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Meet one of the most interesting guard prospects in the 2027 High School class, Javion Tyndale. The Canadian guard recently committed to Seton Hall after a summer that included leading the Canada U18 National Team to their first U18 Men's AmeriCup gold medal. Tyndale had 19 points, 8 assists and 3 steals in the 67-65 win. For the tournament, he averaged 12.6 points, 6.0 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game.
Tyndale is a quick, speedy, and shifty guard who excels at getting downhill and finishing at the rim. But what makes him different from other top guards is that Tyndale is a 5’8” point guard.
That’s not a typo. Tyndale is very undersized for a potential NBA prospect, but he makes up for what he lacks in height with heart. Obviously that is an old cliché, but with Tyndale it’s really his calling card. He plays hard on both ends and never takes possessions off, constantly looking to make plays.
Offensively, he has a speedy first step that helps him beat opposing guards off the dribble, and that, paired with a tight handle, helps him excel at getting downhill and to the rim. He’s a creative scorer who can finish with both hands and is built for drawing contact, but because of his size, he can struggle in traffic or heavy defensive pressure around the rim. Tyndale is a great game manager and knows how to conduct an offense, get his teammates in rhythm, and help the offense find a real flow early.
Three-point shooting is obviously going to be the major swing skill with Tyndale. The NBA has told evaluators time and time again to be viewed highly as an undersized guard; you need to be a threat from deep. He’s a capable shooter, but because of his height, he can struggle to get his shot off, shooting 25 percent in EYBL and 24 percent from three in FIBA.
Defensively, he guards really well. He knows how to use his smaller stature to get under bigger lead guards and poke the ball to start a fast break. Tyndale’s got good hands, and while he plays with an aggressive style that often sees him pick players up full court, he’s also super disciplined. The intensity and energy he brings on the defensive end can be a real tone setter.
Tyndale does have a tough road ahead of him to establish his place as a real NBA prospect. But the drive and confidence he brings to the court, along with the way he flat-out impacts winning, help his projection for sure. Tyndale is gearing up for a final season with Montverde Academy, which should be one final step in his positive development before starting his collegiate career with Seton Hall in the fall of 2027.
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Spinning back to the 2028 NBA Draft class, and instead of looking at an athletic freak like CJ Rosser, let’s take a look at a more finesse- and skill-driven player in Nathan Soliman.
The French prospect is a 6’9” forward who is incredibly skilled for his age and has a very versatile game that gives him a very strong floor at the NBA level. Soliman is a smooth operator who thrives with the ball in his hands, creating his own shot and advantages for his teammates. He has a strong handle that isn’t super common for a player of his size at his age, and it allows him to operate as a secondary and sometimes primary initiator. He makes good decisions and has flashed real point forward upside.
As a scorer, Soliman is well-rounded. He has a nice shooting stroke, a soft touch around the rim, strong footwork and post moves, and is a strong midrange scorer who is growing into a strong outside shooter. He is a tough player to scheme for as he is both a threat as a popper and roller, making the decision of what to do when he sets a screen tough for opposing teams. Soliman isn’t some explosive athlete, especially downhill, but has good body control and can rise up for dunks.
Defensively, he does have a strong starting point as he has great size and can play with a good amount of discipline. Soliman also has good instincts in passing lanes and when attempting to block shots at the rim, two things that help his defensive playmaking upside. However, the issue is that, athletically, he is really limited, and that can lead to him getting hunted on that side of the court. His foot speed is lackluster, and his lateral movement is so-so. Although his length can help him recover defensively, if he can’t improve as an athlete, he may be someone teams are okay passing up on the top half of the 2028 NBA Draft because he can get exposed so easily on that end.
In a league all about versatility, especially at the forward spots, Soliman's ability to handle the ball, make quick decisions, and punish defenses all over does have a path to being a contributor to winning basketball in the NBA. If he can get stronger and progress into more of a plus athlete, particularly on the defensive end, he could become someone teams aren’t comfortable letting slip out of the lottery in the 2028 NBA Draft.
In the FIBA U17 World Cup, he averaged 18.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 3.5 stocks per game, while shooting 56 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from three.
These highlights are from his final game against Canada, where he dropped 37 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, and 5 stocks.
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I was impressed by Haralson last year and he is as my 23rd ranked returning prospect to start this season. He's shooting is questionable but his other attributes are encouraging.
Jalen Haralson had an underrated freshman season with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and is now set to team up with one of the top transfers of this cycle, Juke Harris, at Tennessee. This past season, Haralson averaged 16.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, while shooting 51.5 percent from the field.
