On this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael Barlowe and co-host Leif Thulin dive deep into Duke’s incredibly talented roster and explore whether the Blue Devils might actually have too much talent this season. They break down potential starting lineups, including whether star freshman Cooper Flagg and dominant big man Khaman Maluach can coexist on the floor. Rafael and Leif discuss how this dynamic could impact Duke's spacing and whether Flagg, with the immense expectations surrounding him, can live up to the hype. The duo also examines the development of Tyrese Proctor, who had a solid sophomore season but remains a bit of a question mark in terms of draft stock in a deep 2025 class. They also highlight the potential of Caleb Foster, whose sharpshooting and breakout performances last season make him a key player. In the final segment, they focus on veteran additions like Mason Gillis and Sion James, along with incoming freshmen Kon Knueppel and Isaiah Evans, to discuss which non-freshman will have the biggest impact. They wrap up by ranking Duke’s NBA prospects and analyzing how this wealth of talent could shape the Blue Devils’ season. 

NBA Draft analyst Rafael Barlowe from NBA Draft Junkies and current author of the NBA Big Board newsletter is joined by Richard Stayman (@MavsDraft), James Barlowe, and Leif Thulin to breakdown the NBA Draft. Rafael & Team gives passionate NBA Draft fans a deep look into the NBA Draft with great guests, Mock Draft, player rankings, and of course BIG BOARDs. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LONBABigBoard?sid=YouTube Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA #NBADraft #NBA #NBAMockDraft #MockDraft #NBABigBoard #NBACombine

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe continue their series of in-depth individual scouting reports leading up to the start of the basketball season, focusing on one of Europe’s top young talents, Hugo Gonzalez. Over the course of three segments, Rafael and James break down Gonzalez's rise as a standout prospect, from his early flashes at the Under 16 tournament in Italy to his MVP performance at the Adidas Next Generation Tournament, and his more recent showing at the FIBA U18 World Cup. The hosts explore Gonzalez's strengths, including his slashing ability, athleticism, and defensive potential, while also highlighting his areas for growth, such as outside shooting and decision-making. Throughout the episode, Rafael and James debate whether Gonzalez made the right decision to stay in Spain, continuing to develop with Real Madrid, or if moving to the U.S. to attend college, where he would likely play a bigger role, might have accelerated his NBA draft stock. As part of their ongoing prospect analysis series, this episode offers listeners a comprehensive look at Gonzalez's future NBA potential and where he might fit in the 2025 draft class.

NBA Draft analyst Rafael Barlowe from NBA Draft Junkies and current author of the NBA Big Board newsletter is joined by Richard Stayman (@MavsDraft), James Barlowe, and Leif Thulin to breakdown the NBA Draft. Rafael & Team gives passionate NBA Draft fans a deep look into the NBA Draft with great guests, Mock Draft, player rankings, and of course BIG BOARDs. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LONBABigBoard?sid=YouTube Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA #NBADraft #NBA #NBAMockDraft #MockDraft #NBABigBoard #NBACombine

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe dive into the thrilling showdown between AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer, two of the top NBA prospects in the world. Dybantsa dropped a game-high 43 points, while Boozer countered with an equally impressive 42 points and 15 rebounds. The hosts debate whether these two phenoms are destined to be the top picks in the 2026 NBA Draft. They also discuss the often-overlooked Cayden Boozer, who quietly put up 30 points and 9 assists, showcasing his all-around game in a dominant performance. Tune in as Rafael and James break down the future of these high school stars and their NBA potential. NBA Draft analyst Rafael Barlowe from NBA Draft Junkies and current author of the NBA Big Board newsletter is joined by Richard Stayman (@MavsDraft), James Barlowe, and Leif Thulin to breakdown the NBA Draft. Rafael & Team gives passionate NBA Draft fans a deep look into the NBA Draft with great guests, Mock Draft, player rankings, and of course BIG BOARDs. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network.

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe continue their 2025 NBA Draft prospect series with a deep dive into VJ Edgecombe’s impressive rise. After an outstanding performance at the FIBA Olympic Qualifiers, where he averaged 16.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game for the Bahamas alongside NBA players like DeAndre Ayton and Buddy Hield, Edgecombe has entered the season with major momentum. The hosts break down his explosive athleticism, elite finishing ability, and defensive potential, while debating whether Edgecombe can sustain this upward trajectory. One of the main takeaways from the episode is the question of whether Edgecombe can maintain his strong performance and continue to elevate his draft stock heading into the 2024-25 season at Baylor. Tune in to hear the full breakdown of this potential lottery pick’s game.

