In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe and Leif Thulin kick off part one of a two-part series highlighting the biggest risers and fallers among NBA draft prospects after the first month of the season. Thulin highlights the standout performances and draft stock boosts of several impressive freshmen, including Illinois’ Kasparas Jakucionis, Alabama’s Labaron Philon, North Carolina’s Drake Powell, Rutgers’ Dylan Harper, and Texas’ Tre Johnson. The duo also disc...
Dec 05, 2024•36 min•Ep. 219
In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael Barlowe challenges James Barlowe on his recently released Big Board 1.0, sparking a spirited debate over the 2025 NBA Draft's potential number one pick. Rafael argues that the top spot remains a three-man race between Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and Ace Bailey, while James contends it’s narrowed to just Flagg and Harper, questioning Bailey’s viability as a true contender. The discussion transitions to rising and falling prospec...
Dec 03, 2024•35 min•Ep. 218
In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe and James Barlowe break down Dylan Harper’s electric performance against Alabama, where the high school phenom dropped 37 points, capping off a jaw-dropping 73 points in back-to-back games in Las Vegas against Notre Dame and Alabama. The hosts revisit their earlier discussion about Harper's potential to overtake Cooper Flagg as the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, emphasizing how his dominant showing ag...
Nov 28, 2024•36 min•Ep. 217
In the latest episode of Locked On NBA Big Board, Rafael and James Barlowe break down the projected top three prospects of the 2025 NBA Draft—Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and Ace Bailey—following their Feast Week performances on Tuesday night. The episode kicks off with Rafael posing the question: could Dylan Harper surpass Cooper Flagg as the consensus number one pick? The Barlowe brothers analyze Harper's stellar 36-point showing against Notre Dame and the versatility that has scouts buzzing. N...
Nov 27, 2024•36 min•Ep. 216
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe dive into the weekend's top performances from NBA prospects. They start with Cooper Flagg's dominant outing against Arizona, highlighting his ability to exploit mismatches, his competitive fire, and his toughness at just 17 years old. The conversation shifts to Kon Knueppel, as the Barlowe brothers question his scoring consistency outside of three-pointers. In the second segment, they break down Rutgers’ fresh...
Nov 25, 2024•35 min•Ep. 215
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe and Ersin Demir dive into a fascinating discussion on under-the-radar sleeper NBA prospects. Ersin shares his carefully curated list of hidden gems, featuring Elijah Mahi, Finley Bizjack, Michael Ajayi, Johann Grunloh, and Joan Beringer. The episode highlights why these players have the potential to surprise scouts and NBA front offices, with a particular focus on Elijah Mahi, who has turned heads with standout performa...
Nov 24, 2024•35 min•Ep. 214
On the latest Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast , hosts Rafael Barlowe and Leif Thulin previewed some of the top games to watch over the weekend and the prospects to keep an eye on. They kicked things off with Friday night’s marquee matchup between Duke and Arizona, highlighting key players like Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach, and what they’re looking to see from each. The discussion then shifted to VJ Edgecombe, who has struggled early this season, with Rafael and Leif debating ho...
Nov 23, 2024•33 min•Ep. 213
On the latest LockedOn NBA Big Board Podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe and Leif Thulin broke down several notable performances from Thursday's games. They opened with Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe, discussing his struggles against ranked opponents and debating whether it’s too early to worry about his draft stock, despite his defensive productivity and elite athleticism. The conversation then moved to Texas’ Tre Johnson, who overcame a tough shooting night against Syracuse by hitting six clutch free throws ...
Nov 22, 2024•35 min•Ep. 212
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast , Rafael Barlowe and Richard Stayman analyze the Alabama vs. Illinois game, focusing on standout performances from several high-level NBA prospects. The episode begins with a breakdown of Alabama freshman Labaron Philon , whose scoring instincts and creative offensive game stood out. Rafael offered a compelling NBA comparison for Philon, showcasing his potential at the next level. Next, they examined Alabama senior Grant Nelson , a versatile...
Nov 22, 2024•36 min•Ep. 211
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, brothers Rafael and James Barlowe dissected some of the most intriguing rookie performances. They kicked things off by breaking down Dalton Knecht's stunning 37-point explosion against the Utah Jazz, raising the question of how he fell to the 17th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. The brothers explored whether teams might regret passing on Knecht due to concerns about his age. In the second segment, the debate over Stephon Castle’s long-term proj...
Nov 20, 2024•34 min•Ep. 210
In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael and James Barlowe broke down the performances of Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper in their first regular-season game together. Harper, who had a few games under his belt, played alongside Bailey, returning from injury, and the duo's play was under the microscope. The hosts highlighted Bailey's shot-making ability while expressing concerns about his handle in traffic, and praised Harper's relentless rim pressure and finishing in the ...
Nov 19, 2024•36 min•Ep. 209
In Rookie Watch Vol. 9 of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe broke down the weekend’s top rookie performances. The duo highlighted Jared McCain’s continued rise, showcasing his polished scoring and poise in extended minutes. They also dove into Dalton Knecht’s impressive showing against the Pelicans, where his offensive versatility took center stage. Stephon Castle earned praise for a breakout game against the Lakers, with the hosts analyzing his evolving role an...
Nov 18, 2024•33 min•Ep. 208
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, host Rafael Barlowe and guest Alec Kichian delve into the tough decisions facing international prospects when choosing between staying in Europe or pursuing college basketball in the United States. They highlight Egor Demin, the Russian point guard who left Real Madrid to play for BYU, where his NBA draft stock has soared after just three games. In contrast, Hugo Gonzalez, arguably Europe’s top 2006-born prospect, is struggling for consiste...
