 Oklahoma March Madness odds: +75000 via bet365 (bet $10 to win $7,500)
🌵 Carter Bryant, Arizona
- Stats: 6.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 1.0 APG, 1.0 BPG, 36.6% 3P%
If you watch Carter Bryant on the right night, you might think he's a top-five talent in this NBA draft class. If you watch him on the wrong night, you might not even notice him take the court. Playing time has been hard to come by for the freshman - he's logged fewer than 18 minutes in 14 of 34 games - but he's also flashed 3-point ability and defensive prowess. That said, Arizona doesn't look particularly dangerous this season.
📊 Arizona March Madness odds: +5000 via BetMGM (bet $10 to win $500)
🔵 Egor Demin, BYU
- Stats: 10.3 PPG, 5.4 APG, 3.8 RPG, 1.2 SPG
Originally from Moscow, Egor Demin is an interesting prospect because he's a 6-foot-9 guard with legitimate playmaking instincts, but not much ability when it comes to shooting. Still, guards with that much length and feel are hard to come by, and he and Richie Saunders give BYU a backcourt capable of making some noise in March.
📊 BYU March Madness odds: +8000 via BetRivers (bet $10 to win $800)
💼 Seasoned standouts
🟨 Danny Wolf, Michigan
- Stats: 13.3 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.3 BPG, 35% 3P%
The Yale transfer has been one of the best players in the Big Ten this season with his ability to dominate the glass and be a point-forward for an offense that relies on him and Vladislav Goldin - both are 7-footers. That makes Michigan a tough matchup at times, but the Wolverines just don't have the guard play to truly be a threat this season.
📊 Michigan March Madness odds: +15000 via BetRivers (bet $10 to win $1,500)
🐯 Johni Broome, Auburn
- Stats: 18.9 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 3.1 APG, 2.3 BPG
The best player on the best team in the best conference, Johni Broome is one of the most decorated college basketball players in recent memory. While he likely won't be taken until late in the first round of the NBA draft, his shot blocking and rebounding will make him a capable bench piece. And, more importantly, the fifth-year senior can be a complete mismatch in the NCAA Tournament, which is why Auburn is right there with Duke as the March Madness favorites.
📊 Auburn March Madness odds: +500 via BetRivers (bet $10 to win $50)
🦅 Kam Jones, Marquette
- Stats: 19.3 PPG, 5.9 APG, 4.5 RPG, 1.4 SPG
One of the best guards in college basketball, Kam Jones has proven he has the ability to take over games, which is why Marquette could be a dangerous matchup if it can make the Sweet 16. As a prospect, his ability to get to the rim and finish on top of his shooting and pick-and-roll game could make him a high-upside sixth man at the next level.
📊 Marquette March Madness odds: +15000 via bet365 (bet $10 to win $1,500)
🍊 Chaz Lanier, Tennessee
- Stats: 17.9 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.0 APG, 40.4% 3P%
The best offensive player on a team known for its defense, Chaz Lanier will be the key to Tennessee making a run to the Final Four for the first time under Rick Barnes. His 3-point shooting is a complete X-factor, but the North Florida transfer also has a habit of taking some wild shots. If you believe in Lanier, the Volunteers are an attractive team to bet with solid odds.
📊 Tennessee March Madness odds: +1800 via bet365 (bet $10 to win $180)
🐺 Alex Karaban, UConn
- Stats: 14.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.6 BPG, 35.7% 3P%
A holdover from both of UConn's title teams, Alex Karaban almost went pro after last season, but the two-time champion opted to return for a shot at the three-peat. He's once again been a steady offensive presents with his consistency from behind the arc and off-ball movement. But a lack of athleticism hurts him on the defensive end, and he and McNeeley won't be enough to make the Huskies a worthwhile bet.
