The Top NBA Prospects to Watch in CBB Major Conference Tournaments

With conference tournaments set to tip off this week throughout men's college basketball, NBA teams are kicking their draft preparations into high gear. Some prospects are no-brainer top picks, while others have a lot to prove and potentially a lot to lose.

The Big Ten tournament has already wrapped, but the other major conferences begin their tournaments in the coming days with no shortage of draft prospects whose stocks are rising and falling. Here are a few to keep an eye on in the lead-up to the NCAA tournament.

Deandre Ayton, C, Arizona

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To the surprise of absolutely no one, Deandre Ayton has already declared for the draft, in which he has a good chance to be the top overall pick.

Watching Ayton dominate against college competition, it's easy to see why many scouts believe he has the highest ceiling of any prospect. He overpowers his competition physically and has a wide-ranging skill set that allows him to finish at the rim, block shots and knock down jumpers.

Arizona kicks off Pac-12 tournament play on Thursday, and Ayton will have plenty of chances to further impress NBA scouts on a big stage. The program is currently mired in scandal and controversy that may or may not involve Ayton, but his talent and standing in the draft have never been in doubt and it's safe to expect a big tournament from him.

Marvin Bagley III, PF, Duke

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Marvin Bagley III heads into the ACC tournament on the heels of powering Duke to a comeback win over North Carolina, in which he finished with 21 points and 15 rebounds.

At times throughout the season, he's been discussed as a possible No. 1 overall pick, although much of that shine lately has gone to Deandre Ayton. Bagley, who was just named ACC Player of the Year, has an opportunity to assert himself again in that conversation. He possesses the kind of athleticism and versatility that modern NBA teams covet in big men, and his production this season (20.7 points and 11.2 rebounds per game, 60.4 percent shooting from the field, 36 percent from beyond the arc) speaks for itself.

A strong tournament performance could make it especially difficult for the team with the first or second pick to pass over Bagley.

Trae Young, G, Oklahoma

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There may be no more polarizing high-level prospect in the upcoming draft than Oklahoma's Trae Young. His early-season play garnered him buzz as a potential top pick, but his production has tailed off in recent weeks.

Young's handle and playmaking ability make him an appealing prospect, and he can get hot at any time. But he's a streaky shooter and his decision-making can be questionable. He's also struggled finishing at the rim, which is a red flag for a guard his size (6'2").

Young has a lot to gain or lose during tournament play; he can silence detractors who question whether his flashy game will translate to the NBA, or he can reinforce their concerns.

Mohamed Bamba, C, Texas

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Mohamed Bamba's top-flight physical tools and elite defensive instincts make him a dark-horse contender for the top pick in the draft. He'll certainly get looks in the top three, and he can increase his chances with a strong performance for Texas in the Big 12 tournament.

His offensive game is still a work in progress, but an improved shooting stroke adds another layer of intrigue for Bamba as an NBA prospect. He is one of the keys to the Longorns defense, which is among the best in the country, and which they will lean on when tournament play begins.

Collin Sexton, G, Alabama

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An intriguing, if flawed, guard prospect, Collin Sexton has divided scouts and analysts all season.

He's shown an ability to get to the basket and create his own shot, but he has also drawn criticism for being careless with the ball at times. Sexton has lottery-level talent, but the production and consistency hasn't been there. He's a competitor, which NBA personnel will value, but he needs to be more efficient if he wants to vault himself into the upper tier of prospects.

How Sexton performs with Alabama in the SEC tournament could prove to be the difference between going in the middle of the lottery and going later in the first round.

Michael Porter Jr., SF, Missouri

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Possibly the most intriguing storyline in any of the tournaments is the will-he-won't-he uncertainty of Michael Porter Jr.'s comeback. Once touted as a possible No. 1 overall pick, the versatile wing has missed most of Missouri's season after undergoing back surgery, but ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman and Myron Medcalf reported over the weekend that he is likely to make his return in the SEC tournament.

Even though he sat out the year, Porter has remained in the top 10 in most mock drafts, which makes returning for the tournament a risky proposition. If he struggles, it could hurt his standing—and that's before considering the risk of re-injuring his back.

However, if he plays well, Porter could vault himself back into the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick alongside Deandre Ayton and Luka Doncic. All indications are that he's going to make a go of it, a situation to keep an eye on.

Wendell Carter, C, Duke

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After an up-and-down season, Wendell Carter is back to being widely considered a top-10 pick. His polished game has drawn comparisons to Al Horford, and he has been a nice fit next to Bagley in Duke's frontcourt.

Carter put up good numbers this season as the Blue Devils' secondary big (14.1 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game) while showing good rebounding instincts and passing ability despite a lack of the explosive athleticism that makes Bagley a higher-ceiling prospect. A big ACC tournament can solidify Carter's position in the months leading up to the draft.

Mikal Bridges, SF, Villanova

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NBA teams need versatile wing defenders now more than ever, and Mikal Bridges has been among the most impressive prospects in that department this season. His outside shooting has improved over the course of the season, which pegs him as an ideal three-and-D wing for the modern NBA.

Bridges doesn't project to be a star, but his physical tools and decision-making create a high-floor prospect who will draw the interest of plenty of teams.

Villanova kicks off Big East tournament play on Thursday, although the Wildcats' opponent is yet to be determined. Bridges will have an opportunity to showcase his versatile skill set for NBA scouts and executives on that stage in the coming weeks.

Kevin Knox, SF, Kentucky

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One of the youngest prospects in the draft (turns 19 in August), Kevin Knox has made his name as a spot-up shooter. His offensive game is limited in other ways, but with the NBA more dependent on outside shooting than ever, Knox will be a coveted player; that he rebounds well for his size doesn't hurt, either.

It's rare that Kentucky doesn't have more players projected to go in the lottery, but this year, Knox is John Calipari's main attraction. He has all the tools to develop into a quality scoring wing in the NBA, and he can show even more of that potential in the SEC tournament.

Robert Williams, C, Texas A&M

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Robert Williams' stock has taken a slide in his sophomore season at Texas A&M due to consistency issues. But big men with his athleticism will always be intriguing to teams looking for rim protectors and pick-and-roll finishers.

Clint Capela has been a common comparison for Williams from scouts and analysts, which means he could be something of a project—after all, it took four years for Capela to develop into the elite two-way big man he is today for the Rockets. Players with that potential will always be difficult for NBA teams to pass up.

The SEC tournament will give Williams another chance to string together a few good performances in a row to quell concerns about his consistency as he prepares to make the jump from college to the pros.