{"id":693341,"date":"2026-04-02T05:49:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T05:49:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/693341\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T05:49:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T05:49:18","slug":"the-top-nba-draft-prospects-in-the-final-four","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/693341\/","title":{"rendered":"The Top NBA Draft Prospects in the Final Four"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2026 Final Four is loaded with a variety of different types and levels of NBA prospects. Five already look like good bets to go in the lottery. And there will be a number of other candidates to scout for teams picking in the mid-to-late first and second round.<\/p>\n

Certain players with smaller roles are also worth tracking for 2027, as NIL and a weaker 2027 draft are bound to bring back some promising underclassmen from Arizona, Michigan, Illinois and UConn.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Top Prospects<\/p>\n

Wagler came from off the radar back in October to become the top prospect at the Final Four. He just put together a 25-point game against Iowa in which he built a highlight reel of high-level creativity and shotmaking. He\u2019s not explosive or strong, but he overcomes athletic and physical limitations with advanced footwork, shooting, touch and IQ.<\/p>\n

Burries has been a constant in the scoring column for Arizona, and he hasn\u2019t needed any fancy skills or exciting athletic traits. He\u2019s highly effective attacking downhill and using footwork and body control. He\u2019s a three-level shotmaker who\u2019s hit 11-of-19 threes through four NCAA tournament games. Burries is a low-maintenance scorer with defensive tools who can fit in and generate offense in any role or system playing on and off the ball.\u00a0<\/p>\n

There figures to be extra focus on Mullins after his historic shot against Duke. One made three-pointer won\u2019t change a player\u2019s draft stock, but it was evident just how much range and confidence Mullins has behind the arc. NBA teams will look at him as a plug-and-play scorer who thrives off the ball with movement and extra space from a fourth level. But he also has some functional athletic ability for play-finishing and defense.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Braylon<\/p>\n

Braylon Mullins hit a miracle three to send UConn to Indianapolis<\/p>\n

Getty<\/p>\n

Peat enters the Final Four coming off consecutive 20-point NCAA tournament games. His scouting report has remained the same throughout the season, as he hasn\u2019t added any shooting range or promising creation skill. However, he\u2019s strong and athletic finishing plays around the basket, and he\u2019s a threat to attack closeouts or fall away into a mid-range jumper. Smart passing and defensive reads help make Peat a more complete player and potential high-level, role-playing Swiss Army Knife at the next level.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Yaxelborg has a case as the best current player in the Final Four. He\u2019s also 23 years old, which will limit interest from NBA teams drafting top 10. But in the next tier, teams figure to feel safe about selecting a 6\u20199\u201d forward who\u2019s consistently checked a valued mix of boxes from UAB to the Final Four with Michigan. He\u2019s improved his shooting to reach 37.2 percent on 4.5 three-point attempts per game. His passing has always been a plus. And he\u2019s blossomed into an impact defender who moves well and has gotten better at anticipating.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"U.<\/p>\n

Final Four-bound Yaxel Lendeborg took his Michigan Wolverines to the Midwest Regional title<\/p>\n

Getty<\/p>\n

First-round candidates\u00a0<\/p>\n

NBA teams can pick apart Mara\u2019s flaws and fit, being a center who isn\u2019t switchable and struggles mightily from the free-throw line. But even if it\u2019s in a reduced role, Mara can be a very unique weapon for a rotation as a 7\u20193\u201d shot-blocker, huge finishing target and excellent passer you can run offense through. A matchup with Motiejus Krivas in the Final Four will draw lots of focus from scouts.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Scouts are curious as to whether Johnson declares or returns to a bigger NIL bag and role at Michigan. There is definitely NBA interest in a forceful, 6\u20199\u201d finisher and rebounder who brings toughness inside and the defensive versatility to block shots or guard away from the basket. The upside really kicks in if he continues to build on his 13 made threes and improved free-throw shooting.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Dusty
\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

Krivas won\u2019t look like a sexy, high-upside draft pick. But he has the chance to be impactful immediately for an NBA team that could use more rim protection and a physical presence inside. At 7\u20192\u201d 260 pounds, he\u2019ll instantly become one of the league\u2019s biggest frontcourt players who changes games defensively and makes free throws.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Support for Reed has gradually grown as he\u2019s become a more involved scorer. Though not the most modernized big man, he\u2019s still skilled and coordinated offensively around the paint, and there aren\u2019t many college players who have his block and assist rates.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Bradley will be worth looking at in the second round as a backup point guard who can put pressure on defenses with his drives and opposing ball-handlers with his defense. He\u2019s a two-way playmaker who\u2019s been a consistent mid-range and free-throw shooter.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Big<\/p>\n

Big 12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley helped lead Arizona to a conference tournament title<\/p>\n

Getty Images<\/p>\n

No shooting improvement has kept Boswell from building any draft buzz. But teams could view him as a jack-of-all-trades guard who can run offense, get downhill, create for teammates, defend and bring professionalism to a lineup.\u00a0<\/p>\n

NBA teams are bound to see a role player in Karaban, who\u2019s contributed to three Final Four runs with the same combination of off-ball shooting, cutting and good decision-making. The lack of ball-handling or athleticism shouldn\u2019t matter for a floor-spacer and connector whose job will be to make threes, finish plays and move the ball.<\/p>\n

Longer-term Prospects\u00a0<\/p>\n

Kharchenkov scored at least 14 points in three of four NCAA tournament games. He\u2019s a physical slasher and intense defender who could be a surefire first-rounder next year if he improves on his 31.4 percent three-point shooting.<\/p>\n

Scouts will have to think out of the box with McKenney, who\u2019s built more like a tight end than NBA guard. Still, the combination of 225-pound size and 38.4 percent three-point shooting is worth monitoring. He\u2019s a dangerous shotmaker who\u2019s also looked good pulling up in the mid-range.<\/p>\n

Aristode has fallen out of Arizona\u2019s regular rotation, but he has a chance to generate NBA interest down the road with a three-and-D profile: 6\u20198\u201d wing size and 45.3 percent three-point shooting.<\/p>\n

Mirkovic\u2019s athletic and defensive limitations are glaring, but at 6\u20198\u201d, a shoot-dribble-pass skill set remains intriguing.<\/p>\n

\t\t\tMeet your guide<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"Jonathan<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tJonathan Wasserman<\/p>\n

Jonathan Wasserman serves as the Lead NBA scout and draft insider for Bleacher Report and NBA TV. He is Hoops HQ’s NBA draft correspondent.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tMore from Jonathan Wasserman \u00bb<\/a><\/p>\n

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