After filling out our March Madness bracket only to second guess ourselves and redo it over and over, we decided it was time for a break. Instead, let's shift our focus to the prospects playing in the tournament this season.
All eyes will be on Duke phenom Cooper Flagg, and rightfully so, as he's having one of the best freshman seasons in collegiate history. Unfortunately, we won't see the two other top prospects, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, with Rutgers missing the tournament. But the good news is that this is projected to be a strong class beyond just the headliners, with promising NBA talent in several matchups.
For the Blazers, there are a few names in particular they should keep their eye on. And as you will see, all three prospects address one glaring weakness on their roster: their lack of wing depth.
1. Will Riley, F, Illinois
Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman has Will Riley as the No. 21 overall selection in his latest mock draft, but there's a possibility he will become a lottery pick by the time the draft comes around.
"Some have wondered if the growth he's started to show as a playmaker should make Riley worthy of lottery consideration. There will always be interest and patience in a 6'8" scoring wing with his shotmaking skill," Wasserman writes.
His comparison for Riley is Kyshawn George, another player we were high on as both a prospect and potential fit for the Blazers' roster had they kept their No. 14 overall pick in last year's draft. Riley has shown progress as a freshman and is the type of prospect to bet on, given his positional size and expanding offensive arsenal.
He might be too big of a reach for Portland if they wind up selecting inside the top ten. But they need to keep all of their options open, as they could potentially acquire more draft capital by moving someone like Anfernee Simons.
2. Carter Bryant, F, Arizona
When looking at just counting stats, Arizona forward Carter Bryant is the definition of a hidden gem. He's averaging 6.4 points and 4.1 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per game. Still, Bryant is projected to be a first-round pick with lottery upside.
He has physical tools and a skill set that typically translates well as an athletic 6-foot-8 forward shooting 36.6 percent from beyond the arc. Bryant may not possess the high ceiling of turning into a go-to player that the Blazers still lack, but it's easy to see him carving out an impactful NBA role.
The idea of pairing his defensive versatility alongside Toumani Camara, Deni Avdija, and Matisse Thybulle (if he sticks around) should intrigue Portland, which doesn't have many reliable forwards outside of those three players.
3. Miles Byrd, G/F, San Diego State
San Diego State's Miles Byrd is a polarizing draft prospect. Wasserman's mock draft has Byrd as the No. 49 overall pick. He even suggested that evaluators may advise him to return for another year to boost his draft stock.
Others, like Sam Vecenie of The Athletic, have Byrd as a potential first-round pick. Vecenie has Byrd as the No. 24 overall prospect on his 2025 NBA Draft Big Board.
Byrd is the riskiest of these three prospects due to his wide range of outcomes at the next level. He's shooting under 40 percent from the field, and it will likely take a few years before he's ready to contribute consistently in the NBA.
The Blazers could contend for a playoff spot as early as next season if they decide to accelerate their rebuild this summer. But their young core is still years away from reaching its prime and making a deep playoff run.
From that standpoint, it would make sense for the Blazers to take a developmental flier on someone like Byrd. At 6-foot-7, he possesses a high upside, pairing his frame with a unique skillset as a two-way player who offers both scoring and secondary playmaking.