4 March Madness prospects with rising draft stock before Sweet 16
During every collegiate season, there are players who are able to use the NCAA men's basketball tournament to improve their NBA draft stock. While talent evaluation is comprehensive and most scouts and NBA decision-makers will not get swayed by a small sample size, it is indeed important to see how prospects perform under the brightest lights in this environment. Among those still dancing along in the Sweet 16, the following players are the ones who deserve a closer look as the tournament continues later this week and weekend.
Note that prospects who were eliminated in the opening rounds were not included in this article. 1. Brayden Burries School: Arizona Wildcats Latest USA TODAY projection: No.
10 overall (Milwaukee Bucks) The 2026 NBA Draft is loaded with fantastic freshman guards like Darryn Peterson, Darius Acuff Jr. , Kingston Flemings, Mikel Brown Jr. and Keaton Wagler.
But it is past time to add another name to that list: Brayden Burries. He is shooting 7-of-8 on 3-pointers during the tournament, connecting on just as many jumpers off the dribble as off the catch. Burries recorded 18 points with 5 rebounds and 2 assists the first round and then 16 points with 9 rebounds and 2 assists in the Round of 32.
He looks like a lottery talent who remains positively impactful even with a low usage rate. His Arizona teammate Motiejus Krivas has also helped himself. 2.