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Sweet Sixteen: 3 key prospects the Orlando Magic should be watching

By Stefan Alvarez

DURHAM, NC - JANUARY 22: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Duke Blue Devils react following a three-point basket against the Syracuse Orange in the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 22, 2022 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - JANUARY 22: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Duke Blue Devils react following a three-point basket against the Syracuse Orange in the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 22, 2022 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – JANUARY 20: Jaden Ivey #23 of the Purdue Boilermakers dribbles the ball while against the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on January 20, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – JANUARY 20: Jaden Ivey #23 of the Purdue Boilermakers dribbles the ball while against the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on January 20, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

The NCAA Tournament has never been a stranger to excitement. The nation’s best teams usually bring in future NBA prospects and the bright lights of March Madness are a perfect place for such prospects to showcase their abilities for the world to see.

Players have built their names and secured their spot on draft boards with stellar play during March.

Orlando Magic’s very own Jalen Suggs etched his name in March Madness history with his miraculous buzzer-beater to send his Gonzaga Bulldogs to the National Championship Game.

Zion Williamson, R.J. Barrett and Cam Reddish solidified their draft stock with stellar play on the big stage.

Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges showcased maturity and their ready-to-play IQ with a national championship victory over North Carolina — and with a little bit of help from Villanova legend Kris Jenkins.

And while yes, not all NBA stars have a run to the Final Four, the ability to shine on the national stage will always be viewed as positive aspect of a player’s game.

With only eight games left in the regular season, the Magic are likely to secure a top-five pick in this year’s NBA Draft.  If the season were to finish today, Orlando would find themselves with a one-of-three chance at the #1 overall pick.

With the tournament’s Sweet 16 set to kick off tonight, we are going to take a look at some of the key names that are among the teams remaining.

Sorry, Jabari Smith, you are going to be exempt from this list. Although it should be mentioned that the 6-foot-10 forward from Auburn showed flashes of stardom during his freshman season, Smith has been hesitant to officially declare for this year’s draft.

So, in which direction should Orlando head in? A big man to go alongside Wendell Carter? A scoring forward to help Franz Wagner and Jonathan Isaac? Or another combo guard to complete a diverse foursome of Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz?

There is plenty to watch and learn as the tournament tips off again this weekend.