NBA Academy alumni in 2024 NCAA men’s basketball tournament

March is in full swing, which means the NCAA Tournament is right around the corner. For many NBA fans, March Madness is an exciting way to get a first look at some of the college game’s most talented players, many of whom could one day find themselves on NBA rosters.

Among these young people are several graduates of the NBA Academy.

Here’s a deeper dive into some of the NBA Academy alumni to watch before the first-round game begins Thursday afternoon.

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Tyrese Proctor (Duke)

NBA Global Academy

After being selected to the 2023 ACC All-Freshman team, the 6-foot-5 Australian guard has come a long way in his sophomore year, starting 21 games for the Blue Devils this season and leading the team with 3.8 assists per game. With Proctor at the helm, Duke looks to make a breakthrough as the fourth seed in the tournament’s South Region.

• The 19-year-old scored a career-high 24 points in the win over Louisville on Jan. 23.
• Proctor is just the fourth sophomore captain in Duke men’s basketball history (joining Tre Jones, Greg Paulus and Josh McRoberts).

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Johnny Furphy (Kansas)

NBA Global Academy

The 6-foot-9 Australian guard had an impressive inaugural campaign for the Jayhawks, averaging 8.8 points on an efficient 47.6% shooting from the field. The 19-year-old Big 12 All-Freshman team member helped Kansas secure the No. 4 seed in this year’s Midwest Region.

• Thanks to his unique combination of size, shooting and athleticism, Furphy ranked 20th in Jonathan Wasserman’s latest 2024 NBA mock draft
• He had 23 points and 11 rebounds (both career highs) in a win over conference foe Cincinnati on January 22.

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Oumar Ballo (Arizona)

NBA Latin America Academy

Originally from Mali, the 7-foot senior has been a dominant interior force on both sides of the ball for the Wildcats this year, averaging 13.1 points, 1.2 blocks and a career-best 10.1 rebounds. The two-way talent looks to propel No. 2 Arizona past No. 15 Long Beach St. in the pair’s West Region first-round matchup on Thursday.

• The 21-year-old has started all 33 games for the Wildcats in 2023-24, recording a team-high 18 double-doubles on the season.
• Ballo was named First Team All-Pac-12 (his second consecutive selection), and also received Pac-12 All-Defensive team honors.

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Nelly Junior Joseph (New Mexico)

NBA Africa Academy

Born in Nigeria, the 6-foot-10 junior big man had a solid first season with the Wolves after transferring from Iona, averaging 8.8 points and 8.1 rebounds. If No. 11 New Mexico manages to upset No. 6 Clemson in the first round of West Region action on Friday, expect Junior Joseph to be a big reason why.

• The 22-year-old forward has started 33 games for the Wolves in 2023-24, ranking second on the team in total rebounds (282) and blocks (49) during the year.
• His best performance of the season was a commanding 26-point, 8-rebound, and 5-block outing in a win over Utah State on January 16.

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Aly Khalifa (BYU)

NBA Global Academy

The 6-foot-11 Egyptian native had a solid first season at BYU after transferring from Charlotte, helping the Cougars go 23-10 and earn the No. 6 seed in the East Region. Nicknamed the “Egyptian Wizard,” the junior big man is a uniquely talented passer, ranking second nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (140/30, 3.80) this year.

• Khalifa has been ultra-efficient lately, dishing out 33 assists and committing just 2 turnovers in his last eight games.
• Even more impressive? She has been performing at a high level. while fasting for Ramadanwhich began on March 10, posting a game-high +25 in BYU’s 87-73 win over Central Florida during the Big 12 Tournament.

Find the full list of NBA Academy alumni participating in the 2024 NCAA Men’s Tournament below: