Category: NBA

The Knicks (48*-25) face the Hornets (38-34) tonight at the Spectrum Center in North Carolina. A win would help New York keep pace in the tight Eastern Conference playoff race. The Hornets are hot, however, ranking the top third for offense and three-point accuracy. Expect a shootout in Charlotte.

Tip-off is 7 pm EST on MSG Network. This is your game thread. This is At the Hive. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Be cool, but not cold; chill, but not chilly. And go Knicks!

* Should be one more, but NBA Cups are for dribbling, not drinking.

The Sweet 16 continues tonight, and the much-anticipated East Region joins the party with Duke vs. St. John's and Michigan State vs. UConn.

So far of the four teams in the Elite Eight, three are from the Big Ten, and two more have a chance tonight with Michigan (vs. Alabama) and Michigan State.

The big news today is the return of point guard Caleb Foster for Duke, though he's not starting. Will Iowa State get its injured star, Joshua Jefferson, back for tonight's game against Tennessee?

A story of unbreakable resolve: Inside Ben McCollum's 'insane' Iowa ride to Elite 8

More: Rick Barnes isn't on any UNC wish list. He doesn't need to be with NIL

After upsetting the defending champs in Round 2, Iowa knocked off its neighbors Nebraska to reach their first Elite Eight in 39 years.

Texas looked to have another upset on its mind, but a last-second putback by Trey Kaufman-Renn sends No. 2 Purdue to the Elite Eight.

Alvaro Folgueiras' shot busted brackets across the nation. But for the Iowa Hawkeyes forward from Spain, his only worry after upsetting No. 1 Florida was seeing his mom.

Moments after No. 9 Iowa defeated No. 1 seed Florida 74-72 thanks to Folgueirias' ice-cold corner 3 in the final seconds of the game, he ran over to his mother and shared a long, emotional embrace.

"Well, we didn't say much," he said after the game. "She told me 'I love you' 100 times. I said 'I love you' 100 times back. It's super special having my mom here. She's everything for me. Where the world would be without the moms. She's super tough. She's been through a lot of things in life."

REQUIRED READING: Florida basketball stunned by Iowa in March Madness Round 2 upset

IOWA TAKES THE LEAD LATE! pic.twitter.com/SkTT5OP2w9

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 23, 2026

The first-year transfer from Robert Morris has played a crucial role for the Hawkeyes in the NCAA Tournament, despite coming off the bench. The 6-foot-10 wing has 14 points in Iowa's March Madness wins over No. 8 Clemson and Florida, despite scoring fewer than 10 points in each of his final five games entering the bracket.

He scored seven points with three rebounds in Iowa's win over Nebraska during the regular season, and he'll look to continue his stretch at the NCAA Tournament. Here's what to know of Folgueiras ahead of the Sweet 16 matchup:

REQUIRED READING: Don't cry for Cinderella. Nebraska, John Calipari, Duke can save March Madness

Alvaro Folgueiras hugs mom after Florida win

Folgueiras' mom hadn't seen him play a college game since his freshman season at Robert Morris, when he didn't have a substantial role.

He hit a game-winning 3-pointer in the first college game she had watched him play in over two years, and it led to a special moment between the duo after the game, which went viral after it was captured on the CBS broadcast.

Iowa's Alvaro Folgueiras who hit the game-winner to knock off Florida, shared a moment with his mom after the victory ❤️ pic.twitter.com/IYtDfYyUiF

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 23, 2026

Folgueiras hadn't seen his mom since August, and he talked to her for a brief 20 minutes before the game in the hotel, which he said gave him a little extra motivation for the game. It definitely worked.

"She saw me with the national team this summer, but in college basketball, she came to one game when I was a freshman, and I didn't play much.

"Coming back after two years and seeing where I am right now and how much I worked to be where I am right now, for her it's a great feeling. Because she's sent a 16-year-old kid to America without knowing any English, with us only, without anything but dreams and hunger. And this one is for her and my dad. He's watching up there."

Folgueiras' heartfelt moment with his mom — after nailing the biggest shot of his life — is what March Madness is all about.

"Sometimes when I struggle through basketball, and basketball is life, I think of my mom as an example of resilience, and that really inspires me and gives me confidence," Folgueiras said. "Because she's not just a fighter, she's a super special person. I'm so lucky to have her as a mom."

REQUIRED READING: Nebraska's Sweet 16 rise seeded by Hoiberg twins' basement battles, 5-year-old fistfight

How Alvaro Folgueiras honors his dad

Folgueiras points up at the sky after every 3-pointer he makes in honor of his dad, who died when he was 9 years old. He pointed at the sky after hitting his eventual game-winner against Florida, although he waited for the Gators' timeout after running back on defense.

Folgueiras expressed what his family means to him after the game, and mentioned his mom being a rock throughout his childhood without his dad.

"He left us with my mom and my brother in my house," he said. "It was kind of hard. We didn't really feel it as much because my mom always made sure that we didn't need anything, absolutely nothing. So, I cannot say that I grew up in an environment where I needed some things. No, that's not the truth.

