Locked On NBA Draft with No Ceilings

Latest Episodes:

2025 NBA Combine Invite List: Who’s In, Who’s Missing and Who Needs to Show Out May 03, 2025

Show notes

In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael Barlowe, James Barlowe, and Richard Stayman react to the official 2025 NBA Combine invite list released on May 2nd. The trio breaks down the top prospects they’re eager to watch in Chicago and discuss the growing trend of elite players skipping 5-on-5 scrimmages, questioning how many top names will actually participate. They highlight which fringe prospects need a standout week to secure their draft stock and analyze the evolving landscape with several players testing the waters while leveraging NIL deals as a lucrative fallback option. The episode wraps with a deep dive into Yaxel Lendeborg—arguably the top player in the transfer portal—and how his decision could reshape both the college and pro landscape.

2:41 – Discussion on which players the crew is most looking forward to seeing at the combine.
6:45 – Exploration of how many top prospects are expected to participate in combine activities, considering recent trends.
11:06 – Further analysis on the likelihood of top players participating in the combine.
13:22 – Identification of players who need a strong combine performance to solidify their draft stock.
21:41 – Insights into players testing the waters and the impact of NIL deals on their decisions to stay in the draft or return to college.
25:00 – Discussion on Yaxel Lendeborg's decision to either remain in the draft or play for Michigan, including considerations of his potential draft range and NIL earnings.

#NBADraft
#NBACombine
#NBADraft2025
#CollegeBasketball
#NIL
#TransferPortal
#DraftStock
#ScoutingReport
#LockedOnNBA
#NBADraftPodcast

#CalebLove
#YaxelLendeborg
#HunterSallis
#TahaadPettiford
#LabaronPhilon
#CollinMurrayBoyles
#GrantNelson
#HansenYang
#NeoklisAvdalas

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Leif Thulin’s Bold Take: Cooper Flagg = Jayson Tatum (Or Better?) May 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Leif Thulin joined Rafael Barlowe to share why he believes Cooper Flagg has the potential to be equal to—or even better than—Jayson Tatum at the NBA level. While Flagg enters the 2025 NBA Draft cycle as the consensus projected No. 1 pick with comparisons ranging from Kawhi Leonard to Andrei Kirilenko, Leif made a bold case for a Tatum-level ceiling. He explained that at the same stage in their development, Flagg was already the better shooter, averaged more points per game, was a superior defender, and showcased more vision as a passer. With Tatum already a six-time All-Star, NBA champion, and multiple-time All-NBA selection, Leif’s take frames Flagg not just as an elite prospect, but as someone who could ultimately surpass a player on a Hall of Fame trajectory.

2:06 – Why Cooper Flagg could be equal to or better than Jayson Tatum
9:51 – Jayson Tatum's pre-draft scouting report from 2017
14:29 – The question: Is Jayson Tatum underrated?
20:10 – Flagg vs. Tatum as NBA prospects
26:40 – Career expectations for Cooper Flagg
29:30 – Could Cooper Flagg end up in Philly? The team that traded up for Markelle Fultz over Tatum

#NBADraft
#CooperFlagg
#JaysonTatum
#NBAProspects
#LockedOnNBA
#DraftTalk
#NBAComparison
#FutureSuperstar
#FlaggVsTatum
#NBABigBoard
#TopPick
#DukeBasketball
#NBA2025Draft
#TatumScoutingReport
#HallOfFameTrajectory
#FlaggHype
#NBAHotTakes
#CollegeBasketball
#ScoutingBreakdown
#BasketballDebate
#NBAFutureStars
#FlaggToPhilly
#SixersDraft
#MarkelleFultz
#NBAWhatIf

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James Barlowe’s Big Board 4.0 – Part II: Breaking Down the Back Half of the Lottery Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

