Ten draft prospects that Heat fans should be watching during the next two days
If you have grown weary of watching the Heat during this ongoing nine-game losing streak, here’s another option:
Put on your Pat Riley jersey, on his 80th birthday Thursday, and study draft prospects during the NCAA Tournament.
The Heat, which has the NBA’s eighth-worst record, would keep its first-round pick only if it misses the playoffs; otherwise, it would go to Oklahoma City.
The Heat will have Golden State’s pick this year if it falls outside the top 10, which is likely, considering the Warriors are sixth in the West after winning 14 of 16 with Jimmy Butler.
So the Heat is positioned to have at least one first-round pick and possibly two.
Ten players to watch during the next few days, with an emphasis on wing players — both scorers and creators — who would fill roster shortcomings:
▪ Illinois point guard Kasparas Jakucionis (playing 9:45 p.m. Friday against Baylor on CBS):
A naturally gifted 6-6 point, he’s potentially the type of playmaker that Miami badly needs. But he has struggled with his shot in recent weeks and is now down to 32.9 percent on threes. Jakucionis, who’s averaging 15 points and 4.6 assists, could go anywhere from the fourth pick to the 14th.
Per hoopshype: “His ceiling as a lead guard or secondary playmaker is sky-high, and that’s what makes him one of the most intriguing prospects in this draft class.”
▪ Oklahoma point guard Jeremiah Fears (playing 9:45 p.m. Friday vs. Connecticut on TNT):
The freshman is a skilled scorer (17 points per game) and creator (4.4 assists) and pest defensively (1.9 steals per game), with the speed and athleticism to get by initial defenders. But he’s shooting just 27 percent on threes and needs to get much better as an off-ball defender. He could go in the five to 15 range.
▪ Duke wing Kon Knueppel (playing 2:50 p.m. Friday against Mount St. Mary’s on CBS):
The standout freshmen projects to be one of the best shooters in the draft: 55.4 percent on twos and 39 percent on threes.
Per hoopshype, “At 6-foot-7, Knueppel has the size to be a versatile wing, and his shooting gives him a clear path to contributing in the NBA right away. But his long-term success will depend on how well he adjusts to the speed and physicality of the league.”
▪ BYU point guard Egor Denim (4:05 p.m. Thursday vs. VCU on TNT):
As a 6-9 point guard with excellent vision and elite passing skills, the freshman Denim stands among the draft’s most intriguing prospects. He’s also among the most polarizing.
He’s shooting 41 percent overall and 27.1 percent on threes and he hasn’t been able to beat defenders off the dribble. His 3.0 turnovers per game (compared with 4.5 assists) is worrisome.
But the talent is there to land a spot somewhere in the mid to late lottery.
▪ Connecticut wing Liam McNeeley (vs. Oklahoma at 9:45 p.m. Friday on TNT):
When you’re not watching Oklahoma point guard Fears, keep an eye on McNeeley, a 6-7 shooter who can create for teammates. But he has slumped recently and is shooting 33 percent on threes.
“On a team lacking ball-handlers, he has been tasked with more shot creation responsibility than he is equipped for, and probably will be asked to play a very different role in the NBA, where his perimeter shooting will be more attractive than his playmaking,” ESPN’s Jeremy Woo said. “McNeeley’s feel for the game and positional size gives him a solid base to work with in the long run if he can improve his frame and defensive contributions over time.”
▪ Michigan State point guard Jace Richardson (vs. Bryant at 10 p.m. Friday on TBS):
The 6-3 combo guard has risen to a potential mid to late lottery pick. He’s averaging 12 points per game and his shooting has been as efficient as anyone in the lottery (51 percent, 41 percent on threes). He can distribute but isn’t a natural point guard.
“Richardson turned the corner in a major way over the second half of the season, finding another notch with his aggressiveness and productivity shouldering greater offensive responsibility efficiently as a starter for Michigan State,” ESPN’s Jonathan Givony said. “His pace, skill level, feel for the game and shotmaking prowess give him an outstanding framework to build off at 19 years old, especially with the intensity he brings defensively.”
▪ Arkansas point guard Boogie Fland (vs. Kansas, 7:10 p.m. Thursday on CBS):
He’s not even a cinch to be drafted in the first round, but we list him because he’s a skilled point guard and the Heat needs one and some view him as a potential mid to late first-rounder.
He’s averaging 15.1 points and 5.7 assists and shooting 36.1 percent on threes but hasn’t played since thumb surgery on Jan. 22. He’s expected to come off the bench in the Razorbacks’ first NCAA Tournament game.
Hoopshype projects he could be selected anywhere from No. 6 through the end of the first round and adds: “Fland’s a quick, shifty guard with a smooth jumper and sharp decision-making, making him an exciting option for teams looking to add some creativity to their backcourt. He’s not the biggest guy out there, which limits his finishing at the rim and his defensive upside, but he makes up for it with his relentless motor and ability to draw fouls he’s getting to the line over three times a game.
“If he can tighten up his scoring and continue to develop his lead-guard skills, he’s got the potential to be one of the top guards in this draft class.”
▪ Illinois wing Will Riley (vs. Xavier at 9:45 p.m. Friday on CBS): The 6-8 small forward/shooting guard would be an option with Golden State’s pick, projected for the late teens or early 20s.
He’s averaging 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists and shooting 33 percent on threes.
Per hoopshype: “With his size, shooting ability, and high basketball IQ, Will Riley projects as a promising prospect who can evolve into a versatile offensive threat and effective team defender. If he continues to develop his ball-handling and works on finishing through contact, Riley could become a starting-caliber NBA guard with the ability to play on or off the ball.”
▪ Marquette guard Cam Jones (vs. New Mexico, 7:20 p.m. Friday on TBS).
Another option with the Warriors’ pick. The 6-5 wing is averaging 19.3 points and 5.9 assists but shooting 31 percent on threes.
Per hoopshype: “Jones is a polished, multiyear college player who’s ready to contribute right away, making him one of the safer picks in this draft. His combination of scoring, playmaking, and defensive reliability has solidified his status as a first-round prospect. He’s a crafty ball-handler who can split traps in the pick-and-roll, create his own shot off the dribble, and knock down threes from deep. As a playmaker, he’s shown he can run an offense and make smart decisions, posting a 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio this season. Defensively, he’s got quick feet, a strong frame, and the ability to pressure ball-handlers, making him a reliable two-way guard.”
▪ North Carolina guard Ian Jackson (4 p.m. Friday vs. Mississippi on TNT):
Projections for the 6-4 freshmen range from late lottery to the end of the first round.
He’s averaging 12.3 points and shooting 40 percent on threes.
Hoopshype.com calls him “an explosive, athletic guard who plays with a ton of energy, and his ability to finish strong in transition and knock down open threes makes him an appealing prospect that could be a spark off the bench.His playmaking is a big concern and he’ll also need to improve his shot selection and improve his defensive discipline to become a more well-rounded player.”
This story was originally published March 20, 2025 at 12:33 PM.
