A look at where two IU Basketball Players project to go in early 2025 NBA Mock Draft

Just one day after the conclusion of the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft, CBS Sports writers Adam Finkelstein and Travis Branham came out with their early projection for the 2025 NBA Draft, and two IU Basketball players found their way into the first round.

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Just after Kel’el Ware was selected 15th overall by the Miami Heat and joined Trayce Jackson-Davis and Jalen Hood-Schifino as the third IU Basketball players selected during the Mike Woodson era, the CBS writers predict that Kanaan Carlyle and Mackenzie Mgbako will join them next year.

RELATED: ‘It’s a great match’: Kel’el Ware finds new home with Miami Heat — a place that will ‘push me past my limits’

After being projected as a first-round pick as a five-star freshman, a slow start held Mackenzie Mgbako back and ultimately led to his return to Indiana. Despite the slow start, Mgbako still averaged 12.1 points, and 4.1 rebounds, while shooting 39.5% from the field and 32.7% from three. He figures to be an important part of IU Basketball as a sophomore next year.

Carlyle played one season with Stanford and made an instant impact for them averaging 11.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting 38.6% from the field and 32.0% from three. Carlyle was one of the biggest additions to IU basketball this season and figures to play a big role in Woodson’s squad. 

Experts believe Carlyle and Mgbako both have first round upside

© Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

In their early mock draft, CBS Sports has Kaanan Carlyle as the 19th pick and in their fifth tier of prospects (‘Round 1 Candidates’).

“Kanaan Carlyle is a hot-and-cold shooter, but when he’s locked in — or better yet, when he’s playing more efficiently — then he profiles as an extremely versatile scoring threat,” Finkelstein and Branham wrote.

Carlyle was the No. 15 ranked transfer according to 247Sports and the top combo guard in the portal. As one of the highlights of the IU Basketball transfer class, Carlyle will have plenty of opportunities to showcase his talents and cement himself as a first-round pick in next year’s draft.

The other Hoosier on the list, Mackenzie Mgbako, finds himself just three spots behind Carlyle at pick 22. He also was placed in the ‘Round 1 Candidates’ tier of prospects like Carlyle.

“In high school, Mgbako’s shot-making from behind the arc was his best asset. His shooting, period, was a strength. That did not translate as a freshman at Indiana, where he shot 39% from the field and 32% from three-point range. Can he improve?” Finkelstein and Branham wrote.

Mgbako has all the tools to be a great shooter and that will be the key to his success at the next level. If Mgbako can become more consistent from three, he could easily find himself in the first round of next year’s draft.

SEE ALSO: In a transfer portal and NIL era of college basketball, Kel’el Ware chose Indiana based on ‘right fit’

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