March Madness 2026: 5 NBA prospects with the most to gain in NCAA tournament

March Madness is about Cinderellas. It’s about upsets. And it’s about the nation’s best teams fighting for a national championship.

For a select few players, it’s also about looking ahead to the NBA. March is the final proving ground for NBA prospects seeking to improve their draft stock. In those terms, this March is like few others before it.

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This upcoming draft class is special, thanks to one of the best freshman classes in college basketball history with the potential to produce numerous NBA All-Stars. Several of those players will have more on the line in the upcoming weeks than cutting down the nets.

Here’s a look at five players with the most to gain from the 2026 NCAA tournament.

Darryn Peterson, Kansas

Before he ever played a college game, the consensus projections for this year’s NBA Draft had Darryn Peterson going No. 1 overall.

This is despite Peterson playing in a historic freshman class featuring AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson — all players who would be contenders for the top pick in most NBA Drafts. And there’s a boatload of high-end prospects behind them.

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Now, with the regular season done, Peterson’s spot at the top isn’t so secure. Peterson has flashed the otherworldly gifts that made him a seemingly can’t-miss prospect — elite playmaking, shooting and athleticism combined with a 6-foot-5 frame to make him a three-level scorer. He’s arguably the best perimeter defender in the draft.

But flashed is the key word here. Peterson’s been a model of inconsistency with Kansas. His pile of DNPs and early exits for various reasons could reasonably give scouts second thoughts about spending No. 1 pick capital on a guy who may not have a passion for playing the game.

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To be clear, the state of Peterson’s basketball drive isn’t known. He may be as driven as his fellow No. 1 pick contenders. But Peterson’s not saying anything to set the…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/article/march-madness-2026-5-nba-prospects-with-the-most-to-gain-in-ncaa-tournament-133257705.html

Author : Jason Owens

Publish date : 2026-03-12 13:32:00

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