Top 10 NBA Prospects in the Pac-12
Ahead of conference tournament week, let's dive into the players with the most NBA intrigue
Casual basketball fans (and big NBA fans) really start to pay attention to the college season around the start of the NCAA Tournament. March Madness is always a coveted time for getting eyes on future NBA players in high-pressure situations as they perform on the big stage.
In our world, college tournament week tends to be my favorite week of the year. Conference-level intensity provides for some fascinating matchups, particularly as teams duel for the second or even third time. There are more games on television, lots of even matchups, and the opportunity to see how players handle back-to-back situations. It’s a glorious week of hoops.
So in advance of next week’s multitude of conference tournaments, we’re giving a preview of seven of the most loaded conferences with pro talent. We’ll provide a prospect review for the ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big Twelve, Pac-12, SEC, and American Athletic Conference in terms of the best immediate draft prospects that NBA fans should get to know and scouting departments are watching closely.
Today’s installment takes us to the Pac-12, one of the major conferences that lacks elite star power. There are a few elite teams in Arizona and UCLA with tons of depth and several pro prospects, but it would not be a shock to see the conference produce zero first-round picks in 2023. Here’s a trivia tidbit for you: the last time the Pac-12 (or Pac-10) did not have a first-round draft pick was 1988.
Get to know the best of what they have here, as we can see a handful or more going in the second round.
Honorable Mentions: Marcus Bagley, Arizona State; Oumar Ballo, Arizona; Keion Brooks, Washington; Branden Carlson, Utah; Tristan Da Silva, Colorado; Spencer Jones, Stanford; Kerr Kriisa, Arizona; Braxton Meah, Washington; Justin Powell, Washington State; Courtney Ramey, Arizona; Will Richardson, Oregon; KJ Simpson, Colorado
Long-term guys not ready yet: Kylan Boswell, Arizona; Abramo Canka, UCLA; Frankie Collins, Arizona State; Kymany Houinsou, Washington State; Michael Rataj, Oregon State; Henri Veesaar, Arizona; Tre White, USC
10. Drew Peterson - W, USC
A 6’8” guard, Peterson has the rare combination of size, feel, and touch that scouts look for. He’s averaging almost 14-6-5 this year on a tournament team, is shooting 37% from deep, and competes on defense against other wings. We’d have Peterson a little higher if we felt like he could get separation consistently against real athletes. Peterson is old for a college player and likely will have to prove himself through Summer League and the G-League first.
9. Pelle Larsson - W, Arizona
A junior for the Wildcats, Larsson’s shooting numbers have gotten worse every year in school. We know the Sweed can shoot it, but he isn’t doing a ton to inspire confidence that he’s an elite enough shooter to be an NBA guy. His playmaking and ball security have taken a major leap this year, though not to the point where those skills could be his go-to strengths on an NBA court.
8. Harrison Ingram - F, Stanford
A year ago, Ingram was a leading candidate to be a top-40 player and a one-and-done prospect. A shooting slump over the final month of the season moved him down boards and propelled him to return to Palo Alto for his sophomore year. He’s been slightly better as a shooter (33% from deep on a solid amount of attempts). His calling card will be physical defense on the wings (with his 7’0” wingspan) and elite feel as a playmaker.
There are still questions about how he’ll score, but he’s got a real throwback style to his game that could make him a great connector piece if the shot keeps improving. Ingram likely will never be a high-end athlete, and that might limit how attractive he is to teams long-term.
7. Azuolas Tubelis - P, Arizona
We’ve been big fans of Tubelis dating back to his days playing in Lithuania. He’s supremely skilled, has soft touch as a lefty, can handle a bit, and has real shooting potential. He’s averaging nearly 20-10-2 while shooting 59% from two and 35% from deep.
Tubelis has been one of the players strategically subbed out by the Wildcats over the last two years, missing key moments on defense while Tommy Lloyd tries to close out games. Players like that always worry us, especially at a position where defense is so important. Tubelis doesn’t block many shots as a rim protector and doesn’t hold up for long on switches. We’re approaching the point where he’s too consistent on offense to be ignored. He’s worth a flier at the end of the second round.