"Sometimes I can say that because I feel his absence. I was just going in the court and playing to get away of my house to be with something else. But I can say that I had a happy childhood. Something that we all said, and everyone has these kinds of things on their life.

"It's that we are not victims. I never let things like that make me a victim. Not to me and not to my brother, not to my mom. We are like that because my mom was showing out every single day. Yeah."

Where is Alvaro Folgueiras from?

Folgueiras is from Malaga, Spain. He moved to the United States when he was 16 years old to seek out a basketball career. He attended high school at DME Academy in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Alvaro Folgueiras stats

Here are Folgueiras' year-by-year per-game averages in college:

• 2023-24 (Robert Morris): 5.3 points with 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game
• 2024-25 (Robert Morris): 14.1 points with 9.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game
• 2025-26 (Iowa): 8.5 points with 3.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why does Alvaro Folgueiras point to sky after 3-pointers? Iowa F honoring dad

Earlier this week, we asked Cleveland Cavaliers fans if they would be in favor of trading Evan Mobley for Giannis Antetokounmpo after it was reported last Friday that Mobley was the type of player the Milwaukee Bucks would want in return for a possible Giannis deal.

The comment section for the survey prompt was pretty contentious. It isn’t surprising that the survey results were split pretty evenly, with the majority just barely deciding that they would trade Mobley for Giannis.

It’s easy to see why the vote was so split.

Even though Antetokounmpo is the better player, there are real concerns about trading for him. For starters, he’s going to be 32 next postseason and has had issues with finishing seasons the last few years due to health. Additionally, there’s uncertainty about his contract with next season effectively being the final year of his deal. And, there’s no guarantee Giannis’s game would fit perfectly alongside Donovan Mitchell and James Harden.

However, it’s also tough to pass up on someone who is still playing at an MVP-caliber level when he is on the court. Even if you’re a strong believer in Mobley’s upside, it’s unlikely that he ever reaches Antetokounmpo’s current skill level.

Whether or not the Cavs entertain this possibility will likely depend on how the postseason goes. If they flame out early in the playoffs again, it’s easy to envision a scenario in which they aggressively look to upgrade this current group. After all, they did just trade Darius Garland for a 36-year old. Conversely, if things go well in the playoffs, you can easily see them trying to run things back with this core.

As it stands, the Cavs still have a good chance of making noise in the postseason. FanDuel Sportsbook currently gives the Cavs the second-best odds to win the Eastern Conference at +280 behind only the Boston Celtics (+180). The Cavs are tied with the Denver Nuggets for the fourth-best odds to win the title at +1000.

Victor Wembanyama is the league’s top shot-blocker, and it’s not close between him and the next guys, Jay Huff (1.9) and Chet Holmgren (1.9). Wembanyama possesses physical gifts that the gods of Olympus would envy, and he is far from his final form. Yet he has a new standard to chase: Wilt Chamberlain in his final season. 

The NBA didn’t start counting blocks and steals until 1973-74, the first season Chamberlain had retired, but now, Basketball Reference has added his block numbers for his last year. At age 36, Goliath played in all 82 games, averaging 5.4 rejections. With these numbers added, it now claims the second-highest average in NBA history (5.4) behind Mark Eaton. 

Keep in mind that Chamberlain’s prowess was so legendary that you can find old news clippings of him after blocking shots in the teens or up to the 20s. Specifically, once when he blocked 16 shots, the LA Times scribe Mal Florence described his dominance as “sort of frightening- a real life Gulliver venting his rage on the little folks who played the game.”

He changed his game later in his career with the Los Angeles Lakers to be more of a defender and rebounder. Eaton was never much of a scorer, yet he was a towering figure at 7’4 and about 275 pounds; his weakness was mostly being effective as a low man.   

Naturally, Wemby is much closer to Chamberlain than Eaton. If he wants to set a gold standard so he never loses motivation, he will always have Chamberlain’s records to chase. Yet it begs the question of how close could Wemby get to the old Dipper’s ‘73 block numbers and Eaton’s all-time record? 

With all due respect to Chamberlain and Eaton, Wembanyama can top them.

First, think about how his defensive timing has made him sharper at guarding two players at once, and how he is the premier inside presence in the NBA. Notably, his 3.0 blocks per game are the lowest of his career after his rookie (3.6) and second year (3.8), but this is more about becoming a smarter defender, ensuring he doesn’t give up rebounding position, and he’s avoided like a cornerback who doesn’t get much action on his side of the field. 

Thank goodness Chamberlain tapes exist, but the public doesn’t have access to nearly as many as they should, like how they would if they wanted to watch the careers of LeBron James, Stephen Curry or even what we have of Wemby now. However, modern times present an endless highlight reel that lives online, and it’s inescapable. One thing to consider was that many games were not recorded back in the day, so who knows how many of Chamberlain‘s victims were spared from embarrassment?

Aside from the intimidation factor of Wembanyama’s blocks, perhaps the easily accessible tapes/highlights are a reason he isn’t getting challenged more because opponents don’t want the evidence to linger for eternity. He’s adjusted with his snake-eyes technique to fool ball handlers by coming in as a helper, but that’s probably on the scouting report now, so he’ll have to take matters into his own hands further.

