March Madness means more than just exciting NCAA tournament games.
It’s also a chance to get a closer look at the next group of NBA rookies.
While the first three projected picks in the 2024 NBA draft are playing internationally this season, there are several lottery picks and first-rounders who will play in the tournament including players on familiar teams: Kentucky, Baylor, UConn, Duke and Kansas, among others. Those five schools each have at least two projected first-round picks.
It’s not just all freshmen either. Multiple projected first-rounders will be at least 22 years old with at least four years of college experience by the time the June draft arrives.
Let’s take a look at USA TODAY Sports' March Madness NBA mock draft. (Draft order based on standings after games played March 10.)
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Forward, 6-feet-8, 200 pounds, 18 years old
2023-24 stats: 10.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 51.2% FG, 38% 3PT
Has the scoring ability, size, length, quickness and athleticism teams are seeking in today’s NBA. Quick release on catch-and-shoots, is able to create off the dribble and runs the court well.
Forward-center, 7-1, 216, 18
2023-24 stats: 9.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.4 bpg, 52.6% FG, 71.7% FT
A strong defender and shot-blocker who plays with force on both ends; has good hands, uses his body well and though he doesn’t have the prettiest shot, he gets it to go in. His brother player, Olivier, is on two-way G League contract with Oklahoma City.
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Guard, 6-6, 200, 18
2023-24 stats: 18.6 ppg, 6.9 apg, 3.7 rpg, 52.4% FG (for KK Mega Basket before transfer)
The Serbian point guard, who has been sidelined with a knee injury, has great size for his position; loves to drive to the rim and can finish with either hand; can shoot the 3 but will need to improve his percentage. Strong passer, not flashy, but sees the court and can make the right pass.
Forward, 6-8, 190, 19
2023-24 stats: 13.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.8 apg, 59% FG, 45.7% 3PT, 70.8% FT
Williams’ perimeter defense and scoring ability make him a prime candidate for a top-five pick. Can get to the rim with ease, and finishes with power although listed at 6-8, 190 lbs. Has 3-point range, and his mid-range game is solid at the college level.
Forward, 6-10, 209, 19
2023-24 stats: 13.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.9 bpg, 45.3% FG, 26.9% 3PT, 70.3% FT
Good leaping ability, surprises with his dunks, soft shooting touch, plays through contact.
Guard, 6-3, 176, 19
2023-24 stats: 15 ppg, 3.8 apg, 2.8 rpg, 48.2% FG, 44.5% 3PT, 77.8% FT
As a smaller guard, he is elite at creating own shot, through spot-up shooting or dribble penetration because of his speed. Lacks strength and could improve shooting and shot selection. Could be a liability on defense.
Guard, 6-3, 187, 19
2023-24 stats: 12.7 ppg, 4.5 apg, 4.3 rpg, 2.5 spg, 54% FG, 52.6% 3PT, 84.1% FT
Can flat out score, especially off screens, using floaters or pulling up in transition. Lacks elite athleticism but handles ball well enough to warrant look at point guard. Will compete defensively, and rebounds well for his size.
Guard, 6-5, 195, 19
2023-24 stats: 14.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.1 spg, 38.2% FG, 33% 3PT, 82.3% FT
Typical 3-and-D player who will fit NBA teams looking for a shotmaker. Will need to make up deficiencies, such as questionable ball-handling skills. He competes defensively and rebounds well for a two-guard.
Guard, 6-8, 206, 18
2023-24 stats: 19.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.4 spg, 45.5% FG, 23.7% 3PT, 72.8% FT
Sustained season-ending thumb injury but showed his potential as a high-flying wing who flourishes off the dribble and in transition and likes to score; solid shot-blocker for his size; good body control while in the air. His 3-point shot needs improvement.
Guard, 6-6, 215, 19
2023-24 stats: 11.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.0 spg, 47.4% FG, 30.2% 3PT, 75.3% FT
While his stats don’t jump out, he is a big guard, who can slide in at the 4 when a situation dictates. Can create own shot but will be most useful on the defensive end to start career.
Forward, 6-9, 205, 18
2023-24 stats: 8.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.0 apg, 1.1 spg, 36.6% FG, 35.2% 3PT, 72.1% FT
Another athletic and lengthy wing from France who has immense offensive potential as a scorer. Can handle the ball and is focused on making the right play. The success of NBA rookies Victor Wembanyama and Bilal Coulibaly this season has put a spotlight on these young French players.
Center, 7-0, 248, 20
2023-24 stats: 16.7 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.6 bpg, 50.5% FG, 35.3% 3PT, 66.4% FT
A low-post big who uses his size, strength and athleticism. As the screener on pick-and-rolls, he can step outside and hit 3s and go to the bucket for dunks and layups.
Guard, 6-5, 210, 19
2023-24 stats: 16.6 ppg, 4.2 apg, 2.8 rpg, 1.5 spg, 48.8% FG, 32.9% 3PT, 67.8% FT
Should be healed from hand injury suffered during season. Has an NBA-ready frame and gets to the rack and finishes. Still needs to work on inconsistent jump shot and can be a shut-down defender if he puts his mind to it.