At 6’7” and 220 pounds, Haralson has the ideal build for a wing in the modern NBA. He has a well-rounded skill set and isn't the type of player that needs to dominate the ball to be effective, which helps his fit alongside Harris on the wing for the Vols next season. He’s a solid creator and is capable of initiating an offense and handling the ball.
Scoring-wise, he excels at getting downhill and scoring at the basket. He has solid finishing skills and relatively smooth touch around the rim, making him the type of player who constantly puts pressure on the rim. Haralson is a real advantage creator and knows how to use his size to dominate mismatches when smaller players are switched onto him. When given room to work, Haralson’s athleticism can be on full display with big dunks or sweet finishes above the rim. He can handle himself in the pick-and-roll, and has definitely flashed serious upside as a potential jumbo playmaker.
Where the question marks come in offensively is his three-point shooting. At times he’s shown flashes of an effective catch-and-shoot player, but has really struggled with efficiency and volume, shooting just 20 percent from three on 0.9 attempts per game last season. With improved outside shooting, Haralson would no longer be someone defenses are inclined to sag off of to take away his inside scoring game.
On the defensive end, he projects to be a solid defender in the NBA mostly due to his size, length, and basketball IQ. He’s a really good team defender and is capable of making plays in the passing lanes. He doesn’t have the fastest foot speed and can get exposed against quicker players; his frame and awareness help him project as a solid defensive piece.
Haralson is a unique prospect because, while he doesn’t have one standout skill, his frame and well-rounded skill set project well for him to become a quality forward at the NBA level. For now, he projects to stay in college for another season or two. However, if he can continue to grow into a high-end playmaker at his position and improve his outside shooting touch, the former five-star recruit could be a name to watch in the 2027 NBA Draft.
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Jalen Haralson had an underrated freshman season with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and is now set to team up with one of the top transfers of this cycle, Juke Harris, at Tennessee. This past season, Haralson averaged 16.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, while shooting 51.5 percent from the field.
At 6’7” and 220 pounds, Haralson has the ideal build for a wing in the modern NBA. He has a well-rounded skill set and isn't the type of player that needs to dominate the ball to be effective, which helps his fit alongside Harris on the wing for the Vols next season. He’s a solid creator and is capable of initiating an offense and handling the ball.
Scoring-wise, he excels at getting downhill and scoring at the basket. He has solid finishing skills and relatively smooth touch around the rim, making him the type of player who constantly puts pressure on the rim. Haralson is a real advantage creator and knows how to use his size to dominate mismatches when smaller players are switched onto him. When given room to work, Haralson’s athleticism can be on full display with big dunks or sweet finishes above the rim. He can handle himself in the pick-and-roll, and has definitely flashed serious upside as a potential jumbo playmaker.
Where the question marks come in offensively is his three-point shooting. At times he’s shown flashes of an effective catch-and-shoot player, but has really struggled with efficiency and volume, shooting just 20 percent from three on 0.9 attempts per game last season. With improved outside shooting, Haralson would no longer be someone defenses are inclined to sag off of to take away his inside scoring game.
On the defensive end, he projects to be a solid defender in the NBA mostly due to his size, length, and basketball IQ. He’s a really good team defender and is capable of making plays in the passing lanes. He doesn’t have the fastest foot speed and can get exposed against quicker players; his frame and awareness help him project as a solid defensive piece.
Haralson is a unique prospect because, while he doesn’t have one standout skill, his frame and well-rounded skill set project well for him to become a quality forward at the NBA level. For now, he projects to stay in college for another season or two. However, if he can continue to grow into a high-end playmaker at his position and improve his outside shooting touch, the former five-star recruit could be a name to watch in the 2027 NBA Draft.
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While Cameron Boozer was stealing headlines and going in the top three of the 2026 NBA Draft, his twin brother Cayden Boozer made the decision to return to Duke for his sophomore season. Although Cayden may never be the superstar his brother is projected to become at the pro level, he should have a long NBA career when he decides to turn pro.
In his freshman season, he averaged 7.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 50.0 percent from the field and 30.3 percent from three.
He spent most of the season coming off the bench, but ended the season starting all seven of the Blue Devils' postseason games after Caleb Foster went down with a foot injury. During that stretch, Boozer averaged 13.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while playing a larger role similar to the one he is expected to play in his sophomore year.
Offensively, he has a very traditional point guard game. Boozer is a controlled, smart guard with natural playmaking instincts and a crafty scoring bag. For a freshman, he had an incredibly mature game. He is an efficient scorer who doesn’t have elite athletic tools but makes up for it with his effort level and good footwork. When Boozer gets downhill, he isn’t afraid of contact or getting creative when finishing around the rim. Boozer particularly thrives in the pick-and-roll as he’s very good at throwing lobs or misdirecting the defense so he can create an advantage for a teammate and hit them for an open shot.