In Part 2 of James Barlowe’s Big Board 4.0, the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast wraps up its two-part breakdown of the projected 2025 NBA Draft lottery. After sharing his top 7 picks in Part 1, James returns to reveal prospects ranked 8 through 14. Rafael Barlowe challenges James not just on why he’s high on each player, but also asks him to unpack the red flags and developmental concerns that could shape each prospect’s draft future. The discussion features Duke’s Khaman Maluach and Kon Knueppel, France’s Noa Essengue, Michigan State freshman Jase Richardson, St. Joe’s Rasheer Fleming, Illinois’s Kasparas Jakucionis, and South Carolina sophomore Collin Murray-Boyles. From international risers to breakout sophomores, James outlines why these names deserve lottery buzz — and what they’ll need to prove throughout the pre-draft process.

Timestamps:

1:23 – Big Board 4.0 Episode 1 Recap
2:17 – Khaman Maluach
5:41 – Noa Essengue
10:57 – Kon Knueppel
13:46 – Jase Richardson
18:23 – Rasheer Fleming
21:52 – Kasparas Jakucionis
25:28 – Collin Murray-Boyles

#NBADraft2025 #BigBoard4 #JamesBarlowe #LockedOnNBA #KhamanMaluach #NoaEssengue #KonKnueppel #JaseRichardson #RasheerFleming #KasparasJakucionis #CollinMurrayBoyles #NBAProspects #DraftTalk #CollegeBasketball

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James Barlowe’s Big Board 4.0 – Part I: Freshmen Leading the 2025 NBA Lottery Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, host Rafael Barlowe is joined by James Barlowe to unveil Part 1 of his Big Board 4.0, highlighting the top 14 prospects he believes should be lottery picks in the 2025 NBA Draft. This installment focuses on the top 7 players, with a heavy freshman presence dominating the early ranks. James shares his thoughts on Duke’s Cooper Flagg, Rutgers duo Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears, Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe, Texas’ dynamic scorer Tre Johnson, and Maryland’s versatile big man Derik Queen. Tune in as James breaks down what separates these prospects early in the draft cycle and why they lead the pack in his latest rankings.

Timestamps:

1:43 - Cooper Flagg
5:35- Dylan Harper
10:20 - Ace Bailey
15:44 - Jeremiah Fears
18:52 - VJ Edgecombe
22:02 - Tre Johnson
27:05 - Derik Queen

#NBADraft #NBADraft2025 #BigBoard4 #LockedOnNBA #CooperFlagg #DylanHarper #TreJohnson #VJEdgecombe #DerikQueen #JamesBarlowe #RafaelBarlowe #CollegeBasketball #NBAProspects #DraftTalk #FutureStars

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Pushing the Agenda: Why James Barlowe Believes Derik Queen Can Be the Next Alperen Şengün Apr 25, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael Barlowe is joined by James Barlowe, who’s got an agenda to push: Derik Queen can be as good as Alperen Şengün. With Şengün earning his first All-Star nod in 2025 and leading the Houston Rockets to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, James believes Queen shares a similar offensive profile and playmaking IQ. The duo dives into a detailed comparison of Queen and Şengün’s pre-draft scouting notes, exploring how both were doubted for their defense but praised for their touch, feel, and interior craft. James lays out the blueprint for Queen’s NBA success, argues why the defense won’t be a death sentence if the roster is built right, and highlights how Şengün’s strong playoff debut — where he hasn’t been played off the floor like many feared — reinforces that belief. Plus, James closes the episode by naming his ideal landing spot for Derik Queen.

2:00 – James's agenda: Why he believes Derik Queen can be as good as Alperen Şengün
4:29 – Breaking down the concerns with Derik Queen’s game
10:25 – The Derik Queen and Alperen Şengün comparison
11:22 – Revisiting Alperen Şengün’s pre-draft scouting report
14:43 – Full breakdown of Derik Queen’s scouting profile
20:33 – Şengün’s playoff debut and how he's holding up defensively
26:10 – The blueprint for how to build around Derik Queen
28:00 – James’s pick for the best fit for Derik Queen in the 2025 NBA Draft

