Locked On NBA Draft with No Ceilings

Latest Episodes:

John Calipari’s Return To Lexington & Kentucky’s Best Prospect Debate: Who Has the Most NBA Upside? Feb 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Locked On NBA Big Board, Rafael Barlowe and Leif Thulin break down Kentucky’s top NBA prospects just hours before John Calipari’s highly anticipated return to Lexington as the head coach of Arkansas. With Kentucky ranked No. 12 and having a strong season, the Wildcats face an unusual situation—there’s no clear-cut first or second-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, a stark contrast to the Calipari era, where Kentucky consistently produced multiple first-rounders. Rafael and Leif discuss whether any Wildcats will hear their name called in the draft, evaluating the upside of players like Koby Brea, Otega Oweh, Jaxson Robinson, Amari Williams, and Brandon Garrison. They also touch on Kentucky recruit Jasper Johnson before wrapping up with a discussion on Arkansas’ struggles in SEC play under Calipari.

Bullet Points & Timestamps:
1:53 – Coach Cal’s return to Lexington and the significance of the Kentucky-Arkansas game
6:00 – Who is Kentucky’s best NBA prospect?
7:10 – Koby Brea’s skill set and draft stock
7:56 – Otega Oweh’s two-way potential
11:48 – Jaxson Robinson’s shooting ability and NBA fit
21:15 – Amari Williams’ size and defensive impact
26:05 – Brandon Garrison’s pro potential
28:43 – A look at Kentucky recruit Jasper Johnson
31:15 – What’s wrong with Arkansas? Breaking down their 1-6 SEC record

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Rafael vs James Part III: Ace Bailey or VJ Edgecombe? The Ultimate Debate Jan 31, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael and James Barlowe engage in their third debate over the potential No. 3 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

This time, the discussion centers around Ace Bailey and VJ Edgecombe, both of whom delivered standout performances—Bailey dropping 37 points against Northwestern just a day after Edgecombe exploded for 30 versus BYU.

While Bailey has been a mainstay in Rafael’s top three all season, he had cooled on Edgecombe after some underwhelming performances against ranked opponents.

However, Edgecombe’s recent surge in conference play has reignited the conversation, pushing him into top-five discussions. Rafael remains firm in his stance that Bailey is a lock at No. 3, while James argues for a more open-minded approach, believing Edgecombe has a legitimate case.

The Barlowe brothers break down each player’s strengths, potential team fits, and overall upside while also expressing concerns about their respective games.

Timestamps & Bullet Points:
Ace or VJ Edgecombe? – 2:00
Ace Bailey scores 37 – 2:36
VJ Edgecombe’s case – 14:24
Who has the bigger upside? – 26:39

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Edgecombe, Demin & Catchings Headline Live Scouting at Baylor vs. BYU + 2025 McDonald’s Class Jan 30, 2025

Show notes

Rafael Barlowe is joined by Krysten Peek, who was live in attendance for the BYU vs. Baylor matchup on Tuesday night. With over 30 NBA scouts in attendance, top prospects delivered strong performances that reinforced their draft stock. Peek shares her first-hand takeaways on Egor Demin’s play, VJ Edgecombe’s continued hot shooting in conference action, and standout moments from Kanon Catchings, Richie Saunders, and Rob Wright III. In the final segment, Peek—one of the most well-connected analysts in high school scouting—breaks down the 2025 McDonald's All-American class, highlighting surprise selections and discussing the biggest snubs from this year’s roster.

Time Stamps:

4:00 — Rafael shares his thoughts on the freshmen from the BYU-Baylor game
5:16 — Egor Demin’s performance
12:24 — VJ Edgecombe’s continued strong play
17:25 — Rob Wright III’s impact
19:48 — Kanon Catchings’ performance
22:18 — Richie Saunders’ standout moments
24:46 — Breaking down the 2025 McDonald's All-American class
27:36 — Who were the biggest snubs from the McDonald's All-American game?

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Dominant Performances and Key Takeaways from the Weekend Jan 27, 2025

Show notes

In the latest episode of the Locked on NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael and James Barlowe break down standout performances from the weekend’s college basketball games. The episode kicks off with a discussion of Georgetown freshman Thomas Sorber, who had a dominant showing against Providence. Next, the conversation shifts to Duke’s Cooper Flagg, with Rafael praising Flagg’s ability to excel despite Wake Forest’s physical defensive approach. The brothers then highlight Texas freshman Tre Johnson, who exploded for 24 points in the second half to lead a 22-point comeback. They also analyze Ace Bailey’s struggles with efficiency, with James noting positive signs despite a 4-of-17 shooting performance. Finally, the Barlowe brothers wrap up by discussing Michigan State’s Jase Richardson, an analytics favorite, and his career-high 20 points against Rutgers.