He plays with that control and confidence as a playmaker that coaches at any level love their point guard to have. In a way, it is reminiscent of another Duke product, Tyus Jones.
Where Boozer needs to take a step is as a three-point shooter. Seeing him take over 3 threes per game last season was encouraging, and his 80+ percent from the free-throw line bodes well for his development as a shooter. But at 6’4”, if he wants to leap to the NBA after his second season with the Blue Devils, he needs to become a more efficient three-point shooter.
Defensively, Boozer is gritty and not afraid of what to the eye may look like a mismatch. He is a pest with active hands that show up both on and off the ball in passing lanes. He moves his feet well and has very mobile hips that help him as a stopper. At the pro level, he could have a similar impact from the guard position as someone like Jamal Shead.
Boozer fits the mold of the ideal backup point guard. He’s tough, plays with a ton of heart, is smart with the ball, and can get you a bucket if you need one. While he may not have his brother's ceiling, he projects well as an NBA player. If he can see an uptick in his three-point shooting this year and play a bigger role for Jon Scheyer, he could enter the first-round conversation for the 2027 NBA Draft.
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Never too early
It may be a little early to look ahead to the 2028 NBA Draft class for most, but not us at Draftstack. While Joaquim Boumtje-Boumtje continues to dominate headlines for the 2028 class ahead of his freshman season at Duke, CJ Rosser could end up being the best player from this class.
Rosser is a 6’10 wiry forward with elite athleticism and awesome length who may catch you off guard when he steps outside and drills a three-pointer effortlessly. Rosser is still developing, but his raw skills and size are enough to catch any evaluator's eye as a potential transcendent two-way forward.
Offensively, Rosser is a freak. He can put the ball on the deck and bulldoze to the rim and dunk over defenders, or show off the finesse in his bag by slithering into the paint and finishing through contact. While his handle isn’t the tightest, for his age and size it’s well ahead of the curve and could be a separating factor for him at the next level if it continues to progress. Rosser’s athleticism and length make him a natural lob threat and play finisher in the pick-and-roll.
In the open floor, he’s unstoppable. Rosser's foot speed, length, and athleticism make him a hard combination to stop on the way to the rim.
However, the biggest selling point in his offensive bag is the outside shooting. Rosser is a confident shooter who can be a real threat off the catch and in the pick-and-pop. He pulls bigs away from the rim and can use his athleticism and downhill finishing to burn defenders on harsh closeouts. Although his shooting is still partially a work in progress, his free-throw shooting, ability to score off of post fades, and in tight quarters in the midrange help his long term projection.
The ability to play with and without the ball offensively is probably one of his more unique traits as a prospect. Rosser is a capable passer and is a patient decision-maker. To maximize his offensive game, he needs to add strength to finish through contact better at the college and pro level and refine his handle. If he does those two things, he’ll be a bona fide unstoppable three-level scorer down the road.
Defensively, Rosser has insane upside. More than your average shot blocker, Rosser does block shots, but he also alters them on contests and recovers when he gets beat because of his impressive length. His foot speed makes him a threat on the perimeter in passing lanes, and his mobility makes him incredibly switchable.
Similar to the offensive end, adding more weight is key for Rosser on the defensive end too. The physicality uptick from high school to college is no joke, and if he wants to be able to hold his own against traditional fives and fours, he needs to get stronger. While his length does provide a good recovery tool when he gets pushed around in the paint, he can't solely rely on that to be a high-level rim protector.
CJ Rosser has a ton of potential and is a prospect that makes it hard not to look ahead to the 2028 NBA Draft class. At 6-foot-10, he has a wide range of elite skills that the average top prospect only has one or two of. If he can add some more strength, continue trending upward as a floor spacer, and tighten that handle, he could be the No. 1 pick in 2028.
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It may be a little early to look ahead to the 2028 NBA Draft class for most, but not us at Draftstack. While Joaquim Boumtje-Boumtje continues to dominate headlines for the 2028 class ahead of his freshman season at Duke, CJ Rosser could end up being the best player from this class.
Rosser is a 6’10 wiry forward with elite athleticism and awesome length who may catch you off guard when he steps outside and drills a three-pointer effortlessly. Rosser is still developing, but his raw skills and size are enough to catch any evaluator's eye as a potential transcendent two-way forward.
