The Recruiting Revolution: How NIL and Fit Could Spark the Rise of Non-Blue Blood Schools

Locked On NBA Big Board - NBA Draft Podcast

In the latest Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael Barlowe and Krysten Peek dive into the shifting landscape of college recruiting, exploring whether high-level prospects are increasingly bypassing traditional basketball powerhouses like Duke, Kentucky, Kansas and North Carolina. They highlight A.J. Dybantsa, the projected 2026 top pick, choosing BYU for its NBA-style offense, as well as Rutgers' standout freshmen Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey. The duo discusses how NIL opportunities and individual fit are influencing decisions, drawing comparisons to recent top picks like Markelle Fultz and Cade Cunningham, who thrived at non-blue blood programs due to higher usage rates. They also examine Jeremiah Fears, whose breakout season has bolstered his draft stock, paralleling Trae Young’s rise at Oklahoma. On the flip side, they address prospects like Emoni Bates and Isaiah Collier, whose non-traditional choices hurt their draft status. Wrapping up, they analyze players like AJ Storr and Kam Jones, as well as 2025 recruits poised to follow Harper's path, and ponder Darius Acuff’s decision to commit to Arkansas rather than a Trae Young-esque route.

Timestamps and Key Topics

1:40 – Krysten's schedule calling high school games.
4:08 – NBA scouts evaluating talent at college games.
6:10 – Are we seeing a shift in how top recruits choose their schools?
19:38 – What is the deciding factor for most high-level recruits?
22:14 – Markelle Fultz, Anthony Edwards, and Cade Cunningham: Three high-usage guards who became No. 1 picks after bypassing blue blood programs.
23:10 – The flip side: Highly touted recruits for whom non-traditional choices didn’t work out.
25:48 – Jeremiah Fears following the path of Trae Young by committing to Oklahoma.
31:52 – Darius Acuff’s decision to play for Arkansas.