On the latest Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe and Leif Thulin previewed some of the top games to watch over the weekend and the prospects to keep an eye on. They kicked things off with Friday night’s marquee matchup between Duke and Arizona, highlighting key players like Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach, and what they’re looking to see from each. The discussion then shifted to VJ Edgecombe, who has struggled early this season, with Rafael and Leif debating how he might fare against Tennessee’s tough defense. JT Toppin, off to a fantastic start this year, was also identified as a player they’ll be watching closely. Other prospects discussed included Ryan Kalkbrenner, who is shooting a scorching 89% from the field and looking to sustain his hot streak, Tre Johnson, who aims to rebound from a rough shooting night against Syracuse, and Kam Jones, fresh off a triple-double performance, with the hosts analyzing his emerging playmaking skills ahead of his matchup against Georgia.

Timestamps:

• Cooper Flagg: 3:02
• Maluach vs. Krivas: 12:48
• Kon Knueppel: 16:14
• VJ Edgecombe: 17:20
• JT Toppin: 19:57
• Ryan Kalkbrenner: 21:53
• Tre Johnson: 26:11
• Kam Jones: 27:49

On the latest LockedOn NBA Big Board Podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe and Leif Thulin broke down several notable performances from Thursday's games.

They opened with Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe, discussing his struggles against ranked opponents and debating whether it’s too early to worry about his draft stock, despite his defensive productivity and elite athleticism. The conversation then moved to Texas’ Tre Johnson, who overcame a tough shooting night against Syracuse by hitting six clutch free throws to seal the win. Rafael also expressed his optimism about Donnie Freeman, a prospect he’s higher on than the consensus. JT Toppin, who’s off to a red-hot start this season, shined in a big performance against St. Joe’s, sparking a discussion about St. Joe’s trio of prospects: Rasheer Fleming, Erik Reynolds, and Xzavier Brown.

Timestamps:

• VJ Edgecombe: 2:37
• Tre Johnson: 12:44
• Donnie Freeman: 15:35
• JJ Starling: 17:10
• JT Toppin: 25:04
• Rasheer Fleming: 25:50
• Erik Reynolds: 31:10
• Xzavier Brown: 33:18

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael Barlowe and Richard Stayman analyze the Alabama vs. Illinois game, focusing on standout performances from several high-level NBA prospects.

The episode begins with a breakdown of Alabama freshman Labaron Philon, whose scoring instincts and creative offensive game stood out. Rafael offered a compelling NBA comparison for Philon, showcasing his potential at the next level.

Next, they examined Alabama senior Grant Nelson, a versatile 6’11” forward with a unique skill set. Rafael shared his thoughts on Nelson’s NBA outlook, highlighting his athleticism and areas of concern when projecting his role in the league.

The conversation then shifted to Alabama freshman Derrion Reid, a highly-touted wing who entered the season with first-round buzz. Despite some early growing pains, Reid’s combination of size, athleticism, and defensive potential continues to intrigue scouts.

The Alabama segment wrapped up with a discussion of Mark Sears, a first-team All-American who struggled mightily, going scoreless against Illinois. Rafael and Richard questioned whether Sears made the right decision to return to school, given the potential impact on his draft stock.

Turning to Illinois, the hosts spotlighted the team’s exciting freshman duo of Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley, both of whom are garnering first-round attention. They broke down Jakucionis’ playmaking and Riley’s polished shooting and offensive game.

Finally, they analyzed Illinois big man Tomislav Ivisic, a 7-footer with intriguing shooting touch and rim-protecting potential. His unique skill set could make him a valuable addition for teams looking for a stretch big in the second round.

This episode provides a comprehensive look at some of the top NBA prospects from Alabama and Illinois, offering valuable insights for fans and scouts alike.