Offensively, Rosser is a freak. He can put the ball on the deck and bulldoze to the rim and dunk over defenders, or show off the finesse in his bag by slithering into the paint and finishing through contact. While his handle isn’t the tightest, for his age and size it’s well ahead of the curve and could be a separating factor for him at the next level if it continues to progress. Rosser’s athleticism and length make him a natural lob threat and play finisher in the pick-and-roll.
In the open floor, he’s unstoppable. Rosser's foot speed, length, and athleticism make him a hard combination to stop on the way to the rim.
However, the biggest selling point in his offensive bag is the outside shooting. Rosser is a confident shooter who can be a real threat off the catch and in the pick-and-pop. He pulls bigs away from the rim and can use his athleticism and downhill finishing to burn defenders on harsh closeouts. Although his shooting is still partially a work in progress, his free-throw shooting, ability to score off of post fades, and in tight quarters in the midrange help his long term projection.
The ability to play with and without the ball offensively is probably one of his more unique traits as a prospect. Rosser is a capable passer and is a patient decision-maker. To maximize his offensive game, he needs to add strength to finish through contact better at the college and pro level and refine his handle. If he does those two things, he’ll be a bona fide unstoppable three-level scorer down the road.
Defensively, Rosser has insane upside. More than your average shot blocker, Rosser does block shots, but he also alters them on contests and recovers when he gets beat because of his impressive length. His foot speed makes him a threat on the perimeter in passing lanes, and his mobility makes him incredibly switchable.
Similar to the offensive end, adding more weight is key for Rosser on the defensive end too. The physicality uptick from high school to college is no joke, and if he wants to be able to hold his own against traditional fives and fours, he needs to get stronger. While his length does provide a good recovery tool when he gets pushed around in the paint, he can't solely rely on that to be a high-level rim protector.
CJ Rosser has a ton of potential and is a prospect that makes it hard not to look ahead to the 2028 NBA Draft class. At 6-foot-10, he has a wide range of elite skills that the average top prospect only has one or two of. If he can add some more strength, continue trending upward as a floor spacer, and tighten that handle, he could be the No. 1 pick in 2028.
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The wing position is all about versatility, which is what has made Alabama’s Amari Allen one of the top wing prospects in the 2027 NBA Draft. Allen is set to return for his sophomore season with the Crimson Tide after drawing a ton of interest during the 2026 draft cycle.
Last season, Allen averaged 11.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.7 stocks (steals + blocks) per game while shooting 44.6 percent from the field. Allen plays a well-rounded, high-IQ style of play that will draw a ton of interest from NBA teams this cycle looking for win-now talent.
Offensively, he’s a low-mistake player. He doesn’t project as a primary creator or someone a coach can go to when they need something to happen off the dribble, but he’s smart and knows how to fit into the flow of an offense. Allen is always ready to make the extra pass or find the hole in the defense and attack it. He spaces the floor well and has good shooting mechanics that make him someone opposing defenses have to respect from outside. That respect is something Allen leveraged last year at Bama, using it to draw defenders out and then attack them on closeouts.
He has a solid finishing bag that is efficient. In the pros, he projects as a reliable catch-and-shoot floor spacer who can make a living off of corner threes or being behind the arc ready to go when the defense collapses. His athleticism and size limitations at 6-foot-6 make him someone who probably won’t ever be an elite scorer downhill, but more of a big-time connective piece on a winning team.
Allen has a great motor, and it showed in his rebounding numbers last season. He plays with a ton of effort and energy on both ends of the court, and it really shows up on the glass as he pairs it with strong rebounding skills that help him project as a potential Josh Hart-level rebounding wing in the pros.
Defensively, Allen has a good foundation. His motor, agility, and build help him project as someone who will be able to guard 1 through 3 comfortably in the pros and even some 4s depending on the matchup. With some added strength and improved discipline, Allen could become an elite two-way talent in the pros.
Allen is a well-rounded wing with still plenty of room to grow after an impressive freshman season. We see more and more that teams are really valuing IQ and versatility more than ever on the wing, and Allen offers exactly that, making him one of the top wings in this class.
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Meet Sayon Keita, the center prospect in this upcoming 2027 NBA Draft class with arguably the most upside.
The 7-foot giant has spent the last several years developing with FC Barcelona and is now set to join the University of North Carolina in new head coach Mike Malone’s 1st season.
Keita is a raw but talented big man prospect whose biggest draw right now is his physical traits. He has a massive 7-foot-5 wingspan that makes him a threat at the rim on both ends, and paired with his impressive athleticism for his size, it makes sense why so many scouts see such high upside with him.
Offensively, he’s not super polished but is a very capable play finisher, roller, lob threat, and post scorer. Keita’s footwork will need to improve, but a season with Mike Malone and that UNC staff should help that.