#DerikQueen #AlperenŞengün #NBAProspects #NBADraft2025 #DraftTalk #NBAComparisons #BigBoard #LockedOnNBA #NBAFutureStars #NBAScouting #BasketballBreakdown #NBADraftAnalysis #Şengün #DerikQueenScouting #DraftDayDebate #NBAOffense #NBAPlayoffs #HoustonRockets #DraftBlueprint #BasketballIQ #DraftSleeper #CenterComparison #NBAHotTakes #NBADraftPodcast #BasketballAgenda #NBAComparisonContent #PlaymakingBigs #NBAProspectWatch #RafaelBarlowe #JamesBarlowe #PushingTheAgenda

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High Floor, Low Risk: Leif Thulin’s Safest Picks in the 2025 NBA Draft Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael Barlowe is joined by Leif Thulin to spotlight the safest bets in the 2025 NBA Draft class — the prospects with the highest floors. Leif breaks down why he believes Duke’s Kon Knueppel, Rutgers’ Dylan Harper, Arizona’s Carter Bryant, and UConn’s Liam McNeeley project as reliable long-term pros. Things get especially interesting when Rafael and Leif dive into a spirited debate about McNeeley — while Leif views him as a steady, high-floor forward, Rafael pushes back, expressing concerns about McNeeley’s inconsistent shooting and defensive limitations. It's a floor-focused episode filled with thoughtful back-and-forth and a scout’s lens on safety in draft evaluations.

Timestamps:

1:54 – Kon Knueppel
6:33 – Dylan Harper
11:25 – Carter Bryant
18:56 – Liam McNeeley
Hashtags:

#NBADraft2025
#HighFloorProspects
#LockedOnNBABigBoard
#KonKnueppel
#DylanHarper
#CarterBryant
#LiamMcNeeley
#DraftTalk
#CollegeBasketballProspects
#NBAFutureStars

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Leif Thulin’s Highest Ceiling Prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, host Rafael Barlowe is joined by Leif Thulin for a deep dive into the top high-upside prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft class. The conversation centers around the players Leif believes have the highest ceilings, with in-depth breakdowns of Ace Bailey’s shot making, Derik Queen’s advanced skill set for a big, VJ Edgecombe’s two-way potential, and Jeremiah Fears’ dynamic scoring and playmaking tools. It’s a ceiling-focused episode spotlighting the names that could headline the 2025 draft with continued development.

Timestamps:

1:40 – Leif Thulin’s thoughts on the latest college basketball / NBA Draft news
6:05 – Ace Bailey
8:56 – Derik Queen
13:35 – VJ Edgecombe
20:56 – Jeremiah Fears

#NBADraft2025
#DraftCeilings
#AceBailey
#DerikQueen
#VJEdgecombe
#JeremiahFears
#LockedOnNBABigBoard
#NBADraftTalk
#CollegeBasketballProspects
#FutureNBAStars

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2025 NBA Draft Updates: Ace Bailey Declares, Drake Powell Enters, Boogie Fland Weighs Options Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

On the April 23rd episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael Barlowe breaks down a busy day of NBA draft declarations, headlined by projected top-three pick Ace Bailey officially entering the 2024 NBA Draft. Rafael shares his analysis on Bailey’s explosive athleticism, scoring upside, and long-term ceiling. He then pivots to North Carolina freshman Drake Powell, who also declared after one season—Barlowe offers insight on Powell’s defensive tools and developing offensive game. International prospects Michael Ruzic and Malique Lewis join the list of early entrants, and Rafael provides context on their upside and intrigue. The episode also touches on Boogie Fland’s dual-path move—declaring for the draft while entering the transfer portal—and Duke’s Isaiah Evans choosing to return to school. Lastly, Rafael reacts to Ian Jackson’s surprising transfer from UNC to St. John’s, skipping the draft process entirely.