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe continue their series of preseason analyses on the top prospects for the 2025 NBA Draft, focusing on Collin Murray-Boyles. After a breakout freshman season, despite battling mononucleosis, Murray-Boyles has caught the attention of NBA scouts with his blend of strength, skill, and finesse. Standing 6’7” and weighing 230 pounds, Murray-Boyles is a paint powerhouse, excelling at finishing around the rim, exploiting mismatches, and showing off his passing ability. Rafael and James break down his impressive rebounding, defensive instincts, and high basketball IQ while discussing how his lack of elite vertical athleticism and outside shooting could impact his NBA fit. With a crucial sophomore season ahead, the hosts analyze what improvements Murray-Boyles needs to solidify his first-round potential and possibly enter lottery discussions.

Join hosts Rafael and James Barlowe on the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast as they continue their series on top 2025 NBA Draft prospects with an in-depth look at Tre Johnson, one of the most talented scorers in this upcoming draft class. Tre gave Texas fans a glimpse of his potential at the McDonald’s All-American game, and in this episode, Rafael and James break down his  strengths, and areas for growth. The hosts share personal stories of watching Tre dominate in high school, highlighting his scoring versatility, mid-range prowess, and underrated playmaking skills. They also dive into a key discussion: can Tre Johnson maximize his potential if he’s not given on-ball reps as a playmaker? Tune in as they analyze his draft stock, role fit, and how his unique skill set could translate to the NBA.

Join hosts Rafael Barlowe and James Barlowe on the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast as they continue their series on top 2025 NBA Draft prospects with an in-depth look at Nolan Traore, the next potential French star. Traore has garnered significant attention as one of the draft's top international prospects, showcasing his skills at major events like the Nike Hoop Summit and the Adidas Next Generation Tournament. In this episode, Rafael breaks down Traore’s standout performances, including his record-setting games and leadership at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket, while James reveals why he ranks Traore as the No. 2 prospect on his yet-to-be-released 2025 Big Board. They analyze Traore’s strengths, such as his explosive first step, scoring ability, and dynamic playmaking, along with areas needing refinement like his turnover rate and shot selection. Tune in to learn why Traore is projected as a top-10 pick and how he could make an impact as a future NBA star. NBA Draft analyst Rafael Barlowe from NBA Draft Junkies and current author of the NBA Big Board newsletter is joined by Richard Stayman (@MavsDraft), James Barlowe, and Leif Thulin to breakdown the NBA Draft. Rafael & Team gives passionate NBA Draft fans a deep look into the NBA Draft with great guests, Mock Draft, player rankings, and of course BIG BOARDs. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LONBABigBoard?sid=YouTube Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA #NBADraft #NBA #NBAMockDraft #MockDraft #NBABigBoard #NBACombine

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Alec Kichian (NBADraftpoint on Twitter) makes his debut alongside host Rafael Barlowe to break down the top international freshmen set to impact college basketball this season. This episode covers Illinois newcomers Will Riley and Kasparas Jakucionis, focusing on their roles and potential contributions. The conversation shifts to Khaman Maluach's raw upside as a 7'2" center and Hamad Mousa's fit at Dayton, along with BYU's versatile forward Egor Demin. Barlowe and Kichian also analyze 21-year-old freshman Fedor Zugic, who brings valuable experience from playing in Germany’s top league and is expected to be an immediate shooting threat for Creighton.

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, host James Barlowe breaks down three promising big men for the 2025 NBA Draft: Australian center Rocco Zikarsky, who will suit up for the Brisbane Bullets in the NBL; South Sudanese sensation Khaman Maluach, set to play his freshman year at Duke; and Georgia's standout freshman Asa Newell. James dives into each prospect's strengths, areas for improvement, and concerns, while exploring the intriguing question: "Are big men back?" With a deep pool of talent at the center position in the 2025 draft, this episode highlights the resurgence of dominant big men in basketball.

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe dive into the 2025 NBA Draft, spotlighting three promising prospects: Hunter Sallis, Saint Thomas, and William Kyle. All three players hail from Omaha, Nebraska—the same city where the Barlowe brothers were born and raised. With a personal connection to the players' hometown, Rafael and James offer unique insights into the development and potential of these standout prospects. 

First, they discuss Hunter Sallis, a dynamic shooting guard known for his athleticism and scoring, who made a significant impact at Wake Forest, but will be expected to replicate his 2023-24 season where was named ACC Newcomer of the Year and First Team All-ACC. 

Next, they explore the versatile skill set of Saint Thomas, a forward who transferred to USC after a standout season at Northern Colorado where he averaged 19.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. 

Finally, the Barlowe brothers analyze the raw talent of William Kyle III, a bouncy play finisher who has shown growth and promise during his two seasons at South Dakota State. Join Rafael and James as they provide in-depth analysis on these Omaha-born prospects, discussing their strengths, achievements, and potential roles in the NBA. This episode offers a blend of expert scouting knowledge and personal hometown pride, making it a must-listen for NBA draft enthusiasts.