KJ

Toledo’s Leroy Blyden Jr was one of the most impressive Mid Major players in college basketball this season as just a Freshman. The 6’2 Guard averaged 16/4/5 along with 2 steals a game for the season, while also doing it on 46/41/85 splits Blyden has an extremely polished and mature game for his age and he takes advantage of his craft and skill to be one of the most impactful players on the floor. Blyden has the ability to make an impact with or without the ball. Blyden is a skilled PNR operator who finished in the 82th percentile in PNR play. Blyden has the ability to shoot off the dribble from the mid range or from three and uses his handle and speed to get to the rim. Blyden is also a skilled passer who uses his scoring to create open looks for his teammates. He was also one of the best catch and shoot shooters in the country this season. Blyden’s ability to shoot from three with efficiency while also passing at a high level without turning the ball over is rare for a freshman and he was one of 4 Freshmen this season who had an AST% of 20, shoot 40% from three on 50 made threes and had a TOV% of under 15 joining Cam Boozer, Keaton Wagler, and Darius Acuff.

Belmont’s 6’3 PG Jack Smiley is one of the most intriguing non High Major Freshmen in college basketball. For the season Smiley averaged 9/2/3 on 48/44/81 splits in only 17 MPG. While being one of the best 6th men in all of college basketball. Smiley’s mix of shooting, pace, craft, passing, decision making, and finishing for his age is something that you don’t see often and he has a high ceiling. Smiley was one of the best PNR operators in the country this season where he finished the year in the 96th percentile in PNR play. Smiley’s ability to find his teammates with his vision and decision making along with his 3 level scoring helped him be a standout in the PNR. Smiley is also a skilled off ball player with his high level shooting ability and cutting, he’s also a strong connective passer. Smiley was one of 4 underclassmen this season who had an AST% of 25, and shot 40% from three on 40 makes, joining Cam Boozer, Christian Anderson, LaBaron Philon, and Darius Acuff.

@freewave3 Why Doty over a guy like Minessale?

2026 Pre March Madness Board

Ole Miss 6’9 Forward Malik Dia was one of the most impressive shot creators and scorers in college basketball this season. For the season Dia averaged 15/6/1 along with a block a game in only 24 MPG. At 6’9 240 Dia has the size and skill to be an extremely versatile player who has the ability to play multiple different roles on the court and has the ability to create and score on all 3 levels. Dia is a talented finisher at the rim who shot 60% at the rim on 180 attempts and had the ability to create his own look off the catch or off an isolation, using his craft, strength and vertical athleticism while also being a strong off ball finisher and lob threat. Dia was also one of the best mid range scorers in the country who shot 48% on mid range shots on 65 attempts. Dias ability to score at the rim and from the mid range helped him be one of the best isolation scorers in CBB at 6’9 where he ranked in the 79th percentile. Dia’s mix of vertical athleticism, shot creation, 3 level scoring upside, strength, rebounding, and off ball scoring upside as a 6’9 Forward makes him one of the most intriguing players in college basketball

6’10 Freshman Wing Brady Koehler is one of the most intriguing longterm NBA Draft prospects. Koehler had a strong freshman season for Notre Dame where he averaged 6 PPG along with a block and steal a game in only 16 MPG. He also shot 45% from the field and 38% from three. At 6’10 with good movement ability Koehler has the ability to play multiple different positions on the court with his skill versatility. Koehler is a strong shooter who shot 38% from three and uses his size to his advantage to shoot over players. Koehler is also a strong driver and off ball finisher who shot 63% at the rim. Koehler is also an impactful defender who uses his vertical athleticism and size to defend multiple positions. Koehler and Trevon Brazile also the only High Major players in college basketball this season to have a BLK% of 5, a STL% of 2 and shoot 35% from three on 5 attempts a game per 40.

There haven’t been many better all around players in college basketball than 6’9 Dartmouth Forward Brandon Mitchell-Day For the season Mitchell-Day averaged 12/9/2 and 1 BPG on 49/36/75 splits. Mitchell-Day’s mix of finishing, shooting, passing, defensive versatility, rebounding, and creation at his height is something not a lot of players possess. Mitchell-Day is an extremely active player on both ends and it’s helped him be one of the most impactful rebounders in college basketball this season where he ranks 7th in defensive rebounding rate at 28%, Mitchell-Day is also versatile offensive player who can be used on and off the ball, with his ability to be used as a playmaker or connective passer. He’s also a skilled finisher who is strong at playing in the PNR and can also drive to the rim himself. Mitchell-Day is also a skilled spot up shooter for his height who shot 38% from three on catch and shoot threes. Mitchell-Day is one of 4 players in college basketball this season to have a defensive rebounding% of 20, an AST% of 15, a BLK% of 3, and had 20 threes or more.

