We are approximately one month away from the most exciting time of the college basketball season: The NCAA Tournament! The 2023-24 NBA All-Star break has arrived, so let’s discuss which (potential) 2024 NBA Draft Prospects are being linked to the Miami Heat!

Bleacher Report (Jonathan Wasserman; Feb. 13):

No. 16: Stephon Castle, G, UConn

“Opinions vary on Stephon Castle. Mixing productive games with quiet ones, he’s showing a mix of scoring physicality, playmaking at 6’6″ and defense, while questions about his creation quickness and shooting range continue to linger.

“He’s had some bigger games of late—including consecutive 20-point efforts—and Connecticut’s loaded roster can make it difficult for him to gets looks and reps consistently.

“Castle will have a wide draft range that could start in the late lottery if certain teams feel optimistic about his jumper’s potential to improve. Right now, it’s the passing, defense and finishing that feel most translatable.”

 “Kolek is one of the most productive and effective players in college basketball. While he might not have the elite physical attributes that you look for in a NBA prospect he’s got an elite feel for the game and a very high skill level. Has an uncanny ability to score in the lane, using great angles and timing. Kolek is a special passer with awesome court vision. He runs the offense well, operates ball screens with good feel and is a true facilitator and leader on the floor. He’s also a really good 3pt shooter who is even better in the clutch. Projects as a really good back up at the NBA level, with some starter potential.”

No. 45: Mackenzie Mgbako, F, Indiana

From the 2023 Nike Hoops Summit in April of 2023:

“He showed a level of aggressiveness and confidence that you want to see from big time scorers. The 6-8 wing has a feathery jumper, enough size and strength to bang in the paint and a knack for scoring the ball. He’s not the most heralded recruit but could be one of the better NBA prospects in this class, when it’s all said and done.”

Fansided (Christopher Kline; Feb. 14):

Yardbarker (Pat Heery, Feb. 11):

No. 20: Jared McCain, G, Duke

“It’s never a bad thing to have depth at point guard in the NBA. With Kyle Lowry set to be a free agent (or retire) at the end of the season, there’s a good chance the Heat will be looking for another gritty guard like the one who helped them win the Eastern Conference last season, Gabe Vincent. Duke’s freshman Jaren McCain, like Vincent, is a tough-nosed guard who can play on-ball – though he will need to improve his playmaking, as well as off-ball as a shooter (42 percent from three on more than five attempts per game).”

CBS Sports (Gary Parrish; Feb. 9):

No. 15: Matas Buzelis, F, G-League Ignite

“Buzelis is the type of long prospect who can move all over the floor in ways that front offices really value these days. That he’s shooting below 30% from 3-point range for a terrible G League Ignite team is a bit of a concern, especially considering there have long been questions about whether Buzelis will ever truly be a knockdown shooter. But his positional versatility and ability to pass at his size should make the Chicago native close to a lock to go somewhere in the top 20.”

The Ringer (Kevin O’Connor; Jan. 24):

No. 17: Zach Edey, C, Purdue

“There isn’t a more dominant player in college basketball right now, but scouts are split on Edey’s NBA upside: He’s a 300-pound, non-shooting center with concerns about his ability to defend outside the paint. It would be fascinating to see what he could do in an organization like the Heat, who have one of the best strength and conditioning programs in the league and could maximize whatever Edey can become athletically.

“Hard-to-stop interior scorer, not just because of his sheer size but also because of his skill and touch. He does a great job of using his massive frame to seal off positioning and make himself available for interior feeds. He doesn’t have advanced footwork, but his gigantic presence is enhanced by his agility. … Willingly embraces his role, whether playing limited minutes as an underclassman or running the offense through him as a junior and senior. Playing for the Canadian national team last summer, he fully took on responsibility as a screener, something Purdue doesn’t ask of him as often as post-ups.

“Limited defender when pulled away from the basket. He struggles to recover on pick-and-pops and often gets blown by on closeouts. NBA teams will target him even more than college teams do; granted, he’s made improvements in handling pressure at his current level. … Lacks a perimeter game aside from his screening. Though he has soft touch on floaters and a solid free throw percentage for a big, there is no indication that he will develop a spot-up jumper.”

ESPN (Jonathan Givony, Jeremy Woo; Jan. 11):

No. 20: Yves Missi, C, Baylor

From Feb. 10:

“Missi’s production has fluctuated throughout the season, but his appeal is the impressive size, reach and verticality he offers as a pick-and-roll finisher. He has shown some flashes creating his own shot from the mid-post or high-post areas as well, using an explosive first step and long strides, helping him draw fouls consistently. Missi’s ability to make a more regular impact as a defender and rebounder are areas that will be scrutinized in the final weeks of the season, as he has been hit or miss protecting the rim and offering physicality on the interior, things he’ll have to do to play a role in the NBA early in his career.”

Tankathon (Feb. 3):

No. 16: Ryan Dunn, F, Virginia

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