His greatest strength on that end right now is the way he can alter the game by creating second chances. Because of his size and the effort he puts in on the offensive glass, any time he was on the court for Barca last season, if they missed their first shot, there was a high chance they'd get a second chance.
He’ll have to grow his passing ability to become a top-tier threat as a second-chance creator, but he does have a solid touch that can make him a putback beast at times.
One key developmental piece for him at UNC next season is growing his face-up game. Keita already has a decent handle, and if he can refine it, he’ll be a serious threat attacking off the dribble and scoring downhill.
Defensively, it’s a similar story to the offensive side as Keita’s size really benefits him. He’s a good shot blocker and in general defends the rim well. Right now his issue is that he isn’t overly disciplined, and at his height he’ll have to learn that he is way more of a threat staying down on pump fakes than falling for them. He’s relatively mobile, which helps his projection as a switchable five, but his ability to read the game will have to improve for that to develop long-term.
Keita isn’t the most polished player in this class, but his immense size, ability to already impact winning, and developing skills make him a very intriguing prospect in this upcoming class. Although he projects more as a two- to three-year college player than a one-and-done, never say never. So make sure to keep an eye out for him at UNC this season.
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Bounce-back candidate!
Shon Abaev, after one season at Cincinnati, made the move to Florida State and could be due for a major bounce-back in his sophomore season.
Coming into Abaev’s freshman campaign, he was one of the most talked-about prospects, with an impressive high school career and a skill set as a long, athletic shooting wing that NBA teams love to draft. But he never found a real rhythm with the Bearcats and went from a projected one-and-done to a lock to return to school.
Last season, he averaged 7.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists, while shooting 33.5 percent from the field and 25.7 percent from three. While those numbers definitely don’t look encouraging, sometimes top prospects go to weird situations, and a change of scenery is all they need.
A prime example is Aday Mara, who spent two seasons struggling with UCLA before leaving for Michigan, where he won a national championship and became a lottery pick.
Offensively, Abaev’s biggest selling point is his scoring profile. At 6-foot-8, he has a strong combination of outside shooting, self-creation off the dribble, and downhill scoring that makes him a three-level scorer. He is comfortable both off the catch and off the dribble as a three-point shooter and has a tight handle and enough bounce to get at the defender or get downhill when they close out on him too aggressively.
If he can get his efficiency back to the realm he was in high school when he was a McDonald's All-American, FSU could have one of the most lethal bucket getters in college hoops next season.
The scoring package he showed off in high school is more than enough for most evaluators to buy into a big bounce-back on that end in his sophomore campaign.
Because he can score at all three levels, he creates a ton of advantages as a creator, and if he can continue to grow his playmaking instincts, it would help him expand his offensive game further.
Defensively, Abaev projects to be a solid defender thanks to size and athleticism. His physical tools suggest that, with more development, he could guard several positions and be a real problem on the ball.
The biggest red flag is his discipline. He can be caught out of position, sleeping or gambling when he doesn’t have to. While the top priority is getting back to being an efficient scorer to really get the interest of NBA teams, Abaev needs to become more disciplined and flash two-way upside at FSU.
Abaev is a bounce-back candidate worth buying stock in this season. His freshman season didn’t go according to plan, but anyone who was a top-30 recruit in their high school class was regarded that highly for a reason.
At Florida State, he comes into a new situation with fresh confidence. If he can rediscover his shooting stroke, score the ball more efficiently, and flash potential on the defensive end, Abaev could be right back as a projected first-round pick in 2027.
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There may be no better transfer fit from this past college basketball offseason cycle than Nikolas Khamenia transferring from Duke to UConn.
Khamenia was a high-level recruit entering his first season with the Blue Devils and posted a stat line of 5.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 19.8 minutes per game. He now joins Dan Hurley’s Huskies, where he is set to play an increased role.
When you think of Hurley’s offensive style, read-and-react often comes to mind. He targets high-IQ players who can move the ball and make decisions to generate the cleanest possible look every time up the floor. Khamenia fits that perfectly.
He has a great feel for the game, and while he isn’t someone a team could count on to be a point forward, at 6-foot-8 he’s a smart decision-maker and high-level connective passer. He's a high-IQ player who shouldn’t struggle adjusting to UConn’s sometimes-complicated offense that loves to layer actions.
Khamenia's biggest draw as a scorer is his outside jumper. It’s pure, consistent, and rarely changes no matter what type of defensive pressure he is seeing. He’s great at swinging the ball and relocating to get a cleaner look from the perimeter. While he is a capable pull-up shooter, most scouts would like to see him become more comfortable shooting off the dribble to improve his projection as an NBA shooter. The key to that is likely tightening his handle, as it’s loose right now and can lead to turnovers against good perimeter defenders when he tries to attack. But off the catch, he is an ace that can be a perfect drive-and-kick option in the corner.
