Locked On NBA Draft with No Ceilings

Latest Episodes:

Looking Ahead to 2026: AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer Lead a Potentially Historic Draft Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael Barlowe and grassroots/NBA draft expert Krysten Peek dive into the 2026 NBA Draft class, a group they believe has the potential to surpass even the highly anticipated 2025 class. While the 2025 cycle is still in full swing, the duo takes an exciting look ahead at the future stars that scouts and fans should already have on their radar.

Leading the discussion is BYU commit AJ Dybantsa, widely regarded as the top prospect in the 2026 class. They highlight his advanced scoring ability, physical tools, and poise well beyond his years. Kansas commit Darryn Peterson also earns high praise for his versatile offensive skillset and potential as the No. 1 pick in 2026.

The conversation then shifts to Duke commit Cameron Boozer, whose combination of basketball IQ, skill, and pedigree has him in the conversation as a potential future No. 1 pick. Rounding out the list of names to know, Barlowe and Peek discuss the upside of undecided prospects Nate Ament and Koa Pete. Ament's length and positional versatility have scouts intrigued, while Pete’s athleticism and defensive prowess make him one of the most physically dominant players in the class.

Rafael and Krysten emphasize that while these prospects are still a few years away from hearing their names called on draft night, the 2026 class is already shaping up to be an exciting storyline for NBA fans and front offices alike.

Timestamps:

2025 vs 2026 - 2:16
AJ Dybantsa - 5:28
Darryn Peterson - 7:36
Darryn Peterson - 11:13
Cameron Boozer - 16:27
Cameron Boozer - 22:32
Nate Ament - 25:18
Koa Pete - 30:37

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

Leif Thulin’s Top 10 NBA Prospects: Jeremiah Fears, Nolan Traore, Egor Demin & More (Part Two) Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

In part two of Leif Thulin’s Top 10 NBA Prospects series on the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Leif and Rafael Barlowe dive into the next wave of top-tier talent for the 2025 NBA Draft.

They kick things off with Jeremiah Fears and Nolan Traore, discussing the contrast between Fears' polished game and Traore’s recent struggles in Europe. The duo also break down Egor Demin’s inconsistencies against Power 5 competition, before shifting focus to Noa Essengue and his intriguing long-term upside. They round things out with an in-depth look at Derik Queen’s fit in the modern NBA and Khaman Maluach’s unique blend of size, mobility, and potential. It’s an episode packed with insight, debate, and critical scouting notes on the 2025 class.

Timestamps

Jeremiah Fears - 1:44
Nolan Traore - 3:39
Egor Demin - 6:18
Noa Essengue - 10:38
Derik Queen - 13:57
Khaman Maluach - 20:44

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

Surprises in the Top 5? Leif Thulin's Top 2025 NBA Draft Prospects (Part One) Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

In part one of a two-part series on the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Leif Thulin breaks down his top 10 NBA prospects with Rafael Barlowe for the 2025 NBA Draft. Leif kicks things off with Cooper Flagg as his clear-cut number one pick, diving into why the versatile forward leads the pack. The conversation then pivots to Dylan Harper and whether his strong play could challenge Flagg for the top spot. In a surprising twist, Leif names Texas freshman Tre Johnson at number three, followed closely by Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis at number four, showcasing their upside and fit for the next level. The episode closes with a discussion on Ace Bailey, where the Locked On duo analyze his immense potential, while also debating areas for improvement. Despite some differing views, both agree Bailey's talent is undeniable and worthy of big-time NBA hype.

Timestamps:

Cooper Flagg – 2:32
Dylan Harper – 7:03
Tre Johnson – 11:36
Kasparas Jakucionis – 14:46
Ace Bailey – 22:37

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

Weekend Recap: Dylan Harper’s Heroics, Jeremiah Fears Rising, and Johni Broome’s Dominance Dec 16, 2024

Show notes

In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe and James Barlowe break down the standout performances from the weekend in college basketball. The episode kicks off with an in-depth discussion of Dylan Harper, who delivered a game-winning shot against Seton Hall in another strong performance. In the second segment, the spotlight shifts to his teammate Ace Bailey, who impressed with an efficient first half but struggled from the free-throw line.

Later, Rafael offers a heartfelt apology to James for previously questioning his ranking of Oklahoma freshman Jeremiah Fears at No. 7 on his most recent Big Board. After watching Fears’ recent play, Rafael admits he now sees why James has him as a top-10 prospect.

The hosts then pivot to Auburn’s Johni Broome, who put on a dominant display against Ohio State with a 21-point, 20-rebound performance. In the following segment, they discuss Liam McNeeley’s career-high 26-point effort in UConn’s big win over Gonzaga. Finally, the episode concludes with a breakdown of Illinois freshman Kasparas Jakucionis, who had a solid outing in Illinois’ loss to Tennessee. Despite an off-shooting night, Rafael and James highlight Jakucionis’ ability to still leave an impact on the game.

Podcast Timestamps
• Dylan Harper: 2:10
• Ace Bailey: 11:32
• Jeremiah Fears: 20:52
• Johni Broome: 26:49
• Liam McNeeley: 28:10
• Kasparas Jakucionis: 32:03

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

Richard Stayman’s Big Board: Sleeper Picks and Surprises! Dec 14, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Richard Stayman joins host Rafael Barlowe to provide insights into his unpublished Big Board. Stayman highlights why he is higher than the consensus on Ben Saraf, Kam Jones, Jase Richardson, and Max Shulga, diving into their standout traits and potential as prospects. On the flip side, he explains his reservations about VJ Edgecombe, Egor Demin, and Nolan Traore, detailing areas where they fall short compared to their growing hype. The duo also touch on the ongoing race for the number-one overall pick, breaking down how top-tier prospects are jockeying for position in a loaded class.

