The second weekend of the NCAA Tournament delivered exactly what makes March basketball unmatched, with elite competition, dramatic finishes, and standout individual performances across the board. The intensity has ramped up with each round, and this year’s event has more than lived up to the hype, providing one of the most entertaining tournaments in recent memory. With the stakes at their highest, the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight served as the perfect evaluation setting for NBA scouts, offering a clear lens into how prospects perform under pressure against top competition. Many projected first-rounders rose to the occasion, strengthening their cases on the biggest stage. Now, with the Final Four officially set, the spotlight only grows brighter as these prospects look to carry their momentum into Final Four weekend.
Stock Up:
Keaton Wagler (6-5, PG, Illinois, Fr.)
Wagler cemented himself as one of the biggest winners of the tournament, guiding Illinois to a Final Four run while outshining fellow lead guard Bennett Stirtz along the way. He has a special late-game quality, consistently rising to the moment with confidence and creativity. Showed advanced shot-making ability, including multiple acrobatic finishes, highlighted by a high-degree-of-difficulty off-glass conversion in traffic. There is a smooth, rhythmic style to his game that evokes shades of Tyrese Haliburton with a bit of Brandon Roy mixed in. His ability to control pace, create under pressure, and deliver in big moments has significantly boosted his stock.
Cameron Boozer (6-10, PF, Duke, Fr.)
Boozer’s tournament run, despite ending in a heartbreaking one-point loss to UConn, only strengthened his standing as one of the safest bets in the class. Duke was placed in a brutal region loaded with elite coaching and high-level programs, facing a true gauntlet that included St. John’s and UConn. Through it all, Boozer carried Duke in a way few players in the country could, consistently making winning plays on both ends while handling a massive load. He posted 22 points and 10 rebounds in the win over St. John’s and followed it with 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists against UConn, including a clutch late basket that nearly pushed Duke through. Considering he is one of the younger players in the country, his poise, toughness, and production are even more impressive. Even in defeat, he carried himself like a pro, showing leadership and composure. Boozer has a winning makeup and overall reliability that make him about as close to bust-proof as a prospect can be, with a game that should translate regardless of situation.
Koa Peat (6-8, PF, Arizona, Fr.)
Peat has been a key catalyst in Arizona’s run to the Final Four, consistently impacting games with his motor, physicality, and willingness to do the dirty work. He brings a strong presence on the glass, competes defensively, and makes a steady stream of winning plays that don’t always show up in the box score. His toughness and consistency in high-stakes settings have helped solidify his standing as a reliable frontcourt contributor with upside. There are still some questions about his ultimate positional fit and long-term scoring ceiling, as the skill level and offensive polish remain areas to monitor, but his production and impact have been undeniable during this run.
Darius Acuff (6-2, PG, Arkansas, Fr.)
Acuff was highly productive even in the loss to Arizona, finishing with 28 points while shooting 42.1% from the field and an efficient 78.6% from the line. He struggled from beyond the arc (1-5), but still consistently generated offense and put pressure on the defense. His ability to get downhill remains elite, using his wiggle, first step, and speed to create separation almost at will. Even when the jumper isn’t falling, he finds ways to impact the game through penetration and shot creation. Defense remains the swing skill, but his offensive floor and ability to produce against high-level competition continue to stand out.
Brayden Burries (6-4, PG, Arizona, Fr.)
Burries has emerged as Arizona’s most reliable offensive weapon during this run, consistently stepping up in big moments. He held his own in a high-profile matchup with Darius Acuff, finishing with 23 points in the win while showing poise and efficiency. He followed that with a strong Elite Eight performance against Purdue, knocking down 4-of-7 from three and spacing the floor at a high level. Across both games, he combined shot-making with controlled aggression, flashing the ability to score within the flow while still taking over when needed. Burries has looked like Arizona’s best player at times, and if the Wildcats complete the run, he will be a major reason why. His blend of shooting, confidence, and production on the biggest stage has significantly elevated his stock, with a growing consensus beginning to view him as a legitimate top-10 pick.
Tarris Reed (6-10, C, UConn, Jr.)
Reed has been one of the biggest winners of the tournament, playing a pivotal role in UConn’s run with his physical presence and interior production. He held his own against Duke’s frontcourt, finishing with 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks in the Elite Eight win, following a 20-point performance against Michigan State. While he didn’t match up directly with Cameron Boozer for extended stretches, he consistently impacted the game with his strength, rebounding, and rim protection. Reed’s ability to anchor the paint, score efficiently inside, and compete at a high level has significantly boosted his stock. Despite ongoing shooting limitations, there are growing whispers of him working his way into the late first round.
Bennett Stirtz (6-4, PG, Iowa, Sr.)
Stirtz’s tournament run may have fallen just short of the Final Four, but it significantly elevated his profile. He earned widespread respect for his toughness, feel, and leadership, consistently controlling games with poise and precision. A true pick-and-roll maestro, he processes the game at a high level, creating open looks for teammates while dictating tempo. He moves the ball quickly, plays within the flow, and rarely gets sped up. While not a high-level athlete, his size, vision, and competitiveness give him a strong foundation as a reliable lead guard who can elevate team offense.
Jakobi Gillespie (6-1, PG, Tennessee, Sr.)
