Today’s the last day of March, and we’re at the tail end of the NCAA Tournament—and it’s fair to say it’s been a big month.
We got to see almost all of the top prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft play high-level basketball on the biggest stage possible, and really find out how they perform under pressure. Some lived up to expectations, others exceeded them.
And in doing so, they’ve helped set themselves up for the upcoming NBA Draft.
@ Troy Wayrynen-Imagn ImagesFive Players Who Helped their 2026 NBA Draft Stock
Darius Acuff Jr., G, Arkansas
Not every player on this list is still in the tournament, especially Darius Acuff Jr., who reaped all the benefits of a 2026 NBA Draft stock rise despite not making it to the Elite Eight.
There wasn’t much he could’ve done against a dominant Arizona Wildcats team in the Sweet 16. Still, he did everything in his power to make it interesting.
In March, Acuff won the SEC Tournament and was crowned MVP, putting up absurd averages of 30 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds while shooting 50% from beyond the arc. He entered the NCAA Tournament absolutely red hot.
So it came as no surprise that, across his three NCAA Tournament games, he posted ridiculous averages of 29 points, 5 assists, and a steal per game. He showcased himself as an effortless scorer with a killer mentality, and the ability to back it up.
He became a full-blown superstar during the tournament, and his marketability skyrocketed when he announced a signature shoe deal with Reebok before even making it to the NBA.
2026 NBA Draft Stock before the NCAA Tournament: Top-10 Pick 2026 NBA Draft Stock after the NCAA Tournament: Top-5 PickOnce in a generation.This season we had the pleasure of watching @DariusAcuff dominate with @RazorbackMBB. Acuff smashed multiple records on his way to a Sweet 16 appearance.Thank you to our @jerseymikes Naismith Men’s College POY Finalist, Darius Acuff Jr.Videos: @brhoops pic.twitter.com/Sg1ZJhzKGf
— Naismith Awards (@NaismithTrophy) March 27, 2026 © Maria Lysaker-Imagn ImagesKeaton Wagler, G, Illinois
The Fighting Illini might win games by committee, but the man who led them past the Iowa Hawkeyes, and into their first Final Four appearance in over two decades, was Keaton Wagler.
The 6’6″ guard has all the elements of a true hero’s journey, going from under-scouted to one of the best freshmen in the country on a team with legitimate National Championship hopes. His regular season play was impressive enough to boost him from unranked to a lottery pick. But it’s his performances in win-or-go-home games where he’s truly separated himself from the pack.
In the win over Iowa, Wagler dropped 25 points, his best scoring performance of the tournament, on one of the biggest stages. He’s also shown the ability to impact winning even on off nights, contributing with rebounding and playmaking. That complete skill set, especially in a tall guard, has teams salivating. And he still has two more games to keep climbing.
2026 NBA Draft Stock before the NCAA Tournament: Lottery Pick 2026 NBA Draft Stock after the NCAA Tournament: Top-10 PickIllinois freshman Keaton Wagler just went off for 25 in the Elite 8 to lead the Illini back to the Final Four for the first time since 2005 ? pic.twitter.com/TLPMvvd9Qp
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) March 29, 2026 @ Eakin Howard-Imagn ImagesBrayden Burries, G, Arizona
Being a standout player on the most dominant team in the country, as a freshman, is no easy task. But Brayden Burries has made it look anything but difficult, leading a top-ten offense and defense to the Final Four.
In a guard-heavy draft class, he’s shown something many players ahead of him haven’t done as well: matching production while staying efficient. On his run to the Final Four, he’s averaging 18 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal per game. But the number that really jumps off the page is his efficiency, shooting a ridiculous 68% from three on five attempts per night.
Burries is playing on a team that could realistically win the national title, and his ability to contribute to winning, while producing and showing fewer flaws than other guards in this class, has helped his stock rise.
2026 NBA Draft Stock before the NCAA Tournament: Lottery Pick 2026 NBA Draft Stock after the NCAA Tournament: Top-10 PickBrayden Burries was impressive in Arizona's Sweet 16 win over Arkansas. Burries finished with 23 points on 7-11 shooting in the blowout win. pic.twitter.com/HySOwxcP8g
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) March 27, 2026 © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesYaxel Lendenburg, F, Michigan
When it comes to Yaxel Lendenburg, there are two kinds of conversations around him. The first is about his age, and the fact that his original peers are already thriving in the NBA while he’s still in college. The second? The people calling him “Dominican LeBron.”
While his age isn’t exactly a plus, his play style has people questioning how much that really matters when a player is this good. Over his last three NCAA Tournament games, he’s averaging 25 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal, and a block per game, while shooting 52% from three and 61% from the field.
This is a 6’9″ forward doing everything for a No. 1 seed, so maybe he really is LeBron James in disguise. It’s hard to imagine any team in contention passing on a player who can come in right now and make an immediate impact. And that’s exactly where his value is rising.
He might be the best player in the country, but his draft position might not reflect that.
2026 NBA Draft Stock before the NCAA Tournament: Late First Round Pick 2026 NBA Draft Stock after the NCAA Tournament: Mid-First Round / Late Lottery PickDominant. pic.twitter.com/uTgDjVbqYY
— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) March 30, 2026 @ Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn ImagesBennett Stirtz, G, Iowa
Cinderella runs are rare in modern college basketball, but the Iowa Hawkeyes were the closest thing we had. And the man running the show? Bennett Stritz.
Another talented guard in a guard-heavy draft, but he’s also dealing with the reality of not being a “young freshman.” That’s why, even after leading his team to an Elite Eight appearance, his stock still sits closer to the end of the first round than the beginning.
That said, things definitely trended upward for Stritz during his NCAA Tournament run. In four games, he averaged 18 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal per game. The shot wasn’t falling at its best during the tournament, but it was during the regular season, so the promise is clearly there.
With him, you’re getting two reliable things.
First, he’ll give you 40 minutes a night if you need it, literally. He played nearly every single minute of every tournament game. Second, he’s methodical offensively and can create his own shot, with no fear of him turning over the rock.
Like Yaxel, he feels like the kind of player who can step in immediately and make an impact on a team with a win-now timeline.
2026 NBA Draft Stock before the NCAA Tournament: Late First Round Pick 2026 NBA Draft Stock after the NCAA Tournament: Mid-First RoundFrom DII to the Elite 8, Bennett Stirtz has won on every level ?Stirtz played 40 minutes and finished with 20 points and 4 assists in the win. pic.twitter.com/3Sy9EuBqLN
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) March 27, 2026Hence then, the article about which players have helped their 2026 nba draft stock the most in the ncaa tournament was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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