30. Marko Maletic – Western Illinois
There’s been very little straightforward about Maletic’s journey to this point but this 6-6 wing from Ontario is hoping that his final stop is his best. After putting in early work at Fanshawe in Ontario and Laramie County CC in Wyoming, Maletic became a top scorer and great shooter as a sophomore at Long Island. He’d then play just seven games in what became a lost season with Toledo, but he really found his footing this past season.
Western Illinois scooped him up last offseason and never regretted that choice. Maletic earned Second Team All-OVC honors while becoming one of the natino’s best shooters, averaging 16.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. He made 47.4% of his 3-pointers (3rd best in the nation) and was a major asset for the Leathernecks. In what could be his final shot, he certainly appears to be a talented sharpshooter who can really produce when healthy.
29. Alex Chaikin – Lafayette
We’ve only see Chaikin play a single season of collegiate basketball so he’s barely scratched the surface, but the Virginia native really showed that he can shoot a basketball. Chaikin did solid work under the radar in Williamsburg before finding his first collegiate home at Lafayette. This past season saw those Leopards win just 13 games and falter in the Patirot League but that doesn’t mean Chaikin didn’t attract a lot of eyeballs.
As a true freshman, he averaged 13.9 points per game, becoming a starter for Lafayette right around New Year’s. This isn’t just about raw production though, as Chaikin stood out as one of the nation’s best shooters in the process. He made 47.9% of his 3-pointers, the 2nd best rate in the entire country. He obviously did that against mid-major opposition and may have a harder time finding open shots in a tougher league, but Chaikin has the tools to be a sharpshooter for a prominent school in the future.
28. Derrin Boyd – Charleston
Recent JUCO rulings have thrown college basketball and transfers into a state of confusion, but Boyd is right there for the taking even though his collegiate career began way back in 2019. He played a pair of seasons and also redshirted at Georgetown College before finding his way to Lipscomb in 2022 and becoming a notable scorer for the Bisons, including an extremely productive season last year.
Boyd took a step forward and launched another productive campaign at Charleston, putting up 13.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game for the Cougars under new head coach Chris Mack. He made 38% of his 3-pointers and while all of his numbers took a slight step down he was doing this in the CAA, a slightly tougher league than the ASUN. Boyd earned Third Team All-CAA for his production but is looking to make an even bigger mark for the final stride of his college career.