NBA Draft Junkies Podcast

The 2026 NBA rookie class continues to deliver impressive performances, and James Barlowe is back with another solo edition of NBA Draft Junkies Rookie Report In Volume 15, James breaks down Caleb Wilson's latest standout performance against the Philadelphia 76ers, where he finished with 24 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals while connecting on four of his nine three-point attempts. The conversation also turns to AJ Dybantsa, who scored 21 points in Washington's victory over the Orlando Magic, as James shares his thoughts on the No. 1 picks development and early NBA performances. Meanwhile, Cleveland's Meleek Thomas made the most of his starting...

James Barlowe is back to finish what he started!

After unveiling his top 10 prospects in last Thursday's 2027 NBA Draft Big Board 1.0, James returns for Part II, revealing the remaining players on his preseason rankings as the 2026–27 college basketball season approaches.

With a big board that looks considerably different from the early consensus, James shares his evaluations of some of the most intriguing prospects in the class. Where do Anthony Thompson, Billy Richmond and Alijah Arenas rank? How many Arkansas players make his first round? And which prospects does James believe are being overlooked by the ea...

Is Darius Acuff on his way to a historic rookie season? And did NBA scouts underestimate Yaxel Lendeborg's scoring ability?

In NBA Draft Junkies Rookie Report Vol. 14, Rafael and James Barlowe break down the historic start to Acuff's NBA career with the Sacramento Kings. 

After struggling with efficiency during his first few games, Acuff has caught fire, scoring at least 30 points in three of his last five outings. He delivered 34 points, 14 assists and six rebounds against New Orleans before following that performance with 38 points, five rebounds and five assists on Saturday night. With season averages of 26 p...

Is the 2027 NBA Draft class being overrated, underrated or completely misunderstood?

A recent debate between Rafael and James Barlowe sparked an interesting disagreement about the overall quality of the upcoming NBA Draft class.

Rafael compared the 2027 class to the widely criticized 2024 NBA Draft, questioning whether the group possesses the high-end talent and depth typically associated with a strong draft.

James strongly disagreed.

But the disagreement wasn't simply about the overall talent level. As Rafael discussed several prospects projected to land in the lottery according to early mock drafts and big boards...

The 2026 NBA rookie class continues to deliver compelling storylines, and James Barlowe is flying solo for another edition of NBA Draft Junkies Rookie Report! In Volume 13, James begins with the highly anticipated NBA season debut of AJ Dybantsa, who finally returned to action after missing the opening games with an ankle injury. What stood out from his first appearance, and what should fans expect as he works his way into the rotation? The conversation then shifts to Kingston Flemings, who delivered a career-high performance against the Miami Heat. James examines what made Flemings so effective, his development as a young...

Is it time for the Brooklyn Nets to give Mikel Brown Jr. the keys to their offense?

On this episode of NBA Draft Junkies Live, Rafael and James Barlowe break down Brown's impressive second-half performance vs the Boston Celtics and debate whether Brooklyn should insert its talented rookie into the starting lineup and give him more responsibility as a primary playmaker.

The brothers also discuss the latest injury news involving Jaren Jackson Jr. and Anthony Edwards, examining how their potential absences could impact team rotations and create opportunities for young players, including Darryn Peterson.

The 2026 NBA season is just getting started, but injuries, breakout performances and unexpected opportunities are already shaping the rookie class.

In NBA Draft Junkies Rookie Report Vol. 11, Rafael and James Barlowe open the show with a major development in Oklahoma City, where injuries to Cason Wallace and Jalen Williams could significantly impact the Thunder's rotation.

With two key starters potentially facing extended absences, could rookies Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz be in line for larger roles?

Both players saw increased playing time against the Phoenix Suns, and the Barlowe brothers examine how their skill...

The college basketball season hasn't officially tipped off, but some of the nation's top NBA Draft prospects are already giving scouts plenty to talk about.

On this episode of NBA Draft Junkies Live, Rafael and James Barlowe break down a weekend filled with high-profile college basketball exhibitions, intriguing prospect matchups and standout performances from the next generation of NBA talent.