At the rim, he could be better as Khamenia’s thin frame can make him struggle playing through contact, and his lack of vertical pop can make him vulnerable to getting his shot packed in the paint. But he does have a soft touch around the rim which, paired with some physical development, can help him grow as a finisher.
Defensively Khamenia isn’t elite by any means. His so-so athleticism see him get exposed by quicker wings at Duke last season, so that’s a clear area for growth this season at UConn.
Nikolas Khamenia doesn’t project to be a high-usage scoring option in the pros, but rather a really good connective floor spacer. His size, shooting, and basketball IQ make him the prototypical Dan Hurley player, making UConn an ideal place for him to maximize his NBA potential, so keep your eyes out.
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The next Nikola Jokic? Probably not… but maybe.
This is Pavle Backo, one of the most intriguing international prospects in the 2027 NBA Draft class. The 19-year-old big man plays for Serbia’s KK Mega Basket.
Backo averaged 12.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.3 blocks in 19.2 minutes per game last season.
Backo is a talented center with a really strong feel for the game and the ability to put the ball on the deck and attack off the dribble at 6-foot-11. He isn’t a speed demon, but he's calculated and has a quick first step for a big man. He leverages his outside shooting to pull defenders away from the basket, then often capitalizes by getting defenders with a pump fake and driving to the hoop.
Around the rim, Backo has a very soft touche that makes him an efficient finisher any time he gets both feet in the paint. On post-ups, he has a deep bag of spins, hooks, and two-hand shots that are rather automatic. His footwork is polished, and he knows how to leverage both his quickness and size to beat other bigs in the paint.
Backo’s frame allows him to be an effective screener, and he does a good job freeing himself up to dive to the rim and finish as a roll man.
When it comes to his outside shooting and ability to space the floor, he’s effective and smooth.
Most big prospects with his scoring profile in the paint typically aren't perimeter threats, which is where Backo can really separate himself from other bigs in this class. Last season, he shot 36.5 percent from three on just under two attempts per game, and if that part of his game holds up so will his position as a likely first-round pick in June of 2027.
Another major selling point for Backo is his basketball IQ, which gives him serious upside as a playmaker. He can read and react to defenses faster than most big prospects and is comfortable operating as a hub from the nail. If he can continue to progress as a passer in the short roll, he could become the full package offensively at the five.
Defensively, his athleticism limits him, but he’s not a lost cause and plays with a ton of effort on that end. His size helps him contest shots and absorb contact, and he's surprisingly light on his feet for a player his size, allowing him to hold his own in space better than most centers his size.
Backo’s a solid shot blocker, and that, paired with his solid rebounding, helps him provide some positive impact on the defensive end.
With another strong campaign and more flashes of upside as a playmaker, Pavle Backo could really separate himself from the other big men in the 2027 NBA Draft class.
Below are some clips from his U18 play for Serbia last summer:
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Louisville’s new big-man transfer, Flory Bidunga, has the talent and potential to finish the 2027 NBA Draft cycle as the No. 1 center in the class.
Draftstack’s Chris Lambert (@CLambertmedia) is all aboard the Flory Bidunga hype train. Check out his article below! ⬇️ 🔗
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Trey McKenney is a guard prospect worth buying stock in for the 2027 NBA Draft.
After being an important piece of Michigan's national championship team last season, McKenney is back for his sophomore season and is due for a big year.
His usage rate was expected to rise significantly, with four of the Wolverines' starters leaving for the pros. And that number may only skyrocket with freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. set to miss the season.
Last season, McKenney was a bench bucket-getter, averaging 9.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game while posting 46/39/90 splits. In an exhibition match against Croatia's Mega Super Bet, McKenney led a late comeback for the Wolverines, finishing with 25 points on 3-of-7 shooting from deep.
This game really showed how exciting a prospect McKenney can be in a role where he gets more touches and can run the point.
His pull-up three-point scoring remains superb and creates a threat defenses have to respect, opening up chances for him to use his athleticism to blow by defenders and finish at the cup.
He also has very impressive creation ability and is built to make tough shots.
His shot creation, finishing, and range give him three tools NBA teams often fall in love with when evaluating combo guards.
Playmaking is definitely an area for improvement for McKenney. But in this game against Super Bet, he showed off some impressive processing ability and IQ that will help his growth as an initiator.
