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Orlando Magic 2023 NBA Draft: 5 players to watch in the NCAA Tournament’s Regional rounds

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Anthony Black has been a strong defender and point guard for Arkansas' run to the Sweet Sixteen. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Anthony Black has been a strong defender and point guard for Arkansas' run to the Sweet Sixteen. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jaime Jaquez, UCLA Bruins
Jaime Jaquez is one of the standout seniors in the college class and should make for a decent second-round pick if not more. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

5 players to watch in the NCAA Tournament regional rounds

Jaime Jaquez, UCLA

First Round: 17 points, 8 rebounds, 5 steals vs. UNC Asheville
Second Round: 24 points, 8 rebounds, 11/19 FGs vs. Northwestern

Regional Semifinals: Thursday vs. Gonzaga (9:45 p.m., CBS)

Seniors are not in vogue when it comes to the NBA Draft. And that just seems like a really big mistake at this point.

Seniors know what they are doing and while they may not have the extreme upside as their young counterparts, they also have the ability to contribute pretty quickly because they know who they are and they know their games really well.

And, yeah, they can still get a lot better. Age should not be such a big impediment to the Draft if the player is that good.

UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez deserves a look for that reason. He has slowly built his play up while competing with a consistently really good UCLA Bruins team. And the Bruins once again find themselves competing for a spot in the Final Four and maybe much more.

Jaquez averaged a career-best 17.5 points per game along with 8.1 rebounds per game. He shot 48.1 percent from the floor, although he struggled from deep making only 31.7 percent. His 3-point shot has fluctuated throughout his career despite his free throw percentage hovering above 75 percent.

Jaquez is a 6-foot-6 guard, but he plays like a center. He is strong and punishes smaller defenders on the block — that is what he did to Northwestern to stave off a comeback attempt and advance out of the second round.

Considering a lot of guards now post up and the league has inverted the traditional notions of the position, thi sis not necessarily a detraction anymore. He can work around screens, screen for guards himself and take smaller players on the block and score with strength and creativity.

That skill should have some value.

Next. Jalen Williams has never led Paolo Banchero in ROY race. dark

But his lack of 3-point shooting is likely why he is slotted to be a second-round pick rather than a surefire first. He is still someone to watch as the tournament progresses.