Much to the dismay of 2018 NBA Draft enthusiasts, several projected lottery picks failed to advance to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. DeAndre Ayton, Mohamed Bamba, Collin Sexton, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Trae Young, among others, will likely never play at the collegiate level again.
Fortunately for them, NCAA Tournament results rarely affect a top prospect’s draft stock. Last year, for example, De’Aaron Fox and Kentucky dominated Lonzo Ball and UCLA in a Sweet 16 matchup. The Lakers still selected Ball with the second pick.
NBA scouts evaluate most lottery picks when they are still in high school at events like the Nike Hoop Summit.