This year's edition of March Madness will tip-off in less than a week's time, and the tournament is already gearing up to be one of the most memorable in recent history. College basketball has gained serious momentum over the last few years and heading into the latest tournament, the hype is at an all-time high thanks to Duke's new superteam.
Nevertheless, a number of teams are in the mix to challenge Duke for the title, and everyone involved in the tournament will be looking to impress NBA scouts ahead of the June draft. Due to this, we can expect an exciting three weeks of action, and here we will look at four player's to watch out for.
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#4 Jarrett Culver - Texas Tech
Jarrett Culver was recently named Big 12 Player of the Year thanks to his part in leading the Red Raiders to a share of the Big 12 regular season title. The Texas native has improved drastically during his sophomore season, and the 20-year-old is averaging 18.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.
The 6 ft 6 in shooting guard is considered a future two-way NBA star, and Culver has also earned praise for his intelligence and decision making on the court. The Red Raiders are considered one of the dark horses for the tournament, and if Culver is firing, the team could pull off a number of surprises.
#3 RJ Barrett - Duke
While Zion Williamson has attracted the bulk of the attention at Duke this season, RJ Barrett has quietly developed into one of the most exciting young talents in the country. The 6 ft 7 in shooting guard is a double threat, excelling as both a creator and scorer and the 18-year-old is projected to go as high as 3rd in the upcoming draft.
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#2 Ja Morant - Murray State
Due to playing on a little covered Murray State team, Ja Morant has failed to receive the national attention that Zion and his Duke teammates have grown accustomed to. Nevertheless, Morant's dunks have amazed the internet for months, and the 19-year-old has slowly crept up draft boards as the season has progressed.
The guard is expected to go as high as second in the upcoming draft, and his recent 36 point performance against Belmont managed to secure Murray State a spot in this year's March Madness. Participating in the tournament will give Morant the national platform that his performances have earned, and college fans should be on the lookout for Morant's explosiveness and athleticism.
Morat's ability to attack the oppositions rim has resulted in comparisons to Russell Westbrook of the OKC Thunder, so make sure you tune in to see Morant during the early rounds, as Murray State is unlikely to go far in the tournament.
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#1 Zion Williamson - Duke
Zion Williamson is widely regarded as the best teenage prospect to emerge since LeBron James, and the 18-year-old is expected to be selected with the number one pick of the 2019 NBA Draft.
Williamson's size alone makes him stand out from the crowd, however, his ball handling skills and athleticism are a sight to behold. The 6 ft 7 in forward has also shown his ability to contribute at both ends of the court, averaging 21.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.
Williamson's performances this season have earned comparisons to Charles Barkley, and March Madness will provide college basketball fans with one last opportunity to witness Zion ahead his inevitable move to the NBA.
Williamson suffered a knee sprain during the home loss to North Carolina last month, although, after missing Duke's final five regular season games, the 18-year-old should be ready to return to the court ahead of the tournament.
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