🏀 2026 NBA Draft Stock Watch: Five Best March Madness Prospects in the Final Four

The NCAA Tournament may have already sent projected top-three picks AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer home early, but March Madness still boasts plenty of NBA-caliber talent. Several potential lottery picks are set to take the floor in the Final Four.

From Illinois' Keaton Wagler to Arizona's Koa Peat, my 2026 NBA Draft stock watch breaks down the five best prospects playing in the Final Four.

Whether you follow the NBA and want a glimpse at the league's next wave of stars, or you're just looking for an edge with your March Madness predictions, these are the names to watch.

📈 NBA draft stock watch: Five best March Madness prospects in Final Four

Odds via FanDuel.

🔝 Top five NBA prospects in the Final Four

Check out the latest March Madness odds.

Keaton Wagler, Illinois

• Draft projection: Top 10
• NBA comparison: Jamal Murray
• Biggest pro: Shooting efficiency
• Con: "Below-the-rim" athleticism

The rare freshman to come out of nowhere and play his way into being a top 10 pick, Keaton Wagler, is about as composed a playmaker as you'll find at 19 years old. The 150th-ranked recruit in the 2025 class, Wagler has a chance to become the best shooter in the class. He's a catch-and-shoot dynamo who can flamethrow from deep beyond the arc or work the mid-range with his pull-up game.

I back Wagler to score 18+ points today with my Illinois vs. UConn prediction, while our Mike Spector likes Wagler to make fewer than three 3-pointers in his Illinois vs. UConn player props.

Brayden Burries, Arizona

• Draft projection: Mid to late lottery
• NBA comparison: Derrick White
• Biggest pro: Two-way tenacity
• Con: Lack of twitch

In an elite freshman class, Brayden Burries has been overshadowed, even by his own teammate at times. Yet, he's seemingly played himself into being a lottery pick thanks to his physicality on both ends. Burries is a strong finisher at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds and a smothering defender who doesn't shy away from contact. His motor is among the best in the class, making him a defensive tone-setter.

Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan

• Draft projection: Mid lottery to late teens
• NBA comparison: Boris Diaw
• Biggest pro: Offensive versatility and defensive switchability
• Con: Age and shot creation

The Big Ten Player of the Year, Yaxel Lendeborg, has been the catalyst for Michigan's impressive season after transferring to Ann Arbor from UAB. He's become arguably the best two-way player in the country this season, with his size (6-foot-9, 240 pounds) and length (7-foot-4 wingspan) making him a disruptive mismatch on both ends. Lendeborg is a jack of all trades and master of none type.

Our Phil Wood backs Lendeborg to score 17+ points today with his Michigan vs. Arizona player props.

Koa Peat, Arizona

• Draft projection: Mid to late lottery
• NBA comparison: Paul Millsap
• Biggest pro: Power and strength allowing him to dominate the paint
• Con: Shooting woes, both from deep and at the free throw line

One look at Koa Peat and you're not surprised to hear he's the brother of former Pro Bowl offensive lineman Andrus Peat. Arizona's second-best freshman is built like a football player at 6-foot-8, 235 pounds, and he knows how to use his frame to pull down boards and bully his way to a bucket. Peat's also surprisingly nimble with some playmaking upside for a four.

I expect Peat to score fewer than 15 points today with my Michigan vs. Arizona prediction.

Braylon Mullins, UConn

• Draft projection: Mid lottery to late teens
• NBA comparison: Tyler Herro
• Biggest pro: Elite perimeter shooting
• Con: Rarely attacks the basket

A key piece of Dan Hurley's motion-heavy offense, Braylon Mullins has solidified his status as one of the most dangerous shooters in the country after his 35-foot game-winner against Duke in the Elite Eight. Standing 6-foot-6, Mullins is a gravity creator who forces defenses to stay attached to him through a maze of staggered screens and handoffs, making him a seamless fit for modern NBA systems.

🔭 Top NBA draft prospect on every Final Four team