Post NCAA March Madness NBA Draft preview

March Madness produces many different storylines as the college basketball season concludes, so let’s preview some of the biggest tournament storylines that have an impact on what teams do in this upcoming 2025 NBA Draft.

Shining Light on the Freshman

There were some great performances when looking at the entire scope of the tournament and most of them were from freshmen.

Many teams went on deep tournament runs and were highlighted by some impactful freshman leaders with many of those freshmen stepping up under the brightest of lights.

I could mention the entirety of Duke’s freshman big three. However, I want to focus on Khaman Maluach who had a disappointing end to his tournament, but anchored the Blue Devils’ defense, including a four block game against Arizona.

BYU had many players step up for them but none as important as Egor Demin who was consistent all tournament with his facilitation.

He shot surprisingly well from long range for his standards, keeping them in games with his shot making while leading the Cougars’ fast tempo offense to a Sweet 16 appearance.

Auburn’s Tahaad Pettiford caught fire to start off his tournament run as he accumulated four games with 10-plus points as a spark plug for the Tigers off the bench before falling short in the Final Four.

MSU’s Jase Richardson moment came in the Sweet 16 where he lit up the Rebels for 20 points, leading the Spartans to a comeback victory to advance to the Elite Eight.

Maryland’s Derik Queen had a signature game-clinching buzzer beater to beat Colorado State in the Round of 32 followed by an efficient 27-point outing against the future national champion, Florida Gators.

Arizona’s Carter Bryant stepped up and broke out during the Big 12 tournament and brought that momentum into March Madness. His tournament was highlighted by a 12 point, 3 block game in the opener against Akron.

One-and-done prospects have become more likely every offseason with the money that the NBA generates for their players and these freshmen found their moments and flourished in crucial circumstances, ultimately elevating their draft hype and ensuring life-changing money with their incredible performances throughout the tournament.

College vs. International Prospects

This tournament established the 2025 NBA Draft as a collegiate-dominated draft unlike last offseason.

Although it is great for the evolution of the NBA for other countries beginning their quest of developing first round-caliber NBA prospects more frequently, as of now, the college level still reigns supreme when it comes to development.

All the college prospects in this upcoming draft have relatively strengthened their case while the downside of international prospects is that they can’t perform on the biggest of stages.

Many international-born prospects are beginning to move to the US to get more spotlight in college. Maluach, Demin and Illinois’ Kasparas Jakucionis are prime examples.

Last season, there were four overseas lottery selections, which included picks one and two being French prospects in Zaccharie Risacher to the Hawks and Alex Sarr to the Wizards.

However, this draft cycle is vastly different with big boards having four international prospects ranked inside the top-30. Ben Saraf, an Israeli guard prospect, is the first one projected off the board.

Florida’s Combination of Experience and Youth

This draft has been overwhelmed with freshman talent this entire season and process. However, on the biggest stages in the tournament, many freshmen prospects were flustered and experience shined.

The Gators’ mixture of both boosted them to a national championship victory.

Florida’s senior star and the tournament’s most outstanding player Walter Clayton Jr. has seen his draft stock rise since the beginning of the tournament.

Clayton is a complete bucket-getter who can shoot from long range and attack the basket with consistency.

Don’t sleep on sophomores Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh who both elevated their draft stocks substantially with their offensive and defensive performances as well.

They could potentially return to the Gators next season and improve their stock for the 2026 NBA Draft, however, I still expect some late first round hype from both prospects after this tournament.

Al Horford, Corey Brewer and Joakim Noah were all Florida prospects who benefited and solidified their reputations as top-tier prospects in the 2007 NBA Draft after winning back-to-back national titles.

This Florida national championship run could very well do the same for many of the Gators’ key contributors. Even Alijah Martin and Will Richard could potentially get chances in the NBA after their overall performance this season.

Owen Daszko is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email opd5073@psu.edu.