Beyond the Big Names, Part III: Under-the-Radar Prospects Gaining Ground as March Nears
Which Sleepers Are Turning February Into Opportunity
February is where seasons and reputations start to crystallize. Conference play is in full swing, every possession carries weight, and the margin for error is shrinking as March Madness looms. For teams, it is about seeding, resume wins, and survival. For NBA prospects, February is about proving that what showed up in non-conference play was not a mirage.
We expect to see the big names in March. Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, and Darryn Peterson’s teams are essentially tournament locks. The same can be said for Kingston Flemings and Caleb Wilson. Regardless of how each individual performs on the biggest stage, NBA front offices have been collecting intel all season and in many cases for years. One bad game in March should not dramatically sway evaluations.
But what about the sleepers? For players operating outside the spotlight, the tournament can be a launching pad. A strong performance against a high major opponent can change a career overnight. CJ McCollum became a household name after dropping 30 points in Lehigh’s first round upset of Duke. But before you get to March, you have to take care of business in February. Let me tell you about three prospects who are trending in the right direction.
Roman Domon
6’9” 225 lbs | Forward | Murray State
I have been preparing to write this article for about a week now. In my research, I came across Domon and was immediately intrigued by the tape. But it was also the weekend of the Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa matchup, so I had to put it off for a few days. Then a Twitter mutual, Arman Jovic (@pdtscouting), dropped a highlight tape and like most of his work, the internet ran with it.
Highlights can lie, but in Domon’s case, the tape holds up. The kid can play. Domon is a lanky ball handler with an impressive blend of size, creativity, and shooting. The 6’9” Frenchman can create his own shot using a deep bag of crossover dribbles to generate space for layups or pull up jumpers. Sometimes it is a step back three, other times it is a fading midrange jumper. He is comfortable scoring at all three levels.
In just 22 minutes per game, Domon is Murray State’s second leading scorer, averaging 13.7 points, five rebounds, and 1.5 assists. He does carry a negative assist to turnover ratio, but throughout his international career he has shown positive playmaking efficiency. Many of the turnovers come from creativity rather than a lack of handle.
I am buying Domon as a legitimate NBA prospect. Even if he is not given the same freedom as a handler at the next level, his shooting gives him a clear pathway. He is hitting 38.7 percent of his threes on three attempts per game. According to Synergy, Domon is converting 48 percent of his unguarded jumpers and 42 percent of his off the dribble attempts. The question is sustainability. Prior to Murray State, he shot 28 percent from three over 30 games with BCM Gravelines Dunkerque and just 21 percent from deep with France’s U20 team.
Still, players with his size, handle, and shooting versatility usually get a chance. It feels like a matter of when, not if. Murray State currently sits second in the Missouri Valley Conference. If the Racers make noise in March, Domon could become a household name quickly.
Allen Graves
6’9” 220 lbs | Power Forward | Santa Clara
Graves is another name gaining traction in scouting circles, especially among what I like to call the Calculator Crew. I am not an analytics first evaluator, but I do not ignore the numbers. I use them to confirm what I see on film. Ultimately, we are all trying to answer the same question, can the guy play.
In Graves’ case, the answer is yes. He is a plug and play forward who impacts the game in multiple ways. Offensively, he can space the floor or score on the block. He rebounds, passes, and plays within himself. He is not a high end athlete, but he is athletic enough and more importantly, he has great timing and feel. Defensively, he is a legitimate rim protector and a physical presence at the point of attack, with the foot speed to survive on the perimeter.
Graves is averaging 10 points, seven rebounds, nearly two assists, and three stocks per game in just 22 minutes. The 6’9” redshirt freshman is one of the most productive freshmen in the country on a per minute basis. He is also shooting 39 percent from three on two attempts per game. There is always room in the league for high IQ bigs who make the right play. Double him and he will find shooters. Close out late and he will knock it down. Run him off the line and he will keep the offense flowing.
The questions come at the NBA level. Graves is an average athlete by league standards, and while he is aggressive defensively, he will need to adjust against superior athletes. Offensively, his lack of burst shows at the rim. He is converting just 52 percent of his layup attempts. Developing a reliable push shot in short roll situations would help.
Some believe Graves is a 2026 NBA Draft prospect. That remains to be seen. But his feel for the game is real. Santa Clara is tied atop the West Coast Conference standings, and if the Broncos punch a tournament ticket, Graves is a name worth remembering.
Shelton Henderson
6’6” 240 lbs | Forward | Miami
Henderson might be the most physically intriguing prospect in this group. At first glance, he looks like an NFL tight end playing basketball. He is a rare blend of power and quickness. He looks like Scoot Henderson, just three inches taller. But Shelton is not just a run and dunk athlete. He has real ball skills and creativity off the bounce.
Henderson uses his physique to his advantage, rocking defenders with his handle before creating space with his shoulders. He is shooting 67 percent on two point attempts and averaging 14.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists for one of the ACC’s surprises. Under first year head coach Jai Lucas, Henderson and the Hurricanes are tied for fifth in the conference as they push toward their first NCAA tournament appearance in three seasons.
So why is Henderson not on draft radars? Right now, the tools outweigh the impact. Defensively, he is average, producing just 1.2 stocks per game. While stocks are not everything, Henderson often struggles at the point of attack. That said, there are flashes where he stays in front of guards and uses his strength to shut down drives. If he locks in, he should be able to defend multiple positions at the next level. Lu Dort followed a similar path, carving out value through physicality and versatility.
Offensively, the shooting is the swing skill. Henderson is shooting 33 percent from three on low volume and just 58 percent from the free throw line, despite generating a good chunk of his offense there. His low three point attempt rate combined with poor free throw shooting makes spacing a concern. While he has improved since his high school and EYBL days, the shot remains a question mark.
Henderson is an if prospect. If he commits defensively, he is an NBA player. If the shooting comes around, he is a potential first round pick in the 2027 NBA Draft. The blueprint exists by following the path of players like Lu Dort or PJ Tucker, but execution will determine everything.