Locked On NBA Draft with No Ceilings

Latest Episodes:

Big Board Review: Revisiting My Preseason Concerns – DID THE TOP PROSPECTS ANSWER THE QUESTIONS? Mar 07, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Locked On NBA Big Board, host Rafael Barlowe revisits his Big Board 1.0 and evaluates whether his preseason concerns about the top prospects were answered during the 2024-25 season. Did Cooper Flagg prove he could carry an offense? Has Dylan Harper’s shooting improved? Is Ace Bailey’s decision-making a concern? Rafael breaks down his early projections for projected lottery picks like VJ Edgecombe, Nolan Traore, and more—analyzing who lived up to expectations, who exceeded them, and who still has question marks heading into the final stretch of the season. Tune in for an in-depth scouting update as the draft picture becomes clearer.

Big Board Rewind: Checking My Preseason Concerns – Time Stamps

2:50 – Cooper Flagg
4:33 – Ace Bailey
5:58 – Dylan Harper
7:21 – VJ Edgecombe
11:51 – Nolan Traore
13:14 – Khaman Maluach
15:22 – Tre Johnson
17:22 – Kon Knueppel
22:16 – Donnie Freeman
24:00 – Noa Essengue
26:13 – Drake Powell
27:58 – Rocco Zikarsky
29:51 – Ben Saraf

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE MAVS AFTER KYRIE’S INJURY? Cooper Flagg’s NBA Player Comp & 2025 NBA Draft Q&A Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

On the latest Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael Barlowe tackles a range of 2025 NBA Draft questions from his inbox, offering insight on team needs, player fits, and draft stock movement. He breaks down the Dallas Mavericks' draft outlook following Kyrie Irving’s season-ending ACL injury, which has shifted their focus from contending to potentially landing in the lottery for the second time in three years. Barlowe explores possible options for Dallas and how they might approach the draft. He also discusses Isaiah Evans’ potential fit in Charlotte, evaluates VCU’s Max Shulga, and considers how Thomas Sorber’s injury could impact his draft range. Barlowe provides a player comparison for Cooper Flagg, explains why Maxime Raynaud is underrated, and assesses Nolan Traore’s draft stock. Additionally, he dives into the Orlando Magic’s scoring struggles and how they might address them in the draft while sharing his thoughts on prospects like Egor Demin, Jase Richardson, and Alex Condon.

Timestamps

3:49 – Dallas Mavericks' draft plans after Kyrie Irving's injury
12:34 – Isaiah Evans’ potential fit for a team like Charlotte
14:02 – Jaland Lowe discussion
15:03 – Evaluating VCU’s Max Shulga
15:53 – How Thomas Sorber’s injury could impact his draft range
17:18 – Cooper Flagg player comparison
20:16 – Why Maxime Raynaud is underrated
22:10 – Nolan Traore’s draft range
22:50 – Rockets possibly getting the Suns’ 2025 first-round pick
24:05 – Orlando Magic’s need for guard help and scoring issues
25:30 – Thoughts on Egor Demin
27:19 – Jase Richardson breakdown
29:48 – Analysis of Alex Condon

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Prospects Richard Stayman is Higher On Than Consensus Mar 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Locked On NBA Big Board, host Rafael Barlowe is joined by Richard Stayman, who shares his list of prospects he’s higher on than the consensus. After Barlowe gave his list last week, it’s Stayman’s turn to explain why he’s bullish on certain players heading into the draft. He breaks down the strengths and upside of Yaxel Lendeborg, Max Shulga, Asa Newell, Boogie Fland, and Payton Sandfort, detailing what separates them from the pack. Stayman also delivers a shocking take, revealing which player he ranks as high as No. 3 on his personal big board.

Key Players Discussed:
• Yaxel Lendeborg (3:36) – Explains why Lendeborg’s physicality and rebounding make him an undervalued prospect.
• Max Shulga (8:33) – Highlights Shulga’s shot-making and versatility as reasons he should be getting more attention.
• Asa Newell (13:30) – Breaks down Newell’s combination of size, mobility, and shooting potential.
• Boogie Fland (21:44) – Discusses why Fland’s skill set as a lead guard is being overlooked in the draft conversation.
• Payton Sandfort (29:00) – Makes the case for Sandfort as a sharpshooter with real NBA value.

