Locked On NBA Draft with No Ceilings

Latest Episodes:

Liam McNeeley vs. Kon Knueppel: Leif Thulin Makes the Case for McNeeley Feb 20, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Locked On NBA Big Board, host Rafael Barlowe and analyst Leif Thulin dive into a debate between two freshman wings: Duke’s Kon Knueppel and UConn’s Liam McNeeley. While Knueppel is ranked higher on most consensus big boards and mock drafts, Thulin makes the case that McNeeley is the better long-term NBA prospect and is having the superior freshman season. He argues that Knueppel’s higher ranking is largely due to preseason expectations and his status at Duke, rather than actual on-court performance. Throughout the episode, Barlowe and Thulin break down each player’s strengths, weaknesses, and NBA upside, challenging the consensus rankings and offering fresh insight into how both prospects stack up.

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Live Scouting: Top International Prospects at 2025 Basketball Without Borders NBA All-Star Weekend Feb 19, 2025

Show notes

In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe, James Barlowe, and Krysten Peek break down the top standouts from the 2025 Basketball Without Borders event, held over NBA All-Star Weekend in Oakland, California. As Rafael’s favorite event of All-Star Weekend, BWB provides a prime opportunity to scout international prospects who could emerge in future NBA drafts. While the 2025 class may not appear as strong on the surface compared to the 2024 group—headlined by Khaman Maluach, Kasparas Jakucionis, Nos Essengue, Nolan Traore, and Will Riley—this year’s event still featured intriguing prospects like Jordan Charles, Hayden Jones, Felipe Minzer, Jahel Trefle, Luigi Suigo, Maxence Lemoine, Nolan Junior Kemm, Ikenna Alozie, TJ Wal, Dash Daniels, and Arafan Diane. Rafael, James, and Krysten discuss which of these names could develop into legitimate NBA prospects for the 2026 draft and beyond.

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Live Scouting AJ Dybantsa & Utah Prep vs. Dynamic Prep at NBA Futures over NBA All-Star Weekend Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, James Barlowe and Krysten Peek share live scouting impressions of AJ Dybantsa at the Nike Futures event during All-Star Weekend in Oakland, California. Due to logistics, host Rafael Barlowe conducted two separate interviews—one with his brother James, who was seeing Dybantsa live for the first time, and another with Krysten, who has extensively tracked his development. They break down Dybantsa’s performance in a highly anticipated matchup between his Utah Prep squad and Dynamic Prep, coached by former NBA All-Star Jermaine O’Neal. While Dybantsa was the talk of Basketball Without Borders on Saturday morning, he struggled from the field, finishing with 21 points on 19 shots. James and Krysten analyze the defensive schemes he faced and discuss whether his commitments to Nike and various All-Star Weekend events contributed to his underwhelming performance. Rafael also raises an intriguing question: Is Dybantsa simply bored with high school basketball?

Timestamps Breakdown:
2:36 – James Barlowe shares his thoughts on the Nike Futures event.
4:27 – James breaks down AJ Dybantsa’s performance from his perspective.
11:19 – Krysten Peek shares her thoughts on the Nike Futures event and AJ Dybantsa’s performance.

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Difficult Evaluations: Ace Bailey’s Wild Shooting Swings - What Do They Say About His Future? Feb 11, 2025

Show notes

In the second installment of the Difficult Evaluations series, Rafael Barlow and Leif Tuling dive into one of the most polarizing prospects in the 2024 NBA Draft: Rutgers freshman Ace Bailey. Rafael is locked in on Bailey as the clear No. 3 pick, citing his athleticism, defensive tools, and high-upside scoring ability. Leif, however, has concerns about Bailey’s erratic shooting performances and the wide variance in his production from game to game.

The two debate Bailey’s floor versus his ceiling, whether he projects as a franchise cornerstone, and how his archetype translates to the NBA. Rafael makes the case that Bailey is a much safer prospect than people realize, while Leif lays out different player comparisons and questions whether Bailey is truly ready to be a team’s offensive engine. They also discuss how Bailey stacks up against other tough evaluations, with Rafael arguing that Kasparas Jakucionis is actually a more difficult prospect to assess.