📊 UConn March Madness odds: +12500 via bet365 (bet $10 to win $1,250)
🐦 Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
- Stats: 19.4 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 2.7 BPG, 1.5 APG, 65.5% FG%
A dominant force in the Big East for years, Ryan Kalkbrenner has multiple conference defensive player of the year awards to his name. He's one of the best rim protectors in the country and can dominate the low-post. However, his inability to stretch the floor limits the Blue Jays attack, and he doesn't have a wide enough skill set to be the top player on anything more than a Sweet 16 team.
📊 Creighton March Madness odds: +20000 via BetRivers (bet $10 to win $2,000)
😈 Tyrese Proctor, Duke
- Stats: 12.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 38.2% 3P%
Duke is so good that its fourth-best prospect could still end up as a first-round pick in the NBA draft. While Tyrese Proctor isn't nearly the two-way player that Flagg is, he's a proven 3-and-D wing. Proctor understands his role as a versatile defender and can take over playmaking for Flagg when needed, which is why Duke looks poised to reach the Final Four.
📊 Duke March Madness odds: +360 via BetMGM (bet $10 to win $36)
🚂 Braden Smith, Purdue
- Stats: 16.1 PPG, 8.7 APG, 4.6 RPG, 2.2 SPG, 38.4% 3P%
No longer just Zach Edey's point guard, Braden Smith has taken a massive leap for Purdue with the two-time Wooden Award winner off to the NBA. One of the best passers in the country, Smith's court vision is game-changing and he can be a weapon from behind the arc. However, this Boilermakers team just doesn't have enough around him to reach the championship for the second straight season.
📊 Purdue March Madness odds: +8000 via BetMGM (bet $10 to win $800)
⚖️ Polarizing prospects
🐘 Labaron Philon, Alabama
- Stats: 10.9 PPG, 3.6 APG, 3.3 RPG, 1.3 SPG
For Alabama to win the NCAA Tournament, the Crimson Tide absolutely need Labaron Philon to play like the guy who has had NBA scouts salivating at times. He's shown flashes of three-level scoring and playmaking ability, but has also struggled with shooting efficiency and turnovers. I like Alabama, but I don't think the Crimson Tide can win it all with the way they play defense unless Philon levels up in March.
📊 Alabama March Madness odds: +1800 via DraftKings (bet $10 to win $180)
🏴☠️ JT Toppin, Texas Tech
- Stats: 18.1 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 1.3 BPG, 1.2 APG
A prospect that's ranked everywhere from top 30 to outside the top 70, JT Toppin has Texas Tech poised to be one of the toughest outs in the NCAA Tournament. The New Mexico transfer brings length, athleticism, and energy to both ends of the court. He also really struggles to shoot and isn't much of a ballhandler. Even so, I like the Red Raiders as a potential Final Four team.
📊 Texas Tech March Madness odds: +4000 via DraftKings (bet $10 to win $400)
🧡 Will Riley, Illinois
- Stats: 12.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.3 APG
Overshadowed by Jakucionis, Will Riley was the No. 14 recruit in the class and really had some impressive moments late in the season, including three games of 20-plus points down the stretch in Big Ten play. The Canadian is a 6-foot-8 wing with 3-point shooting upside, but he needs to improve on defense and with his shot selection if the Fighting Illini are going to outplay their NCAA Tournament seed.
📊 Illinois March Madness odds: +10000 via BetMGM (bet $10 to win $1,000)
🌴 Miles Byrd, San Diego State
- Stats: 12.6 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.8 APG, 2.1 SPG, 1.1 BPG
Fitting the mold of recent San Diego State draft picks, Miles Byrd's length gives him position versatility and his effort makes him a potentially scary defender in the NCAA Tournament. But the Aztecs will only goes as far as he can take them, and his shooting and ability to create on offense are lacking.
📊 San Diego State March Madness odds: +100000 via Caesars (bet $10 to win $10,000)
🐗 Adou Thiero, Arkansas
- Stats: 15.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.7 SPG,
With Boogie Fland out for the rest of the season with a thumb injury, Adou Thiero is John Calipari's top NBA prospects playing in March Madness. The Kentucky transfer is a versatile defender with explosive athleticism, but he's lacking far too much in the shooting department to carry the Razorbacks deep in the tournament.