The conversation begins with Arkansas and its No. 1-ranked recruiting class taking on Gonzaga in one of the weekend's most anticipated exhibition games. The brothers share their scouting impressions of Jordan Smith Jr., Billy Richmond...

The 2026 NBA Draft class entered the league with plenty of hype, and through the opening week of the regular season, several rookies are already showing why expectations were so high.

In NBA Draft Junkies Rookie Report Vol. 10, Rafael and James Barlowe break down some of the biggest rookie performances of the weekend, starting with Caleb Wilson's monster outing against the Washington Wizards.

Wilson erupted for 30 points, 14 rebounds and three combined steals and blocks, delivering one of the most impressive performances of the young season. 

The conversation then shifts to Cameron Boozer, who c...

The NBA regular season is underway, and the next generation of basketball stars is already giving us plenty to talk about!

On this episode of NBA Draft Junkies Live, Rafael and James Barlowe kick things off with Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, who wasted no time making headlines after a heated exchange with Luka Dončić. The brothers discuss Lendeborg's competitive approach, his comments following the game, and whether the rookie's confidence could become one of his greatest strengths.

The conversation then shifts to the contrasting NBA debuts of Darius Acuff and Keaton Wagler. Ac...

The preseason is officially behind us, the 2026-27 NBA season is underway, and now the real evaluation begins!

In this episode of NBA Draft Junkies Rookie Report Vol. 9, Rafael and James Barlowe break down the regular-season debuts of some of the most highly anticipated prospects from the 2026 NBA Draft class.

After weeks of preseason performances, scouting discussions and predictions, the Barlowe brothers take a closer look at how these rookies are adjusting to meaningful NBA competition. What stood out? Which players showed encouraging signs? And what early concerns could become important as the...

The NBA season tips off Tuesday, but some of the biggest decisions have already been made.

Brandon Miller reportedly secured a five-year, $209 million extension with Charlotte, while other members of the 2023 NBA Draft class, including Scoot Henderson, Dereck Lively II and Anthony Black, enter the season without new deals.

Rafael and James Barlowe examine what those decisions reveal about how NBA teams value young talent, the uncertain futures of recent first-round picks, and whether today's league gives prospects enough time to develop.

Plus, the brothers make their predictions for the 2026-27 NBA season, including...

The NBA season hasn't even tipped off, and there's already plenty of drama. From Ben Simmons' devastating Achilles injury to Stephen Curry giving Warriors fans an injury scare, Rafael and James Barlowe discuss the growing list of preseason injuries and their potential impact on the season ahead.

Plus, Cason Wallace reportedly lands a massive five-year, $139 million extension with Oklahoma City. Who's next to get paid from the 2023 NBA Draft class, and which players could be running out of time? The brothers also turn their attention to the 2027 NBA Draft, where Tyran Stokes, Bruce Branch III and other...

The NBA regular season is almost here, and after several weeks of preseason basketball, it's time to take a closer look at the 2026 NBA Draft lottery picks. In NBA Draft Junkies Rookie Report Vol. 7: Red Flags & Green Lights, James Barlowe examines the encouraging signs and potential concerns surrounding the most highly touted rookies in the 2026 class. James shares what he's loved about their preseason performances, the skills that have translated to the NBA level, and some of the red flags that could impact their development. From AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson to Cameron Boozer, Caleb Wilson, Mikel Brown Jr., Brayden...

It's time for another edition of NBA Draft Junkies Rookie Report, as Rafael and James continue evaluating the 2026 NBA Draft class during the preseason.

The episode begins with the highly anticipated debut of Mikel Brown Jr., the sixth overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, who made his first appearance for the Brooklyn Nets against the Miami Heat. Coming off the bench, Brown finished with 15 points, three rebounds and three assists in just 18 minutes. Rafael and James share their first impressions of Brown's performance, discuss how his game could translate to the NBA and examine his potential role in...

The 2026 NBA rookie class continues to provide plenty of storylines, and Rafael and James are back with another episode of NBA Draft Junkies to break down the latest preseason action.

The conversation begins with Darryn Peterson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, who finished with 14 points and five assists in 24 minutes on Monday night. Rafael and James discuss what they've seen from Peterson throughout the preseason, his offensive development and what his early performances might tell us about his transition to the NBA.

