Future NBA Stars to Watch in the 2016 NCAA Tournament
March Madness is upon us.
1 / 11
March Madness Is Upon Us - With the tip-off to Tuesday night's First Four, the 2016 NCAA Tournament will be underway. Through the March Madness, we're bound to see stars lead their teams and capture the hearts of the nation. Perhaps Michigan State's Denzel Valentine, Oklahoma's Buddy Hield and Duke's Brandon Ingram could be some of those players. Well, through it all, keep your eyes on these 10 future NBA stars to watch in the 2016 Tournament. After all, they're likely to be lottery picks in the 2016 NBA Draft. (Photos from left: Jim Rogash/Getty Images, Kirk Irwin/Getty Images, Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
2 / 11
Brandon Ingram, Duke - At a wiry 6-foot-9 with the ability to put the ball on the floor, Duke guard Brandon Ingram is already drawing comparisons to Kevin Durant. Think KD without the explosiveness, but still a very capable scorer. Although the defending national champion Blue Devils aren't as locked and loaded as last year, Ingram is a flat-out freshman stud and could be the second pick in the 2016 NBA Draft after LSU's Ben Simmons. (Photo: Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
3 / 11
Jaylen Brown, California - Jaylen Brown has a nose for the basket. That's evident, as he drives past defenders and regularly shows the ability to finish at the hoop. As the 6-foot-7 freshman forward goes, California goes. (Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
4 / 11
Kris Dunn, Providence - Watch the first step of Kris Dunn this NCAA Tournament. The 6-foot-4 junior point guard is quick to make his first move and when he does... defenders are often relegated to watching the back of his jersey as he blows by them. The kid's upside is huge. (Photo: Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
5 / 11
Jamal Murray, Kentucky - Pick your poison with Jamal Murray. Press him and the 6-foot-4 combo guard is going to find a way to break down his defender off the dribble and get to the hoop. Back up off him and Murray is going to spot up and splash in a jumper with three-point range. Although Kentucky may not be expected to win it all, don't sleep on Murray's ability to lead the fourth seed deep into the tournament before becoming an NBA lottery pick. (Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
ADVERTISEMENT
6 / 11
Domantas Sabonis, Gonzaga - Domantas Sabonis is really coming into his own and may easily be an NBA lottery pick come late June. The son of former NBA center Arvydas Sabonis, the 6-foot-11 power forward doesn't have the feathery shooting touch that his pops had, nor his polished passing game. But what he lacks in those areas he more than makes up for by rebounding and finishing in the paint. (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
7 / 11
Buddy Hield, Oklahoma - It doesn't take long for Buddy Hield to make games a "lituation." The 6-foot-4 senior guard shot nearly 50 percent from the field, while improving his three-point shooting clip to 46.4 percent. Delivering 25 points per game — second in the nation — Hield is more than NBA-ready. (Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
8 / 11
Gary Payton II, Oregon State - While he doesn't run his squad with as much command as his Hall of Fame dad used to, Gary Payton II did inherit one facet of his game from "The Glove" — his defense. Averaging nearly three steals per game, Payton II is a straight out disruptor with his hands seemingly always in the passing lanes. With the right NBA team, his game could keep blossoming. (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
9 / 11
Grayson Allen, Duke - What started as freshman Grayson Allen gaining fans across the country for playing with all heart during Duke's championship season last year transitioned into the sophomore guard being the most-hated Blue Devil since Christian Laettner. (Photo: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
10 / 11
Brice Johnson, North Carolina - What stands out about Brice Johnson the most? The fact that the 6-foot-9 North Carolina power forward stays in his pocket and is highly efficient. His 61.4 field-goal percentage with 16.6 points per game this season is proof. He also bangs the boards with the best of them, averaging just over 10 rebounds per game as well. With the Tar Heels being a No. 1 seed, keep your eyes on Brice.(Photo: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)