Labaron Philon - 3:07

Grant Nelson - 6:21

Derrion Reid - 12:46

Mark Sears - 19:18

Kasparas Jakucionis - 25:09

Will Riley - 29:46

Tomislav Ivisic - 34:22

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, brothers Rafael and James Barlowe dissected some of the most intriguing rookie performances. They kicked things off by breaking down Dalton Knecht's stunning 37-point explosion against the Utah Jazz, raising the question of how he fell to the 17th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. The brothers explored whether teams might regret passing on Knecht due to concerns about his age. In the second segment, the debate over Stephon Castle’s long-term projection continued, with Rafael and James once again offering differing perspectives on his development. They also highlighted Kyle Filipowski’s unexpected impact, noting how his production has forced the Jazz to carve out minutes for him. Later, they discussed Tidjane Salaun’s breakout performance, marking the best game of his young NBA career. The episode wrapped up with a look at Jared McCain’s continued stellar play, which has positioned him as the early frontrunner for Rookie of the Year. Finally, they discussed Zaccharie Risacher’s bounce-back performance against the Kings, as he shook off a cold streak where he missed 18 of 19 three-point attempts after an earlier game where he drained six triples against the Knicks.

Dalton Knecht - 2:53

Stephon Castle - 12:18

Kyle Filipowski - 16:20

Tidjane Salaun - 23:08

Jared McCain - 26:41

Zaccharie Risacher - 32:49

In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael and James Barlowe broke down the performances of Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper in their first regular-season game together. Harper, who had a few games under his belt, played alongside Bailey, returning from injury, and the duo's play was under the microscope. The hosts highlighted Bailey's shot-making ability while expressing concerns about his handle in traffic, and praised Harper's relentless rim pressure and finishing in the paint, though they noted his outside shooting remains a work in progress. In the final segment, the Barlowe brothers debated whether this dynamic freshman duo has a legitimate shot at challenging Cooper Flagg for the top spot in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Ace Bailey - 2:20

Dylan Harper - 16:34

Can Bailey or Harper pass Cooper Flagg? - 30:06

In Rookie Watch Vol. 9 of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe broke down the weekend’s top rookie performances.

The duo highlighted Jared McCain’s continued rise, showcasing his polished scoring and poise in extended minutes. They also dove into Dalton Knecht’s impressive showing against the Pelicans, where his offensive versatility took center stage. Stephon Castle earned praise for a breakout game against the Lakers, with the hosts analyzing his evolving role and potential to become a steady contributor. Meanwhile, Alex Sarr’s weekend was a mixed bag, though his standout performance vs Atlanta offered a glimpse of his upside. Lastly, they touched on Reed Sheppard’s 12-point outing in mop-up duty during a blowout win over the Bulls, noting it as a small but encouraging step in his NBA journey.

Jared McCain - 2:33

Dalton Knecht - 12:02

Stephon Castle - 20:27

Alex Sarr - 25:39

Reed Sheppard - 28:21

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, host Rafael Barlowe and guest Alec Kichian delve into the tough decisions facing international prospects when choosing between staying in Europe or pursuing college basketball in the United States.

They highlight Egor Demin, the Russian point guard who left Real Madrid to play for BYU, where his NBA draft stock has soared after just three games. In contrast, Hugo Gonzalez, arguably Europe’s top 2006-born prospect, is struggling for consistent minutes with Real Madrid’s senior team.

The discussion also covers Kasparas Jakucionis, who is finding opportunities at Illinois, and Michael Ruzic, a potential first-round pick limited to just four shots per game in Spain.

In the final segment, they examine international players like Aday Mara, Baba Miller, and Jan Vide, whose NBA hype has faltered after underwhelming starts to their college careers.

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 the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, James Barlowe unveils his first Rookie Power Rankings for the 2024 NBA Draft class, breaking down which first-year players are making an impact early in the 2024-25 season.

With host Rafael Barlowe, James highlights the rookies who are quickly ascending, spotlighting standout performances and early signs of potential while noting areas for growth.

From explosive scorers to surprising defensive stoppers, this episode captures who’s leading the rookie race so far, shedding light on the most promising and unexpected rookie storylines just a few weeks into the season.

Tune in for an in-depth look at the players off to strong starts and the ones who might soon climb the rankings with some key adjustments.