The college basketball season kicked off Monday, which means it's officially NBA Draft season. A new slate of prospects will spend the season vying for the attention of professional scouts. Unlike last season, there's a wide-open race for the No. 1 spot. It's a balanced class. While there is a perceived lack of top-end talent, there are more than enough impact players to satisfy your local draftnik.
Of course, the scope of the NBA Draft extends well beyond college basketball. There are several international prospects who have a head start when it comes to catching eyeballs. Alex Sarr, the No. 1 prospect on the FanSided draft board, has been netting crucial wins for the Perth Wildcats in Australia's NBL. Nikola Topic, meanwhile, is approaching consensus top-10 territory with his strong output for Serbia's Mega MIS.
It's too early to posit definitive statements about the college basketball crop, but with the season finally upon us — and with a surging pool of international prospects and domestic G-Leaguers to consider — here's an early-season stock up, stock down temperature check.
NOTE: We will run this column weekly to provide a sense of which NBA Draft prospects are surging or struggling, along with a full slate of juicy college basketball matchups with a strong draft angle.
NBA Draft stock up: Alex Sarr, F/C, Perth Wildcats
Alex Sarr has placed a legitimate claim on the No. 1 spot on draft boards. It's way too early to operate with any confidence, of course, but Sarr has been productive in a notoriously physical pro league. His physical measurements — 7-foot-1 with a 7-foot-5 wingspan — jump off the page. He's mobile for his size, moving his feet in space on defense and attacking from the perimeter on offense.
He doesn't quite fit the Wembanyama/Holmgren profile of future offensive creator, but Sarr can space to the 3-point line, attack on straight-line drives, and fluidly push the ball in transition. He flashes serious upside as a connective passer, on top of a strong baseline as an above-the-rim finisher.
Sarr also protects the rim at a high level. He's going to impact winning both ways with a skill set that is scalable to the personnel around him. He can share the floor with another big, or anchor the middle as the lone five. He can pick-and-pop, pick-and-roll, create from the high post — the potential options are extensive.
NBA Draft stock up: Nikola Topic, G, Mega MIS
Nikola Topic has been on a serious upswing lately for Serbian prospect pipeline Mega MIS. It's not difficult to discern the appeal for NBA teams. He's a 6-foot-6 point guard with a tremendous sense of pace. What Topic lacks in elite athleticism, he overcomes with speed changes and functional strength. He has mastered the subtle art of the blow-by, freezing his defender with a hesitation before slamming the gas pedal for a drive to the cup.
In addition to his crafty drives and excellent finishing touch at the rim, Topic will comfortably launch pull-up 3s when given space. He's not the most dynamic shooter, but he figures to launch a healthy enough volume to open up driving lanes. He's also one of the best passers on the board.
Positional size and basketball I.Q. could get Topic very far in NBA Draft circles by the time next June rolls around.
NBA Draft stock up: Ron Holland, F, G-League Ignite
Ron Holland has been the standout on G-League Ignite's loaded roster. He's the best perimeter defender in the draft — a whirlwind of arms at 6-foot-8 with 6-foot-11 wingspan. He stands strong at the point of attack and creates transition opportunities with his frequent activity in passing lanes.
On offense, Holland continues to shoot 3-pointers well for the Ignite. He's not the most advanced creator on the board, but he shows immense promise as a slasher with the length, body control, and touch to finish efficiently at the rim. His first step, combined with a fearless attitude, make him a potentially gifted three-level scorer if it all comes together.
His two-way impact has made him a favorite in the No. 1 conversation early in the campaign.
NBA Draft stock down: Cody Williams, F, Colorado
The temperature has cooled off on Cody Williams hype ahead of the season. He's going to have a long runway for success at Colorado, but the younger brother of OKC forward Jalen Williams will have to prove to NBA scouts that he is more than a theoretical prospect.
Blessed with tremendous physical tools at 6-foot-8, Williams flashes intriguing upside as a jumbo-sized playmaker who loves to push the tempo in transition and create off of drives to the cup. Williams needs to tighten his handles and improve as a finisher, but there aren't many players who offer the same two-way playmaking upside. Any signs of refinement with the Buffs could launch him back into the lottery conversation.
NBA Draft stock down: Matas Buzelis, G/F, G League Ignite
Matas Buzelis is still comfortably stationed in the top 10, but his days as a heavy No. 1 pick favorite are behind him. That could change with a strong midseason surge (or even with the right team landing No. 1 in next year's lottery), but for now, Buzelis has been firmly overshadowed by Holland and the overwhelming talent on the G League Ignite roster.
For Buzelis, the questions aren't based on skill or athleticism, but rather on approach. He has a tendency to play passively and he doesn't always command the floor with the confidence of a future star. He's still a 6-foot-9 ball-handler who can splash 3s and defend across the positional spectrum, but NBA teams will want to see him act more like the alpha.
NBA Draft stock down: Mackenzie Mgbako
Mackenzie Mgbako will draw NBA eyeballs with his 3-and-D traits, first and foremost. He's 6-foot-8 with great positional strength, defending multiple positions on the perimeter and complementing his creators with a versatile jump shot. He doesn't offer much self-creation yet, but he should have the freedom to explore the limits of his skill set at Indiana.
Of course, NBA teams care about the person off the court, as well. Mgbako was recently arrested on misdemeanor charges for trespassing and resisting arrest. That's not the best way to boost your stock ahead of the season. He will now have to attest to his character in pre-draft interviews, on top of proving to teams that he can hoop.
NBA Draft: College basketball games to watch this week
- Florida A&M vs. (8) Creighton — Nov. 7 at 8:00 PM E.T.
Our first look at Creighton, a team packed with upperclassmen on NBA Draft radars. It will be especially worth monitoring the changes in role for Baylor Scheierman and Trey Alexander, whose versatile complementary skill sets should be on full display within star contexts for the Bluejays.
- Cal State Bakersfield vs. (21) USC — Nov. 9 at 9:00 PM E.T.
USC's NBA Draft appeal starts in the backcourt with Isaiah Collier and Bronny James. The latter won't be active to start the season as he rehabs from a cardiac arrest, but Isaiah Collier is a legitimate No. 1 candidate. With an even brighter spotlight on him, Collier has the chance to mount a strong case from the jump.
- (12) Arizona vs. (2) Duke — Nov. 10 at 7:00 PM E.T.
The marquee matchup of opening week. Arizona has long been a strong proving ground for NBA Draft prospects. Sophomore Kylan Boswell figures to step into an expanded role this season, and he will get a chance to battle Duke's litany of guards on Friday. The Blue Devils have high-profile returners in Kyle Filipowski, Tyrese Proctor, and Mark Mitchell, as well as a slew of freshmen — Caleb Foster, Jared McCain as headliners — worth monitoring as the season progresses.
- Manhattan vs. (1) Kansas — Nov. 10 at 8:00 PM E.T.
Aside from the obvious appeal of watching the No. 1 team in the country cut its teeth, this game will give us an up-close look at top-10 prospect Elmarko Jackson as he attempts to carve out a significant role on a veteran roster.
- Lafayette vs. UCLA — Nov. 10 at 11:00 PM E.T.
This will serve as the first look at UCLA for a number of audience members interested in top-five prospect Aday Mara. The Croatian 7-foot-3 center was initially questionable to appear for the Bruins as he battled eligibility concerns, but he has been cleared. He could quickly emerge as one of the best rim protectors in the college ranks.
