The Champions Classic puts Duke, Michigan State, Kansas and Kentucky’s NBA prospects on one stage, giving scouts an early look at players to track throughout the season. Kansas freshman Tyran Stokes is a leading candidate for the 2027 top pick, while Duke’s 17-year-old Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje is viewed as a potential 2028 No. 1 pick but isn’t draft-eligible in 2027. Scouts will weigh the showcase as one data point—not a verdict on any player’s future.

By the Numbers
  • Four ranked teams are playing: No. 2 Duke vs. No. 5 Michigan State, followed by No. 15 Kansas vs. No. 24 Kentucky.
  • Boumtje Boumtje is 17 and must be 19 during a draft year to qualify.
  • Stokes posted 27 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists against Duke in an exhibition.
  • Momcilovic made 49% of his 3-pointers last season on nearly 8 attempts per game.
Yes, But

A high-profile performance can shape public expectations, but scouts are unlikely to overreact to one game. Trevor Keels scored 25 points at the 2021 event, was quickly projected as a lottery pick, then declared early and fell to the second round.

State of Play
  • Duke has the deepest prospect group, including Patrick Ngongba II, Dame Sarr and Cameron Williams.
  • Stokes headlines Kansas’ prospects; Kentucky’s notable names include Malachi Moreno, Momcilovic and Alex Wilkins.
  • Michigan State has fewer obvious NBA prospects, though Jeremy Fears Jr. and Jordan Scott are attracting attention.
What’s Next

Scouts will track how these players develop over the season, focusing on specific questions: Ngongba’s rebounding and durability, Sarr’s 3-point shooting, and Momcilovic’s defense. Their progress—and draft eligibility—will help clarify who is ready to turn pro and when.

Bottom Line

The showcase is a starting point, not a draft-night forecast: player development over the full season matters more than one memorable performance.