Still, there are nights when Wembanyama has brought a little extra to the matchup, like the 16 times this season he’s finished between five and nine blocks. He should do it more often because 1. it would boost his MVP case, and 2. the San Antonio Spurs are almost unbeatable with a 15-1 record on those nights. 

He’s developed the habit over the last month of taking a step back on offense while his teammates get theirs since he knows he can go beast mode at any time. Hypothetically, if he cut down on his scoring like Chamberlain, he’d have more juice in his legs and could surpass Eaton’s highest block total/average in NBA history comfortably. He may not even need to do that in his prime; one noticeable improvement he’s made since his rookie year is becoming laterally faster, making him better on the perimeter. 

To Wembanyama’s credit, he does a good job of keeping blocks in bounds and recovering them to get transition started. If he raised his block numbers it would make the Spurs faster on offense (currently fifth in tension frequency), and that’s something the fans would appreciate. Basketball’s beauty is mostly seen in the open court, and who doesn’t want to see more of the team’s high-level athletes on the runway?

Catching Chamberlain and Eaton is impossible this season, but he takes a significant leap going into each new one. So it would be a huge shocker if he hasn’t surpassed their marks in five years.

The race for NBA Most Valuable Player is down to the final 10 or so games of the season.

And it’s all but certain that the winner of the award will once again be an internationally-born player, which would mark eight consecutive seasons. The league's 65-game eligibility rule for postseason awards came into focus once more after Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham’s collapsed lung injury forced him to miss extended time.

The National Basketball Players Association came out in defense of Cunningham and blasted the rule as a mechanism that was keeping elite players from consideration of these individual honors, which can have real impacts on future earnings; supermax deals are often tied to performance triggers.

Either way, here's the latest iteration of the USA TODAY Sports NBA MVP rankings:

5. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

Even though Jayson Tatum made his return, his production is nowhere near previous levels as the Celtics continue to ease him back. That has maintained the pressure on Brown to carry Boston, and he has done just that. His 31 points in a 10-point victory March 25 over the defending-champion Thunder are a perfect indicator of the impact Brown has on his team. Over his last five, he’s averaging 32.6 points per game.

4. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

Still averaging a triple-double (27.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, 10.8 assists per game), Jokić is having a monster year, though he can miss no more than one game the rest of the way to preserve his eligibility for individual awards. More importantly, the Nuggets have won seven of their last nine games and are hitting a stride as they push for seeding considerations in the Western Conference. Jokić is the catalyst that is sparking Denver’s recent stretch of success.

3. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers

His scoring prowess is unmatched in the NBA right now. His 60-point explosion March 19 against the Heat will draw the most attention, but he has been averaging 40.6 points per game over his last eight. More importantly, the Lakers have been stellar as of late and have toppled some top teams in the process. Defense continues to be the big knock on Dončić, but he has settled completely in Los Angeles as his takeover of the franchise continues.

CHICAGO, IL. — Yaxel Lendeborg will have a little extra motivation against Alabama in the Sweet 16.

Lendeborg played for the University of Alabama-Birmingham for two years in 2023-24 and 2024-25 before entering the NCAA Transfer Portal at the conclusion of last season. When he entered, he had hoped to stay in-state to play for Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide.

Eventually, he settled on Michigan.

REQUIRED READING: Don't cry for Cinderella. Nebraska, John Calipari, Duke can save March Madness

"When I entered the transfer portal out of UAB, I was hoping to get recruited by Alabama. And when I didn't, it kind of hurt me a little bit. Not in a way that I can say 'I hate them.' It just bothered me a little."

Unfortunately for Lendeborg (or fortunately, depending on whether you root for Michigan or Alabama), the call from Alabama never came, so he eventually picked Dusty May and the Wolverines. Now the two programs will square off on Friday, March 26, in the Sweet 16 from the United Center.

UAB's Bartow Arena is about 57 miles from Alabama's Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Lendeborg added that he is excited for Alabama and considers it a second home.

"There's going to be juice for sure," Lendeborg said of playing Alabama. "I know I'm going to try my best to be the best player on the floor tomorrow for sure. All it is extra motivation for sure, just not in the sense where I'm like, 'this is what you guys missed on,' but like you guys could have called at least, or something like that."

Oats refuted that the Crimson Tide "never" recruited Lendeborg, but he did admit that the team was not as aggressive in its pitch.

"We did make a call," Oats said. "It never got very deep. I think there were some programs that were in a little deeper with a lot more money at the time. It's one of those, you kind of call, see where the situation is at. Probably wasn't something we were going to be able to do, so we didn't spend a lot of time on it.

"... It wasn't a lack of thinking he wasn't a very good player. He was the best player in the portal."

Lendeborg averaged 17.7 points per game for the Blazers during the 2024-25 season, to go along with 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.7 steals per game. He's averaged 14.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.1 steals for the Wolverines in 2025-26.

May said he will not get in the way of Lendeborg's "revenge" game against Alabama.

"I think we've had several subplots this year and he seems to be performing well up to this point," May said. "So whatever irritates him, I'm going to ride with that and support him.