Time Stamps
Thomas Sorber – 2:25
Cooper Flagg – 9:42
Tre Johnson – 15:35
Ace Bailey – 23:15
Jase Richardson – 27:44

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Caleb Wilson Commits + Ian Jackson’s NBA Buzz and Drake Powell’s Draft Case Jan 24, 2025

Show notes

In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael Barlowe and Richard Stayman dive into all things North Carolina basketball.

They open by discussing the Tar Heels' recent five-star commitment from Caleb Wilson, a top 2025 recruit.Richard breaks down Wilson’s game, explaining why he views him as a top-five prospect in his class.

The conversation shifts to North Carolina freshman Ian Jackson, with both hosts praising his recent strong play and debating his potential draft range.

In the final segment, they turn their attention to highly-touted freshman Drake Powell, who started the season as high as 12th on Rafael’s draft board but is no longer viewed as a lottery pick by him. Richard also shares his evaluation of Powell’s draft outlook.

The episode concludes with a candid discussion on the state of North Carolina basketball, highlighting the program’s struggles and decline since their Final Four run, despite strong recruiting classes in recent years.

Timestamps

Caleb Wilson: 2:30
Ian Jackson: 12:00
Drake Powell: 19: 36
What’s Wrong with North Carolina Basketball? 24: 54

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Draft Stock Pulse Check: VJ Edgecombe, Boogie Fland, Egor Demin, and Tahaad Pettiford Jan 24, 2025

Show notes

In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael and James Barlowe conducted a draft stock pulse check, diving into the trajectories of several prospects. They kicked things off by evaluating Baylor's VJ Edgecombe, who is coming off his best game of the season against Kansas State, with both agreeing that his stock is trending upward. Next, they discussed Arkansas's Boogie Fland, who is out for the season, debating whether he is still a first-round pick or if he should return to school. The conversation then shifted to BYU's Egor Demin, where Rafael and James differed—Rafael believes Demin should return to school to address his inefficiencies, while James argued that NBA teams might still take a chance on him. Lastly, they analyzed Auburn freshman Tahaad Pettiford, questioning why he isn’t receiving more draft buzz despite excelling in SEC play and stepping up in key games, including leading Auburn to two wins without Johnni Broome. The duo highlighted Pettiford’s impactful play on the best team in the nation and debated whether his contributions are being overlooked.

Timestamps

VJ Edgecombe - 2:08
Boogie Fland - 12:37
Egor Demin - 22:38
Tahaard Pettiford - 30:48

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From Bryce James to AJ Dybantsa: 2025 Hoophall Classic Recap Jan 23, 2025

Show notes

On the latest Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe and Krysten Peek dive into the standout prospects from the 2025 Hoop Hall Classic. Peek, who attended the event in person, shares her live scouting impressions of Bryce James, Cameron and Cayden Boozer, Darryn Peterson, Nate Ament, AJ Dybantsa, Sebastian Wilkins, and King Gibson. She highlights Bryce James’ best performance to date, Cameron Boozer’s dominance, and Darryn Peterson’s strong showing, while also discussing the loaded 2026 draft class headlined by AJ Dybantsa. Rafael and Krysten discuss Dybantsa’s superstar potential, the "rock star" aura surrounding him, and whether he may be growing bored with high school competition. The episode wraps up with a spotlight on Sebastian Wilkins and King Gibson, two underclassmen who turned heads with breakout performances at Hoop Hall West.

Timestamps:

Bryce James: 2:51
The Boozer Twins: 7:34
Darryn Peterson: 11:45
Nate Ament: 14:45
AJ Dybantsa: 20:34
Sebastian Wilkins: 26:37
King Gibson: 30:15

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On a Tear: Ace Bailey’s Big Week, Cooper Flagg’s Dominance, and Hunter Sallis’ Scorching Streak Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

On the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael Barlowe and James Barlowe break down four of the hottest prospects in college basketball, all of whom have been on fire since the start of conference play. They kick things off with Rutgers freshman Ace Bailey, who’s coming off a jaw-dropping 30-point performance on 13-15 shooting. Rafael is firmly sold on Bailey as a top-3 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, but James remains unconvinced, sparking a debate on Bailey’s draft range.

