NCAA Basketball: Breaking down the biggest 2018 NBA Draft decisions

Players affecting potential top 15 teams

Udoka Azubuike C SO Kansas

Azubuike is an imposing back to the basket center who can score at will in the paint. Unfortunately, the NBA is moving away from his archetype so it is unlikely that he will be drafted unless he drastically improves his defensive mobility or outside shooting. This also means his stock may have peaked so he could realistically stay in the NBA draft and play overseas or in the G-League. With him, Kansas is a top 3 team, but without him, they could fall to the 8-12 range

Omari Spellman C FR Villanova, Donte DiVencenzo SG SO Villanova

With this talented duo, Villanova is likely the number one team in the country, but both players will be drafted if they keep their names in. Spellman would be a late first rounder and is the more impactful returner. DiVencenzo would be picked in the second round of the NBA Draft but is more likely to stay for his junior season.

Jarred Vanderbilt (FR)/PJ Washington (FR)/Wenyen Gabriel (SO) PF Kentucky

Kentucky will be in great shape if two of these players return and will even be fine if only one returns. Vanderbilt and Gabriel could conceivably be picked in the second round, but it is not a given that any of them would be selected. All three are active rebounders and play with great energy. If I had to make a guess, I would say Gabriel leaves and the others stay.

Caleb Martin/Cody Martin/Jordan Caroline SF/PF JR Nevada– Nevada’s combo-forward trio could lead them to a historic season where a top ten (or even top five) ranking would not be out of the question. All three guys are extremely long, versatile and can create their own shot. I expect the Martin twins to leave and for Caroline to return which would probably keep them just outside the top 25.

Admiral Schofield SF JR Tennessee, Nick Ward C SO Michigan State, Luke Maye PF JR UNC

All three of these guys are fringe draft picks, but their return would ensure that their team will be ranked in the top 15. Schofield is the most likely to be drafted due to his versatility and small-ball PF potential while Maye and Ward are more recognizable college players.

Barry Brown SG JR Kansas State, Tremont Waters PG FR LSU

Both players had surprisingly good seasons and would be stars if they return as their respective teams are top-15 caliber. Waters has more draft stock than Brown at this point, but both players seem highly likely to return.