Next, the focus shifts to Mikel Brown Jr., the sixth overall...

It's time for NBA Draft Junkies Rookie Report Vol. 4, as Rafael and James continue breaking down the early performances of the 2026 NBA rookie class.

The Oklahoma City Thunder rookies are making plenty of noise this preseason. Aday Mara delivered another impressive all-around performance against Atlanta, finishing with 17 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and four blocks. Meanwhile, Bennett Stirtz led Oklahoma City with 26 points, four rebounds and five assists. 

Rafael and James discuss whether the Thunder may have found two more valuable pieces for their already talented roster.

On the other side, Kingston Flemings helped lead t...

The Barlowe brothers are back! After hotel connection issues in Atlanta forced Rafael and James to postpone their usual Friday Rundown, NBA Draft Junkies Live returns for a special Sunday edition.

The brothers start with one of the most anticipated rookie matchups of the preseason, as former teammates Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson, the third and fourth picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, squared off in Chicago. Rafael and James share their scouting takeaways from the matchup before discussing Darius Acuff's big performance and the steady, consistent play of Dallas Mavericks rookie Sergio De Larrea.

The...

It's time for NBA Draft Junkies Rookie Report Vol. 3, as Rafael and James continue evaluating the 2026 NBA Draft class during the preseason.

The biggest headline is the debut of No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa, who finished with 11 points, two rebounds, two assists and four steals in 23 minutes. They'll also take a deeper look at Caleb Wilson's 15 point performance on Wednesday night and Brayden Burries' impressive 16 point, five assist outing, including why James believes the Bucks should make Burries a featured part of their offense.

The discussion then shifts to Thursday night's games, where Chris Cenac Jr...

It's another edition of the NBA Draft Junkies Rookie Report, as Rafael and James break down the latest preseason performances from the 2026 NBA Draft class.

Darryn Peterson responded to a disappointing debut with 23 points, three rebounds and three assists, while Golden State's Yaxel Lendeborg led the Warriors with 17 points and nine rebounds in his second outing.

But the biggest storyline might be in Oklahoma City, where Aday Mara  and Bennett Stirtz have made impressive early contributions. Mara  has opened the preseason with consecutive perfect shooting performances, including 22 points on 10-10 shooting tonight vs the Bucks, wh...

The 2026 NBA Draft class is getting its first taste of NBA preseason basketball, and it's time for some early reactions. Rafael and James break down Darius Acuff's 19-point performance against the Lakers, Cameron Carr's 19 points in 22 minutes off the bench, Darryn Peterson's six point debut, Keaton Wagler's 15 points on 15 shots, Yaxel Lendeborg's 1-6 shooting night and Kingston Flemings' first game as a starting point guard.

They'll also discuss the instant offense provided by Ebuka Okorie and check in on Bucks rookies Brayden Burries and Nate Ament. 

#NBARookies #2026NBADraft #DariusAcuff #CameronCarr #DarrynPeterson #KeatonWagler #YaxelLendeborg #KingstonFlemings #E...

It's time for another NBA Draft Junkies Friday Rundown, as Rafael and James recap some of the biggest stories from across the basketball world.

Jalen Duren's long contract standoff with Detroit is finally over after the Pistons agreed to a five-year, $200 million deal just before the deadline.  

Meanwhile, Dalton Knecht's future with the Lakers has become uncertain amid reports that he could be the odd man out as Los Angeles gets down to its final opening night roster, raising questions about how quickly things changed for a player who appeared to land in an ideal situation o...

The Border League gives scouts and basketball fans one of their first opportunities each fall to see some of the country's top high school prospects competing with their teams after an offseason of development.

In this episode, Rafael and James recap the 2026 Border League in Las Vegas, discussing the players who impressed them, prospects who may have raised their stock and some of the biggest takeaways from the weekend. They share their thoughts on Beckham Black, Yann Kamagate, Benji Berreout, DeMarcus Henry, Josiah Rose and more, while looking at what has changed in their games and which...

Matt Able showed enough as a freshman at NC State to put himself on the NBA radar, and a strong pre draft process only added to the intrigue before he ultimately returned to college.