"Nate and I being friends, we talked through that process. And don't tell Yax, but they did try to recruit him."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Did Alabama recruit Yaxel Lendeborg in transfer portal? What he said ahead of Sweet 16

Tom Brady revealed in an interview released on Thursday that he considered coming out of retirement, but the National Football League wasn't particularly receptive to the idea.

Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion and minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, was asked in a recent interview with CNBC if he's looked into the rules regarding a minority owner returning to NFL play.

“I actually have inquired, and they (the NFL) don’t like that idea very much, so I’m going to leave it at that,” Brady said. “We explored a lot of different things, and I’m very happily retired. Let me say that, too.”

It wouldn't have been Brady's first time coming out of retirement. The three-time league MVP briefly retired during the 2022 offseason after two seasons with the Buccaneers. He had a change of heart 40 days later and went on to play for one more year before retiring “for good” in February 2023.

Brady recently turned heads in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, where he played alongside Jalen Hurts, Devonta Smith, Stefon Diggs and Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty. He also reunited on the field with his teammate of 11 seasons and four-time time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski.

___

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Our NBA player prop projections are set for tonight’s showdown between the New York Knicks and Charlotte Hornets, with the model pinpointing several standout opportunities.

By analyzing the data and comparing it to current market lines, we’ve uncovered the bets with the highest value.

These Knicks vs. Hornets predictions aren’t guesswork—they’re driven by the numbers.

For those building their cards, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Thursday, March 26.

Knicks vs Hornets computer picks for March 26

Knicks	Hornets
Brunson u25.5 points  +100	Ball o19.5 points -115
Robinson o7.5 rebounds -125	Knueppel u3.5 3-pointers -105
Hart o4.5 assists  -140	Diabate o8.5 rebounds  -135

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Knicks computer picks

Jalen Brunson Under 25.5 points (+100)

Projection: 24.6 points

This season, opposing starting point guards are averaging just 11.3 shot attempts per game — the fewest in the NBA — against the Charlotte Hornets. That makes for a challenging matchup for Jalen Brunson, who has gone Under his 25.5-point line in five of his last 10 games.

The Hornets also rank third-lowest in the league, allowing just 2.9 free-throw attempts per game to opposing starting PGs. That limited access to the line further suppresses Brunson’s scoring opportunities.

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Mitchell Robinson Over 7.5 rebounds (-125)

Projection: 7.7 rebounds

Over the last 10 games, the New York Knicks rank second in the NBA with 13.4 offensive rebounds per game.

With the Hornets’ pace, New York should see even more opportunities on the glass—especially for Mitchell Robinson, who has surpassed his 7.5-rebound line in eight of the last 10 games.

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Josh Hart Over 4.5 assists (-140)

Projection: 4.9 assists

Josh Hart has been a steady facilitator for the Knicks, hitting the Over on his 4.5-assist line in four of his last 10 games. Tonight’s matchup against the Hornets sets up well for Hart to do it again.

Charlotte struggles to contain versatile wings who can distribute off the bounce, and their defensive rotations can leave passing lanes open for cutters and spot-up shooters. Hart excels in exploiting those openings, especially against a team that plays at a moderate pace and can get stretched out defensively.

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---

Hornets computer picks

LaMelo Ball Over 19.5 points (-115)

Projection: 20.0 points

The Hornets have been playing at the 8th-fastest pace in the NBA over their last five home games, and facing the Knicks presents a prime opportunity to get to the free-throw line.

Opposing starting point guards have averaged 4.3 free-throw attempts per game against New York this season — the sixth-highest mark in the league — giving LaMelo Ball a chance to boost his numbers with trips to the line.

Ball has also cleared his 19.5-point line in seven of his last 10 games, making another strong scoring performance likely tonight.

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Kon Knueppel Under 3.5 3-pointers (-105)

Projection: 3.2 3-pointers

The Hornets are likely to see fewer opportunities tonight, facing a Knicks squad that ranks third-slowest in pace over their last 10 games.

That slower tempo could limit Kon Knueppel’s chances from beyond the arc, especially given he’s gone Under his 3.5 three-point line in four of his last 10 games.

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Moussa Diabate Over 8.5 rebounds (-135)

Projection: 8.9 rebounds

The Hornets rank as the top offensive rebounding team in the NBA at home over their last 20 games, averaging 13.7 boards per contest.

Moussa Diabate has played a key role in that production, surpassing his 8.5-rebound line in seven of his last 10 games.

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How to watch Knicks vs Hornets tonight

Location	Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
Date	Thursday, March 26, 2026
Tip-off	7:00 p.m. ET
TV	MSG SN, FanDuel Sports Network-Southeast

Not intended for use in MA.
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After two rounds of the Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament, the Sweet 16 has many future first-round NBA draft picks still dancing during March Madness.

As always, prospects will use the momentum from March to capitalize on their draft stock to begin their professional careers. Others, however, might benefit from increased NIL packages in the NCAA and come back to school or enter the transfer portal.

Some highly-ranked players not included who could potentially return to college include Tounde Yessoufou (Baylor), Alijah Arenas (USC), Meleek Thomas (Arkansas), Ebuka Okorie (Stanford) and Flory Bidunga (Kansas). But if these players decide to declare and stay in the draft, they could potentially warrant first-round consideration as well.