Timestamps

The Race for No. 1 - 3:58
Ben Saraf - 6:36
VJ Edgecombe - 11:54
Egor Demin - 17:11
Kam Jones - 23:27
Nolan Traore - 26:55
Jase Richardson - 30:34
Max Shulga - 33:31

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

Breaking Down the 2025 Draft’s Best Lead Ball Handlers Dec 13, 2024

Show notes

In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, brothers Rafael and James Barlowe dive into James’ top five lead ball handlers for the 2025 NBA Draft, while exploring what defines a lead ball handler in today’s game. The list features Dylan Harper, Kasparas Jakucionis, Jeremiah Fears, Egor Demin, and Boogie Fland, with James sharing his detailed evaluations of each player’s strengths and potential. Rafael complements the discussion with insightful deep dives into analytics, offering advanced metrics and context for each prospect’s performance, while also highlighting areas for improvement. The Barlowe brothers provide a balanced, in-depth breakdown of this intriguing crop of future NBA lead guards.

Timestamps

Dylan Harper - 4:35
Kasparas Jakucionis - 11:54
Jeremiah Fears - 22:04
Egor Demin - 27:03
Boogie Fland -32:28

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

The Next Wave: Ranking the Tier 2 Prospects of the 2025 NBA Draft Dec 12, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael Barlowe is joined by Krysten Peek to discuss the top Tier 2 prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft. While Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, and Egor Demin headline her Tier 1 rankings, Krysten dives deep into the next group of standout players.

The duo breaks down the potential and performances of Tre Johnson, VJ Edgecombe, Asa Newell, Kasparas Jakucionis, Liam McNeeley, and Derik Queen—players Krysten considers Tier 2 prospects for the upcoming draft.

They share insights on what makes these players intriguing for NBA teams, their standout skills, and areas where they need to grow to solidify their stock as potential lottery picks.

From sharp-shooting wings to versatile bigs, this episode delivers a comprehensive look at the names just outside the top tier and their chances of breaking into the spotlight.

Timestamps

Tre Johnson - 8:18
VJ Edgecombe - 13:17
Asa Newell - 17:32
Kasparas Jakucionis - 23:27
Liam McNeeley - 29:15
Derik Queen - 32:59

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

Who’s the Best Big Man in the 2025 Draft? Dec 11, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael Barlowe and Leif Thulin dive into Leif’s top big-man prospects for the 2025 NBA Draft. The discussion kicks off with Maryland’s Derik Queen, who has been stellar this season and tops Leif’s list of bigs. They break down Queen’s dominance, skill set, and why he’s earned the top spot. The conversation then moves to Duke’s Khaman Maluach. Maluach's current production, and comparison to former Duke center Dereck Lively spark a detailed discussion about his potential as a future NBA prospect. Later in the episode, they analyze Georgia freshman Asa Newell and debate whether he projects better as a four or a five at the next level, considering his frame and skill set. In the final segment, Stanford senior Maxime Raynaud’s production comes under the spotlight. While Rafael critiques his lack of rim protection, he praises Raynaud’s ability to consistently stuff the stat sheet with points, rebounds, and three-point shooting. The episode concludes with a deep dive into Auburn’s Johni Broome, who is making a strong case as one of the most dominant players in college basketball this season. Despite being projected as a late first-round or second-round pick due to his age, Rafael believes Broome has the potential to outperform his draft position and become a steal for the right team.

Timestamps:

Derik Queen - 2:26

Khaman Maluach - 13:25

Asa Newell - 19:10

Maxime Raynaud - 25:43

Johni Broome - 32:18

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

AJ Dybantsa Picks BYU: Insights from Krysten Peek Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael Barlowe and Krysten Peek dive into the surprising decision by AJ Dybantsa, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, to commit to BYU. Dybantsa, widely regarded as a generational talent, chose the Cougars over powerhouse programs like Alabama, Kansas, and North Carolina, a move that has sparked widespread discussion in basketball circles.

Peek shares exclusive stories from covering Dybantsa throughout his high school career, offering a closer look at his journey and the factors behind his unconventional decision. She provides insight into why BYU emerged as the best fit for the star prospect, emphasizing the role of coaching relationships, team culture, and potential opportunities to shine in a unique setting. Peek also draws an NBA comparison for Dybantsa, underscoring his blend of athleticism, skill, and court vision, which has made him the crown jewel of his class.

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

The Great Debate: LeBron, AK-47, Scottie Barnes, or KG—Who’s Cooper Flagg’s Best NBA Comp? Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

In this lively episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe dive into the ever-popular debate surrounding Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The focus? Reading and reacting to Twitter comments about who fans think is the best NBA comparison for the freshman phenom.

Cooper Flagg’s rare blend of athleticism, skill set, and positional versatility has sparked a wide range of opinions online. Listeners are treated to a mix of thoughtful, hilarious, and downright wild takes from Twitter users, as Rafael and James break down each suggestion with their own insights. From LeBron James to Joe Ingles, and even some outside-the-box comps, the duo weigh in on how Flagg’s game stacks up against NBA legends and current stars.

With plenty of laughs, thoughtful analysis, and a dose of friendly banter, this episode captures the fun and unpredictability of NBA Draft chatter. If you’re a Cooper Flagg fan or just love spirited player comps, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

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