In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael Barlowe and Richard Stayman break down the top NBA draft prospects in the East region of the 2025 NCAA Tournament and how strong performances could boost their draft stock. They kick things off with Duke, discussing Cooper Flagg’s ankle injury and how his health could impact both Duke’s title hopes and the tournament as a whole. Flagg is expected to return for the first round, but the duo also evaluates Duke’s other NBA prospects, including Kon Knueppel, Khaman Maluach, Isaiah Evans, and Tyrese Proctor. The conversation then shifts to Alabama, the region’s No. 2 seed, and which Crimson Tide player has the best chance to improve his draft standing. They also highlight Robert Morris’s Alvaro Folgueiras, a sleeper prospect quietly putting up big numbers and earning NBA attention. Another key matchup in the region features BYU vs. VCU, where freshman lottery talent Egor Demin faces off against fifth-year senior Max Shulga, a potential matchup problem for BYU, especially with Demin’s minutes fluctuating late in the season. The discussion then turns to projected top-five pick VJ Edgecombe and his intriguing test against Mississippi State. The episode wraps up with Stayman sharing his thoughts on Arizona, where he believes Jaden Bradley has the best chance to elevate his draft stock with a strong tournament showing.

2:00 – Cooper Flagg
4:10 – Kon Knueppel
5:15 – Khaman Maluach
7:32 – Isaiah Evans
15:15 – Alabama prospects
16:57 – Alvaro Folgueiras
20:25 – BYU vs. VCU / Egor Demin vs. Max Shulga
23:12 – Egor Demin’s recent play
24:43 – VJ Edgecombe
26:55 – Arizona prospects / Jaden Bradley

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