There are plenty of prospects in the 2027 NBA Draft that are becoming household names (at least in basketball households) but today I want to highlight a few prospects who are flying too far under the radar and who could rise up draft boards over the coming 11 months.
For this under the radar list I’ve chosen prospects that I haven’t seen mocked in the first round in any mock drafts, and mostly these guys don’t show up on mock drafts at all.
The way the NIL rules are keeping kids in school, a bunch of these guys could wait a few years before jumping into the draft but I think a few could end up in the 2027 NBA Draft.
Paul Mbiya – Center – Kansas (Congo) – If you watched closely over the final two months of last season you would have seen the 7-foot center from the Congo start to find his footing and adjust to the college game. Mbiya comes with great physical tools and plenty of untapped upside. The playing time wasn’t there last year, as he sat and learned behind some more experienced post players but this year he’s in line for a big boost in minutes played and with an important developmental year behind him. I’m not sure he’ll be a 2027 draft pick, as he’s still very raw (and the NIL money could keep him in school) but I think he deserves to be on NBA scouts radar and could be a riser this season.
Sebastian Williams-Adams – SF/PF – Vanderbilt – The sophomore transfer from Auburn is a thick and sturdy forward who has an impact on the game that goes far beyond just scoring the ball. He’s a tough and physical player who might have been considered a tweener a decade ago but with how the NBA game is going he seems like an ideal fit as a big, versatile forward who can defend multiple positions and hold his own in the paint. His new teammate Tyler Tanner will get a lot more draft hype but I think SWA could be the better NBA prospect.
Anton Bonke – Center – Michigan State (Vanuatu) – At 7-2 and 270lbs you’d expect Bonke to be strictly a banger in the paint but the burly big man from Vanuatu has some Splash Mountain in his game. First off I’ll admit that I had no idea that Vanuatu was even a country until I looked it up, and now I feel smart. And I also didn’t expect to be as intrigued by Bonke’s film until taking a deeper dive.
Shon Abaev – SF – Florida State – I’m intrigued by Abaev’s move from Cincinnati to Florida State and think he could be a guy who ends up on 2027 draft boards. There’s also a real chance he’s a four year college player and so might not be a 2027 draft pick. After shooting the ball poorly during his freshman season I think we’ll see that he’s a much better shooter than those numbers indicate and can be a real knockdown guy for the Seminoles.
Sebastian Rancik – SF – Florida State – Another incoming Seminole forward, Rancik is a big, floor spacing combo forward who plays a heady game. He’s not a crazy athlete but has great size and a really nice shooting stroke. I’m excited to see what he can do next year in Tallahassee.
Alex Wilkins – PG/SG – Kentucky – The wiry and athletic transfer from Furman brings his scoring talents to Kentucky and will look to build off of a great freshman season. He’s quick with the ball in his hands and can dance with the dribble and make moves into the lane. It’s going to be really fun seeing him adjust to the higher level of competition and to playing with more talented teammates. Kentucky has a few potential draft picks on their roster and I think Wilkins deserves to be in consideration and should be getting a bit more buzz.
Tyler Betsey – SF – BYU – Yet another transfer, Betsey brings his talents to BYU and should play a prominent role on the team. I love how he lets the ball fly with confidence and can be a high volume guy from the 3pt line. He’s overall shooting and FT shooting leaves something to be desired but if he can improve his finishing I think he can get a look at the NBA level. Big, 6-8 shooters are highly valued and so he could get a long look from NBA teams.
Lucas Morillo – SF – Illinois – Playing time might be tough to come by for Morillo on a very deep and talented Illinois team but he might just have too much talent to keep off the floor. Fellow freshmen Quentin Coleman gets more draft hype but Morillo will be on NBA scouts radar as well. If I had to guess I’d say he’s more of a 2028 or 2029 prospect but he’s one to keep an eye on.
Here’s my latest 2027 NBA Mock Draft and a look farther ahead to the 2028 draft.