2:14 – Ace Bailey
5:54 – Drake Powell
11:26 – Michael Ruzic
15:36 – Malique Lewis
17:09 – Boogie Fland
20:58 – Isaiah Evans
24:12 – Ian Jackson
26:55 – Dylan Mitchell

#NBADraft #AceBailey #DrakePowell #BoogieFland #IanJackson #NBAProspects #NBADraft2024 #CollegeBasketball #DraftSeason #LockedOnNBA #OneAndDone #InternationalProspects #TransferPortal #DukeBasketball #UNC #StJohnsHoops

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2025 Jordan Brand Classic Reactions: Kiyan Anthony, Caleb Wilson, AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer & more Apr 22, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Krysten Peek joins Rafael Barlowe to recap her experience covering the 2025 Jordan Brand Classic in Washington, D.C.—a premier all-star showcase for high school seniors. Peek shares her on-site impressions of several top prospects, including Kiyan Anthony, Caleb Wilson, AJ Dybantsa, and Cameron Boozer. She offers insights into their performances, skillsets, and how they stacked up against elite competition in one of the year’s most high-profile prep basketball events.

Timestamps

2:00 – Jordan Brand Classic, Carmelo Anthony
3:52 – Kiyan Anthony
8:26 – Caleb Wilson
12:30 – AJ Dybantsa
17:08 – Cameron Boozer
20:51 – Meleek Thomas, Darius Acuff
23:02 – Tounde Yessoufou
26:43 – Nate Ament

#JordanBrandClassic #KiyanAnthony #CarmeloAnthony #CalebWilson #AJDybantsa #CameronBoozer #MeleekThomas #DariusAcuff #ToundeYessoufou #NateAment #HighSchoolHoops #NBADraft #2025NBADraft #DraftProspects #BasketballRecruiting #FutureStars #AllAmericanGame #LockedOnNBA #NBABigBoard #PrepBasketball #HighSchoolBasketball #ScoutingReport #HoopDreams #BasketballProspects

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Breaking News – Cooper Flagg Declares for 2025 NBA Draft + VJ Edgecombe, Hugo Gonzalez & Nate Ament Apr 21, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael Barlowe dives into a packed slate of draft declarations and breaking news, headlined by Cooper Flagg officially entering the 2025 NBA Draft. Widely projected as the No. 1 overall pick, Flagg is now fully committed to the NBA, and Barlowe breaks down what makes him a generational prospect while also spotlighting the three teams with the best odds to land him.

Barlowe then shifts to Baylor freshman VJ Edgecombe, who officially declared over the weekend. He details why Edgecombe, with his explosive athleticism and two-way versatility, could go down as the highest draft pick in Baylor history. From there, attention turns to Arkansas freshman Karter Knox, who's testing the waters—Barlowe weighs the pros and cons of staying in the draft versus returning to school or hitting the transfer portal. The episode also covers two international prospects—Hugo Gonzalez and Neoklis Avdalas—both intriguing wing options who’ve declared for the draft. Wrapping things up, Barlowe shares his thoughts on top-five 2026 prospect Nate Ament, who just announced he’ll be playing next season at Tennessee, a major get for the Volunteers.

Episode Timestamps:

1:57 – Cooper Flagg declares for the 2025 NBA Draft
6:29 – VJ Edgecombe's draft announcement and Baylor legacy potential
10:04 – Karter Knox tests the waters and evaluates his options
15:41 – Hugo Gonzalez declares: breaking down the international wing
20:20 – Neoklis Avdalas enters the draft: what scouts see in his upside
24:00 – Nate Ament commits to Tennessee, locks in 2026 NBA Draft buzz

#NBADraft
#NBADraft2025
#CooperFlagg
#VJEdgecombe
#KarterKnox
#HugoGonzalez
#NeoklisAvdalas
#NateAment
#CollegeBasketball
#NBAProspects
#InternationalProspects
#DraftTalk
#LockedOnNBA
#NBAFutureStars
#NBABigBoard
#DraftStock
#OneAndDone
#DraftWatch
#VolsHoops
#ArkansasBasketball
#BaylorBasketball
#DukeBasketball
#NBA2025

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