Bullet Points & Timestamps
Ace Bailey’s floor vs. ceiling – 2:36
Bailey’s hot and cold shooting nights – 4:17
Is he a franchise player? – 8:50
Rafael explains why Ace Bailey is a safe choice – 13:07
Leif shares different archetypes and player comps – 16:05
Is Bailey ready to be given the keys to a team? – 24:52
Ace Bailey: A difficult evaluation, or is Kasparas Jakucionis even tougher? – 30:30

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Difficult Evaluations: The Barlowe Brothers Clash Over Derik Queen Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Locked On NBA Big Board, brothers Rafael and James Barlowe go back and forth on one of the most polarizing prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft: Derik Queen. While both acknowledge Queen’s undeniable talent and production, they have very different perspectives on how he projects to the next level.

Rafael raises concerns about how Queen’s game will scale up to the NBA, questioning his fit in the modern league despite his skill level. Meanwhile, James is fully bought in, arguing that Queen is the most skilled big man we’ve seen in years and has no reservations about his NBA future. The debate escalates when Rafael challenges James: If you’re so high on Queen, why not rank him ahead of Khaman Maluach? While Queen is more skilled, Rafael points out that Maluach’s size and translatable game make his NBA fit more seamless.

Stay tuned for an intense debate as the Barlowe brothers break down Queen’s dominant 29-point, 15-rebound, 5-assist performance against Rutgers, his NBA fit, and where he should be ranked in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Timestamps & Key Topics
2:24 – Difficult Evaluations introduction
3:05 – The debate: Is Derik Queen a difficult or easy evaluation?
12:39 – Breaking down Queen’s dominant performance vs. Rutgers
19:32 – How does Queen’s game fit in the NBA?
Final Segment – Draft range: How high should Queen be selected in 2025?

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Rutgers vs Illinois: Dylan Harper & Ace Bailey vs. Kasparas Jakucionis & Will Riley - Who Stood Out? Feb 07, 2025

Show notes

In the latest Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael and James Barlowe break down the Rutgers vs. Illinois matchup, which featured four potential first-round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft. They open with Dylan Harper’s dominant performance, highlighting how he made a statement against Illinois’s Kasparas Jakucionis, even though the two didn’t spend much time guarding each other. In the second segment, they dive into Jakucionis’ evaluation, discussing why he’s a tough prospect to gauge and his struggles in conference play. Next, they analyze Ace Bailey’s performance, which fell somewhere in the middle of his recent hot-and-cold stretch, and debate whether he’s still the best option at No. 3 in the draft. Finally, they wrap up with Illinois freshman Will Riley, who turned in a strong showing against Rutgers and remains a potential first-rounder despite some inconsistency in Big Ten play.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps
2:00 - NBA Trade Deadline
4:32 - 2025 NBA Trade Deadline
5:48 - Rutgers vs. Illinois Overview
8:23 - Dylan Harper’s Statement Game
11:14 - Kasparas Jakucionis Evaluation
22:35 - Continued Discussion on Jakucionis
31:25 - Ace Bailey’s Performance & Draft Stock Debate
31:25 - Will Riley’s Standout Game & First-Round Potential

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Hidden Gems Part 2: 2025 NBA Draft Deep Sleepers - Bennett Stirtz, Tyrone Riley IV & Magoon Gwath Feb 06, 2025

Show notes

In this second installment of Hidden Gems: Deep Sleepers in the 2025 NBA Draft, Rafael and James Barlowe take an even deeper dive into under-the-radar prospects who could have NBA futures. Whether through intriguing analytics, standout physical tools, or sheer production, these players have caught their attention despite being overlooked by mainstream draft coverage. From versatile wings to high-upside guards, the Barlowe brothers break down why these deep sleepers deserve more attention and how they might carve out roles at the next level.

