The college basketball season has started! I have spent months researching this draft class breaking down the films and stats necessary to understand these prospects. And FINALLY, the cycle has truly started.

Although I did not get around to everyone I was able to watch and break down 133 prospects and here I rank the top 100.

Although the college basketball season has started and there have been games played this board was created right before the season started so those games are not factored in. As the season progresses I will make more boards, mock drafts, and scouting reports illustrating my thoughts on the cycle.

Overall, I really like this draft and the mix it has of high end talent and really good role players that add depth to the draft.

Just a reminder this is a BIG BOARD so this is not a prediction or projection of where the prospects will be selected and instead my rankings of the prospects.

Naturally, as you move down the board I am less attached to the exact placement of prospects.

Notable Players I Have Not Scouted Enough: Malik Mack (Georgetown), Tamin Lipsey (Iowa State), Hansen Yang (China), Norchad Omier (Baylor), Noah Penda (France)

Big Thoughts

Consensus Top 5

It seems to be a reoccurring theme early in this cycle to have Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, VJ Edgecombe, and Nolan Traore as the top 5 in some order. There is a very small chance that this ends up as the top 5 come next June but I can not differ at this point of the cycle.

I understand it is a boring top 5 but the high-end outcomes of all five of these prospects is greater than anything anyone else has shown and for that reason, they are also my top 5. I have concerns about Traore’s size but so far this season it has not mattered as he is putting together a solid campaign.

Foreign College Basketball!

Something that is relatively abnormal is the foreign-born players that will be playing college basketball this year and have real chances at getting drafted this season. Most notable are Kasparas Jakucionis (#9 on board) and Egor Demin (#14 on board).

The Illinois and BYU players are both European prospects but will get a unique opportunity to show their talents in a more familiar territory for NBA teams. Very different prospects, Kasparas thrives as a ball handler and shooter while Egor’s case will be built around his size and versatility.

Returners in the 1st

I have 5 prospects (6 if you including Pate) in my top 30. I have no doubt I will have more older prospects in my first round come next June but for the time being that number is 5. My highest rated returner is Collin Murray-Boyles the defensive minded big from South Carolina. I don’t project South Carolina to be very good this season so Murray-Boyles offensive leash will be much longer this season.

I am very excited about year two of Jarin Stevenson at Alabama. I am confident he will be a good shooter and defensive player but it is his potential everywhere else that has me excited. Stevenson reclassified up so he is now playing in his rightful class. He has shown flashes of ball handling and self-creation that have me confident about his development at 19 years old.

I have long been a stern Alex Karaban so I won’t talk about him too deeply. Zeke Mayo is probably the more shocking first-round inclusion but I love his game. As a point guard, Mayo checks all the NBA boxes with size, ball handling, shooting, and creation. When I watch Zeke Mayo I see a lot of Tyus Jones in his game as a really good backup guard who could run starting units at a smaller level.

Me vs Consensus

The player I am the single highest on against consensus is Carter Bryant. A big wing who can dribble, pass, and shoot he inherently has value. Bryant impresses me with his physicality and his ability to get to the rim. I am not sure of his playing time but that is not something I currently including in my scouts because it is impossible for me to predict. I see some Aaron Nesmith when I watch Bryant although Bryant has yet to show that level of shooting production (but more of everything else).

Let me buy any of the Elliot Cadeau stock people are selling. I am typically against players at his size but the playmaking gets me because Cadeau is an elite creator and the best passer in this class. Cadeau is another prospect who reclassfied so now playing at his rightful age if he can make necessary shooting strides he will be a first round pick on my board.

Kanon Catchings has not gotten enough national love. Coming from a basketball family, Catchings checks a lot of boxes as an NBA wing. At his size he is super athletic and shot really well last season in Overtime Elite. He has shown flashes of self creation and this season at BYU that is what I will be monitoring closely. BYU has two high end prospects this season in Catchings and Demin this season and will be a major team to monitor.