Florida just snagged a big win, and man oh man, it’s got everyone buzzin’ about who’s up and who’s down when it comes to draft prospects after the Final Four shenanigans. We’re talkin’ highlights from the championship in sunny San Antonio—so let’s dive in!
Stock’s lookin’ up for these guys:
Cooper Flagg, Duke Freshman, 6-9 220 SF/PF
So, Flagg didn’t actually make it to the showdown on Monday. Bummer, I know, but the way fans are these days, it’s less about rooting for teams and more about cheering on these standout players. Flagg? He’s definitely got people’s attention. During the game against Houston, he was dropping threes, swatting shots like flies, and just leading Duke with that fiery energy. I mean, okay, he missed a clutch fadeaway right at the end, but honestly, that miss was more about everything else going south for Duke. Monday night or not, Flagg’s name is getting bigger, and that might just put a chip on his shoulder that he’ll carry all the way to the NBA. This guy’s got the skills, the mindset, and the spotlight that screams future star—mark my words.
Walter Clayton, Florida Senior, 6-3 190 PG/SG
Okay, so hats off to the Florida Gators for bagging the national championship! And you better believe Walter Clayton Jr. ain’t taking the back seat. When it counted most, he was defense and offense rolled into one, making that epic defensive play to pretty much cinch the win. Stats-wise, it was not all sunshine for him—just 11 points on 3-for-10 shooting or something. But no worries, his 7 assists earned him the Most Outstanding Player badge for the whole tournament! Side note: Did you know this guy was also a football star once upon a time? Makes sense he’s tough as nails.
Will Richard, Florida Junior, 6-4 206 SG
Richard turned up the heat right when the Gators needed it most in the big game against Houston. Give this man an award for his hustle and clutch skills. He ended up with 18 points and 8 rebounds—not too shabby, huh? And his big defensive move, swiping the ball off Sharp late in the game, was just icing on the cake. Call him Mr. Reliable or Florida’s unsung hero, either way, he totally killed it Monday night.
Kon Knueppel, Duke Freshman, 6-6 220 SG/SF
Even though Duke had to bow out a bit sooner than they wanted, Knueppel is still riding high. Sure, had some awkward moments, especially missing a clean finish on a break that had me cringing. But his scoring smarts, advanced footwork, and savvy keep him definitely in the NBA conversation. He totally held his own with Flagg all season—his name’s not going away soon.
LJ Cryer, Houston Senior, 6-1 190 PG
Despite the heartbreaker for Houston, Cryer was the go-to guy, racking up 19 points in the end. His scoring ability was on full display with some absolute bombs from downtown that kept hope alive for the Cougars. And no doubt, his grit and grind caught some eyes. The big question is whether his play can level up for the NBA yet, but second-round nods? Yeah, that’s very possible.
Emanuel Sharp, Houston Senior, 6-6 210 SF
Talk about keeping your cool. Sharp had the magic touch in Houston’s earlier game against Duke and racked up 16 points! He’s got this knack for scoring under pressure, though I gotta admit, defense is a worry sometimes. Even so, he’s got what teams want from a guy who can hit those all-important shots. More room for improvement? Sure thing, but he proved he can bring it when needed.
Stock’s a bit lower for these guys:
Khaman Maluach, Duke Freshman, 7-2 260 C
Rough game in the Final Four, for sure. Maluach just couldn’t do his thing against Houston. What worked all season? Got neutralized real quick. It’s not all doom and gloom though—plenty of potential—but he needs to learn how to hang with the big-league boys, especially outside the paint. Hey, growing pains, everyone has them sometimes, right?
Tyrese Proctor, Duke Junior, 6-5 190 PG
Ah, Proctor fumbled a bit in the crucial moments, no doubt about it. Duke fans must’ve facepalmed when he lost that one possession. Missed some shots, struggled with handling pressure, you name it. He’s made strides this season, but as they say, timing is everything and his wasn’t quite there this time. Time to go back to the drawing board and shore up those weak spots.
Feel free to share this around. I hit the mark? Missed something? Let’s chat.