Stayman wraps up with a bold ranking that will surprise many—tune in to find out which prospect he has as high as No. 3 on his board.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Breaking Down ESPN’s 2026 Mock Draft: Darryn Peterson over AJ Dybantsa & More Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael Barlowe and Krysten Peek break down ESPN’s way-too-early 2026 mock draft, which features Kansas commit Darryn Peterson as the projected No. 1 pick. This ranking comes as a surprise to some, as BYU commit AJ Dybantsa has long been viewed as the top prospect in the class. Barlowe and Peek discuss the battle between Peterson and Dybantsa for the No. 1 spot and whether ESPN’s rankings indicate a shift in perception. They also analyze Cameron Boozer, who landed at No. 3, and debate his chances of overtaking both Peterson and Dybantsa by draft night. Beyond the top three, the hosts dive into other notable prospects, including Nate Ament, Dash Daniels, Alijah Arenas, and Koa Pete, assessing their strengths and draft potential. Krysten also shares her thoughts on the biggest surprises and omissions from ESPN’s list, adding insight into which players may be underrated heading into the cycle.

Timestamps:
2:21 – Darryn Peterson ranked No. 1 over AJ Dybantsa
11:31 – Cameron Boozer’s No. 3 ranking and his case for No. 1
17:20 – Biggest surprises from ESPN’s list
17:45 – Discussion on Alijah Arenas and Koa Pete
19:00 – Dash Daniels’ placement and scouting breakdown
22:43 – Nate Ament’s ranking and long-term upside
25:30 – More on Alijah Arenas
26:24 – Jayden Quaintance’s ranking and evaluation

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 2025 NBA Prospects in Jeopardy of Missing March Madness Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

On the latest Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael Barlowe and Leif Thulin dive into the NCAA tournament bubble and its impact on top 2025 NBA Draft prospects. They discuss highly touted freshmen like Texas’ Tre Johnson, Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears, and Georgia’s Asa Newell—potential lottery picks whose teams are fighting for a tournament berth. Leif breaks down which bubble teams have a realistic shot at making the field, what they need to do to get there, and which squads are likely on the outside looking in. A major storyline is Rutgers’ dynamic duo of Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, projected top-three picks who could make history if Rutgers becomes the first team to produce two lottery selections while missing the tournament. The conversation also touches on other notable prospects who may not or will not get the opportunity to play on college basketballs biggest stage, including South Carolina’s Collin Murray-Boyles, Stanford’s Maxime Raynaud, St. Joe’s Rasheer Fleming, and standouts like Hunter Sallis, Thomas Sorber, and Boogie Fland.

Bubble Teams Overview – 2:10
Tre Johnson & Texas – 5:05
Jeremiah Fears & Oklahoma – 7:12
Asa Newell & Georgia – 9:08
Rutgers Duo (Dylan Harper & Ace Bailey) – 13:13
Collin Murray-Boyles (South Carolina) – 15:55
Maxime Raynaud (Stanford) – 18:16
Rasheer Fleming (St. Joe’s) – 20:20
Hunter Sallis (Wake Forest) – 24:02
Miles Byrd ( San Diego State) & Nique Clifford (Colorado State) – 26:59
Cedric Coward (Washington State) – 29:09
Thomas Sorber (Georgetown) – 29:20
Boogie Fland (Arkansas) – 29:43

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jeremiah Fears vs. Egor Demin: Who’s the Better 2025 NBA Draft Prospect? Feb 26, 2025

Show notes

On the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael Barlowe and Leif Thulin broke down the strengths and concerns surrounding freshman point guards Jeremiah Fears and Egor Demin, both projected lottery picks in the 2025 NBA Draft. Thulin made the case for Fears as the better prospect, citing his scoring ability and higher upside despite being smaller and the lesser passer of the two. The duo also discussed whether Demin should return to BYU for a sophomore season to refine his game and solidify his draft stock. While acknowledging the dilemma, they noted that at 6’9” with elite passing vision, Demin is still likely to garner lottery interest in next year’s draft.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

James’ Big Board 3.0 Part 2: Lottery Sleepers & Controversial Rankings Feb 26, 2025