Our draft order is based on ESPN’s projected records and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.

1. Indiana Pacers: Cameron Boozer

• TEAM: Duke
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Florida
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• DRAFT AGE: 18

Duke freshman Cameron Boozer was one of the best players in college basketball during his first NCAA season and now makes his USA TODAY mock draft pole position debut. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, rival teams believe Boozer would be the "preferred selection" for the Pacers at No. 1 overall because of his "potential fit" alongside Pascal Siakam and Ivica Zubac. The ACC Player of the Year isn’t a human highlight reel but he offers consistency and a diverse, impactful skill set. More importantly, he can bring a culture of winning after multiple championships in high school and an elite Duke team that has made it to the Sweet 16.

2. Brooklyn Nets: AJ Dybantsa

• TEAM: BYU
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Massachusetts
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Nets have the worst offense in the NBA and could instantly inject life into their offense by selecting AJ Dybantsa, who would likely go No. 1 overall depending on which team gets the pick. He emphasized that point during his one game for BYU in March Madness, putting up 35 points and 10 rebounds. The Big 12 Rookie of the Year led the nation in unassisted points scored (680) by a wide margin this season, per CBB Analytics. The emerging star also had 40 points against Kansas State in the Big 12 Tournament on March 10 and averaged 28.8 points per game over his final 17 appearances. 

3. Washington Wizards: Darryn Peterson

• TEAM: Kansas
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Ohio
• HEIGHT: 6-5
• DRAFT AGE: 19

While he is no longer perceived as the near-certain No. 1 overall pick that he once was due to relative inconsistency and injury issues, many scouts and evaluators feel that Darryn Peterson is the most talented player in this class. The Wizards would put the All-Big 12 guard in a strong position to begin his career alongside Trae Young and Anthony Davis. It is incredibly rare to find a prospect who is able to score as efficiently as Peterson while holding a usage rate as high as his has been this season. 

4. Sacramento Kings: Caleb Wilson

• TEAM: North Carolina
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Georgia
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Kings need the best player available and that is North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson, who unfortunately missed the NCAA Tournament with a broken thumb. Wilson, who also suffered a hand fracture earlier in the season, did more than enough to earn this placement, though. According to Bart Torvik, before the injury the All-ACC big man led the nation with 67 dunks recorded. He was also the only player under 20 years old to reach thresholds of 2.5 percent for both block and steal percentage while also notching a defensive rebound percentage above 20.0 percent.

5. Utah Jazz: Kingston Flemings

• TEAM: Houston
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Texas
• HEIGHT: 6-4
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Jazz currently have the worst defensive rating in the Western Conference but could potentially improve that by selecting Houston freshman Kingston Flemings. The All-Big 12 guard has several games when he has recorded at least three steals, notching eight against Arizona State earlier this season. He scored 42 points against No. 11 Texas Tech on Jan. 24. He has helped lead Houston to the Sweet 16 and with highs as high as his thus far, it will not take long for him to hear his name called on draft night.   

6. Dallas Mavericks: Darius Acuff Jr.

• TEAM: Arkansas
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Michigan
• HEIGHT: 6-3
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Mavericks need players who can help Dallas stay competitive on offense, and Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. has shown – en route to the Sweet 16 – he can do exactly that. The SEC Player of the Year leads the nation for points created (1,360) either by himself or through an assist, per CBB Analytics. He leads freshman for field goals made in transition (71) and is among the freshmen leaders in both alley-oop assists (17) this season. Despite his defensive deficiencies, there is a reason rival coach Sean Miller thinks this “generational” guard should have his name in the mix at No. 1 overall.

7. Memphis Grizzlies: Yaxel Lendeborg

• TEAM: Michigan
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: New Jersey
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• DRAFT AGE: 23

The Grizzlies could add to their rebuilding core after trading away Jaren Jackson Jr. by selecting Yaxel Lendeborg, who has shown on his way to the Sweet 16 that he is perhaps the most NBA-ready player in this draft class. The Big Ten Player of the Year offers a bit of everything on both sides of the ball and has silenced skeptics who were unsure how his game would scale after transferring from mid-major UAB to high-major Michigan. The Grizzlies have drafted players with similar trajectories like Jaylen Wells and Cedric Coward.

8. Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans): Keaton Wagler

• TEAM: Illinois
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Kansas
• HEIGHT: 6-6
• DRAFT AGE: 19

After trading away Trae Young, the Hawks could use a guard like Illinois standout Keaton Wagler using a first-round pick they received from the Pelicans. The 19-year-old guard has played a crucial role for his team to earn a spot in the Sweet 16. He projects as one of the best 3-point shooters in this class, shooting 40.8 percent from beyond the arc as a freshman while connecting on as many as nine 3-pointers in a game. The Big Ten Rookie of the Year has athletic limitations but is a cerebral basketball player who is also averaging 4.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game this season. 

