NBA Draft 2023: Breakout prospect candidates to watch in NCAA Tournament

Tyrese Proctor – Duke – Freshman – 6’5, 175 lbs

Truthfully, I could have picked any of Duke’s freshmen here (outside of Filipowski) that maybe haven’t lived up to their preseason billing, I’ll go with Proctor who had a ton of hype in the preseason, but a disastrous start to the year shooting the ball took him off the radar for 2023. But, Duke’s recent surge has, not coincidentally, aligned with an impressive month of play from him.

Proctor has shot the ball better from deep each month, and that has opened up his passing prowess. Proctor and Dereck Lively have become a dangerous duo in pick-and-roll, and Proctor and Filipowski also play well off each other.

Even when his scoring wasn’t there, Proctor has been a terrific perimeter defender all year, constantly taking on tough assignments. He has real length to defend and does a good job pressuring the ball.

The Blue Devils have become a trendy Elite Eight/Final Four pick, and to get there, Proctor will have to hit shots, facilitate, and lock up opposing guards. All indications are that Proctor will return to Duke for his sophomore season, but if he plays as he has been lately, I think he could be worth a first-round pick and could be convinced to come out this year. The Blue Devils, per usual, will have a plethora of NBA eyes on them, and Proctor is the key cog to the puzzle.