5 best NBA Draft prospects in the NCAA Tournament

2. Trae Young

Trae Young has been one of the most exciting players in college this season, leading the nation in scoring by averaging 27 points per game for the Oklahoma Sooners. The Norman, Okla. native started at point guard as a freshman for Lon Kruger’s squad, and burst onto the scene with a bevy of 30-foot 3-pointers that gave people Steph Curry at Davidson flashbacks.

Young was on fire to start the season, shooting over 40 percent from the perimeter on double-digit attempts per game. It didn’t matter if he was shooting off the dribble, from a standstill, or coming off of screens — he’d elevate, flick his wrist, and the ball would launch out of his hands and drop without hitting rim. It was a magical start to the season, and Young vaulted up draft boards.

However, the Sooners team doesn’t quite have the same level of talent as other teams in the Big XII, and once they entered conference play, Young began to struggle with the physical play defenses threw at him. While he has incredible range on his jump shot, and elite passing ability, finding teammates at angles that few players his age can see, he started to wear down as he carried the load for his team throughout the season. It’s something that is a little concerning, but NBA teams have to realize that he’ll be able to spend energy more efficiently at the next level when he doesn’t have to do every single thing in order to have a successful offense.

Young isn’t Steph Curry — it’s not a fair comparison for any prospect. But he does have a great outside shot, is a crafty driver, has great vision, and can be a primary scorer for a NBA team. He’s going to have to improve his core strength in order to defend at a league-average rate, and he’ll have to adapt to not being the sole option. But the tools are there for him to succeed — whether that translates into success in the NCAA tournament remains to be seen.