NBA Draft stock watch: risers and fallers in March Madness

The first two rounds of March Madness have shaken up NBA draft boards, with some prospects seizing the tournament spotlight and others fading under pressure. As NBA front offices finalize their rankings, here are a few of the biggest risers and fallers as the tournament unfolds.

Stock Up:

Derik Queen, C, Maryland

The most talented big man in this draft class showed fans exactly why the tournament is called “March Madness” by draining the game-winning shot at the buzzer to fend off Colorado State in the second round.

Queen’s natural feel for the game and signature long-sleeve shirt underneath his jersey transformed his name into a fan favorite in March. Queen moves effortlessly for his size, and his game has very few flaws.

He has flashed excellence under the bright lights, and his draft stock will likely continue to rise throughout the Terps’ tournament run.

Egor Demin, G, BYU

Demin’s rollercoaster of a season has left his draft stock in question. On one hand, scouts can envision the 6-foot-9 Russian first-year as a talented lead ball handler in the pros.

Yet his lack of outside shooting talent and turnover problems have sparked division amongst NBA front offices.

While Demin still has room to grow, fans must remember that he is only 18. Through two gritty victories against VCU and Wisconsin, Demin has showcased why he can be a top-ten pick with his ability to control the floor and be the engine behind BYU’s well-oiled machine of an offense.

Caleb Love, G, Arizona

The most polarizing prospect in college basketball has caught my eye this postseason.

A downhill scoring guard who is not afraid to let it fly from deep, Love is thriving in his final year of college basketball at Arizona, while spending his first three years at North Carolina.

Inconsistent shooting has plagued Love throughout his career, but he is a household name for a reason. He shows up in big games.

Love was efficient from the field, dropping 29 points and propelling the Wildcats into the Sweet 16 in their last win over Oregon.

While not many NBA teams idolize a fifth-year seasoned veteran coming out of college, Love’s clutch factor and competitive nature could land him back on scouts’ radar.

Stock Down:

Liam McNeely, F, UConn

Coming off back-to-back national titles, the UConn Huskies lost a lot of talent from those championship teams and relied on the 6-foot-7 first-year to fill a lot of those voids. McNeely excelled at his role for most of the regular season, mixed with a few empty box scores in big games.

However, after watching him struggle in March, I simply cannot understand why his name is cemented as a lottery selection in June.

McNeely shot just 2-13 from the field as UConn escaped a talented Oklahoma squad in the first round and wasn’t much better in the Huskies' loss to Florida in the next round.

McNeely’s shot creation ability will not translate to the next level, and his inaccuracy from beyond the arc raises questions about his role as a pure shooter in the NBA.

Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State

I’m going against the grain here on this one, as many would probably label Richardson, son of former NBA star Jason Richardson, as a riser throughout this process.

While he has tapped into another level of aggressiveness in the second half of the season, his small frame has proven to be a real limiting factor despite his outstanding athleticism and footwork.

The Spartans suffered a real scare against New Mexico in the last round, with Richardson’s 1-10 shooting from the field being a significant cause. Richardson’s talent can’t be denied, but he needs to put together better performances under the bright lights to elevate his draft status.

Zvonimir Ivisic, C, Arkansas

Ivisic’s blend of a 7-foot-2 frame with shooting ability has kept him on the radar of NBA teams for years. After a short stint at Kentucky, he followed head coach John Calipari to Arkansas, where he exploded for huge performances throughout the season.

However, that has not been the same story in the tournament as Ivisic’s frustratingly inconsistent play led to him being a non-factor despite the Razorbacks' success.

While many scouts projected him to be an intriguing dart throw in the second round, Ivisic’s mere two points in 14 minutes on the court through two upset victories prove that he has much more room to grow and will likely return to college next season.

While the Razorbacks are still dancing, the Croatian unicorn’s draft stock is plummeting.

Chris Carr is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email cjc7403@psu.edu.