Top Ten NBA Draft Prospects that Returned to College Basketball
The start of college basketball season is right around the corner. And this season, there seems to be as much parity as there has been in recent years. A lot of that has to do with the amount of talent returning to college basketball. For starters, National Player of the Year Zach Edey opted to come back to Purdue for another season. But you also have a number of players who were getting first-round consideration for the 2023 NBA Draft choose to come back. Players like Duke’s Kyle Filipowski and Creighton’s Trey Alexander.
College basketball will always be about the names across the chest. And the superstars of the sport are the coaches. However, the individual talent that is on the floor is starting to find its shine. And, many times, that shine is spear-headed by a look toward the NBA Draft.
So while there is no run-away team as we inch closer to the start of the season, there are some stars who are waiting to be born. Here I look at the top ten NBA Draft prospects who returned to college basketball for another season.
1. So. C Donovan Clingan, UConn
7-2, 280-pounds | February 2004
2022-23 Stats: 13.2 minutes, 6.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 66.0% FG
The Skinny: Simply put, Donovan Clingan dominates the paint. He strongly rebounds his area on both ends of the floor and is a natural shot-blocker. He is able to use his great length and timing along with his understanding of positioning. Clingan only played 13.2 minutes per game last season, playing behind NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player Adama Sanogo. He is going to have to show his production consistently for an entire season. Offensively, he is a vertical spacing threat, making 66 percent of his shots, all twos. He was a good passer in high school, so that could be another piece unlocked this season. He will need to improve his 48.6 free throw percentage. Think in the Walker Kessler mold.
2. So. SG Riley Kugel, Florida
6-5, 207-pounds | November 2003
2022-23 Stats: 23.0 minutes, 9.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 37.6% 3P
The Skinny: During the last third of the season, Riley Kugel showed that he can carry an offense. In the 14 games after his January 25 start against South Carolina, Kugel averaged 14.6 points while shooting 47.4 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from three. He has good length, plays with good balance, and is a smooth athlete. While he is comfortable handling the ball and creating his offense, he will need to show his processing ability while being the focal point of an SEC offense.
3. So. PG Tyrese Proctor, Duke
6-5, 183-pounds | April 2004
2022-23 Stats: 29.4 minutes, 9.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 38.1% FG
The Skinny: The final two months were vastly different than the first three months for Tyrese Proctor last season. Through his first 22 games, he averaged 8.9 points, 2.8 assists, 1.5 turnovers, 36.3 percent from the field, and 27.7 percent from three. In his final 14 games of the season, he averaged 10.2 points, 4.1 assists, 1.9 turnovers, 40.7 percent from the field, and 39.6 percent from three. In the final two months of the season, you saw the positional size, along with the upside of the passing and shooting. At the end of the day, he is going to have to show the consistency. Dating back to high school, there were questions about him shooting off movement and an inconsistent handle, which showed during the first 22 games. Duke is deep, and they have a host of guards on their roster who can help. Can Proctor show he can be an NBA-caliber lead guard for the entirety of a college season?
4. So. C Kyle Filipowski, Duke
7-0, 248-pounds | November 2003
2022-23 Stats: 29.1 minutes, 15.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 44.1% FG
The Skinny: By most accounts, Kyle Filipowski would have been a first-round pick had he come out in the 2023 NBA Draft. He decided to go back to Duke, and the ACC Freshman of the Year opted to have off-season hip surgery. The two most notable things Filipowski brings to the table are his competitiveness and his passing/processing. He plays with a nasty streak, not afraid to mix it up on the block and seeking out contact around the paint. Dating back to his days in high school and on the EYBL, Filipowski played primarily on the ball, initiating offense. He is an excellent passer, able to deliver from multiple levels on the floor. He is going to have to show he can finish consistently at the rim. Filipowski moves better than he gets credit for, and he will have to continue showing he can move his feet on defense, especially with the fact he is not a rim protector. His production was undeniable last season for Duke.
