March Madness Could Change Everything: Can These Former Top Prospects Reignite Their NBA Stock?
Their names were once all over NBA mock drafts—now a strong March could rewrite their draft narratives.
It happens every year. Every season, highly touted prospects enter college with massive NBA expectations, whether they’re five-star recruits from the high school ranks or international standouts who dominated youth competitions. Some are labeled as can’t-miss prospects as early as middle school, entering college with significant hype and sky-high expectations. While some live up to the billing, others struggle to maintain their draft stock for a variety of reasons.
Maybe they peaked early. Maybe they thrived in high school simply because they were bigger, stronger, or more athletic than their peers. Maybe they picked the wrong school or landed in a system that didn’t fit their playing style or maximize their strengths. Or perhaps—let’s keep it 100% honest here—six-figure NIL deals took away the sense of urgency to expand their games and put in extra hours to refine their craft. While I think it’s a possibility, several agents have expressed strong concerns about how NIL has impacted prospects. Driving around campus in high-end luxury cars, rocking the latest fashion, and fully embracing the college lifestyle can create a sense of "I've made it"—when in reality, they still have everything to prove at the next level.
Whatever the case, these examples remind us to be cautious when ranking prospects too early while also acknowledging that development timelines vary.
While plenty of players live up to the hype, many once highly regarded prospects see their draft stock fade but still manage to carve out a path to the NBA. Take Justin Edwards, for example. I personally ranked him as the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft entering his freshman season at Kentucky. But despite a solid second half of the season, he didn’t meet expectations and ultimately went undrafted.
However, that wasn’t the end of his story. Edwards signed with his hometown Philadelphia 76ers, initially on a two-way deal. With Philly battling injuries throughout the season, he emerged as a bright spot, earning a standard NBA contractand proving he was still capable of providing first-round value. His story is a perfect example of how unpredictable the NBA prospect journey can be—and how players with lottery buzz can see their stock fluctuate wildly.
Now, as we head into March Madness, there’s one last chance this season in live game action for these former top prospects to put themselves back on the NBA radar. While a strong NBA Combine could still change the narrative, March offers their final opportunity to impress scouts in meaningful games. The conference tournaments and NCAA Tournament provide a perfect stage—a chance to shine in front of a large contingent of NBA scouts, executives, and decision-makers all gathered in one location over a short span of days. A strong March run can revive draft stock, create new narratives, and help these prospects regain some of the hype they once had.
This article takes a look at several former top prospects who entered college with major NBA expectations but haven’t lived up to the hype—at least not yet. Can they still find their way back into the NBA conversation? And more importantly, can they use March Madness as their proving ground?
Let’s dive in.
Dillon Mitchell
Cincinnati
Junior
Wing
6’8” | 205
Pre-College Hype:
Dillon Mitchell entered college with sky-high expectations. A consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2022 high school class, he was widely projected as a one-and-done lottery pick. Coming from Montverde Academy, a powerhouse known for producing NBA talent, Mitchell was seen at the time as Texas’ biggest recruit since Kevin Durant.