In the Wolverines' win over Super Bet,
McKenney also pulled in seven rebounds, which isn’t anything new. In Michigan’s championship-clinching win last season, he ripped down 8 rebounds. It’s not even that McKenney is a rebounding prodigy… It’s more of a motor thing. His hustle and willingness to do whatever he can to help the team win is a trait NBA teams are bound to fall more in love with during this cycle.
Defensively, his motor helps him. McKenney isn’t elite, but he can hold his own and has the size at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds to stack up against most guards.
There’s a lot to like about McKenney, and with more opportunity, he has the chance to be one of the biggest risers of the cycle.
Below are highlights from his 25-point performance vs Super Bet:
(He’s #1 in yellow)
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Matas Vokietaitis is a name draft fans need to get familiar with as he returns to Texas for his junior season.
Vokietaitis is a 7-foot, 245-pound post-scoring beast who averaged 15.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game while shooting 61.9 percent from the field last season.
Offensively, Vokietaitis doesn’t have a complicated game. He’s a skilled post scorer who can score with both hands and makes a living off hooks. Vokietaitis uses his size and frame to seal other bigs in the post and create clean looks for himself at the basket. The Lithuanian big is very agile and can be a punisher in the pick-and-roll.
He is more than capable of playing through and using contact to create separation on post-ups, with spin moves allowing him to shed defenders and get to the rim.
In the post, Vokietaitis has good hands and knows how to react quickly after catching the rock. Although he isn’t the most impressive athlete or a speed demon, he has flashed the ability to take other bigs off the dribble and to the basket.
Passing-wise, there isn’t much to buy into with Vokietaitis. He can struggle with decision-making and turn the ball over at times, posting a 0.6 assists to 2.1 turnovers per game average for the Longhorns last season.
As a rebounder, there definitely is more to ask of Vokietaitis. While he finished in the 99th percentile in offensive rebounding percentage according to Hoop Explorer, on the defensive glass, he gets caught out of position too often, which is something he’ll have to work on.
Vokietaitis doesn’t project to be a floor-spacing big, as over two college years he hasn’t attempted a single three-point shot.
Where he needs to show progression to really catch the eye of NBA scouts is improving his free-throw shooting. Because of his size, Vokietaitis is prone to drawing contact and getting to the line, seeing 6.4 free-throw attempts per game last season; if he can convert at a higher clip than the 66.9 percent he shot last season, then he’d really be cooking.
Defensively, he’s solid. Vokietaitis is a decent rim protector who understands how to use his size and can string together stops on the interior. At times, his lack of athleticism shows, as he can get killed in space or when forced to switch in the pick-and-roll. He also tends to veer away from physicality at times despite his big frame.
Matas Vokietaitis is a skilled big man with a very good inside scoring bag and monster size, and he's bound to catch the attention of NBA teams this cycle. But to solidify his spot in the 2027 class, he’ll need to work on limiting his turnovers, improving his free-throw shooting, and showing scouts he can become a stronger all-around defender.
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A player who seemed to become a forgotten prospect in the 2027 NBA Draft is former Wake Forest and now Tennessee wing Juke Harris.
Harris had a breakout sophomore season at Wake Forest last season, averaging 21.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. He now joins a Tennessee team ready to test his elite production from last season in a much more competitive SEC environment.
Harris is a 6-foot-7 wing with a strong ability to put the ball on the floor and create his own offense downhill. He’s a slithery driver who weaves his way through defenses and is pretty hard to stop when getting two feet in the paint, shooting 59 percent at the rim last season. Harris has good footwork and body control that allow him to score well in the post.
His quick first step burns defenses on closeouts and allows him to thrive coming off screens and off handoffs, nailing jumpers and attacking the hoop in an elite way in those actions. Harris’ ability to decelerate helps him draw contact and get to the foul line (7.8 free throws per game), particularly in the open floor.
As far as shooting goes, Harris showed a major willingness to let it fly from the outside last season, taking 7.5 threes per game. However, he only hit at a 33.2 percent clip.
With Harris being the only true source of offense for Wake Forest last year, him shooting 33.2 percent from deep is rather impressive, but for an NBA team to truly buy into that part of his game, his efficiency will need a minor uptick.
An encouraging sign is that he shot 78.3 percent from the foul line last season on high volume, which can often translate positively into long-term shooting development.
Rebounding is another major strength of Harris’ game. What he provides on the glass adds significant value, especially for a player who may not project as a primary offensive option on a winning team.
Harris can have tunnel vision as a driver at times, and while that may not negatively affect him at Tennessee next season, it’s a habit he’ll need to break at the pro level.
