March Madness is in full swing as the Sweet 16 is here, and some of the top draft prospects the Sixers will be watching are competing for glory. Here's who to watch.
As the NCAA Tournament narrows the field of competition, several young standouts can continue to elevate their draft stock. For the Philadelphia 76ers, who are projected to pick in the early to mid-20s of the first round, this weekend offers more chances to scout players who could be available in their draft range come June.
The remaining prospects each enter the Sweet 16 having shaped their team’s first‑weekend run, and each brings a unique pro projection that could align with Philadelphia’s roster-building philosophy.
Below is a breakdown of the top Sixers draft prospects to watch:
Texas advanced to the Sweet 16 behind clutch two‑way contributions from Dailyn Swain, who impacted multiple games with scoring, playmaking, and defensive activity. Swain posted 14 points with six assists in the win over BYU, and earlier tallied 13 points, eight rebounds, and four assists in the First Four win over NC State. He showcased shot creation, free‑throw pressure, and defensive versatility, collecting blocks and steals across all matchups.
Texas now faces No. 2 Purdue, one of the tournament’s hottest teams. For Texas to pull another upset, Swain must shoulder a heavy load as the team’s leader in points, assists, rebounds, and steals this season. His ability to break pressure, generate paint touches, and defend multiple positions will be critical against a deep, physical Purdue lineup.
Despite an uncharacteristically cold shooting performance in the first round, Stirtz still led Iowa in scoring and then settled in with 16 points against Clemson to move the Hawkeyes forward. His shot‑making in big moments and ability to steady the team despite pressure have defined Iowa’s March ascent.
Iowa now faces Big Ten rival Nebraska. Stirtz enters averaging nearly 20 points per game and is the Hawkeyes’ primary creator and they'll need peak Stirtz to keep pace with Nebraska’s balance and size.
Peat continues to validate his first-round potential, delivering 15 points and seven rebounds in Arizona’s dominant first‑round win, followed by 14 points and 10 rebounds in the second round. His interior force, efficient scoring, and defensive versatility have steadied one of the nation’s most complete teams.
Arizona now meets Arkansas in a highly anticipated freshman showcase battle. Peat is part of a standout freshman duo for the Wildcats and will be central to Arizona’s rebounding edge and defensive scheme, especially as the team’s interior anchor next to Motiejus Krivas.
Houston powered into its seventh straight Sweet 16 with blowouts over Idaho and Texas A&M, and Cenac Jr. was a major reason why. He posted 17 points and nine rebounds against the Aggies while shooting 55.6% from the field and dominating the glass. Across his first two tournament games, he’s averaged 12 points and an elite 13.5 rebounds per game.
Houston now heads home to face Illinois in the Sweet 16. With the Cougars’ guards drawing constant defensive focus, Cenac’s interior presence becomes even more important. His offensive rebounding and rim protection could swing the game against Illinois’ frontcourt.
Evans has stepped up massively for Duke in the absence of Caleb Foster, emerging as the team’s second‑most impactful offensive player. He scored 17 points in the first half alone against TCU, converting a four‑point play and providing critical shooting. Evans has averaged 16.5 points per game in the tournament, and his performance continues to increase his stock.
Duke faces a bruising test in St. John’s, a team known for physicality and forcing turnovers. Evans’ ability to shoot over pressure and serve as a release valve alongside Cameron Boozer will be essential. If he remains efficient, Duke’s offense becomes much harder to scheme against. Evans will be relied on heavily against coach Pitino and the Red Storm.
Few big men have had a better opening weekend than Mara. He posted 19 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and three blocks in the Round of 64, then followed with another strong, well-rounded performance in the Round of 32. Mara’s blend of touch, rim protection, interior passing, and mobility has made him a centerpiece of Michigan’s dominant run.
Michigan faces an Alabama team that has been dominant on its run to the Sweet 16, and Mara will need to play just as well if the Wolverines want to move on.
Jefferson suffered a sprained ankle just minutes into Iowa State’s first‑round game and has not returned since. X‑rays were negative, and while the injury is not season‑ending, he missed the entire second‑round win over Kentucky.
There have been recent reports that he could be available in their matchup versus Tennessee. If he does return, it will be a major lift for an Iowa State team that has national title hopes.
The Sweet 16 is rich with NBA‑level talent this year, and the Sixers will be watching closely. Swain’s jumbo playmaking, Stirtz’s scoring leadership, Peat’s two‑way force, Cenac’s rebounding dominance, Evans’ shot‑making, Mara’s all‑around interior brilliance, and Jefferson’s power‑wing skill set all offer potential rotational or starter‑level outcomes in the NBA.
For a franchise constantly looking to surround its stars with youth, versatility, and size, this group represents one of the most compelling late‑first‑round boards in recent memory.