Gillespie played a major role in guiding Tennessee to the Elite Eight, consistently delivering with toughness, shot-making, and playmaking. He showed a knack for stepping up in big moments, knocking down timely threes and creating offense both for himself and others. His stat lines reflect his all-around impact, including a 29-point, 9-assist performance in the opening round and multiple 20+ point efforts throughout the tournament run. Gillespie’s determination, leadership, and ability to control the game have significantly boosted his stock. While size remains a limiting factor, his production and clutch play have put him firmly on the radar as a likely draft pick.
Stock Neutral
Braylon Mullins (6-6, SG, UConn, Fr.)
Mullins looked headed firmly toward the stock down category before delivering the defining moment of the tournament, knocking down a miraculous three with 0.4 seconds left to lift UConn past Duke. It immediately stands as one of the most iconic shots in NCAA Tournament history, showcasing his confidence and ability to rise under pressure with his clutch gene on full display. That moment alone completely flipped the narrative of his tournament. However, the broader evaluation remains mixed. He struggled defensively and had difficulty creating quality looks and scoring efficiently overall, with his lack of strength and overall athleticism exposed against high-level competition, including issues backing down stronger players like Cayden Boozer. Prior to the game-winner, he had hit just 10 of his last 58 three-point attempts (17.2%), dating back to a 1-for-10 outing in the regular season finale, highlighting ongoing inconsistency. Mullins’ performance ultimately balances out, with the historic late-game heroics offsetting earlier concerns. He gets to fight another day and has an opportunity to continue raising his status, but at this stage he appears likely to benefit from another year at UConn focused on physical development.
Isaiah Evans (6-6, SG/SF, Duke, Soph.)
Evans picked a tough time to disappear in the Elite Eight, finishing with just 7 points on 2-of-6 shooting and 1-of-4 from three as Duke let a 19-point lead slip away. However, his overall tournament body of work remains solid. He delivered a standout Sweet 16 performance against St. John’s with 25 points, shooting 10-of-15 from the field and 4-of-8 from three, while also contributing 17 points in the previous round. Evans showed his ability to space the floor, knock down shots in rhythm, and produce within Duke’s offense. While the inconsistency in high-leverage moments raises some questions, his shooting profile, length, and scoring ability continue to point to strong long-term value. He remains firmly in the mix as a likely top-20 pick, with his overall performance balancing out to a neutral stock outcome.
Milan Momcilovic (6-8, PF/SF, Iowa State, Soph.)
Momcilovic entered the tournament as arguably the top pure shooter in college basketball, knocking down 49% from three on high volume, a skill that continues to drive his intrigue at the next level. He showed well during the opening weekend, scoring 17 points in the first round and following it up with 20 points on efficient shooting against Kentucky. However, he struggled in the Sweet 16 loss to Tennessee, finishing with just 6 points on 2-of-9 shooting and 1-of-4 from three, unable to find consistent rhythm. The overall evaluation remains balanced. His elite shooting ability gives him a clear NBA pathway and keeps him in the conversation as a potential late first-round pick if he remains in the draft, but questions about consistency, overall offensive versatility, and his ability to guard in space and hold up against more athletic forwards at the next level remain.
Stock Down
Nate Ament (6-9, SF, Duke, Fr.)
Ament showed flashes with a strong Sweet 16 performance, finishing with 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-4 from three, but followed it up with a rough Elite Eight outing against Illinois. He managed just 7 points on 2-of-12 shooting (0-of-3 from three), struggling to generate clean looks and find rhythm offensively. That performance, combined with a scoreless showing in the opening round, raises concerns about consistency and readiness against high-level competition. Ament’s upside remains enticing due to his size, fluidity, and ability to shoot over defenders, but he needs to add strength and toughness. There are real questions about his ability to create separation, particularly with his first step, and whether he can consistently generate offense at the next level. While the long-term potential is still there, this stretch could cause him to slide out of the lottery as teams weigh upside against current limitations.
Kingston Flemings (6-4, PG, Houston, Fr.)
Flemings struggled in Houston’s loss to Illinois, with the team getting hit early and never recovering offensively. He appeared rattled by the physicality and pace, and the lack of offensive cohesion exposed some current limitations. His jumper remains a major area for improvement and will likely require mechanical refinement. While his long-term upside remains significant, this stretch raises questions about his readiness and consistency against elite competition.
Alex Karaban (6-8, SF, UConn, Sr.)
Karaban had a rough showing against Duke, finishing with just 5 points on 2-of-10 shooting and 1-of-6 from three. His efficiency took a noticeable hit, and his defensive assignment on Cameron Boozer appeared to wear on him over the course of the game. While Karaban’s shooting ability and experience remain appealing, performances like this highlight the margin for error when his shot isn’t falling. With limited opportunities remaining, this outing raises questions about consistency against high-level competition.
Brandon Smith (6-0, PG, Gonzaga, Sr.)
Smith’s tournament run ended just short of the Final Four, with a second-half ankle injury against Arizona limiting his effectiveness. Still, he leaves behind a historic college résumé as the all-time assists leader at the NCAA level, highlighting his elite vision and playmaking instincts. His size remains a major concern at the next level, though his 6-5 wingspan helps mitigate some of those limitations. Despite the physical questions, his feel for the game and ability to run a team should earn him serious draft consideration.