Harris has the tools to be a decent playmaker. He has a strong handle for his size and can operate in the pick-and-roll. The next step is showing NBA teams he can consistently create for others without turning the ball over.
Defensively, Harris is far from elite, but he’s also far from bad.
He reads offenses well, rarely makes mistakes, and possesses enough size to be a quality connective defender, so a coach doesn’t have to worry about him being a liability.
Harris may not possess the elite athleticism, shooting profile, or defensive upside teams typically look for in a starting wing. However, his skill set is unique and makes him project as an Alec Burks/Caris LeVert type, someone who can be a lead creator for a second unit and is at his best when putting the ball on the deck and creating his own offense.
As of now, Juke Harris projects as a late first-round pick, but if his outside shooting improves more, he could creep into the teens of the 2027 NBA Draft.
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Tyran Stokes is widely regarded as the No. 1 player in this upcoming 2027 NBA Draft.
Stokes is a big, strong bully with an NBA-ready frame and great athleticism, allowing him to blow by bigger forwards and overpower smaller ones.
Stokes is at his best attacking opponents off the dribble.
He is truly an elite finisher with an arsenal of moves to get himself clean looks at the rim. One move Stokes leans on is the hop step, as his combination of a quick first step with brute strength makes it the perfect scoring move for him. He plays well through contact and doesn’t mind playing through physicality, two things that will help him thrive as a roller and lob-threat in the pros.
In the open floor, Stokes is like a freight train, as his speed combined with his strength makes him the type of player defenders steer clear of in transition.
While Stokes does have a great feel for the game and strong awareness with the ball in his hands, when you get downhill the way he does, assists are going to be there to be made. He may not project as a No. 1 option scorer, but his strong handle and playmaking chops make him someone NBA teams could invest in as a primary ball handler.
On the glass, he’s a beast who can extend possessions offensively and close out possessions defensively. He boxes out well, and his strength advantage is evident when battling other forwards for rebounds.
People do question his shot creation, but with his ability to score at the rim with ease, three-point shooting is a much more important swing skill than shot creation.
Stokes has progressed as a shooter, shooting 36 percent from three last year. He still has bad tendencies at times and has a slow release. Becoming a consistent threat from the perimeter is what can separate Stokes from a prospect with good upside to one with superstar upside.
Defensively, Stokes has the frame and talent to project with a solid floor. He’s a strong playmaker on that end, can wall up opposing players, and hold his own in space. If he puts it all together, he can be an elite defensive player.
But to maximize his potential on that end, he needs to stop losing engagement at times and fully buy into that side of the ball—two things we’ll get a taste of at Kansas.
That’s why the comparison to Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson is a common one.
Both players are big forwards who slash, create advantages, playmake, and rebound. Their ceilings become infinitely higher with improved outside shooting and a buy-in on defense.
Attached below are highlights from last year's FIBA U19 tournament.
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Duke wing Dame Sarr presents a ton of two-way upside and could find his way into the lottery of the 2027 NBA Draft.
The immediate standout with Sarr is his frame. At 6-foot-8, with a reported wingspan of 6-foot-11-plus, he has the physical tools NBA teams covet. That size only amplifies his defensive impact. Sarr thrives at the point of attack and loves to make life hell for opposing initiators. He plays with a ton of awareness, has incredibly active hands, and brings relentless energy. Sarr fights through screens, shuts down driving lanes, and can guard the 1-through-4.
His defensive talent alone can clear a path to NBA minutes.
Offensively, the flashes are there. He’s an explosive athlete who can be a walking highlight reel in the open floor. Sarr doesn’t project as an elite ball handler or playmaker, but has shown a ton of positives as a connective passer and pick-and-roll operator. His ability to process and make quick reads as a passer will provide a ton of value in the NBA.
What also can bring tremendous value at the NBA level is his rebounding. Sarr’s length and desire to sacrifice his body to make winning plays made him an above-average rebounder for a wing last season and projects well to carry over to the pros.
Sarr’s biggest area for improvement is efficiency. 40.4 percent field-goal percentage, 32.3 three-point percentage, and 53.2 free-throw percentage aren’t going to cut it.
While Sarr's finishing needs to take a step up, the tool that will pique NBA front offices' interest most is his outside shot. The encouraging part is that his shooting mechanics aren't broken, and, given how obvious an area for improvement it is, if Sarr puts in the work this summer, a jump in that department could be coming.
If an offensive leap does come, even if it’s only minor, Sarr could be Italy's first lottery pick since Danilo Gallinari in 2008.
Dame Sarr’s stats last season: 6.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.4 stocks (steals plus blocks) per game.
Below is some tape from his freshman year.
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