Duke’s Khaman Maluach anchored the interior for an elite defensive team that reached the Final Four. Maryland’s Derik Queen was the offensive focal point for a team that reached the NCAA Tournament’s second weekend.
Those freshmen are the headliners among big men in the upcoming NBA draft.
While there’s a deep well of high-end guard prospects, the bigs have a smaller list and could produce Maluach and Queen as the lone lottery picks.
Here’s a look at the position entering Wednesday's first round:
Khaman Maluach, Duke
STRENGTHS: He has who can . The 7-foot-1, 253-pounder from South Sudan — he joined NBA Academy Africa in 2021 — showed ability to defend on the perimeter in Duke’s switch-heavy approach and had the combine’s biggest wingspan at 7-6 3/4.
Maluach runs the floor well for transition potential beyond finishing those pick-and-roll chances, where he ranked in the 99th percentile by shooting 89.4% (42 of 47), according to Synergy's analytics rankings. He shot 76.6% from the foul line and made four 3s, indicators that he can develop his touch.
CONCERNS: Maluach, who turns 19 in September, is a relative newcomer to the game and is still developing a raw offensive skillset. His 71.2% shooting largely came on dunks and putbacks, and he got to the line just twice per game.
Taking away those in-close opportunities can blunt Maluach’s impact (for now, anyway). That was on display ; he struggled against older and more physical players while managing six points on 1-for-2 shooting with zero rebounds in 21 minutes.
Derik Queen, Maryland
STRENGTHS: The 6-9, 248-pound Queen who averaged 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds while ranking among Division I leaders with 15 double-doubles with his ability to score in postups or off the offensive glass. He was also a solid passer (1.9 assists) and shot 76.6% on free throws while getting to the line 6.1 times per game, indicating his willingness to attack defenders.
The 20-year-old claimed his place in March Madness lore by banking in a buzzer-beating runner .
CONCERNS: Queen isn’t the biggest of bigs nor an elite defender. There’s also uncertainty on how he might fare against a bigger or quicker defenders, while he must improve his range after making just 7 of 35 3-pointers (20%).
He also didn’t measure well at the combine; he tied for last among all players in standing vertical leap (23.5 inches) and tied for second-lowest in max vertical (28.0), as well as last or next to last in lane agility, shuttle run and three-quarter court sprint testing.
Asa Newell, Georgia
STRENGTHS: The five-star recruit and first-round prospect for the first time in a decade, with the 19-year-old capable of playing as a small-ball center or power forward. His athleticism helped him thrive on the offensive glass (22nd in Division I at 3.33 rebounds per game) and as a rim finisher, along with showing potential as a versatile defender.
CONCERNS: Newell needs bulk on his 6-9, 224-pound frame to handle physical, stronger opponents. He also needs to enhance his outside shot after shooting 29.2% on 3-pointers (26 of 89).
Thomas Sorber, Georgetown
STRENGTHS: The freshman has the frame to tussle amid bumps in the post (6-9, 263) and in traffic. He averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 53.2% overall, including 57.1% in post-up chances, according to Synergy.
The first-round prospect has defensive potential with a 7-6 wingspan (tied for second-longest at the combine) that helped him average 2.0 blocks and 1.5 steals.
CONCERNS: The 19-year-old must improve his 3-point shot (6 of 37, 16.2%). There was a limited sample size of 24 games before a foot injury ended his season, though the Hoyas lost seven of 10 without him to illustrate his value.
Others of note:
– RASHEER FLEMING: The 6-8, 232-pound junior from Saint Joseph’s is a first-round prospect who averaged 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks last year. He has a better than 7-5 wingspan, and went from shooting 31.3% on 3s in his first two seasons to 39% last year.
– DANNY WOLF: The 6-11, 252-pound junior . The first-round prospect averaged 13.2 points and 9.7 rebounds while also making 38 3s in 37 games to go with 15 double-doubles.
– MAXIME RAYNAUD: Stanford’s fourth-year senior from France is who averaged 20.2 points and 10.6 rebounds while making 67 3-pointers in 35 games last year. His rangy skillset could land him late in the first round.
– JOAN BERINGER: The 6-11, 230-pound Frenchman turns 19 in November and could be a first-rounder as a mobile threat working in the pick-and-roll and as a lob threat.
– HANSEN YANG: The 7-1, 249-pound center from China is a potential late first-rounder with intriguing size (9-3 standing reach, nearly 7-3 wingspan, only combine player in top three in both hand length and width) . He turns 20 on June 26, the day of the second round.
– RYAN KALKBRENNER: The 7-1, 257-pound senior from Creighton averaged 14.5 points and 2.4 blocks while shooting 65.8% over five college seasons. He has good touch in the paint and (second-most in Division I) as a possible late first-rounder.
– YANIC KONAN NIEDERHAUSER: The 6-11, 243-pound junior from Penn State who ranked 12th in Division I by averaging 2.31 blocks. He had a better than 7-3 wingspan with a 37-inch max vertical leap at the combine.
– JOHNI BROOME: The is a likely second-round prospect. He averaged 10.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks, but lacks elite athleticism (he tied Queen in max vertical leap) and plays below the rim with a 6-9, 249-pound frame.
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AP NBA:
Aaron Beard, The Associated Press