The brothers also dive into the projected number-one pick, Duke’s Cooper Flagg, whose impressive 50% three-point shooting in conference play has seemingly solidified his position atop the draft.

Next, they spotlight Wake Forest’s Hunter Sallis, who has revitalized his stock with a scorching stretch, averaging 22 points on stellar efficiency, and debate whether his breakout can translate to draft boards.

Finally, Oklahoma’s Jalon Moore takes center stage as the brothers weigh his strong numbers in the grueling SEC—19.8 points, 7 rebounds, and excellent shooting—and grapple with how his game projects to the next level.

NBA Draft analyst Rafael Barlowe from NBA Draft Junkies and current author of the NBA Big Board newsletter is joined by Richard Stayman (@MavsDraft), James Barlowe, and Leif Thulin to breakdown the NBA Draft. Rafael & Team gives passionate NBA Draft fans a deep look into the NBA Draft with great guests, Mock Draft, player rankings, and of course BIG BOARDs. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network.

Timestamps:

Ace Bailey - 1:58
Cooper Flagg - 12:15
Hunter Sallis - 22:52
Jalon Moore - 28:59

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Rafael vs. James Part II: Ace Bailey’s Big Night and the Race for No. 3 in the 2025 Draft Jan 17, 2025

Show notes

In part two of their ongoing debate over the number three pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, brothers Rafael and James Barlowe break down Ace Bailey’s 24-point, 11-rebound, 4-assist, and 4-stock performance against Nebraska on Thursday night. Rafael remains firm in his stance that Bailey is a lock for the third pick, citing his combination of size, athleticism, shooting and defensive versatility.

James, however, continues to push back, advocating for a broader conversation about other prospects with the potential to leapfrog Bailey. While he mentioned Texas freshman Tre Johnson and Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears in the first episode, James expands his list in this episode to include Illinois forward Kasparas Jakucionis, Duke freshman Khaman Maluach, and Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe as legitimate candidates for the third spot. The debate heats up as Rafael stays resolute in his belief that Bailey’s talent makes him the clear choice, while James argues for a more open-minded approach.

Timestamps and Key Topics
2:00 – Ace Bailey’s Performance Against Nebraska
13:24 – Kasparas Jakucionis as a Legitimate Candidate
22:29 – Khaman Maluach’s Name Enters the Conversation
30:46 – VJ Edgecombe’s Case for the Third Pick

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Breaking Down the 2025 Nike Hoop Summit Team USA Roster + Darryn Peterson’s Surprising Omission Jan 16, 2025

Show notes

In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe and Krysten Peek delve into the recently announced 2025 Nike Hoop Summit Team USA roster. They express surprise at the notable omission of Darryn Peterson, a highly regarded prospect whose absence raises questions about the selection criteria.

Despite this, Barlowe and Peek commend the strength of the roster, highlighting standout players such as AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, Darius Acuff Jr., Mike Brown Jr., and Nate Ament. They discuss each player's unique skill set and potential impact on the game, emphasizing the depth and versatility that this lineup brings to the court.

The hosts also underscore the significance of the Nike Hoop Summit as a premier event for showcasing young talent on an international stage. They debate whether the World Team stands a chance against the formidable USA roster, considering the historical performances and current compositions of both squads.

Reflecting on past Hoop Summit classes, Barlowe and Peek share their personal favorites, reminiscing about memorable performances and players who have successfully transitioned to professional careers. Their insights provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the event's impact on the basketball landscape.

Podcast Timestamps and Bullet Points:

1:56 – Krysten Peek’s thoughts on the Nike Hoop Summit roster reveal.
4:22 – Rafael Barlowe and Krysten Peek discuss the 2025 Nike Hoop Summit roster.
5:04 – Darryn Peterson being left off the roster and the potential reasons why.
7:42 – Mikel Brown Jr.’s inclusion on Team USA despite being an Adidas kid.
12:30 – AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer teaming up: Can the World Team compete?
14:35 – The importance of the Nike Hoop Summit for players and NBA front offices.
21:16 – Breakdown of key players on Team USA’s 2025 roster.
29:02 – Historical review of strong Nike Hoop Summit classes and where 2025 ranks.

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