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Top March Madness Performers of 2025 and Their NBA Futures

by Jeremy Block - 4/16/2025

Top March Madness performers from 2025 and their NBA futures

March Madness has come and gone, and while we’re all still recovering from the buzzer-beaters and bracket-busting upsets, one thing’s clear: this year’s tournament was a showcase of future NBA talent. From breakout performances to solid role players stepping up, the 2025 edition gave us a glimpse of who might be rocking NBA jerseys next season. 

But here’s the big question: will their game transition smoothly to the big leagues? Not everyone who dominates in college ball automatically becomes a star in the NBA, and with the draft just around the corner, it’s time to break down who’s got the chops to make the leap. Let’s take a look at some of the top performers from March Madness and where they might land, and whether their skills will hold up in the pros.

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Walter Clayton Jr. – Florida 

2025 NBA Mock Draft Prediction: Boston Celtics

Where else to start than with the National Champion Gators and their leading scorer, G Walter Clayton Jr.? Let me put it this way: there’s no title run this year without Clayton Jr. on the roster. The 6’3” guard was the engine that kept this Gator squad humming offensively, and when it wasn’t humming — he just did it himself. Dropping multiple 30-point games this season, including one against the top-ranked Houston defense, it’s clear that Clayton Jr.’s playstyle is built for today’s game.

While it’s nearly guaranteed he’ll be selected late in the first round — most likely by the Washington Wizards, it’s hard for me to see his game translating smoothly to the big leagues. I know, I just said his game is built for the modern era of basketball, but here’s the thing: Clayton Jr. is a 6’3” scoring guard, which is a bit undersized for his style. As a point guard, he’ll need to focus more on facilitating and less on taking shots — something that’s just not his playstyle. All in all, expect him in the league, but it’ll take a few seasons of development for his game to fully adapt.

Cooper Flagg – Duke

2025 NBA Mock Draft Prediction: Utah Jazz

Duke didn’t exactly have one of their historic tournament runs this year, but none of their success would’ve been possible without freshman forward Cooper Flagg. He averaged 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds over the year, and when March Madness hit, he raised the bar. He averaged 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds, and when the lights shined brightest, the freshman came through — racking up 27 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks against Houston in this year’s Final Four. At this point, pretty much everyone agrees that Flagg is ready to make the leap, and honestly, I’m right there with them.

 There’s no real debate about Flagg’s NBA readiness. Now, am I saying he’s the next Kevin Garnett? No. But we’re talking about the most NBA-ready college player in this year’s draft. Sure, like any rookie, he’ll need to adjust to the speed and physicality, but the IQ, footwork, and scoring touch are already there. Now, it’s just about getting minutes and letting the rest come together.

Derik Queen – Maryland

2025 NBA Mock Draft Prediction: Miami Heat

The Maryland Terrapins made it all the way to the Sweet 16 with a 27-9 record, and no, it wasn’t some Cinderella story — it was center Derik Queen putting the team on his back. The crafty big man had a solid season, averaging just shy of a double-double with 16.5 points, 9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. But it was in the tournament where he really showed out, proving he’s more than just your standard big. Queen flashed his handle, playmaking, and shooting touch — basically checking all the boxes modern bigs are expected to hit.

Here’s the deal: Queen hasn’t fully mastered the all-around game just yet, especially not at the level NBA bigs are playing it. But he’s got the kind of foundation most young bigs usually have to build after getting drafted. That head start matters. He’s the type of player who can plug into a system, do a little bit of everything, and still crash the boards while looking for his own shot. He’s not a finished product, but he’s coming in ahead of the curve.

Johni Broome – Auburn

2025 NBA Mock Draft Prediction: San Antonio Spurs

The game has evolved tremendously, especially when it comes to big men, but that doesn’t mean traditional centers are out of style. Auburn’s Johni Broome is proof of that. The 6’10” lefty was the engine that kept the Tigers rolling all season, including their March Madness run to the championship game. Broome averaged a double-double with 18.6 points and 10.8 rebounds, and during the tournament, he just kept doing what he does — racking up four straight double-doubles before finishing the championship  game with 15 points, 7 boards, and 2 blocks.

NBA scouts might be drooling over stretch bigs who can shoot from the logo, but they’d be out of their minds to overlook a guy who dominates everything within 10–13 feet. Midrange jumpers, back-to-the-basket scoring, crashing the boards — Broome checks every box in that zone. Think about it like this: Zach Randolph rarely stepped outside the arc, but he played his role, got paid, and stayed a starter for over a decade. That’s the lane Broome could easily carve out for himself.

Danny Wolf – Michigan

2025 NBA Mock Draft Prediction: Washington Wizards

Keeping the conversation on bigs, let’s talk about Michigan’s point-center Danny Wolf. Wolf gained traction early this season as a legit draft prospect, flashing his guard-like skills at 7'0". Whether it’s pick-and-rolls, playmaking, and step-back jumpers, the Wolverines center did it all. Wolf averaged 13.2 points and 9.7 boards this season, and was a key piece in Michigan’s run to the Sweet 16 — dropping 20 points, 6 rebounds, an assist, and a block in their final tourney game.

Sure,  the box score doesn’t scream “future All-Star,” but the tape tells a different story. Wolf was everywhere on the floor: directing traffic, creating plays, and showing off an IQ and level of composure you rarely see in college bigs. Like Maryland’s Derik Queen, Wolf already plays like a modern NBA big, but he brings even more to the table. Not only can he create his own shot, he can run an offense, thread passes, handle the ball in transition — all of it. He might not be a flashy pick, but he’s a sleeper in this draft.

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