Now the sophomore transfers across the state to North Carolina, where he'll play for former NBA championship coach Mike Malone and have an opportunity to turn last year's flashes into consistent production.

Rafael and James break down Able's strengths, concerns and NBA projection, while James explains why he's particularly high on the UNC sophomore and believes the consensus may be significantly...

It's Mailbag Wednesday, which means you control the conversation. Rafael and James take questions live from the audience while discussing some of the biggest topics across the basketball world, including early NBA Rookie of the Year candidates, what to make of the wide open 2027 NBA Draft and whether comparisons to the 2024 class are actually fair. They'll also preview the upcoming Border League in Las Vegas, where many of the country's top high school teams and prospects will give scouts an early look at what they've added to their games, and break down some of the measurements and takeaways from...

Hugo Yimga entered the season as one of the most intriguing international prospects in the 2027 NBA Draft, but what makes his development particularly interesting is how much his game continues to change.

Once viewed largely through the lens of his physical tools, athleticism and defensive potential, Yimga has steadily added more skill to his offensive game. One of the biggest developments has been his shooting. After previously being viewed as a non-shooter, Yimga made a major jump as a 17 year-old professional, connecting on around 40% of his three point attempts.

A strong performance this past...

The NBA season is officially getting underway, and Media Day gave us plenty to talk about.

Rafael and James break down the latest Jalen Duren saga, including his absence from Pistons Media Day, Detroit's desire to keep him and reports of teams potentially exploring sign-and-trade possibilities. 

They also discuss the surprising news that Brandon Ingram underwent heel surgery and was found to have a partially torn Achilles, which will delay his Clippers debut following the Kawhi Leonard trade.

Then it's time for some of the lighter Media Day storylines: baldy Lebron, which players showed u...

Rob Dillingham is headed back home to North Carolina, but this could be much more than a homecoming. After beginning his career in Minnesota and being traded to Chicago during his second season, the former No. 8 overall pick now gets another fresh start as he approaches a critical third NBA season. 

NBA

In this emergency episode, Rafael and James discuss whether Charlotte is finally the right situation for Dillingham to showcase the  creativity that made him a lottery pick.

They also examine what the move means for Charlotte's young backcourt, particularly 2026 first-round pick Christian An...

It’s time for another NBA Draft Junkies Friday Rundown, where Rafael and James step outside the usual one-prospect format to cover some of the biggest stories from across the basketball world.

This week, the conversation starts in the NBA with Jalen Duren betting on himself after reportedly turning down a massive extension from Detroit. What is Duren ultimately worth, and how much money is he risking by waiting? The guys also discuss Kawhi Leonard and Toronto, what the move means for the Raptors in the Eastern Conference and whether betting on Kawhi’s health is worth the...

Stefan Joksimović enters this season with a reputation as the top international prospect in the 2027 NBA Draft. The question now is whether he'll actually get the opportunity to show why.

After a strong summer representing Slovenia at the FIBA U18 European Championship, Joksimović returned to Baskonia with significant NBA Draft expectations. But early in the season, his minutes have been limited, creating an interesting evaluation dilemma for NBA scouts.

In this episode, Rafael and James break down Joksimović's game, what made him stand out this summer and why he's viewed as one of the premier int...

Tonight is all about your questions.

Rafael and James are going LIVE on YouTube and Facebook for an NBA Draft Junkies Mailbag, taking questions directly from the audience about the 2027 NBA Draft and more.

Which prospects are we too high or too low on? Who are the potential sleepers? Which returning players could make a major jump? Which freshmen could emerge as lottery picks? And who belongs in the conversation at the top of the draft?

There’s no set prospect tonight. You control the conversation. Drop your questions in the live chat, give us...

Colben Landrew arrives at UConn as a consensus five-star recruit with a decorated résumé from Wheeler High School in Georgia, one of the country's most respected high school basketball programs. Now he steps into a UConn program loaded with talent and potential NBA prospects, creating one of the more interesting situations to follow in the 2027 NBA Draft.

The question isn't simply whether Landrew is talented enough. It's how quickly can he separate himself on a roster where touches, minutes and opportunities may have to be earned?

