Top NBA Prospects in the Carolinas

Some of the best and brightest stars in NBA history rounded their games into shape by first playing college basketball in the Carolinas. Those luminaries cross eras. They played various positions. They often graced the cover of publications like Sports Illustrated during their college years. Some, like Duke’s Christian Laettner, had an exceptional collegiate career, filled with countless accolades, but who’s game did not translate into NBA stardom. Others, like University of South Carolina’s Alex English, were particularly good in the college ranks, but didn’t have the supporting cast to lift their programs to elite status and blossomed in the NBA. The Carolinas have seen physical freaks like Clemson’s Larry Nance emerge from the region.

Histories such as those are not uncommon elsewhere, but other regions would be hard pressed to claim to be the launching pads of such extraordinary talents like David Thompson of NC State, Tim Duncan of Wake Forest, and, of course, the greatest player in NBA history, Michael Jeffrey Jordan of North Carolina. Those icons each changed the way the game was played. They blazed a path of glory in the NBA, and it all started in the Carolinas.

There are no Jordans or Duncans in this draft class from the Carolinas, or elsewhere. There are incredibly talented players that will entertain and excite fans this winter. There are young men playing in the Carolinas right now that are future All-Stars and champions. There could be a future hall of famer or two. Just because they will not be Jordan or Thompson, or even Nance or English, does not mean that NBA will not benefit by their addition. Many are currently unfamiliar to casual fans because their tenure in the Carolinas will last less than six months, but come March Madness, they will be highlighting Sports Center every night.

Top NBA Prospects Playing in the Carolinas (rankings courtesy of nbamockdatabase.com Top 100)

#4 Tyrese Proctor, G, Duke, 6’5’, 170 lbs., Sophomore, Sydney, Australia, 8 games, 27.9 MPG, 10.3 PPG, 4.5 APG, 2.9 RPG, .563% FG, .324% 3FG

Like most NBA products in the era of one and done, the 19-year-old Australian is more projection than production. Most aspects of his game are solid, but not yet consistent. He possesses above average game knowledge and sees the floor well. Despite his youth, he is comfortable running the Blue Devil offense. He is not naturally explosive, but with maturity and coaching could find another gear to his game. He defends very well and can be tenacious on defense. His shot is inconsistent, but, hopefully, his game becomes more well-rounded in the next few years if he is to be more than a role player.

#9 Kyle Filipowski, C, Duke, 7’0”, 248 lbs., Sophomore, Westtown, NY, 10 games, 29.3 MPG, 18.4 PPG, 3.0 APG, 9.2 RPG, .515% FG, .324% 3FG

The 20-year-old Filipowski’s game is typical of the modern day big man. He moves well for his size and is not hesitant to take shots away from the basket. He is not a banger on defense down low, but he will capture more than his fair share of rebounds. He finds his teammates in traffic and excels at passing to them reliably. He plays with intensity and maximum effort, but he can be guilty of lapses in concentration and the result is careless turnovers and fouls.

# 32 Elliott Cadeau, G, North Carolina, 6’1”, 180 lbs., Freshman, Brooklyn, NY, 9 games, 23.8 MPG, 7.1 PPG, 4.1 APG, 1.6 RPG, .449% FG, .273% 3FG

The 19-year-old Cadeau was a five star recruit in the 2024 class. However, he reclassified and joined the Tar Heels a year early. His early presence in Chapel Hill gives North Carolina the luxury of suffering minimal drop off when senior guard R.J. Davis leaves the floor. Cadeau is an elite passer and gets to the line with his penetration. He can land his shots off the dribble, but not consistently yet. He is an adequate defender and will generate steals and turnovers if the opponents is not careful. His height makes him vulnerable to giving up shots to taller guards. He will make mistakes of judgement and execution typical of a young player. He did not reclassify to wait around to head to the NBA.

