It defines it 2022-2023 NCAA season and Final Four It consisted of four amazing teams: Connecticut (the only one who appeared as a candidate in the previous one), Florida Atlantic, Miami and San Diego State.
And although matches of this definition provide an interesting spectacle in themselves, they are also a showcase for observation and meet players we will soon see in the NBA.
What are the best projects featured in the NCAA Final Four? Below is a ranking of the top 10 talents to watch out for.
10) Matt Bradley – San Diego State
San Diego State stands out as a team where the collective far outweighs the individual. All players in his rotation are averaging between 16 and 27 minutes, with only one of them reaching double figures in points. This is somebody Matt Bradley, short guard (1.93) but very strongwhich stands out for very good hand for long and medium distances.
Bradley already had two 17+ point seasons (playing for California) and while he doesn’t have as many shots at his disposal for the Aztecs, he’s the best scorer the one they have, along with small point guard Darion Trammell.
9) Vladislav Goldin – Florida Atlantic
gold is a Russian interior 2.16 meters, who after starting his career at Texas Tech, has been a standout at Florida Atlantic since 2021-2022. His point is 100% painting game: score in the low post, protect the rim, be physical and dominate rebounds. He’s often in trouble, but when he’s on the court, he’s a huge prop for the Owls.
Goldin is in the Top 100 among all college players in shooting percentage. offensive rebound and percentage of stopper, in addition to being extremely effective near the basket (62% from the field). The Russian is coming off the shine against Kansas State with 14 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks.
8) Alijah Martin – Florida Atlantic
While Bradley and Goldin seem to have few options to be in the NBA, with Martin opens the list of players who can calmly aspire to take a step in this league. In your case it is a keep it down (1.90) but extremely athletic and with a very good three-point shot (38% in the last two seasons, with 5 attempts per game).
Height is a problem for a player who doesn’t see minutes as a base, but Martin does explosion and shooting worthy of the NBA. He was another of Florida Atlantic’s key figures in the upset against Kansas State, finishing with 17 points in 29 minutes.
ALIJAH MARTIN RISES 😮#MarchMadness @FAUMBB pic.twitter.com/ETFfWCW7dc
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 25, 2023
7) Jordan Miller – Miami
Like Bradley, Jordan Miller is a fifth-year player who, after spending three seasons at George Mason, arrived in Miami for 2021-22. From there he established himself as one of the best forwards in the ACC Conferenceespecially in a 2022-2023 season in which he averages 15.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 55% from the field.
Miller is a Extremely versatile 3-4, capable of contributing in multiple areas: Has a shot from three (36% accuracy), but can also create off the dribble and outrun slower players. The Virginia native is one of the most efficient players in the NCAA: it shows 20th in offensive rating and also in the Top 100 in effective field goal percentage and true field goal percentage.
Miller is coming off a memorable performance in the Elite Eight against Texas: 27 points on a perfect 7-7 from the field and 13-13 on free throws.
6) Jonelle Davis – Florida Atlantic
Florida Atlantic is the big surprise of this Final Four and Johnell Davis was at the center of it. Beyond the importance of Goldin and Martin, Davis is the Owls’ focal point, as is his main creator and scorer.
He’s a 1-2 with good height (1.94) who averaged 13.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 49% from the field in the regular season, but who raised his game in the NCAA Tournament: avg. 17.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 45% from the field in the previous four games.
His point is get the ball and attack the rim (6.3 free kicks per game), with plenty of resources to shine in that aspect. To bring his production to the NBA, he will need to improve his outside shooting.
5) Adama Sanogo – Connecticut
Sanogo is shown as a 2nd round pick of the 2023 Draft but he is one of the players dominates the NCAA. In fact, if the rankings were just the presence of each Final Four member, the Mali native would likely be at the top of the list.
