March Madness 2015: Elite Prospects Who Will Improve Draft Stocks

Former college basketball stars like Memphis Tigers point guard Derrick Rose and Alabama Crimson Tide power forward Antonio McDyess have seen their NBA draft stocks soar on the strength of strong play in March.

This year's crop of college prospects features at least three players I'm pegging as ready to make a strong statement to NBA scouts.

D'Angelo Russell, PG/SG, Ohio State Buckeyes

D'Angelo Russell has a better chance to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft than many would guess. Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor would likely hear his name called first if the draft were Saturday, but things can change once the NCAA tournament begins.

Russell is the type of dynamic one-on-one player a team can isolate and allow to create offense for himself and teammates. Okafor's size gives him an edge, but perimeter playmakers are extremely hard to find.

Russell is averaging 19.3 points per game, but that number should increase in March. In fact, he's already started gearing up for the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments.

The freshman has scored 28 points in each of his last two games. His scoring stands out, but Russell's versatility really makes him special. He's also grabbing 5.8 rebounds and dishing 5.2 assists per contest. He's one of two players in the nation to average at least 19 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Russell's game has brought tons of NBA scouts and decision-makers out to see him play in person. Most notably, New York Knicks President Phil Jackson was fined for basic but complimentary comments about the 6'5" freshman.

When the team that figures to have the most balls in the lottery is sending its president to watch your games, that's a pretty good sign. Ohio State will lean on Russell a ton in March, and the young man will come through.

Don't be shocked to see him become the favorite to be the No. 1 pick.

Kelly Oubre, SG/SF, Kansas Jayhawks

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Inconsistency has been an issue for the Kansas Jayhawks' Kelly Oubre all season. The highly recruited 6'7" freshman was expected to make an impact this season as a scorer and finisher in transition.

Big 12 play has been tough on the youngster, as he put together a few stinkers: Oubre was held scoreless twice against the TCU Horned Frogs, and he had just one point against the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

As of late, Oubre has been showing flashes of being the wing player Jayhawks fans hoped for. In his last three games, he's scored 13.6 points and pulled down 6.3 rebounds per game. Both numbers are well above his season averages of 8.9 and 4.9 per contest, respectively.

As his confidence grows, Oubre could be primed to make the same leap as many other freshmen during the postseason. He's still struggling to find his range from beyond the arc, but he's too talented to continue having issues from there.

The form is there; he just needs the confidence. Oubre's strong floor game is an excellent way to find his rhythm.

Look for Oubre to be one of the breakout players this month for a talented Kansas team.

Isaiah Taylor, PG, Texas Longhorns

Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Russell has the size and subtle moves, but there isn't a point guard in the nation with more end-to-end speed than the Texas Longhorns' Isaiah Taylor. His team needs to win its regular-season finale against the Kansas State Wildcats and at least one game in the Big 12 conference tournament to reach the Big Dance.

Taylor has proved to be a big-time performer when Texas has needed him the most. The 6'2" sophomore guard scored only seven points in the Longhorns' crucial overtime win over the No. 14 Baylor Bears on March 2, but he made the game-winner with 4.8 seconds remaining.

He's averaging 13.3 points and 4.5 assists per game this season, but expect him to be more aggressive as the games are all crucial from here on out.

Guard play is huge in college basketball's postseason, and Taylor is one of the nation's best. Taylor is in the 17th spot in the latest mock draft on NBADraft.net. With a spirited effort in the regular-season finale against the Wildcats and in the conference tournament, Taylor should set the table for at least one memorable performance in the NCAA tourney.

Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter. Basketball is awesome.