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March Madness: NBA Draft Prospects to Watch Vol. 2

By Brett David Roberts

Mar 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes forward Keita Bates-Diop (33) has his shot blocked by Michigan State Spartans forward Deyonta Davis (23) during the Big Ten Conference tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes forward Keita Bates-Diop (33) has his shot blocked by Michigan State Spartans forward Deyonta Davis (23) during the Big Ten Conference tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Gary Payton II, Oregon State Beavers
Feb 28, 2016; Corvallis, OR, USA; Oregon State Beavers guard Gary Payton II (20) celebrates a victory after a game against the Washington State Cougars at Gill Coliseum. The Beavers won 69-49. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

Oregon State: Gary Payton II (No. 42, DraftExpress)

vs. VCU, 1:30 p.m. (TNT)

Gary Payton II is hard to ignore given that he is the son of a Hall of Famer. He is a little different than his father, but is a guy who could easily play both guards spots. He both shoots and handles the ball well enough that he is going to give teams a lot of problems even at the next level. He is a beast defensively and that is the biggest parallel between he and “The Glove.” There is also the fact both attended Oregon State, so he is really trying to follow the yellow brick road to his father’s legendary successes in the NBA.

Texas: Isaiah Taylor (Undrafted, DraftExpress)

vs. Green Bay, 7:20 p.m. (TBS)

Isaiah Taylor is lightning quick and will be a spark of life to an NBA bench as a backup point guard. He is skilled at scoring, and he will be a pest defensively. His most ultimate upside may be in the mold of a Kyle Lowry, though assessing his potential as that high is certainly an optimistic view. He averaged 14 points and five assists per game this season for the Longhorns.

Buddy Hield, Oklahoma Sooners
Mar 11, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) shoots a jump shot as West Virginia Mountaineers forward Devin Williams (41) defends in the second half during the Big 12 Conference tournament at Sprint Center. West Virginia won 69-67. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Oklahoma: Buddy Hield (No. 9, DraftExpress), Isaiah Cousins (Undrafted, DraftExpress)

vs. CSU-Bakersfield, 4 p.m. (TNT)

Buddy Hield could be a guy on the Magic’s radar. He is a 6-foot-4 shooting guard whose shooting ability will make him coveted in this year’s draft. He can launch it from deep, and his range will impress a lot of people next season. He has improved a lot in his four years at Oklahoma, and he is an NBA-ready prospect. The Magic need an elite shooter, and to snag a young one would be a nice coup if the Magic do not deal the pick.

Isaiah Cousins is a 6-foot-4 combo guard, and he is a smart player who knows how to find his shots within the offense. He has the handle to make plays and is a perfect complement to Hield in the backcourt. He is likely to be a second round pick, but it is not hard to envision Cousins having a successful career.

Next: Notre Dame and Wisconsin