In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe and Ersin Demir dive into a fascinating discussion on under-the-radar sleeper NBA prospects. Ersin shares his carefully curated list of hidden gems, featuring Elijah Mahi, Finley Bizjack, Michael Ajayi, Johann Grunloh, and Joan Beringer. The episode highlights why these players have the potential to surprise scouts and NBA front offices, with a particular focus on Elijah Mahi, who has turned heads with standout performances early in the college basketball season. Barlowe and Demir share differing opinions on Finley Bizjack's NBA potential, leading to a lively debate. They also discuss Michael Ajayi's new role coming off the bench at Gonzaga and analyze how the adjustment could impact his development. The two hosts then cover the international bigs, Johann Grunloh and Joan Beringer, debating whether they should declare for the 2025 or 2026 NBA Draft.

Timestamps:

Elijah Mahi: 4:24

Finley Bizjack: 11:34

Michael Ajayi: 15:22

Johann Grunloh: 20:51

Joan Beringer: 26:06

On the latest Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe and Leif Thulin previewed some of the top games to watch over the weekend and the prospects to keep an eye on. They kicked things off with Friday night’s marquee matchup between Duke and Arizona, highlighting key players like Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach, and what they’re looking to see from each. The discussion then shifted to VJ Edgecombe, who has struggled early this season, with Rafael and Leif debating how he might fare against Tennessee’s tough defense. JT Toppin, off to a fantastic start this year, was also identified as a player they’ll be watching closely. Other prospects discussed included Ryan Kalkbrenner, who is shooting a scorching 89% from the field and looking to sustain his hot streak, Tre Johnson, who aims to rebound from a rough shooting night against Syracuse, and Kam Jones, fresh off a triple-double performance, with the hosts analyzing his emerging playmaking skills ahead of his matchup against Georgia.

Timestamps:

• Cooper Flagg: 3:02
• Maluach vs. Krivas: 12:48
• Kon Knueppel: 16:14
• VJ Edgecombe: 17:20
• JT Toppin: 19:57
• Ryan Kalkbrenner: 21:53
• Tre Johnson: 26:11
• Kam Jones: 27:49

On the latest LockedOn NBA Big Board Podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe and Leif Thulin broke down several notable performances from Thursday's games.

They opened with Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe, discussing his struggles against ranked opponents and debating whether it’s too early to worry about his draft stock, despite his defensive productivity and elite athleticism. The conversation then moved to Texas’ Tre Johnson, who overcame a tough shooting night against Syracuse by hitting six clutch free throws to seal the win. Rafael also expressed his optimism about Donnie Freeman, a prospect he’s higher on than the consensus. JT Toppin, who’s off to a red-hot start this season, shined in a big performance against St. Joe’s, sparking a discussion about St. Joe’s trio of prospects: Rasheer Fleming, Erik Reynolds, and Xzavier Brown.

Timestamps:

• VJ Edgecombe: 2:37
• Tre Johnson: 12:44
• Donnie Freeman: 15:35
• JJ Starling: 17:10
• JT Toppin: 25:04
• Rasheer Fleming: 25:50
• Erik Reynolds: 31:10
• Xzavier Brown: 33:18