#33 Mark Mitchell, F, Duke, 6’8”, 220 lbs., Sophomore, Kansas City, KS, 9 games, 25.8 MPG, 11.4 PPG, 1.2 APG, 4.9 RPG, .449% FG, .059% 3FG

Mitchell is quick and athletic. He plays a nice, all around, game. He is a willing defender and rebounder with a solid NBA ready body. He is not afraid to stick his nose into the fray. The 20-year-old has above average foot quickness that permits him to draw fouls on both ends of the court. He gears his play for the good of the team over individual statistics. His shooting motion is unconventional, and his three point shot is non-existent. He is not a great passer, or facilitator, but displays traits that indicate the ability to improve those skills.

#36 Jared McCain, G, Duke, 6’3”, 197 lbs., Freshman, Corona, CA, 10 games, 25.4 MPG, 9.5 PPG, 1.7 APG, 4.3 RPG, .418% FG, .442% 3FG

McCain already has the look of an NBA two guard, albeit a thin one. Despite his frame, he is strong and maintains his balance well against contact. He possesses solid catch and release skills and can create his own shot if necessary. Anticipates the pass with good instincts and positions himself to launch his shot. Efficient, quick release makes the 19-year-old hard to defend, and when in rhythm, he can pile up points quickly. He prefers perimeter play as opposed to slashing and driving. He struggles with accuracy at times, but confidently tries to shoot through misses. Added muscle and experience will help improve his instinctive and determined play both offensively and defensively.

#85 Harrison Ingram, F, North Carolina, 6’7”, 230 lbs., Junior, Dallas, TX, 9 games, 32.9 MPG, 15.1 PPG, 2.6 APG, 6.4 RPG, .485% FG, .463% 3FG

Ingram is the grey beard of the group at 21-years-old. He began his collegiate career at Stanford before transferring to North Carolina this season. Ingram is a max effort player. He needs that effort to supplement a good, but not great skill set. He is versatile and very coachable. He has enough athletic ability to play at the next level. His non-stop approach can result in careless mistakes. He has improved his shooting between his time in Palo Alto and Chapel Hill. He is the type of player that NBA general managers like to find in round two of the draft. He can be stashed at the end of the bench or in the G League to try and extract his potential and eventually become a consistent contributor in the NBA.

#94 TJ Power, F, Duke, 6’9”, 216 lbs., Freshman, Shrewsbury, MA, 7 games, 10.1 MPG, 3.1 PPG, 0.3 APG, 0.7 RPG, .462% FG, .500% 3FG

The 20-year-old Power displays the talent to be an elite scorer. He can score in close, mid-range, or beyond the arc. He will have to display patience awaiting playing time to shine. Duke has some of the best young college forwards in the nation. He will have to improve his defense and rebounding to be effective in the NBA. He is a player to keep an eye on as the season progresses. As the Blue Devils’ staff eases him into more playing time, his draft stock could rise substantially. The NBA is always looking for more scoring.

Just missed out:

#104 Efton Reid III, C, Wake Forest, 7’0”, 240 lbs., Junior, Richmond, VA, 2 games, 20.5 MPG, 6.0 PPG, 0.3 APG, 8.5 RPG, .250% FG, .000% 2FG

#105 Hunter Sallis, G, Wake Forest, 6’5”, 175 lbs., Junior, Omaha, NE, 9 games, 35.7 MPG, 17.7 PPG, 1.1 APG, 2.8 RPG, .472% FG, .389% 3FG

Realistically, all these players should remain in college for at least another year. However, the siren song of the NBA, and the generational wealth that comes with it, is an understandable temptation. Since the introduction of the one and done, both the NBA and March Madness have suffered from the lack of star power. With aging stars like LeBron James and Steph Curry nearing the end of their careers, the next generation of superstars is coming from overseas in the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Victor Wembanyama.

College basketball and the NBA would be well served to adopt a model like MLB. All high school seniors are eligible to be drafted. This does not put them in the awkward situation of declaring for the draft and not being selected. If they are not drafted, they maintain their NCAA eligibility, but must remain in college for three seasons. The option to bypass that requirement still exists in the G League and foreign leagues. It would make for a more stable and enjoyable college product. Fans would become familiar with these players over time before their NBA debuts. The NBA would be getting players mentally and physically better prepared for the rigors of professional basketball. Win. Win.