9. Milwaukee Bucks: Brayden Burries

• TEAM: Arizona
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: California
• HEIGHT: 6-4
• DRAFT AGE: 20

Arizona freshman Brayden Burries had two breakout games in January, which helped solidify his draft stock. But the All-Big 12 guard has continued to display his tantalizing talent, scoring 31 points with seven rebounds and five steals against Colorado on March 7 and 20 points with 12 rebounds and five assists during a victory against No. 14 Kansas on Feb. 28. Burries has also looked like a lottery talent during March Madness, earning a spot in the Sweet 16. He has proven productivity and he is able to defend, relocate, move the ball and make 3-pointers off the dribble.   

10. Chicago Bulls: Mikel Brown Jr.

• TEAM: Louisville
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Florida
• HEIGHT: 6-5
• DRAFT AGE: 20

The Chicago Bulls need to simply draft the best player available with whatever pick they have and will likely keep Louisville floor general Mikel Brown Jr. highlighted on their big board. The All-ACC guard has deep shooting range and was among the freshmen leaders in 3-pointers made from beyond 25 feet (27) this year, per CBB Analytics. Brown was averaging 29.2 points per game over his last five appearances, including 45 points against NC State on Feb. 9, while hitting 10 shots from beyond the arc, before an injury on Feb. 28 forced him to miss March Madness.

11. Golden State Warriors: Labaron Philon

• TEAM: Alabama
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Alabama
• HEIGHT: 6-4
• DRAFT AGE: 20

The Warriors could still use more reliable players in the backcourt and could find a fairly compelling player in Alabama sophomore Labaron Philon. Even though the All-SEC guard is not playing at 100 percent due to injury issues, he has played well in March Madness, recording 29 points in his first game and 12 assists in his second. The guard is now averaging 21.6 points per game and has improved his 3-point shooting from 31.5 percent as a freshman to 39.7 percent as a sophomore, also managing 5.0 assists per game in the process.

12. Portland Trail Blazers: Koa Peat

• TEAM: Arizona
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Arizona
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Portland Trail Blazers have drafted several prospects known for their athleticism, which means a player like Arizona forward Koa Peat will probably have some appeal to the organization. Peat is an ideal match for this franchise given his versatility as a playmaking forward. The All-Big 12 forward just needs a jumper to carve out regular minutes as a high-impact pro. Arizona plays at a significantly faster pace (4.1 extra possessions) when Peat is on the floor relative to when he is not, per CBB Analytics, which would fit very well with Portland's fast-paced offense. 

13. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers): Hannes Steinbach

• TEAM: Washington
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Germany
• HEIGHT: 6-11
• DRAFT AGE: 20

After winning the 2025 NBA Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder are projected to add even more lottery-caliber talent in the 2026 NBA Draft. They could use it to potentially replace Isaiah Hartenstein by drafting a younger German big man: Hannes Steinbach. While his team missed the tournament, the All-Big Ten post is an instinctive rebounder with great hands, including an absurd 24 rebounds against USC on March 4. Additionally, the center is one of the more prolific pick-and-roll finishers in college basketball. He shined during the FIBA U19 World Cup, and scouts love that he is a smart basketball player who can make great reads.

14. Charlotte Hornets: Nate Ament

• TEAM: Tennessee
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Virginia
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• DRAFT AGE: 19

After a relatively slow and inefficient start to the season, Tennessee freshman Nate Ament started to realize some of his lofty expectations. The freshman averaged 21.6 points per game, while shooting 38.9 percent on 3-pointers, during a 13-game stretch before an injury against Alabama on Feb. 28. The All-SEC forward then had 27 points (4-of-6 on 3-pointers) with eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal against Auburn on March 12. While he has been quiet during March Madness, it will only take one team to fall in love with Ament, and that team is probably picking in the lottery.

15. Memphis Grizzlies (via Magic): Joshua Jefferson

• TEAM: Iowa State
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Nevada
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• DRAFT AGE: 22

A few years ago, research indicated that the Grizzlies tend to value a few statistical similarities in their draftees: Efficient shot selection, added value beyond scoring and defensive playmaking. For the second year in a row, Iowa State do-it-all Joshua Jefferson is an impactful dribble-pass-shoot forward who meets many of the qualifications that led Memphis to find players who spent many years on their roster. The All-Big 12 forward got injured during the first round of the tournament, but Iowa State still earned a spot in the Sweet 16.

16. Miami Heat: Cameron Carr

• TEAM: Baylor
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Minnesota
• HEIGHT: 6-5
• DRAFT AGE: 21

One of the players who improved his draft stock the most this season was Baylor junior Cameron Carr. The All-Big 12 wing brings athleticism and shooting and, per Bart Torvik, he was the only player to make at least 40 field goals that were dunks and more than 60 field goals that were 3-pointers this season. Baylor outscored opponents by an additional 28.5 points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor relative to when he was not, via CBB Analytics, which ranked as the fourth-most of any high-major player in the NCAA. 

17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via 76ers): Karim López

• TEAM: International (Australia)
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Mexico
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Thunder have drafted several players from Australia’s NBL, including Josh Giddey. They could dip into this well again by selecting Karim López with their pick from the Philadelphia 76ers. While the Mexican-born forward still needs some development, he is physically gifted and widely seen as the top prospect from this class currently playing overseas. He exploded for 32 points (11-of-13 FG) with eight rebounds, two blocks and one steal against Melbourne on Jan. 30. Even if he is a draft-and-stash player, that is ideal for a team with a rotation as crowded as the Thunder.

