Just because the Phoenix Suns do not own a first-round pick in this year’s draft doesn’t mean we should not pay attention to the potential prospects. Adding another pick on draft night would not come as a surprise at all.
They are currently slated to pick in the second round (45th overall via Charlotte), but Mat Ishbia has shown he isn’t afraid to move into the first round or grab another 2nd rounder if a target slides.
Full disclaimer: I do not follow college basketball as religiously as I have in
years past, so this list may be missing a player or two, but this is meant to be a quick-hitting general overview to get you up to speed on what’s to come this weekend. Drop your favorite targets/omissions in the comments!
Here is the full schedule:
- Selection Sunday: 6 p.m. ET Sunday, March 15 on CBS
- First Four: Tuesday, March 17, and Wednesday, March 18
- First round: Thursday, March 19, and Friday, March 20
- Second round: Saturday, March 21, and Sunday, March 22
- Sweet 16: Thursday, March 26 and Friday, March 27
- Elite Eight: Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29
- Final Four: Saturday, April 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
- NCAA championship game: Monday, April 6, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
The focus of this piece will be entirely on players in the big dance to watch. While the lottery is top-heavy with generational talent, the depth of this class makes the middle and late first round, and even some interesting second round talent to watch, which is where the Suns might look to strike.
The Blue Chips: Projected Lottery Guys
- Cameron Boozer | PF | Duke (No. 1 East Seed)
- The Outlook: The consensus top prospect and ACC Tournament MVP. Boozer is a physical marvel at 6’9″, 250 lbs, averaging 22.5 PPG and 10.2 RPG. He’s a “no-bad-days” player with professional-level maturity and a refined inside-out game.
- AJ Dybantsa | SF | BYU (No. 6 West Seed)
- The Outlook: The nation’s leading scorer (25.3 PPG). Dybantsa is a 6’9″ wing with Tracy McGrady-esque scoring versatility. He recently broke Kevin Durant’s freshman single-game scoring record with 40 points in the Big 12 Tournament.
- Darryn Peterson | G | Kansas (No. 4 East Seed)
- The Outlook: A 6’6″ three-level scorer often compared to Devin Booker. Despite nagging injuries throughout the season, he’s averaging 19.8 PPG. While there are some health and attitude concerns, he’s essentially a lock for the top 3.
- Darius Acuff Jr. | PG | Arkansas (No. 4 West Seed)
- The Outlook: The SEC Player of the Year and Tournament MVP. Acuff is a dynamic 6’3″ guard averaging 22.9 PPG and 6.5 APG. His handle and shot-making draw comparisons to Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard.
- Kingston Flemings | PG | Houston (No. 2 South Seed)
- The Outlook: The engine of a physical Houston squad. Flemings is a defensive menace and elite playmaker, averaging 16.4 PPG and 5.3 APG. He is arguably the best point guard in the class at managing a high-major offense.
- Mikel Brown Jr. | G | Louisville (No. 6 East Seed)
- The Outlook: A 6’5″ dynamic playmaker who has been the primary reason for Louisville’s resurgence. He’s a top-10 talent averaging 20+ PPG.
- Nate Ament | SF | Tennessee (No. 6 Midwest Seed)
- The Outlook: Ament has been one of the fastest risers in the country. At 6’10” with a smooth perimeter game, he has been elite since mid-January, averaging 20.3 PPG during that stretch. He is currently projected as a top-10 pick.
- Brayden Burries | G | Arizona (No. 1 West Seed)
- The Outlook: A favorite for the Arizona Wildcats crowd. Burries is a 6’4″ guard who does everything well (15.9 PPG, 4.7 RPG). He is the steady hand behind Arizona’s championship aspirations.
- Keaton Wagler | SG | Illinois (No. 3 Midwest Seed)
- The Outlook: A fast-rising freshman wing who dropped 46 on Purdue this season. Averaging 17.9 PPG, he is an elite floor spacer with underrated defensive chops.
- Koa Peat | PF | Arizona (No. 1 West Seed)
- The Outlook: A local legend and physical specimen (6’8″, 235 lbs). Peat is a “winning plays” forward who does everything: scoring inside, elite rebounding, and high-level playmaking for his size.
The Next Tier
- Yaxel Lendeborg | PF | Michigan (No. 1 Midwest Seed)
- The Outlook: The Big Ten Player of the Year. At 6’9″ with a 7’4″ wingspan, he is a defensive Swiss Army knife. He’ll be 24 by draft night, which might cause a slide… exactly the kind of “plug-and-play” veteran the Suns value and could look to trade up for if the price is right.
- Thomas Haugh | PF | Florida (No. 1 South Seed)
- The Outlook: A vital piece for the defending champions. Haugh is a 6’9″ junior averaging 17.1 PPG and 6.2 RPG. His ability to hit big shots and switch defensively makes him a high-floor NBA prospect.
- Jayden Quaintance | C | Kentucky (No. 9 Midwest Seed)
- The Outlook: A massive defensive anchor who reclassified to get to college early. While his offensive game is still raw, he is an elite rim protector.
- Labaron Philon | PG | Alabama (No. 5 South Seed)
- The Outlook: With teammate Aden Holloway expected to miss time, Philon’s usage will skyrocket. He’s already averaging 21.7 PPG and is a lethal 40.2% shooter from deep.
- Braden Smith | PG | Purdue (No. 2 West Seed)
- The Outlook: He is currently one of the most productive players in college basketball. As a high-IQ, veteran floor general, he is exactly the type of “ready-now” player that often falls to the late first or early second round, where the Suns operate.
- Tounde Yessoufou | G/F | Baylor (No. 4 South Seed)
- The Outlook: A powerful, high-motor freshman who thrives in transition and as a versatile defender.
- Patrick Ngongba II | C | Duke (No. 1 East Seed)
- The Outlook: A 6’11”, 250 lb physical interior force who protects the rim. After an injury-hampered freshman year, he has blossomed as a sophomore, averaging 17.2 PPG and 9.7 RPG.
- Chris Cenac Jr. | PF/C | Houston (No. 2 South Seed)
- The Outlook: A 6’11” freshman “Swiss Army Knife.” He is a double-double threat (13.8 PPG, 10.9 RPG) who fits perfectly in Houston’s “blood and guts” defensive system.
Under-the-Radar & Risers
Bennett Stirtz | PG | Iowa (No. 9 South Region): A breakout star and AP All-American. Stirtz is a 6’4″ guard who does everything.
Milan Momcilovic | F | Iowa State (No. 2 Midwest Seed): A 6’8″ junior shooting a staggering 49.6% from three. He is the spacing specialist every NBA team is looking for in the second round.
Christian Anderson | PG | Texas Tech (No. 5 Midwest Seed): One of the best shooters in the nation (42.7% on 8 attempts per game) and a top-tier creator (7.8 APG).
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Who are you keeping tabs on these next couple of weeks, Suns fans? Let us know.
