The NCAA Tournament can help a college basketball player become a legitimate NBA prospect with just a few strong games.
If we have learned anything about the league’s talent evaluation, it is that a three-point shooter always has a place in the NBA. March Madness is one of the biggest stages for a player to shine and help their draft stock. With success stories from this most recent draft class like Kevin Huerter (Atlanta Hawks) and Landry Shamet (L.A. Clippers) thriving in the league, we compiled a list of new shooters to watch throughout the tourney.
North Carolina’s Cameron Johnson, Louisville’s Jordan Nwora and Virginia’s De’Andre Hunter were all mentioned in HoopsHype’s latest aggregate mock draft as sharpshooters who can potentially excel in the league.
Below are some other three-point shooters to watch as the games begin on Thursday.
Coby White, North Carolina
Current aggregate mock draft rank: 8
Three-pointers per game: 2.4
Three-point percentage: 36.0 percent
As a freshman, the 6-foot-5 guard has averaged 16.3 points per game for the Tar Heels and has positioned himself to be a potential lottery pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. One reason is his hot hand from beyond the arc, where he ranked No. 8 overall in his conference (ACC) for total three-pointers made this year.
White averaged 1.28 points per possession as a spot-up shooter, per Synergy Sports. That ranked in the 96th percentile among all NCAA players. He has also flashed the ability to shoot from downtown when coming off a screen.
North Carolina is the No. 1 seed in the Midwest bracket and White will have a chance to show off his skill set alongside his sharpshooting teammate Cameron Johnson.
Carsen Edwards, Purdue
Current aggregate mock draft rank: 39
Three-pointers per game: 3.3
Three-point percentage: 33.5 percent
After testing the waters as a potential draft pick last season, the junior returned for a dominant scoring stretch as a junior. Edwards finished first in the Big 10 in total points scored (735) and points per game (23.0). He also led his conference in three-pointers (107), which ranked No. 15 overall in the NCAA.
The majority of his scoring has come as the ballhandler in a pick-and-roll offense, which could easily translate to the next level depending on what role he’s asked to play in the NBA. But he also scored 3.4 points per game when coming off screens, which ranked Top 10 among all D1 players.
Purdue is a No. 3 seed in the Southern bracket of the tournament.
Dylan Windler, Belmont
Current aggregate mock draft rank: 47
Three-pointers per game: 2.9
Three-point percentage: 42.5 percent
While playing against a relatively weak schedule, Belmont wing Dylan Windler is one of the best shooters in college basketball. He averaged 20.8 points per game while somehow boasting the best field goal percentage in the Ohio Valley Conference as well. He also led the OVC in three-pointers made and total rebounds.
He is a phenomenal spot-up shooter who averaged 1.27 points per possession (which was in the 96th percentile) on this play type. Windler ranked in the mid-50s on our aggregate mock draft compilation in both November and December. If his rise to No. 47 after the conference tournament is any indication, a strong showing in the NCAA Tournament could move him up even higher.
Belmont defeated Temple and will face Maryland in the Round of 64. A big performance in this game (and potentially others, if 11-seeded Belmont pulls off the upset) could help him skyrocket up draft boards.
Markus Howard, Marquette
Current aggregate mock draft rank: 49
Three-pointers per game: 3.5
Three-point percentage: 40.8 percent
If Howard was a bit taller than his 5-foot-11 frame, he’d likely be getting more attention as one of the draft’s most exciting offensive prospects. He has been incredibly productive during his three years in college, displaying his prolific scoring ability and finishing this season as the Big East Player of the Year. He’s shown that he can put the ball in the basket at an unreal rate and Marquette ranks Top 10 in three-point percentage among all D1 teams this season.
Howard’s 825 total points ranked No. 4 among all NCAA players and his 25.0 points per game ranked sixth in the nation. He shot an extremely impressive 42.2 percent from the NBA distance on three-pointers, per The Stepien. Howard most often finished his possessions either as the ballhandler in a pick-and-roll offense or in isolation, going one-on-one against his defender. However, he also averaged 1.38 points per possession as a spot-up shooter, which ranked in the 99th percentile.
Perhaps most impressive is that he scored 7.3 points per game on jump shots off the dribble. This shows he has an unreal ability to create his own shot, which will be especially important in the NCAA Tournament. He will face fellow star point guard Ja Morant from Murray State in the Round of 64.
Zach Norvell, Gonzaga
Current aggregate mock draft rank: 64
Three-pointers per game: 2.6
Three-point percentage: 37.8 percent
As always, Gonzaga is a college basketball powerhouse that has several scoring options capable of making an impact during March Madness. But their best deep threat is Zach Norvell Jr., who scored 15.3 points per game as a sophomore this season. He led the West Coast Conference in three-point attempts, three-point field goals and three-point percentage.
He can create out of the pick-and-roll or off the dribble, though he is most feared as a spot-up shooter on the perimeter. Norvell has averaged 4.5 points per game on his opportunities as a spot-up shooter. The 6-foot-5 guard has added 1.0 point per game coming off handoffs as well. Among all D1 players who have had at least 20 opportunities on dribble handoffs, only 14 averaged more points per possession.
Playing for the No. 6 seed in the South, he will have a chance to make a splash in the tourney.
Caleb Martin, Nevada
Current aggregate mock draft rank: 80
Three-pointers per game: 3.2
Three-point percentage: 34.3 percent
Nevada’s Caleb Martin, a 6-foot-7 forward, averaged 19.2 points per game this season. His 34.3 percent from three-point range ranked No. 6 in the Mountain West Conference.
Martin produced 1.2 points per possession on spot-up chances (which ranked in the 93rd percentile) and 0.98 PPP (89th percentile) on pick-and-roll possessions specifically when he was the ballhandler.
He has jumped back into the mock draft conversation after originally appearing in June, November and December (but slipping out of the discussion in January and February). A strong outing in the tournament would be huge for his draft stock.
Phil Booth, Villanova
Current aggregate mock draft rank: 91
Three-pointers per game: 2.7
Three-point percentage: 36.7 percent
Fifth-year senior Phil Booth is a 6-foot-3 guard who averaged 18.6 points per game for Villanova this season. He took home NCAA All-Tournament honors in 2016 and is now considered one of the best sharpshooters in college basketball.
He ranked No. 4 in three-point field goals in the Big 10 this season and No. 6 in three-point percentage. While he was most often used as a pick-and-roll ballhandler, he was able to score 5.5 points per game on spot-up chances as well. When considering his ability to score off the dribble (4.5 points per game) this season, Booth is one of the more dynamic shooters in the NCAA.
Villanova is a No. 6 seed in the South. At 23 years old, Booth would be one of the oldest prospects in the upcoming draft, but he’d also be capable of making an impact right away.
Honorable Mentions
Lagerald Vick, Kansas
Once considered a fringe second-round prospect, the senior has recently fallen off draft boards. Perhaps he can shoot his way back into favor for scouts.
Lindell Wigginton, Iowa State
He tested the waters last season, though his overall points per game actually decreased during his sophomore campaign. Still, he’s averaged 2.0 three-pointers on 39.3 percent shooting from beyond the arc during his collegiate career.
Jarron Cumberland, Cincinnati
The American Athletic Conference Player of the Year averaged 18.8 points per game while shooting 39.1 percent from three-point range. Cumberland has not made a mock draft since November 2018, but he’ll try to catapult himself back into consideration this March.
