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What these 5 IU basketball players need to improve in order to be on 2025 NBA Draft boards

IU basketball had another player selected in the first round this year, the second consecutive year. Who could be next?

Published

3 days ago

July 3, 2024

Alec Lasley

IU basketball had another player selected in the first round this year, the second consecutive year. Who could be next?

The 2024 NBA Draft is now in the rearview mirror as IU basketball center Kel’el Ware became the 28th first-round selection in program history. Ware was taken 15th overall by the Miami Heat. It’s the second year in a row Indiana had a player right outside of the lottery, but still invited to the Green Room.

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Ware became the second-straight first round selection for IU basketball, the first time that had happened since the 2013 and 2014 NBA Drafts (’13: Victor Oladipo, Cody Zeller, ’14: Noah Vonleh).

Now, Indiana turns the page to a high-potential 2025 draft class. In total, there are a handful of players currently on the roster that can improve their stock heading into next summer.

Let’s take a look at some Hoosiers who can be on 2025 NBA Draft boards and what they need to do to get there.

5 IU Basketball Players Who Can Land On 2025 NBA Draft Boards

Indiana’s Malik Reneau (5) and Mackenzie Mgbako (21) celebrate their victory after the second half of the Indiana versus Morehead State men’s basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.

Mackenzie Mgbako — SF, Sophomore

Mgbako came into his freshman season at Indiana looking to be a one-and-done player and while his inconsistencies have been well-documented, he still has a lot of potential as an NBA player. The biggest question mark surrounding his game and ability to get to the next step is creating off of the dribble. While Mgbako will likely never be a lethal off the dribble scorer, there are ways he can become more of a threat. Last year, it was either on the perimeter or muscle his way out of control and get a foul. There needs to be something in between. With his size and length, he should be able to score over defenders in the mid range.

While he has the size and length, his athleticism seemed to lack at times so his ability to beat someone off the dribble was lacking. While I’m not saying he needs to be able to get past his defender and get to the rim, he can find a way to have a two-dribble pull up in his repertoire. If he does, he will find himself extremely difficult to defend with his ability to knock down the three ball.

Right now, he’s been slotted as a late first-round pick.

Kanaan Carlyle — SG, Sophomore

Carlyle is one of the most athletic and dynamic guards Indiana will have had in quite some time. He has the ability to be a very talented two-way player if he sets his mind to it. One year — or more — under Mike Woodson will do just that. But, in order to jump on 2025 boards, the one aspect of his game that will need to improve is his efficiency / consistency. Both can go hand-in-hand.

Last year he shot just 38.6 percent from the floor overall and 32 percent from three. While 14 of his 23 games played were in double-digits, he shot less than 40 percent in six of those 14. His two biggest games were 31 points against Washington State and 28 against Arizona. He was a combined 9-of-14 from three in those games and 17-of-31 overall. He was so effective because he used his driving ability to set up his deep range. He was 16-of-17 from the free throw line in those two games. In fact, four of his top five scoring games also translated of four of his top five games from the free throw line as well.

Carlyle is as talented as they come offensively, but he needs to be able to become more efficient from the floor and do that at a consistent level. If he does, he will likely be a first-round pick next year.

Currently, Carlyle is projected as a first round selection, just outside of the lottery.

Malik Reneau — PF, Junior

While staying on the floor and avoiding foul trouble will help, Reneau could jump up draft boards if he becomes more of a threat from three. While he’s not going to ever be a lethal and high-volume shooter from three, he has the ability to stretch the defense. Last year he shot 33.3 percent on just 45 attempts — 1.4 per game. He had 15 made 3s, but 11 of them came in a seven game span including four 3s against North Alabama alone.

Reneau has a good stroke both from the wing and top of the key. It’s quick and his footwork is relatively consistent on the jumper. Now, he just needs to shoot more. He took at least one three in 25 games last year but attempted 2+ 3s in just 12 games. He doesn’t even need to really improve his percentage much — if at all — in order to boost his stock. But, if he doubles the amount of 3s he takes, that’ll go a long way in expanding his game and making him much more of an appealing draft prospect.

He doesn’t have great size or length to play a true in the post 4 at the next level, so he needs to develop that jumper in order to be a threat on the floor. If he does, he can find himself in the second round due to the rest of his offensive ability.

Myles Rice — PG, Sophomore

The biggest question mark for Rice from a lot of people is around his shot. Rice shot just 27.5 percent from three last year — a far cry from what you would like from someone attempting 3.7 3s per game. But, the numbers don’t show the entire story. Through the first 26 games, Rice shot 33 percent and made 1.3 3s a game. Not terrific, but at least a percentage that keeps the defense honest. It was the final seven games that ruined his overall percentage. He went 0-for-22 in the final seven games leading into the NCAA Tournament.

Rice has the ability to hit off of the dribble or off the catch. He had 10 games with at least two made 3s last year. He’s not going to be a super high-volume shooter and he doesn’t need to be. He’s at his best using ball screens to get into the lane and attack the rim or make plays for his teammates. He’s already a terrific pick and roll player, but imagine if he made the jumper more consistent and was able to force the defense into making a real choice of taking away his shot or drive … or passing ability. That’s a difficult player to defend when you can do all three and you need to be able to do all three as a point guard at the next level.

Like Reneau, Rice would likely be a later second-round selection but because of his leadership ability, driving ability and playmaking skills, he’s someone who could really impress when he gets into workouts.

I think Rice is two years away from making that NBA jump, however. Either way it’s a win-win for IU basketball.

Oumar Ballo — C, Senior

Ballo was a tremendous pickup for Indiana this offseason and a needed one. But, he won’t be the focal point of the offense like the past two centers have been with Trayce Jackson-Davis and Kel’el Ware. So while they all have much different skillsets, Ballo has maxed out his potential offensively. He is what he is which is a huge body who is tremendous in the paint and on the offensive glass. He doesn’t have a ton of post moves so most of his work will be off of the pick and roll, weak side lob threat or offensive glass.

Where he can improve on the floor and thus drastically improve his potential draft stock is defensively. Already a terrific defender, he’s not a terrific shot blocker. At 7-feet and 260 pounds, Ballo has great size and frame, but not terrific length or jumping ability.

In his past two seasons, Ballo has averaged 1.3 blocks per game. Compare that to 1.9 from Ware last year and 3.1 from Jackson-Davis in his final two years and it’s quite a different level of production in that area. Jackson-Davis had a block rate of 8.5 or greater in each of those final two seasons. Last year, Ware’s was at 6.5 percent and Ballo was at 4.8 as a junior and 5.0 last year. In his career, Ballo has just 16 games with three or more blocks. Jackson-Davis had 16 alone in his senior year and Ware had eight last year.

I think Ballo can get there — not to the extend of Jackson-Davis — but closer to Ware. If he does, with his size and frame, and rebounding ability he can make a roster at the next level.