Center, 7-2, 280, 19
2023-24 stats:12.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.3 bpg, 1.4 apg, 62.8% FG, 56.1% FT
A strong big man with capable hands who is tough to defend in the low post; a worker on the glass, especially offensively and can operate in pick-and-rolls as the screener going to the basket. Has rim protecting skills. Playing away from the basket on both ends will be his challenge in the NBA.
Center, 7-0, 235, 19
2023-24 stats: 10.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.5 bpg, 62.4% FG, 60.8% FT
Good athlete and is an effective rim protector and rebounder, but must work on offensive game, especially establishing post moves, to justify lottery pick. Has trouble at free throw line and could add pounds to body to boost draft stock.
Guard, 6-6, 213, 22 (fifth season)
2023-24 stats: 21.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 47.4% FG, 40.5% 3PT, 75.8% FT
Strong on catch-and-shoot 3s, can drive to the basket with power and finesse and is athletic. Will need work defensively, and yes, he’ll be 23 years old by the draft, but that shouldn’t be a detractor.
Guard, 6-9, 202, 19
2023-24 stats: 9.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 50.6 FG%, 36.9% 3PT, 77.1% FT
Has skyrocketed up draft boards, especially with his play in Big 12 games. Runs the court well, finishes in transition and can knock down spot-up 3s.
Forward, 6-11, 224, 19
2023-24 stats: 13.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.0 bpg, 47.5% FG, 35.4% 3PT, 72.8% FT
Definition of a stretch 4 and as a lefty, he can pick his spots and extend shooting range beyond free-throw line. Ability to space floor, but improvement on defensive end could set him apart from other bigs in this draft class.
Guard, 6-3, 195, 21
2023-24 stats: 19.4 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.7 spg, 1.0 bpg, 47.7% FG, 38.5% 3PT, 72.3% FT
Strong, physical guard who can score from multiple spots on the court and will post-up smaller guards. Provides outstanding rebounding and shot-blocking from his position. Son of former NBA guard Anthony Carter.
Guard, 6-3, 197, 20
2023-24 stats: 13.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.1 spg, 45.8% FG, 40.6% 3PT, 87.3% FT
An efficient scorer on a talented team, McCain has range from 3 and can shoot it off the dribble or on the catch.
Guard, 6-8, 216, 21
2023-24 stats: 8.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.4 bpg, 1.3 spg, 54.8% FG, 21.9% 3PT, 53.4% FT
Dunn excels in transition but will need to improve his outside shot. Outstanding defender on the ball and as a shot-blocker using his length, strength and athleticism.
Guard, 6-7, 212, 22 (graduate student)
2023-24 stats: 18.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1.5 spg, 45.4% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 80.5% FT
Injury concerns aside, McCullar is an outstanding defender and productive scorer. One of oldest prospects in draft class (he turns 23 on March 15), can also be a playmaker, and is slotted at a 2 or 3 at the next level.
Forward, 6-8, 225, 21
2023-24 stats: 9.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 44% FG, 79% FT
Likes to run the court, can score in transition or on drives to the bucket; does not have a textbook jump shot, but gets it to go down. Played one season at Wake Forest before going to Australia to start his pro career.
Guard, 6-3, 195, 22
2023-24 stats: 15.0 ppg, 7.6 apg, 4.7 rpg, 1.6 spg, 48.6% FG, 40% 3PT, 88% FT
A playmaker and scorer, especially off the dribble, Kolek sees the court well, operates with savvy in the pick-and-roll and is clever with his finishes at the rim. He has six double-doubles in points and assists this season.
Center, 7-0, 242, 19
2023-24 stats: 16.1 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 1.9 bpg, 1.5 apg, 59.9% FG, 44.7% 3PT, 62.7% FT
Solid defender and rebounder and runs the floor well for a 7-footer. Has tendency to disappear in games but is effective on pick-and-rolls and pick-and-pops. Tends to struggle defensively against bigger, stronger foes, but has an offensive game that can translate.
Center, 7-4, 300, 21
2023-24 stats: 24.2 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 2.2 bpg, 61.9% FG, 71.8% FT
Edey is a bear to defend in the low post, and he may just win the college player of the year award. But in the NBA, is he mobile enough, especially defensively, to keep up with style and pace?
Guard, 6-8, 205, 20
2023-24 stats: 7.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.2 apg, 43% FG, 41.7% 3PT, 77.8% FT
Born in Switzerland, George is inconsistent as a scorer and playmaker, but has the ability to knock down 3s. Has shown enough as a scorer and rebounder with his size to attract first-round attention.
Guard, 6-4, 192, 18
2023-24 stats: 10.3 ppg, 3.3 apg, 1.8 rpg, 41.6% FG, 30.7% 3PT, 76.2% FT
The son and grandson of former NBA players, Dejuan and Milt, Wagner attacks the rim and can finish with both hands. Can be a playmaker with his passing and his 3-point percentage should improve with more repetitions.
Center, 6-11, 225, 18
From Cameroon, Chomche is a strong, active big man who is developing an inside and outside offensive game. Runs the court well and protects the rim.
Guard, 6-7, 215, 21
2023-24 stats: 19.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.2 spg, 47% FG, 35.8% 3PT, 79.9% FT
Can score, sees the court well and moves well without the ball. A solid rebounder who can also initiate offense as a playmaker either passing or creating shots for himself and knows how to utilize his size in pick-and-rolls as a ball-handler.
Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt and Scooby Axson @ScoobAxson
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