18. Charlotte Hornets (via Suns): Jayden Quaintance

• TEAM: Kentucky
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Ohio
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• DRAFT AGE: 18

Jayden Quaintance recorded just one start during his sophomore campaign as he recovered from a torn ACL, meniscus and fractured knee. The big man is still one of the youngest players in this class, but he has shown flashes during his time at Arizona State and Kentucky. When healthy, he is arguably the most talented defender in this draft class and could help a team that desperately needs frontcourt help, like the Hornets. But health may cause some concern for evaluators.

19. Toronto Raptors: Bennett Stirtz

• TEAM: Iowa
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Missouri
• HEIGHT: 6-4
• DRAFT AGE: 22

The Raptors could use another guard and should have Bennett Stirtz on their priority list. After transferring from Division II to a mid-major and then to a high-major program, he is at the top of the class in creating his own shot off the dribble in isolation or the pick-and-roll. The All-Big Ten guard can also finish plays from dribble handoffs. The Raptors play at a slow pace, which would translate well for Stirtz, who is doing the same at Iowa. While he has not looked stellar during March Madness, he has still earned a spot in the Sweet 16.

20. San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks): Thomas Haugh

• TEAM: Florida
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Pennsylvania
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• DRAFT AGE: 22

After winning a national championship with Florida last season, Thomas Haugh was instantly regarded as one of the most interesting players who elected to return to college. The All-SEC forward had one of the top motors in the NCAA this season before an early elimination from March Madness. While he did not score efficiently in a set offense this year, he does not need the ball in his hands very often to make a difference on the floor for his team. He can serve as a glue guy for a contending team looking to win an NBA title like the Spurs.

21. Philadelphia 76ers (via Rockets): Aday Mara

• TEAM: Michigan
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Spain
• HEIGHT: 7-3
• DRAFT AGE: 21

Michigan center Aday Mara is one of the prospects who has helped himself the most during March Madness so far. The 7-foot-3 big man, who transferred from UCLA, is a fantastic rim protector. Opponents only attempt 19.9 percent of their field goals at the rim when the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year is on the court, per CBB Analytics, which ranks near lowest among all NCAA players. He can also pass well, finding some awesome outlet looks in transition and at the rim. 

22. Atlanta Hawks (via Cavaliers): Patrick Ngongba II

• TEAM: Duke
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Virginia
• HEIGHT: 6-11
• DRAFT AGE: 20

Many teams could use a big man like Patrick Ngongba II, who is an above-average passer for his position. His assist rate is the highest among underclassmen listed at 6-foot-11 or taller, per Bart Torvik, and he is at the top of his game when passing to a driving perimeter player. Ngongba, who has helped Duke earn a spot in the Sweet 16, is a big-bodied prospect who can carve out space as one of the more prolific cutters in college basketball. He is on an encouraging development track, displaying legitimate year-over-year improvement from his freshman to sophomore campaign.

23. Detroit Pistons (via Timberwolves): Christian Anderson

• TEAM: Texas Tech
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Georgia
• HEIGHT: 6-3
• DRAFT AGE: 20

While they are one of the best teams in the league this season, the Pistons are still struggling from the perimeter and could use more talented 3-point shooters on their roster. A simple fix would be drafting Texas Tech sophomore Christian Anderson, who had the third-most unassisted 3-pointers (61) in the NCAA, per CBB Analytics. After moving to point guard, the All-Big 12 Most Improved Player recorded more than twice as many assists per 100 possessions as a sophomore now compared to when he was a freshman. 

24. Denver Nuggets: Dailyn Swain

• TEAM: Texas
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Ohio
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• DRAFT AGE: 21

After transferring from Xavier to Texas during the offseason and then leading his team to the Sweet 16, Dailyn Swain has become one of the more intriguing breakout players in college basketball. The All-SEC forward is versatile and contributes a little bit of everything for the Longhorns on both sides of the ball, scoring well both in the paint and on fastbreaks. Another element that is notably compelling is that Swain is efficient one-on-one in isolation against his defenders. 

25. Los Angeles Lakers: Morez Johnson Jr.

• TEAM: Michigan
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Illinois
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• DRAFT AGE: 20

Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best, most underrated two-way players in the NCAA. He is a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois. Johnson's shooting form at the free throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should find minutes at the next level.

26. New York Knicks: Allen Graves

• TEAM: Santa Clara
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Louisiana
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• DRAFT AGE: 20

One of the most under-the-radar prospects in all of college basketball this season was Santa Clara freshman Allen Graves, who was nearly a March Madness hero. It was hard not to notice the WCC Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year after he scored 30 points with 13 rebounds, four assists and two steals Feb. 7 against Washington State. The only players under 21 years old who currently held a higher box plus-minus, via Bart Torvik, were Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson.

