March has arrived and tournament play will soon kick off, giving some of the top draft hopefuls a final opportunity to climb the board. Here, theScore's Wael Saghir ranks the early favorites to land in the lottery for the 2019 NBA Draft.
1. Zion Williamson - Duke, Freshman, F
Nothing's changed throughout the season. Williamson remains one of the most impressive prospects in recent memory and has been mostly dominant over his first 25 appearances.
However, the tank-like freshman suffered a scary injury against rival North Carolina after his foot tore through his left shoe, causing him to sprain his right knee after doing the splits. Williamson's fortunate he wasn't seriously hurt, but his value only increased after his Duke was handed a 16-point beating without him.
2. RJ Barrett - Duke, Freshman, G/F
Barrett's efficiency is seemingly on the rise as the Canadian swingman has shot 55.4 percent on 74 field-goal attempts over his last four games. Unfortunately, the Blue Devils have won once in their last three games with Williamson missing all but one minute over that stretch.
The 6-foot-7 scorer has struggled at times, but his style is better suited for the professional ranks; it's been difficult for Barrett to adjust with minimal spacing while sharing the spotlight with his monstrous teammate. His desire to take over games late could propel him toward superstardom at the next level.
3. Ja Morant - Murray State, Sophomore, G
It's difficult to picture Morant falling outside of the top four after producing elite numbers in his sophomore season. Though there have been concerns about his perimeter shooting, he's connected on 39.4 percent in seven February games. There's no guarantee that he'll be a reliable jump shooter when he enters the NBA, but the explosive point guard has so many other offensive tools.
4. Cam Reddish - Duke, Freshman, F
Reddish had an opportunity to become a legitimate second option for Duke when Williamson sat against Syracuse. Unfortunately, he finished 2-for-11 with five points in 40 minutes of action.
It's puzzling to see the super-talented Reddish struggle so often. Regardless, it's likely the Blue Devils end up with three players selected in the top five thanks to the versatile 6-foot-8 forward's offensive potential both on and off the ball.
5. Jarrett Culver - Texas Tech, Sophomore, G
Culver is a welcome surprise in the top five as he continues to shoot up the rankings. The Texas Tech sophomore is an NBA-ready talent that can score in any way and has the playmaking chops to become a superstar.
Question marks remain about his perimeter shooting, but signs point to him resolving those issues in the NBA. He's simply far too gifted and adaptable to pass up on.
6. Nassir Little - North Carolina, Freshman, F
The ups and downs continue for Little, as he showed some star potential during a short stretch in January before fading again. However, his most impressive game of the season may have come against Florida State on Saturday, finishing with 18 points and eight rebounds while showing excellent aggression and providing the energy that head coach Roy Williams (and scouts) hoped for.
7. De'Andre Hunter - Virginia, Sophomore, G/F
Hunter is an absolute terror on defense and should make his presence felt immediately in the NBA. He perfectly fits the modern 3-and-D mold that all teams covet.
It's difficult to envision All-Star potential right now, mostly due to Virginia's slow, defense-oriented style of play. However, selecting a player that knocks down 46 percent from three with a 7-foot-2 wingspan is rarely a miss.
8. Romeo Langford - Indiana, Freshman, G
Much of the talk surrounding Langford focuses on his high ceiling and ideal build for a shooting guard. Unfortunately, he's stuck on an absolutely atrocious Indiana squad that has done little to help him show the true extent of his value this season. The Hoosiers have lost 12 of their last 14 games and the freshman has struggled through the stretch, averaging 16 points on 40.6 percent shooting from the field.
Langford might be a project in the NBA but he could quickly emerge into a two-way star if he lands in the right situation. It's possible his inefficiencies are a product of the lack of spacing in college basketball, but shooting 27.3 percent from behind the arc doesn't help his cause.
9. Rui Hachimura - Gonzaga, Junior, F
Hachimura is the best player on the best team in the nation and he hasn't slowed down at any point this season. Gonzaga hasn't lost since Dec. 15, reeling off 18 straight wins by an average of 31.7 points. The Japanese big man is at the center of the team's success, averaging 20.5 points and 6.7 boards on the campaign.
The Bulldogs have been fortunate to play in a mostly weak conference that won't have more than one representative in the NCAA tournament. It'll be on Hachimura to show his worth and to maintain his team's championship aspirations against the nation's top programs.
10. Darius Garland - Vanderbilt, Freshman, G
Garland had an opportunity to compete with Morant as the draft's top point guard prospect before suffering a meniscus injury that quickly put an end to his freshman campaign. An impressive showing at the draft combine could help him crack the top 10 despite the setback, especially if teams are searching for a solid playmaker with elite potential as a floor spacer.
11. Keldon Johnson - Kentucky, Freshman, G
Johnson's production has dipped since the emergence of PJ Washington, but his two-way potential will help the Kentucky wing remain in lottery range. February was easily his worst month - he averaged 11.6 points and shot a disappointing 38.1 percent from the field - but the Wildcats suddenly became a legitimate national title threat despite his struggles. They'll need the freshman's defensive acumen to push them to the promised land.
12. Jaxson Hayes - Texas, Freshman, F/C
Of all the lottery hopefuls, Hayes is as raw as they come. The Texas product is a late bloomer with a high ceiling thanks to his elite athletic ability. He stands 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan and could turn into a monster on the glass as he continues to learn the game.
The numbers don't speak to his potential, as he's averaging 10.3 points and 5.2 rebounds in 28 appearances. However, true rim-running big men who can finish around the hoop and block shots at a high rate carry a ton of value in today's perimeter-oriented league.
13. Coby White - North Carolina, Freshman, G
It became too difficult to leave White off the list after his outstanding February, which included games of 33 and 34 points. The 6-foot-5 combo guard does a terrific job of finding his own shot and has become arguably the most valuable player for the Tar Heels in his first season.
If White can continue developing his passing, it will open up an entirely new realm of possibilities. For now, he may be better suited as a shooting guard with the ability to defend three positions when he gets to the NBA.
14. Bol Bol - Oregon, Freshman, C
Long, thin big men rely on agility, so breaking a foot is never a good thing. Still, the 7-foot-2 Bol provides the elite rim protection of a center with the offensive talent of a shooting guard.
Bol appeared in just nine contests, averaging 21 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks while knocking down 13 of 25 attempts from behind the arc. Whoever takes a chance on him may want to sit him through his first season to ensure he comes back 100 percent healthy.