In this episode of NBA Draft Junkies Live, Rafael an...

Dash Daniels has been on the NBA radar for years. The younger brother of Atlanta Hawks guard and former lottery pick Dyson Daniels, Dash has built his own reputation as a high-level defender with excellent size, instincts and feel for the game. His ability to defend multiple positions, rebound, make the extra pass and impact games without dominating the basketball has always made him an intriguing NBA prospect.

But the biggest question surrounding Daniels has consistently been on the other end of the floor: How much offense is there?

Early this season, we may be...

We're switching things up on Fridays.

Instead of focusing on one NBA Draft prospect, Rafael and James take a trip around the basketball world to discuss the biggest stories from the week across the NBA, college basketball, recruiting, the NBA Draft and international basketball.

This week's show starts with some serious money being handed out around the NBA. Keyonte George, the No. 16 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, agreed to a five-year, $157.5 million extension with Utah  and Ausar Thompson, the No. 5 pick in that same draft, agreed to a five-year, $155 million extension with Detroit. 

...

Neoklis Avdalas entered his freshman season at Virginia Tech as a prospect Rafael and James were extremely high on, largely because there just aren't many players his size who can do some of the things he can do with the basketball. 

But his freshman season wasn't always smooth. Avdalas averaged 12 points and 4.6 assists per game, showing plenty of flashes while also dealing with the inconsistencies that can come with adjusting to college basketball.

Now he gets a fresh start at North Carolina.

In this episode, Rafael and James revisit why they were s...

Tonight is all about your questions.

Rafael and James are going LIVE on YouTube and Facebook for an NBA Draft Junkies Mailbag, taking questions directly from the audience about the 2027 NBA Draft and more.

Which prospects are we too high or too low on? Who are the potential sleepers? Which returning players could make a major jump? Which freshmen could emerge as lottery picks? And who belongs in the conversation at the top of the draft?

There’s no set prospect tonight. You control the conversation. Drop your questions in the live chat, gi...

Tounde Yessoufou entered college with plenty of expectations as a McDonald’s All-American, and it didn't take long for him to establish himself as one of the country's most productive freshmen. Yessoufou averaged 17.8 points per game at Baylor and set the program's freshman single-season scoring record, showing the physicality, athleticism and scoring ability that had made him such a highly regarded prospect coming out of high school.

But instead of making the jump to the NBA, Yessoufou is returning to college and beginning a new chapter at St. John’s. After becoming one of the most coveted play...

North Carolina freshman Sayon Keita enters the 2026–27 season as one of the more intriguing young big men to watch in the 2027 NBA Draft. The seven-footer from Mali arrives in Chapel Hill after developing in FC Barcelona’s youth system, where he was able to gain valuable experience in one of the best developmental environments in European basketball, including opportunities around Barcelona’s senior team and minutes against professional competition.

What makes Keita especially interesting from an NBA Draft perspective is the combination of size, youth, experience and long-term upside. He will still be only 19 years old around the ti...

Timestamps

00:42 — Rafael's first time watching Monta Ellis play

04:03 — Why Monta wanted to become GM of Alcorn State men's basketball

05:55 — The golden era of Mississippi basketball in the '90s and early 2000s

08:03 — Monta's game, his development on Mississippi playgrounds & his early Golden State Warriors years

10:05 — How Monta's basketball experience prepared him for the Alcorn State GM role

15:19 — How NIL has changed college sports and the recruiting landscape

19:00 — Balancing roster building, fundraising & improving Alcorn State's basketball facilities

23:15 — How being the father of a high-level you...

J.J. Andrews has done a lot of winning.

The Arkansas freshman arrives in Fayetteville after a decorated high school and grassroots career that included multiple state championships and back-to-back Peach Jam titles with Brad Beal Elite. He was also named the 2025 Nike EYBL MVP.

His high school is even more impressive. As a senior at Little Rock Christian Academy, Andrews averaged 30.7 points, 16.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists, while adding 1.9 steals and 1.5 blocks per game and shooting 62% from the floor.

Add in his positional size, athleticism, physicality and winning background, and there's an obvious question...