Timestamps & Prospects Mentioned:
4:41 – Bubu Benjamin
7:20 – Tyrone Riley IV
12:05 – Ethan Taylor
15:26 – Magoon Gwath
22:39 – Robert McCray V
26:22 – Bennett Stirtz

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Hidden Gems: Deep Sleepers in the 2025 NBA Draft Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, brothers Rafael and James Barlowe dive deep into the 2025 NBA Draft class, identifying what they consider "deep sleepers"—prospects flying under the radar but possessing the potential to carve out NBA careers, whether through two-way contracts or training camp invites. The Barlowe brothers discuss the process of pinpointing these hidden gems, considering factors such as analytics, physical tools, and overall production. They highlight several prospects who may not be generating mainstream buzz but have the talent to surprise down the line.

Timestamps & Prospects Mentioned:

2:00 – The process of identifying deep sleepers
5:44 – Adrian Woolley
8:15 – Will Sydnor
13:31 – Jacksen Moni
16:51 – Hayden Gray
21:03 – Kam Williams
23:42 – Cruz Davis
27:42 – Keonte Jones

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Live Scouting Duke vs. North Carolina at Cameron Indoor Stadium Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

In the latest episode of Locked On NBA Big Board, host Rafael Barlowe and guest Krysten Peek discuss the shocking Luka Dončić trade and reflect on where they were when they first heard the news. The main focus of the episode, however, is Peek’s firsthand experience attending the Duke vs. North Carolina showdown at Cameron Indoor Stadium—widely considered the best rivalry in college basketball. Barlowe mentions that witnessing a game there is a bucket-list experience for him, while Peek shares her takeaways from the electric atmosphere and what she observed from top prospects. The duo breaks down standout performances, including Cooper Flagg’s two-way dominance, Kon Knueppel’s shooting, and Tyrese Proctor’s impact for Duke. They also discuss North Carolina’s undersized lineup, which featured four players under 6’4” facing Duke’s massive starting five, all listed at 6’6” or taller. Additionally, they analyze the play of North Carolina freshmen Ian Jackson and Drake Powell, both of whom have first-round potential.

Timestamps & Key Topics
2:00 – Reaction to the Luka Dončić trade and where they were when the news broke
8:26 – Krysten Peek’s firsthand experience at Cameron Indoor Stadium, including the energy of the Cameron Crazies
14:30 – Cooper Flagg’s standout performance and defensive presence
17:08 – Kon Knueppel’s shooting ability and overall impact
19:03 – North Carolina’s lack of size compared to Duke’s towering lineup
23:58 – Tyrese Proctor’s contributions and his NBA potential
29:39 – Ian Jackson’s performance and first-round draft stock
34:47 – Drake Powell’s two-way ability and potential in the 2025 NBA Draft

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Mavericks Swap Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis & 2029 Pick – Who Are the Top 2029 Prospects? Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael Barlowe and Richard Stayman react to the shocking blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. The hosts open by sharing where they were when the news broke before diving into the trade's implications for both franchises. They question why Dallas would move on from a 25-year-old, five-time All-NBA talent for an aging Davis, especially without securing significant draft capital in return. The discussion shifts to how the Mavericks’ lack of picks in the deal compares to other superstar trades in recent years. Finally, Barlowe and Stayman preview the 2029 NBA Draft, analyzing the top ninth-graders who could emerge as first-round prospects—potentially giving the Mavs long-term value from the lone future pick they received in the deal.

Bullet Points & Time Stamps
2:00 – The Trade: Immediate reactions and thoughts on the Luka Doncic-for-Anthony Davis swap.
11:29 – Anthony Davis in Dallas: How Davis fits with the Mavericks and whether this move helps them contend.
14:09 – Lack of Picks for Luka: Why the Mavs didn’t get more draft capital and how it compares to past superstar trades.
24:33 – 2029 NBA Draft: A look at some of the top ninth-graders projected as potential first-round prospects in 2029.

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