Syracuse’s William Kyle III is one of the best Big Man Prospects in this year’s NBA Draft. For the season Kyle averaged 8/7/1 along with 2.5 BPG and 1 SPG, while also shooting 66% from the field. Kyle also led all High Major players in Stocks per game with 3.5. Standing at 6’9 with a 7’3 wingspan and a 44 inch vertical Kyle has the tools and frame you want from an elite defensive big in the NBA. Kyle’s mix of elite athleticism, rim protection, defensive versatility, offensive rebounding, finishing, and motor is all of the traits teams are looking for in their rim running bigs in Kyle is one of the best in the class in all of those areas. On the defensive end Kyle uses his length and athleticism to be a highly impactful rim protector who also doesn’t foul which is extremely rare. He’s also versatile enough to play in a lot of different defensive systems and he's also versatile enough to switch onto smaller players. Kyle is also a high level help defender and uses his agility to make quick decision plays on the defensive end. Offensively he’s a very efficient rim runner who’s a strong screen setter, lob threat, while also being able to push in transition. He’s great at positioning himself for dunks where he finished with 59 this season. Kyle is also an efficient long dunking finisher where he shot 66% on layups. Kyle is also a solid passer for his archetype and has the ability to make plays in short roll situations. Kyle is one of 3 players since 2008 to have a BLK% of 9, a STL% of 2, make 50 dunks or more, while fouling under 3 times a game per 40, joining Brandon Clarke and Anthony Davis as the only other players.

There haven’t been many more intriguing Senior PG’s in College Basketball this season than 6’4 Northern Iowa PG Trey Campbell. Campbell was a standout on one of the best mid major teams in the country this season where he averaged 14/4/4 on 44/35/79 splits while also playing a major role in his team winning the MVC Championship. Campbell’s mix of mid range scoring, shooting, passing, pace, and off ball craft all help him be an extremely effective PG. Campbell was one of the most efficient mid range scorers in the country this season where he shot 55% on mid range shots on 88 attempts and he also has an extremely efficient floater where he shot 47%. Campbell was also an impressive catch and shoot threat from deep where he shot 37% on catch and shoot threes on 155 attempts and has the ability to shoot off the move at a high level. As a passer Campbell has strong passing vision on the court and rarely makes mistakes, using his pace and handle to get to his spots and make a play. Campbell is also an effective defender who’s good at being at the right spots off ball on the defensive end and is good at reading passing lanes for steals. Campbell, Braden Smith, and Tounde Yessoufou were the only players in college basketball this season to make 50 threes, 50 mid range shots, and have a STL% of 3.

St Thomas 6’6 Sophomore Wing Nolan Minnesale has been the most impressive Mid Major NBA prospect in college basketball this season. For the season Minnesale had a standout year where he averaged 20/5/4 along with 2 steals a game while shooting 51% from the field. Standing at 6’6 with a 7 foot inch plus wingspan, along with good athleticism, Minnesale has the tools and frame you want from a modern NBA Wing along with the skill. His mix of finishing, passing, feel, off ball instincts, spot up shooting, defensive versatility, athleticism, and rebounding for his age and size is extremely rare and valuable. Minnesale was one of the best big creators in college basketball this season where he finished in the 88th percentile for PNR play and 92th percentile for Isolation scoring. Minnesale has the size and instincts to effectively to be an efficient creator and he was one of the best creators at the rim in the country this season who has the ability to find his teammates at a high level, he was also a huge threat in transition and has the ability to effect the game off ball at a high level. Minnesale shot 38% from three on spot up three’s while also being a talented cutter and connective passer. He was also an extremely versatile defender who can read passing lanes, get to the right spots off ball, and is a strong rim protector for his size. Since 2008 he’s one of 7 underclassmen who had 100 makes at the rim, 40 made threes, an AST% of 25, and have 10 dunks, joining elite company with 5 top 8 picks, Tyler Tanner, and Cameron Boozer.

Belmont has one of the best longterm NBA Draft prospects in 6’9 Sophomore Big Drew Scharnowski. For the season Scharnowski is averaging 11/6/3 along with 1.3 BPG in only 22 MPG. Scharnowski is also shooting 68% from the field. Scharnowski is one of the best defensive and passing bigs In the country and has high level decision making on both ends. Scharnowski has great court vision as a passer and has the ability to make strong reads as a connective and top of the key passing hub. Scharnowski is also a strong rim runner who’s extremely efficient at the rim and uses his athleticism and length to get to his spots for dunks, or finish at the rim. On the defensive end Scharnowski is a versatile and switchable defender who has strong instincts as a rim protector and can switch for steals. There’s not many players Scharnowski’s height and age with his mix of athleticism, passing, rim protection, efficiency, and defensive versatility, and he’s one of 4 players since 2008 to have 40 dunks, a BLK% of 7, and an AST% of 20.

Marshall has one of the best Mid Major prospects in this year’s NBA Draft in 6’9 Senior Wing Wyatt Fricks For the season Fricks is averaging 15/6/1 along with 1.5 BPG and is shooting 55% from the field and 35% from three on 5 attempts a game. Fricks is one of two players in college basketball this season to have 40 Dunks and 40 Threes, and he provides a lot of versatility that not many wings provide. Fricks is a high level athlete and his mix of athleticism, finishing, shooting, rim protection, and connective passing all help him play a major role as a connective glue guy. Fricks has the ability to spot up for three with efficiency while also having the instincts and the athleticism to be an elite cutter and lob threat on the offensive end. He’s also a strong weak side rim protector on the defensive end. Fricks and Chet Holmgren are the only players since 2008 to shoot 80% at the rim on 100 attempts, 35% from three on 100 attempts, and have a BLK% of 5 or higher.