27. Boston Celtics: Chris Cenac Jr.

• TEAM: Houston
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Louisiana
• HEIGHT: 6-11
• DRAFT AGE: 19

It was an up-and-down season for former five-star recruit and McDonald's All-American Chris Cenar Jr. at Houston. While he still remains a candidate to return to college and improve his draft stock for the 2027 NBA Draft, Cenac is getting hot at the perfect time. During his first game in the Big Dance, the big man recorded a season-high 18 rebounds, while also knocking down a 3-pointer and grabbing a steal. Then in the Round of 32, he showed off more scoring with some impressive cuts to the basket, dropping 17 points against Texas A&M.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Pistons): Tyler Tanner

• TEAM: Vanderbilt
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Tennessee
• HEIGHT: 6-0
• DRAFT AGE: 20

It is unusual to find a 6-foot sophomore projected in the first round of a mock draft, but if there were ever a player who has earned that kind of praise should he decide to turn pro after this season, it's Tyler Tanner. Despite his size, the All-SEC guard has found meaningful ways to contribute on both sides of the floor. He can score efficiently, dunk, block shots, steal the ball, and he is more than serviceable as a floor general capable of earning rotation minutes for a team like the Timberwolves.

29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Spurs): Braylon Mullins

• TEAM: Connecticut
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Indiana
• HEIGHT: 6-6
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Braylon Mullins, a five-star recruit and former McDonald's All-American, missed the start of the season due to an ankle injury. But he has returned to action for the Huskies and has shown what makes him such an appealing player. He is a useful off-ball threat, which gives him an immediately practical role at the next level. The Big East All-Freshman wing shot 40.7 percent on 3-pointers during his first 18 games in the starting lineup, but it may be tough for scouts to forget his 0-for-8 performance from beyond the arc during his first game in March Madness.

30. Dallas Mavericks (via Thunder): Amari Allen

• TEAM: Alabama
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Wisconsin
• HEIGHT: 6-7
• DRAFT AGE: 20

Alabama's Amari Allen is a 6-foot-7 freshman who averaged 12.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists with 1.7 "stocks" (combined steals and blocks), while shooting 39.5 percent on 3-pointers on 4.8 shots per game for the Crimson Tide during SEC conference play. The SEC All-Freshman wing is a good connective piece who plays hard, cares about winning and knows how to make the right play. He is a player worth watching during the Sweet 16.

The NBA Playoffs are nearly underway. Don't believe me? Well, the play-in tournament is set for April 14. That's less than three weeks from now.

Yeah, the season has flown by, yet shockingly, there are still tons of teams yet to fully clinch a spot in the playoffs. In fact, in the Eastern Conference, only the top-seeded Detroit Pistons have secured a spot in the top-six, ensuring they won't have to participate in the play-in tournament.

The Eastern Conference is very tight in the middle, with just 6.5 games separating the No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers and the No. 10 seed Orlando Magic, so things could really look different in a few weeks from where we are now. Still, it's interesting to look at where everyone would be if the season ended today. That's exactly what we're doing. Here are the current NBA standings, detailing who's clinched a spot in the playoffs, play-in, and who has been eliminated.

Could Duke men's basketball have its point guard back for Friday's Sweet 16 game in the Men's NCAA Tournament against St. John's?

Blue Devils' coach Jon Scheyer told reporters during a media availability on Thursday at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. that Caleb Foster is going to be a game-time decision for Friday's 7:10 p.m. ET tip-off against the 5th-seeded Red Storm.

"He's in a position where he's going to try to do that tomorrow night," Scheyer told reporters. "...He's going to give it everything he has to go tomorrow night."

REQUIRED READING: March Madness Sweet 16 games ranked as men's NCAA Tournament nears Final Four

Foster has been out since March 7 with a foot injury that he sustained in the final game of the regular season against North Carolina.

The Blue Devils have missed Foster on the court when it comes to the flow of their offense, especially in the Men's NCAA Tournament. In Duke's near upset in the first round against No. 16 Siena, the Blue Devils had eight turnovers and shot just 41% from the field. That turnover count went up to 17 in Duke's second-round win over No. 9 TCU.

Here's the latest on Foster:

Will Caleb Foster play against St. John's? Duke guard's status for March Madness Sweet 16 game

Foster will be a game-time decision against St. John's.

"He's in a position where he's going to try to do that tomorrow night. He had a good day of practice yesterday,doing a little bit. We have to see how he feels today," Scheyer said on Thursday to reporters. "... It's not like there's a lot of practice time, but we have to make sure he's in position before the game. (It's) more of a game-time decision. He's going to give it everything he has to go tomorrow night."

CHICAGO (AP) — Guard Jaden Ivey and forward Jalen Smith will miss the remainder of the Chicago Bulls' season because of injuries, the team announced on Thursday.

Ivey, acquired Feb. 3 from Detroit in a three-team trade, has been sidelined since Feb. 11 with a sore left knee. He averaged 8.5 points in 37 games this season, including four for Chicago.

Smith, averaging 10.2 points and 6.7 rebounds in his second season in Chicago, aggravated his right calf in Wednesday's loss at Philadelphia.

The Bulls are 12th in the Eastern Conference at 29-43. They visit Oklahoma City on Friday.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba