Two Standout NCAA Prospects

The scouting process for top NCAA talents is interesting because it isn’t always those who dominate at the college level that are most successful in the NBA. Front offices are looking for a specific combination of size and athleticism, often prioritizing unusual wingspans and elite explosiveness at the expense of raw talent. While this strategy does minimize risk, it can miss out on less obvious candidates with qualities that are harder to measure.

In this post, I highlight two talents from this year’s tournament that in my mind are worth the gamble. My goal is to return this post a few years from now and see how well they’ve fared.

Walter Clayton Jr

6'3 Senior | Florida Gators | Age: 22 | NBA Comp: Jamal Murray

Clayton Jr.’s shot making ability was on full display in this tournament, delivering huge buckets in every round and leading the Gators to their 3rd ever championship. His game features unlimited range, tremendous poise, and deceptive upper body strength. He needs little space to get a shot off and can finish through contact with either hand.

It’s hard to tell how a guard’s game will translate in the NBA, but the Jalen Brunson / Austin Reaves experience suggests even undersized guards can become cornerstone players. As a 22 year old senior, Clayton Jr. was initially projected as a second rounder. I’d suspect that after a series of clutch performances, a first round team will surely take a chance on him.

Jeremiah Fears

6'4 Freshman | Oklahoma Sooners | Age: 18.5 | NBA Comp: ?

Fears hasn’t had the same tournament success, yet he’s projected as a lottery pick. It’s not hard to see why even from that single appearance against UConn in the first round. His explosiveness, court vision, and raw talent jump out immediately.

Being 3-and-a-half year advantage over Clayton Jr., Fears presents higher upside than the Florida guard. It’s not surprising then that front offices are willing to take a chance on him so early in the draft.

Other players I’m excited about: Derick Queen (Maryland). Players I’m less excited about: Alex Condon (Gators), Alex Karaban (UConn)