NBA Draft prospects to watch at Thursday’s NCAA Tournament

Jan 14, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) and North Carolina Tar Heels forward Luke Maye (32) fight for a rebound in the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Seminoles 96-83 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) and North Carolina Tar Heels forward Luke Maye (32) fight for a rebound in the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Seminoles 96-83 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jonathan Isaac, Florida State Seminoles, North Carolina Tar Heels
Jan 14, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) and North Carolina Tar Heels forward Luke Maye (32) fight for a rebound in the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Seminoles 96-83 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

March madness is officially here, and there are plenty of NBA Draft prospects that could help take franchises to the next level.

March Madness is officially here.

The entire basketball world (yes, even the NBA) are turning their attention to college basketball for the next three weeks to watch the best prospects play in the high-stakes, hyped-up tournament.

And there are plenty of NBA Draft prospects who could help take NBA franchises to the next level. This is their chance to showcase themselves in front of a larger audience.

This year’s NBA Draft has been widely considered to be one of the best in years. There are potential immediate impact players at the top of the draft. But this draft is all about the depth. Teams in the top six or seven picks should get some pretty talented players and potential stars.

UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball has dominated the conversation because of his father. But he is not considered the top pick in the NBA Draft. That would be Washington’s Markelle Fultz — they failed to make the Tournament.

This year had many quality prospects. And the NCAA Tournament is their last big statement to scouts before the Draft process kicks into high gear in May.

Orlando will have two first-round picks — the team’s own pick which is likely to come in the top 10, at least, and the worst pick of Toronto and the LA Clippers, likely to come in the ealry 20s. The Magic also will have their own second round pick and possibly the Los Angeles Lakers’ second round pick (both likely in the first five picks of the round).

With the NCAA Tournament starting up Thursday, let’s take a look at some of the players to watch out for. These are some of the same players who will dominate the talk of the NBA Draft.