NBA Draft 2018: Mock Predictions for Top Players Still Alive in Final Four

While the top underclassmen in men's basketball begin to declare for the 2018 NBA draft, some of the more experienced players in the nation are preparing for the Final Four.

Although most players on the rosters of Kansas, Michigan, Loyola-Chicago and Villanova might not be lottery picks, they could still provide value to their potential suitors in the Association.

The top prospects to watch in San Antonio are on Villanova's roster, but Kansas and Michigan possess some NBA talent as well.

Below is a look at where the top players participating in the Final Four are projected to go in the NBA draft.

2018 NBA Mock Draft

1. Phoenix Suns: DeAndre Ayton, C, Arizona

2. Atlanta Hawks: Luka Doncic, SG/SF, Slovenia

3. Memphis Grizzlies: Marvin Bagley III, PF, Duke

4. Orlando Magic: Michael Porter, SF, Missouri

5. Dallas Mavericks: Jaren Jackson Jr., PF, Michigan State

6. Sacramento Kings: Miles Bridges, SF/PF, Michigan State

7. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Brooklyn): Trae Young, PG, Oklahoma

8. Chicago Bulls: Mohamed Bamba, C, Texas

9. New York Knicks: Mikal Bridges, SG/SF, Villanova

10. Philadelphia 76ers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG, Kentucky

11. Charlotte Hornets: Wendell Carter Jr., PF/C, Duke

12. Los Angeles Clippers (via Detroit): Robert Williams, PF/C, Texas A&M

13. Denver Nuggets: Collin Sexton, PG, Alabama

14. Los Angeles Clippers: Kevin Knox, SF/PF, Kentucky

15. Phoenix Suns (via Milwaukee): Dzanan Musa, SF, Bosnia and Herzegovina

16. Phoenix Suns (via Miami): Zhaire Smith, PG/SG, Texas Tech

17. Washington Wizards: Anfernee Simons, PG/SG, Unattached

18. Utah Jazz: Daniel Gafford, PF/C, Arkansas

19. Atlanta Hawks (via Minnesota): Khyri Thomas, PG/SG, Creighton

20. Chicago Bulls (via New Orleans): Trevon Duval, PG, Duke

21. San Antonio Spurs: Mitchell Robinson, C, United States

22. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Oklahoma City): Troy Brown, PG/SG, Oregon

23. Indiana Pacers: Jontay Porter, PF/C, Missouri

24. Philadelphia 76ers: Chandler Hutchison, SG/SF, Boise State

25. Los Angeles Lakers (via Cleveland): Lonnie Walker, SG, Miami

26. Portland Trailblazers: Brandon McCoy, C, UNLV

27. Boston Celtics: Gary Trent Jr., SG, Duke

28. Golden State Warriors: Jalen Brunson, PG, Villanova

29. Brooklyn Nets (via Toronto): Moritz Wagner, PF/C, Michigan

30. Atlanta Hawks (via Houston): Keita Bates-Diop, SF, Ohio State

Draft order based on NBA standings following Wednesday's games.

Predictions For Players in Final Four

Mikal Bridges, Villanova (No. 9 Overall)

The best NBA talent playing in the Final Four is Villanova's Mikal Bridges, and even if he has a bad performance in San Antonio, he will still be at the top of the chart.

While some of the other potential lottery picks such as Arizona's DeAndre Ayton didn't have the tournaments they wanted, Bridges has been locked in since the start of the Big East competition.

On a team where guard play reigns supreme, Bridges stood out with his shooting at Madison Square Garden—an arena he could become more familiar with, as he is predicted to go ninth to the New York Knicks.

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

The Knicks possess a collection of former college stars at guard, with Trey Burke, Emmanuel Mudiay and Tim Hardaway Jr. being some of the most recent top performers on the collegiate stage.

What Bridges brings to the Knicks is an extra complement to Frank Ntilikina and another player to form the core around centerpiece Kristaps Porzingis.

Bridges is shooting 43.6 percent from three-point range while averaging 17.8 points per game in his third season with Jay Wright's program.

Just like Burke and Hardaway, who played at Michigan, Bridges enters the NBA with a strong head on his shoulders from learning under Wright.

All signs are pointing to Bridges being a breakout player in his rookie season in the professional ranks, and he shouldn't have a ton of pressure on him with stars already in the New York lineup.

Jalen Brunson, Villanova (No. 28 Overall)

Villanova point guard Jalen Brunson is a National Player of the Year finalist, but he doesn't compare in NBA potential to some of the one-and-done players.

The loss of the lottery teams turns into the gain of the Golden State Warriors, who would love to have Brunson fall to them at the No. 28 overall pick.

If you've watched Brunson play, Golden State seems like a perfect fit for him, as he gets to grow his game behind a collection of superstar guards.

With the Warriors, Brunson would be a vital asset off the bench—one who would be asked to knock down three-pointers and provide essential energy while the starters rest.

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

In addition to his three-point shooting and skill on the ball, Brunson shows no fear backing down defenders in the paint.

Although attacking the frontcourt is more of a challenge in the NBA, that quality should stick out to Warriors head coach Steve Kerr as he looks for players with no fear to complement the production of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

While Brunson's physical stature might turn away some teams, the Warriors embraced Curry and Thompson—not the most physically imposing players in the NBA—making them a perfect fit for the Villanova guard.

Moritz Wagner, Michigan (No. 29 Overall)

Outside of the two Villanova guards, there aren't a ton of first-round prospects on the other three rosters.

Michigan forward Moritz Wagner might be the most intriguing of the remaining players on a list that includes Kansas senior guard Devonte' Graham, who might be a better second-round value pick.

Wagner is an interesting prospect to take late in the first round because he has a well-rounded game, and he comes from a program that has produced a solid amount of professional players since head coach John Beilein took charge.

With the 29th overall pick, the Brooklyn Nets should look for a steal unless they decide to move up in the first round for a player they can't resist.

Alex Gallardo/Associated Press

The Nets have a nice group of shooters on their roster, led by Joe Harris and Allen Crabbe, but they don't have a big man versatile enough to spread the floor.

Wagner adds that element, in addition to rebounding ability and everything else that comes with a solid paint presence.

The German averages 14.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while shooting 39.6 percent from three-point range.

Even if he doesn't go in the first round, Wagner is a solid pick for any team looking to round out their roster in the second round.

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90

Statistics obtained from ESPN.com