The Final Four Is Set. These Four Prospects Could Steal the Show
How Wagler, Reed, Peat, and Lendeborg can impact both the games and the draft board
The Final Four is officially here. With games tipping off tonight in Indianapolis, a new national champion will be crowned on Monday. Four very different teams have taken four very different paths to reach this stage.
Illinois brings an international flavor, led by the once unheralded Keaton Wagler. Michigan built its roster through the transfer portal and has consistently looked like a team destined for this moment. The same can be said for Arizona, powered by McDonald’s All-Americans Koa Peat and Brayden Burries. Then there’s the most unlikely contender of the group, the Connecticut Huskies, who erased a 19-point deficit against Duke on a Braylon Mullins buzzer-beating heave.
For NBA draft prospects, the Final Four represents a massive opportunity. Scouts already know who you are, but this is the stage to prove you are built for the biggest moments. A great performance can reinforce a lottery case. A poor outing will not tank a player’s stock, but the spotlight is real.
Here are four players I will be watching closely.
Keaton Wagler
Illinois
Freshman
Wing
6’6” | 185
Age on draft night: 19.4
If Wagler leads Illinois to a national championship after receiving just two Power 4 offers, you might as well start writing the movie script now.
Wagler has played like a top 10 pick for much of the season and continues to build an impressive résumé. After a rough stretch late in conference play, he has found his rhythm in March. Even during cold shooting nights, he finds ways to impact the game, like grabbing 12 rebounds in a gritty win over Houston.
When he is clicking, the results speak for themselves. He dropped 29 points in the Elite Eight against Iowa.
What stands out most is his pace. Wagler is not an explosive athlete. He has zero dunks this season. Still, he plays under control at all times. His handle is solid and he is rarely sped up. Against a Houston defense that has frustrated elite guards like AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson, Wagler stayed composed and led Illinois to victory despite poor shooting.
He may not look physically dominant, but he plays strong and that matters more. At just 19, with his size, shooting, and playmaking, Wagler offers both a high floor and real upside as an on or off ball guard.
UConn will throw physical defenders at him, but Wagler has made a habit of finding solutions.
Tarris Reed Jr.
Connecticut
Senior
Big
6’11” | 265
Age on draft night: 22.9
Braylon Mullins delivered the moment of the tournament with his buzzer-beater against Duke, but Tarris Reed Jr has been the steady force all season long.
Reed kept UConn afloat early in that game while the rest of the team struggled. He dominated matchups against projected first rounder Patrick Ngongba II and defensive standout Maliq Brown.
His strengths are clear. He has polished footwork, soft touch with both hands, and surprising athleticism for his size. Defensively, he protects the rim well, averaging over two blocks per game.
In a different era, Reed is likely a first round pick. But today’s NBA has moved away from traditional post play, which could push him into a second unit role at the next level.
Still, his mobility and rebounding give him a real chance to stick as a rotation big. The biggest concern is his free throw shooting, which raises questions about floor spacing.
Right now, Reed projects as an early second round pick, but with strong tournament performances and the possibility of players returning to school for NIL opportunities, he could climb into the late first round.
Against Illinois, his ability to defend in space and contain Wagler will be critical.
Koa Peat
Arizona
Freshman
Forward
6’8” | 235
Age on draft night: 19.4
Koa Peat’s pedigree is undeniable. He has won at every level and now sits two wins away from a national title.
Scouts agree he is an NBA talent. The question is what kind of player he will become.
Peat relies heavily on contested mid range pull ups, which does not align with modern NBA shot selection. Still, there is a pathway for him. His game draws some parallels to Aaron Gordon during his time at Arizona, with a strong frame, high level athleticism, and impactful intangibles.
Like Gordon as a freshman, Peat has struggled from three and the free throw line. However, he has elevated his play during the tournament, averaging 17.5 points and 6.8 rebounds.
To reach his full potential, Peat will need to expand his range and rediscover the ball handling and playmaking flashes he showed on the AAU circuit with Compton Magic.
He will face a major test against Michigan’s size, particularly Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. For now, Peat continues to provide energy, finishing ability, and physicality for an Arizona team making its first Final Four appearance since the 1997 to 1998 season.
Yaxel Lendeborg
Michigan
Senior
Forward
6’9” | 235
Age on draft night: 23.7
Lendeborg has been dominant throughout the tournament, scoring over 20 points in each of Michigan’s last three games.
He is one of the most complete players in the country. He can play multiple frontcourt positions while defending on the perimeter. If not for the fact he will be 24 on NBA opening night, he would likely be in the conversation as a top five pick.
A late bloomer in basketball, Lendeborg has improved every year and now projects as a high level role player at the next level. He is the type of versatile piece every team wants alongside its stars.
There are not many holes in his game. Age is the primary concern.
The key question now is whether he can carry Michigan in a tight game. In recent losses to Purdue and Duke, he did not get much help. Against Arizona, he will face physical matchups regardless of position, whether it is perimeter stopper Ivan Kharchenkov or Koa Peat.
Lendeborg thrives off the ball and in transition, but Michigan may need more. Can he take over when it matters most?
Final Thoughts
This Final Four features contrasting styles, roster builds, and star profiles. That is what makes it compelling.
Michigan versus Arizona feels like a heavyweight matchup worthy of a title game. Illinois versus UConn pits a rising star guard against a physical and resilient frontcourt.
For NBA scouts, this weekend is not about discovering talent. It is about confirming it under the brightest lights.
Monday will crown a champion. Before that, the stage is set for four players to leave a lasting impression.