5. So. C Kel’el Ware, Indiana
7-0, 215-pounds | April 2004
2022-23 Stats (at Oregon): 15.8 minutes, 6.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 45.7% FG
The Skinny: The flashes with Kel’el Ware are impressive. He has excellent size, with good length and athletic fluidity. His shot-blocking is his take-home skill. He has natural timing and length and is able to get the ball at its peak with both hands, straight on or from the weak side. Ware has touch; he knocked down 15 threes last season and shot 71.4 percent from the free-throw line. His motor is going to be the question. He has the upside to protect the rim, stretch the floor, and finish around the basket, an interesting archetype for the NBA. Will Mike Woodson be able to get it out of him consistently?
6. Jr. SG Trey Alexander, Creighton
6-4, 190-pounds | May 2003
2022-23 Stats: 13.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 41% 3P
The Skinny: Trey Alexander has a well-rounded skill set that sets up very nicely as a secondary guard. For starters, he shot 41 percent from three and 82.4 percent from the free-throw line. You see the touch and his ability to heat up and space the floor. He has a reported plus-six wing span that helped him get 1.1 steals per game last season. He is able to guard in space or the passing lanes. Building consistency, with the added strength, will be interesting for Alexander this season. With Ryan Nembhard gone, he could be asked to do more initiating. In Creighton’s losses last season, Alexader shot 34.8 percent from the field with 21 assists to 22 turnovers.
7. Jr. PF Oso Ighodaro, Marquette
6-11, 225-pounds | July 2002
2022-23 Stats: 31.1 minutes, 11.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 66.0% FG
The Skinny: Oso Ighodaro is unique. You initially notice the size and length, which looks the part. However, when watching him play, you see that he gets the ball in a lot of different areas of the floor, and he makes decisions. His processing might be his best tool, averaging 3.3 assists per game last season. Some NBA teams are looking toward putting five players on the floor who can pass and process. He also plays within himself on offense as a career 66.5 percent shooter from the field. Defensively, while not a rim protector, you see the switchability upside. He will need to continue improving the shooting touch and extending the range.
8. So. SG Terrance Arceneaux, Houston
6-6, 205-pounds | November 2003
2022-23 Stats: 13.9 minutes, 3.7 points, 2.5 rebounds
The Skinny: It is the projectable archetype for Terrance Arceneaux. The form on the jump shot looks good, and he has great length and instincts on defense. The thing with him is that he is going to have to start making the shots. Arceneaux shot 25 percent from three and 52 percent from the free throw line as a freshman. With Marcus Sasser, Tramon Mark, and Jarace Walker no longer with the Cougars, the opportunity will be there. A productive summer, followed by a consistent sophomore season, should see the 6-foot-6 wing with a near 7-foot-0 wing span climbing on NBA Draft boards.
9. So. PF Baba Miller, Florida State
6-11, 210-pounds | February 2004
2022-23 Stats: 17.3 minutes, 4.3 points,. 3.7 rebounds, 47.4% FG
The Skinny: There is a lot that is still unknown with Baba Miller. He came over to the United States last year with a big reputation after playing with the Spanish-based Real Madrid program. He opened eyes with his play while winning the Adidas Next Generation Tournament. Miller is best facing the basket, with the ball in his hands and asked to make a play. He has a good handle for a big with the ability to process and deliver. Miller will have to answer questions about where he will guard. He will also need to work on the mechanics of his jump shot to at least become a threat. A good start to the season for Miller, and he should shoot up draft boards.
10. Jr. PF Trevon Brazile, Arkansas
6-10, 220-pounds | January 2003
2022-23 Stats: 27.0 minutes, 11.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 48.1% FG
The Skinny: Trevon Brazile tore his ACL just nine games into last season. Until that point, Brazile was on breakout watch. He transferred to Arkansas after a season at Missouri and quickly showed a quick-twitch burst with a great frame and instincts. You like the upside as a switchable defender and weakside shot blocker. Brazile is also a proven vertical floor spacer. While he does not have a standout skill, Brazile has shown development in his jump shot (37.9 percent on three attempts in nine games last season), but the sample size is small. He needs game reps. How will he return from the injury, and can he show consistent production throughout the course of an entire season?