@ojury_007 His layups are a little tough to calculate because he takes a ton of floaters really close at the rim synergy has it at 59% and I think that adds up based on the film, but he’s still a guy that needs to get stronger around the rim.

@KJScouting I agree with most of your evaluation. I just think that as of right now he is really really raw in pretty much every facet. He’s hanging around that 50% on layups and like you said he is quite the streaky shooter. Just a guy I would love to see transfer up and round out his game.

Here is my updated 2026 NBA Draft Big Board

I like Mullins and I know he’s played a key role as a freshman on a top team I just don’t think he personally does anything to help him stand out in the first round that we’ve seen from other players. He’s a talented shooter and finisher but he doesn’t have great on ball skills, he also isn’t a great passer or connective passer and I think his defense isn’t the greatest. In my opinion I think he needs to be a good connective passer to stick as a starter or show he can be a consistent PNR guy and I don’t really trust that out of him.

@KJScouting Why so low on Mullins?

I think for a 6’7 19 year old elite athlete who’s put in a role with that kind of usage he’s been extremely impressive. The comp isn’t the greatest but the Big South is a lot more athletic than most mid major conferences, and in my opinion he has an extremely high 3 level scoring ceiling with his burst and athleticism. The big thing for him is to polish his game, get stronger and prove he’s a consistent shooter from three but he has the 3pt usage you want, is shooting 35% in his last 15 games and has a good form. I also think he’s a lot better of a passer than the numbers indicate, it’s just really hard to get assists in that setting he’s in.

@KJScouting Yeah Swain is young for alresdy having 3 years of experience. Still interested on why you are so high on Kam Taylor too. He’s currently in that 65-80 range for me

@ojury_007 That one was on me because I thought Swain was 04 so I had a two year difference between the two.

@KJScouting I respect how much of a deep cut some of these names are, but I am genuinely so confused on how Kameron Taylor is that high😭😭 daylin swain has a very similar profile and is producing better against much higher comp. Still like Taylor as a prospect down the line tho

I think he’s got some flashes as an offensive player but I can’t get his defense ever becoming that good. In my opinion he’s a really bad defender right now and gets lost a lot on the defensive end. If Sampson can’t make you a good defender I can’t see it happening in the league. Hes also really raw on the offensive end and a terrible passer, and his shooting isn’t fully there so he’s not really someone I’m big on, because he’d need to be a consistent shooter and a positive defender to stick and I’m not fully sold on that idea.

@KJScouting Why is your evaluation on Cenac Jr. so low?

I think Acuff has the highest ceiling outside of the top 3, there’s never really been a PG who’s been that good of a 3 level scorer and passer, along with his strength since Brunson, and Acuff was a lot younger than him. I also think his ability to control his pace and not turn the ball over is extremely valuable and not a lot of PG’s can do. I know his height has concerns and obviously you’d want him to be taller but I think a lot of his height issues are overblown, he’s very close to the average PG height, his strength is outlier good for his height, and we’ve seen a lot of superstar sub 6’3 PG’s. Wilson is a great player and I think he’ll be extremely good I just don’t think he has the superstar ceiling Acuff has due to his shooting limitations.

@KJScouting Acuff over Wilson?

Maryland 6’4 Guard Andre Mills has been one of the most underrated freshmen in college basketball this season. For the season Mills is averaging 11/4/1 while also averaging 19/4/1 on 54/46/79 splits through his last 6 games. Mills is a powerful athlete and rim driver who uses his mix of athleticism and strength to get to the rim at a high level and is also a strong finisher. Mills has the ability to create for himself off the PNR or attack the basket after a spot up look. Mills is also an elite downhill threat in transition with his speed. Mills is also a strong shooter, who’s shooting 38% from three on catch and shoot looks on 3 attempts a game.

Overall while Taylor still needs to polish his game and bit and needs to become an efficient 3pt shooter, in my opinion he has one of the highest ceiling’s of anyone in college basketball. There’s not many 6’7 19 year olds who have been as good as Taylor without even mentioning his elite athleticism. Taylor’s mix of finishing, passing, athleticism, 3 level scoring upside, and defensive upside at 6’7 gives him an incredibly high ceiling and in my opinion he’s a guy that can make an impact in the league with now with what he’s good at.

Taylor’s mix of scoring versatility, athleticism, and passing for his age is extremely rare and not something you see often and this season he’s one of 4 underclassmen who have a AST% of 15, 15 dunks made, 50 made at the rim shots, and 25 made threes, joining Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, and Tyler Tanner all projected first rounders.

19 year old UNC Asheville 6’7 Guard Kameron Taylor is one of the most underrated prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft. In this thread I take a look at his game I explain why.