The UConn insider doesn’t have great height (2.06) or athletic ability, but he is terror on the boards at the NCAA level, for his strength and physical play. Sanogo is a true tank, he opens up space easily and rarely misses near the rim. He is averaging 17.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 60% from the field in the current 2022-2023 season, with even better numbers in the Tournament: 20 points, 9.8 rebounds and 66% from the field in 4 games.
Sanogo gets the roll @UConnMBB pic.twitter.com/UwhgiM0bCU
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 17, 2023
4) Isaiah Wong – Miami
Miami has plenty of players who can create with the ball in their possession, and Miller isn’t the only one with talent in the NBA. Wong is a shooting guard in his fourth year of college and has an average 16.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists in this campaign.
Wong is one of the most talented offensive perimeter guards in NCAA basketball.. He can attack the rim, shoot mid-range on the move, shoot 3-pointers, draw fouls and also help his teammates. He’s another one of those players who doesn’t have much of an NBA profile physically (he’s 6-foot-1 and not super athletic), but whose talent will likely lead him to 2nd Round Pick.
When the game gets tight for Miami, Wong is usually responsible for creating and solving. Which he does perfectly in the Tournament.
Isaiah Wong with a 4️⃣ point game 🔥#MarchMadness @CanesHoops pic.twitter.com/SEheq4Z4nI
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 24, 2023
3) Andre Jackson – Connecticut
A barely average player can 6 points in 29 minutes be considered an NBA project? Yes because Andre Jackson is making up for his whites shortcomings as a scorer and shooter, with amazing contributions in all other areas. Especially when it comes to defense and assist.
Jackson is a 2 meters forward with spectacular athleticism, who serves as the link and primary pass rusher in UConn’s offense. His reading, intelligence, speed, anticipation, defensive effort and impact without scoring make it possible to compare him (save the huge distances) to a NCAA version of Draymond Green.
Andre Jackson scores yet another near triple-double with 8 points, 10 assists, 9 rebounds in 82-54 Elite Eight. He was everywhere on both ends as usual, showing his terrific feel for the game as a cutter and passer. pic.twitter.com/lzOv7ugVKY
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) March 26, 2023
2) Donovan Klingan – Connecticut
Klingon he doesn’t have many minutes at UConn, due to Sanogo’s stellar presence. However, as far as NBA projection goes, his is extremely interesting, and if the African interior leaves Connecticut after this season, we’ll likely see Klingan projected for the 1st Round of the 2024 Draft.
The Bristol native is a moles 2.18 meters and all the physical power that has been and will be, but also has great speed for its size. Something he often takes advantage of to score in transition, as is rarely seen in a player of his stature.
Klingan still has a lot to establish in his game (he makes his debut in 2022-2023) but usually makes the most of his minutes as a rebounder, blocker and goaltender. Actually, it’s average 21.4 points, 17.2 rebounds, 5.6 blocks and 66% shooting from the field, showing his stats in 40 minutes. At almost any other university he would already be a superstar.
CLEGAN COVERS IT AT HOME @UConnMBB pic.twitter.com/AhWhqd4vcQ
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 17, 2023
1) Jordan Hawkins – Connecticut
Barring some surprise, the 2023 Final Four only has one player projected as 1st round pick of the 2023 Draft. This is Jordan Hawkins, who can calmly end up a lottery selection.
Hawkins is a sophomore shooting guard, who with his Height 1.96 has a clear feature in his projection in the NBA: He is one of the best shooters in the entire NCAA.. Not just because of what he can do as a triple solid leg, but because of his own speed and ability to cast on the move and create spaces without the ball.
24 points for projected top-20 pick Jordan Hawkins in a Sweet 16 win for UConn. He took the downhill far more often than usual for a career-equaling nine FT tries, while also showing his typical shooting ability and putting in a strong effort on defense. pic.twitter.com/G5Xrz4AN2m
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) March 24, 2023
Hawkins is a true expert, with an average streak 16.3 points and 39% on 3-pointers (7.7 attempts) in this season and that while he has a lot to improve on in other aspects, he could end up being the key factor in leading UConn to the title in this Final Four.