📊 Arkansas March Madness odds: +50000 via DraftKings (bet $10 to win $5,000)
🐏 Ian Jackson, North Carolina
- Stats: 12.4 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 0.9 APG, 39.6% 3P%
It's a shock that North Carolina even got into the NCAA Tournament, but with RJ Davis and Ian Jackson, the Tar Heels do have the talent to win a game or two. Jackson was a top-10 recruit in the class but has failed to live up to the hype. While he has legit NBA lottery pick athleticism and defensive upside, his shooting and playmaking just haven't been very strong.
📊 North Carolina March Madness odds: +30000 via BetRivers (bet $10 to win $3,000)
🐊 Alex Condon, Florida
- Stats: 11.2 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.5 BPG, 50.7% FG%
Surrounded by a talented trio of guards in Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, and Will Richard, Alex Condon is the top prospect on a Florida team that could take home the title. With his size at 6-foot-11 paired with offensive versatility to stretch the floor and play in the low-post, Condon should be a mismatch against smaller teams in the NCAA Tournament.
📊 Florida March Madness odds: +425 via bet365 (bet $10 to win $42.50)
😈 Isaiah Evans, Duke
- Stats: 7.6 PPG, 1.2 RPG, 0.6 APG, 43.9% 3P%
The craziest thing about Isaiah Evans is he's talented enough to be the lead guard on a decent number of teams in the NCAA Tournament, but instead he comes off the bench for Duke. A top-20 recruit, Evans has had big games when given the opportunity - six 16-plus-point performances - and his ability to create his own shot and get to the rim could be huge for the Blue Devils as they look to win a title.
📊 Duke March Madness odds: +360 via BetMGM (bet $10 to win $36)
🛑 Joseph Tugler, Houston
- Stats: 5.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 2.1 BPG, 0.9 SPG, 53.1% FG%
While he doesn't add much when it comes to scoring, Joseph Tugler is one of the best defenders in the country on a team that earned one of the March Madness top seeds due to its ferocious defense. Although just 6-foot-8, his defensive instincts and 7-foot-5 wingspan make him a shot-blocking machine with the athleticism to defend the perimeter. He's also a capable rim-runner on offense and the glue guy for a team with championship aspirations.
📊 Houston March Madness odds: +700 via BetRivers (bet $10 to win $70)
📅 March Madness key dates
- Selection Sunday: March 16
- First Four: March 18-19
- First round: March 20-21
- Second round: March 22-23
- Sweet 16: March 27-28
- Elite Eight: March 29-30
- Final Four: Saturday, April 5
- National championship game: Monday, April 7
🔮 March Madness predictions for every game today
- Louisville vs. Creighton prediction
- Purdue vs. High Point prediction
- Wisconsin vs. Montana prediction
- Houston vs. SIU Edwardsville prediction
- Auburn vs. Alabama State prediction
- Clemson vs. McNeese prediction
- BYU vs. VCU prediction
- Gonzaga vs. Georgia prediction
- Tennessee vs. Wofford prediction
- Kansas vs. Arkansas prediction
- Texas A&M vs. Yale prediction
- Missouri vs. Drake prediction
- UCLA vs. Utah State prediction
- St. John's vs. Omaha prediction
- Michigan vs. UC San Diego prediction
- Texas Tech vs. UNC Wilmington prediction
🏀 March Madness first-round expert picks
- Who will win the South bracket?
- Who are the best players in the NCAA Tournament?
- March Madness upset predictions
- How to predict March Madness upsets?
- What are the most common March Madness upsets?
- What are the biggest March Madness upsets of all time?
- What are the best March Madness buzzer-beaters?
💰 March Madness betting odds pages
| March Madness odds | March Madness MVP odds |
| Women's March Madness odds | March Madness MVP predictions |
| Final Four odds | March Madness prop bets |
👑 Best March Madness betting sites
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