Show notes

In James’ Big Board 3.0 Part 2, James Barlowe and Rafael Barlowe continue breaking down James’ latest NBA Draft rankings, diving into more potential lottery picks. James starts by explaining why he’s so high on Maryland freshman Derik Queen and his skill set. He then discusses Lithuanian guard Kasparas Jakucionis, weighing the conflicting opinions on him and why he’s intrigued but not as high as some. The focus then shifts to Israeli point guard Ben Saraf, where James details why he’s confident in Saraf’s NBA potential. Georgetown freshman big man Thomas Sorber is next, with James making the case for him as one of the top bigs in the class. Finally, James spends the last several minutes passionately selling Dink Pate’s upside, breaking down why the 6’8 versatile playmaker from the G League deserves serious lottery consideration.

Timestamps:

Derik Queen – 1:42
Kasparas Jakucionis – 10:24
Ben Saraf – 17:53
Thomas Sorber – 24:20
Dink Pate – 29:45

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

James’ Big Board 3.0 Part 1: Cooper Flagg Leads the Way + Bold Rankings & Freshman Domination Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

James Barlowe joins his brother, Rafael Barlowe, on the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast to unveil his Big Board 3.0 – Part 1, breaking down his top six prospects for the 2025 NBA Draft. James starts with Cooper Flagg, explaining why he’s the clear-cut best player in the class. He then discusses Rutgers teammates Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, evaluating their potential at the next level. In a bold move, James ranks Oklahoma freshman Jeremiah Fears at No. 4, challenging the consensus and detailing what makes Fears a top prospect in his eyes. He rounds out his top five with Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe and Texas’ Tre Johnson, making it an all-freshman group at the top of his board.

Cooper Flagg – 2:38
Dylan Harper – 10:50
Ace Bailey – 13:39
Jeremiah Fears – 17:18
VJ Edgecombe – 26:10
Tre Johnson – 27:40

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

NBA Draft Pulse Check: Jeremiah Fears, Kasparas Jakucionis, Paul McNeil, Egor Demin and more.. Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

On the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, host Rafael Barlowe does a 2025 NBA Draft pulse check, breaking down several prospects who caught his attention over the weekend. He starts with Oklahoma freshman Jeremiah Fears, who had a monster performance against Mississippi State, posting 27 points and 10 assists. Next, he dives into Illinois freshman Kasparas Jakucionis, analyzing his up-and-down showing against Duke and explaining why he is such a difficult evaluation. After that, Barlowe shifts to North Carolina State freshman Paul McNeil, who capitalized on his first opportunity as a starter with a 24-point outing against Wake Forest. From there, he discusses Dylan Harper, whom he currently projects as the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Harper is rounding back into form after dealing with injury and illness, delivering back-to-back strong performances. Barlowe then examines Kentucky big man Amari Williams, explaining why he sees him as a draftable player. Next, he provides an update on Zvonimir Ivisic, a player he was very high on coming into the season. While Ivisic has had a disappointing year overall—including a zero-point performance against Auburn—he has still shown flashes of his potential over the last month. Finally, Barlowe wraps up with Egor Demin, breaking down his play against Arizona and why he believes Demin should strongly consider returning to BYU next season.

Timestamps & Bullet Points:

2:19 – Jeremiah Fears
6:40 – Kasparas Jakucionis
14:30 – Paul McNeil
19:55 – Dylan Harper
22:09 – Amari Williams
24:18 – Zvonimir Ivisic
27:38 – Egor Demin

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Prospects Rafael Barlowe is Higher On Than Consensus Feb 21, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, host Rafael Barlowe dives into his latest Big Board 3.0 update, available on NBABigBoard.com. However, instead of focusing on the consensus rankings, Rafael highlights a handful of prospects he’s personally higher on than the general scouting community. He breaks down what makes French prospect Noa Essengue, Washington State’s Cedric Coward, San Diego State’s Miles Byrd, Spanish point guard Sergio De Larrea, and Syracuse freshman Donnie Freeman intriguing as 2025 NBA Draft prospects. Rafael details their skill sets, strengths, and what separates them from other prospects in their range, explaining why he believes they deserve more attention in draft discussions.

Timestamps:
2:23 – Noa Essengue
6:25 – Cedric Coward
11:50 – Miles Byrd
15:00 – Sergio De Larrea
19:43 – Donnie Freeman

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Locked On NBA Draft with No Ceilings

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected