NCAA Tournament Shifts NBA Draft Stocks

0:00On March 26, the NCAA tournament is already shifting some top college prospects NBA draft stocks, even with more regular season exposure than ever. A few standouts have boosted their value after the first two rounds, while others have slipped, and this matters for teams like the Washington Wizards. Holding a high pick, Arkansas Freshman Guard Darius A. Cove Jr. exploded for 36 points and 6 assists in a second-round win over high point, following 27 points against Hawaii. The 6-foot-3 score, who led the SEC with 23.3 points per game, now looks like a top 5 talent instead of 7-9, making him a dream fit if the Wizards drop out of the top 3. Meanwhile, Tennessee Freshman forward Nate Ammon from Virginia has struggled through injuries, going scoreless in one game and just 16 points on, poor shooting in the next. Scouts note his effort, but he's sliding toward the mid lottery, likely out of Wizards reach with their top-8 protected pick. On the rise, too, is St. John's Senior Forward, Zubi Ezio IV, the biggest defensive player of the year.

1:05The 6-foot-9 big man posted double doubles with blocks against Northern Iowa and Kansas, turning heads from a second-rounder into a potential. First-rounder and rotation piece, for a team needing defense like Washington. Yukon Guard Braylon Mullins has disappointed with 33% 3-point shooting, dropping from mid-lottery hype to late 20s and mocks. He might return for Niall Cash next year in a weaker class, but a Wizards trade-up could snag him if he slides further. As the sweet 16 heats up, these performances will keep reshaping the board.