After a thrilling month of March Madness basketball, the focus is now shifting to the NBA Draft for collegiate stars. March Madness allowed the five athletes below to improve their NBA Draft stock with a few incredible tournament games.
1. Walter Clayton Jr. (Florida) 6-3 PG (Age: 22)
Let’s start with the most obvious. Clayton Jr. was not in consideration to be a top 15 pick in the NBA draft, pre-tournament. Performances like these, along with winning the National Championship, may change all of that.
Known for scoring and clutch play-making, Clayton Jr. averaged 22.5 points per game in the Final Four and was named tourney MOP. The Gators leaned on him when it mattered most and the Iona transfer delivered.
NBA teams that need scoring depth may turn to Clayton Jr. in the middle of the first round.
WHAT A TOURNAMENT FROM THE GATOR GUARD 🔥
WALTER CLAYTON JR. IS YOUR MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER 🙌#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/9T1iDigrwJ
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 8, 2025
2. Derik Queen (Maryland) 6-10 C (Age: 20)
The kid from Baltimore chose to represent his hometown program and did not disappoint. Queen averaged a near 16-9-2 stat line on the season and was incredible against Grand Canyon and Colorado State.
Maryland bowed out of the tournament to eventual NCAA champ Florida, but Queen was superb in that game with 27 points.
Mock drafts had Queen projected to be drafted in the middle of the first round, pre-tournament. With his dynamic game, Queen’s name is rumored to be called inside the top 10, with Phoenix as a possible destination.
Derik Queen in his final college game:
27 Points8/17 FG10/10 FTs5 Rebounds2 Steals
Lotto. pic.twitter.com/ARVUA83K5j
— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) March 28, 2025
3. Jase Richardson (Michigan St.) 6-3 G (Age: 19)
The freshman and son of former NBA player Jason Richardson has declared for the 2025 NBA Draft, and rightfully so. Richardson had a standout game against six-seed Ole Miss with a 20-point winning performance.
Showcasing his explosive first step and driving ability in the tournament, interested NBA teams will want to develop his catch-and-shoot game because the competitiveness and intangibles are there.
Pre-tournament, Richardson’s name was being mocked in the 20’s, but now his name has entered the top 15 conversation, with the Mavericks looked at as a potential fit.
Jase Richardson’s pace, skill-level, feel for the game, perimeter shooting, and high-intensity defense give him an excellent framework to build on long-term. The son of Jason Richardson plays a mistake-free style, helping him earn the trust of coach Tom Izzo. https://t.co/H5vfMrsu2s pic.twitter.com/kkc6VUGU13
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 8, 2025
4) Nique Clifford (Colorado St.) 6-6 G (Age: 23)
Clifford, a big guard with plenty of experience, showed the world why the Rams were projected to make a Cinderella run. Clifford averaged 18.9 ppg, 9.6 rpg and 4.4 apg this past season and was excellent in Colorado State’s first-round defeat of fifth seed Memphis, as well as the heartbreaking buzzer-beater loss to Maryland.
Clifford was projected to be a late first round pick or early second round selection, but after his March Madness performance, some mocks project him as high as No. 20 in the first round.
Nique Clifford’s college career ended with a strong NCAA tournament, dropping 35 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists in two games against high-level competition. Though his jumper wasn’t falling, Clifford demonstrated the myriad ways he impacts winning on both ends. pic.twitter.com/vvQ9PwVR5d
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) March 25, 2025
5. Egor Demin (BYU) 6-9 G (Age: 19)
In his three March Madness games, Demin was extremely consistent against high-quality opponents and his play raised eyebrows across the league. Demin was close to a triple-double against third seeded Wisconsin and also had 15 points and seven assists against number two seed Alabama.
There is plenty of chatter about Demin now going in the top dozen or so picks.
The 6-foot-9 big guard from Russia averages 21.1 ppg and 6.9 rpg per 40, which is impressive for someone at his age. He can be a valuable asset in the NBA, and his raw talent will be a big asset to nearly any organization.
At 6’9″, Egor Demin displays high-level talent and a feel for the game that are difficult to come by at 18 years old. He picks apart pick-and-roll defenses with outstanding court vision and creativity, playing some of his best basketball in the NCAA Tournament. https://t.co/xarBVoRTR8 pic.twitter.com/Zcm6ka9c0N
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 8, 2025
These five individuals did an excellent job in the tournament making a name for themselves on the big stage, and it should pay off in June.