Nov 15, 2024•33 min•Ep. 207
In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, James Barlowe unveils his first Rookie Power Rankings for the 2024 NBA Draft class, breaking down which first-year players are making an impact early in the 2024-25 season. With host Rafael Barlowe, James highlights the rookies who are quickly ascending, spotlighting standout performances and early signs of potential while noting areas for growth. From explosive scorers to surprising defensive stoppers, this episode captures who’s lea...
Nov 14, 2024•36 min•Ep. 206
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael Barlowe and Leif Thulin recap the highly anticipated Champions Classic, diving into standout performances from some of the top NBA prospects. They kick things off with Cooper Flagg, as Leif passionately discusses Flagg’s dominant 26-point, 12-rebound performance. The conversation then shifts to Khaman Maluach, with Rafael praising his development as ahead of schedule, while Leif highlights Maluach’s defensive impact on the game. Next...
Nov 13, 2024•34 min•Ep. 205
In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast , hosts Rafael Barlowe and James Barlowe dig into Cooper Flagg’s big-time performance against Kentucky, where the star prospect posted 26 points and 12 rebounds but stumbled with three key mistakes in crunch time. The hosts unpack Flagg’s game, exploring his long-term upside and positional fit at the NBA level. James sees Flagg as a natural small forward, while Rafael believes the forward spots are interchangeable in today’s league, en...
Nov 13, 2024•33 min•Ep. 204
On this solo episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast , host Rafael Barlow dives into his biggest questions for the 2024 Champions Classic, featuring tonight’s matchups between Kansas and Michigan State and Duke and Kentucky. Rafael opens by asking which Kansas transfer will step up, noting the team’s new additions and speculating on who might emerge as an NBA prospect. He then shifts focus to Flory Bidunga, questioning whether the Kansas freshman can build his case as a future NBA player ...
Nov 12, 2024•22 min•Ep. 203
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, host Rafael and James Barlowe dive into early struggles from two top prospects, VJ Edgecombe and Nolan Traore, who entered the season with top-five potential. Edgecombe has had a tough start, averaging just 7.5 points per game on 21.7% shooting, though his two games have come against top-ranked opponents. Rafael and James debate whether it’s fair to judge him harshly given the high level of competition or if, as a projected top pick, he sho...
Nov 12, 2024•34 min•Ep. 202
In Rookie Watch Volume 8 of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, host Rafael Barlowe and his brother James Barlowe dive into a jam-packed episode analyzing standout rookie performances from the weekend. They start by breaking down Jared McCain’s breakout 27-point game against the Charlotte Hornets, highlighting McCain’s expanded role due to injuries. Stephon Castle also earns high praise for seizing his opportunity in the starting lineup, showing off his two-way potential. The Barlowe brothers t...
Nov 11, 2024•35 min•Ep. 201
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe dive into their Weekend Watchlist Part 2, breaking down key college matchups and prospects. They start by examining the talents of Tre Johnson and Collin Murray-Boyles, before moving on to the intriguing Michigan-Wake Forest game, featuring standout players Danny Wolf and Hunter Sallis, who’s recently taken on the role of point guard. The episode continues with a discussion of James Scott, a player Rafael is p...
Nov 09, 2024•28 min•Ep. 200
In this episode of Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe and James Barlowe launch the “Weekend Watch” series by diving into a lineup of top prospects and key matchups for the weekend. The Barlowe brothers start by discussing VJ Edgecombe and Baylor’s upcoming game against Arkansas, evaluating Edgecombe’s recent struggles against Gonzaga and what he needs to do to bounce back. They also highlight Arkansas’s Boogie Fland as a prospect to keep an eye on. Next, they turn to Maryland’...
Nov 08, 2024•32 min•Ep. 199
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael Barlowe and Richard Stayman dive into early impressions on key prospects as the college season kicks off. They start with Dylan Harper’s debut at Rutgers, where Harper, a projected top-five pick, posted 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, though he played without fellow top prospect Ace Bailey. While Richard praised Harper’s performance, Rafael raised concerns over Harper’s shooting struggles, turnovers, and a tough free-throw outi...
Nov 08, 2024•35 min•Ep. 198
In this episode of Locked On NBA Big Board , Rookie Watch Volume 7 Rafael and James Barlowe dive into standout rookie performances from November 6th, starting with Zaccharie Risacher. The first overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Risacher showed glimpses of his potential with a breakout 33-point night, going 6-for-10 from three. The Barlowe brothers discuss whether any rookie can top Risacher’s performance this season. The conversation shifts to Matas Buzelis, who seized his first real opportuni...
Nov 07, 2024•35 min•Ep. 197
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast , Rafael Barlowe and Leif Thulin dive into Egor Demin’s impressive debut performance for BYU, where he recorded 18 points, 11 assists, and 4 rebounds in the Cougars’ win over Central Arkansas. Barlowe and Thulin break down Demin’s playmaking and floor vision, discussing whether he showed the potential to be a full-time NBA point guard. Barlowe particularly emphasizes that Demin made the right choice in committing to BYU, a program that fits ...
Nov 06, 2024•34 min•Ep. 196
In this episode of the Locked On Big Board Podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe, James Barlowe, and Leif Thulin dive deep into Tre Johnson’s 29-point performance against Ohio State, delivering a lively mix of praise and critique. Rafael and James were particularly impressed, labeling Johnson a “Professional Scorer” thanks to his polished shot-making and versatility on offense. They highlighted his debut as a strong indication of his potential at the next level. Leif, however, offered a different take, ...
Nov 06, 2024•35 min•Ep. 195
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael and James Barlowe dive into the standout performances from opening night of the 2024-25 college basketball season, focusing on some of the top freshmen. They kick things off with Cooper Flagg, who impressed with an 18-point, 7-rebound, 5-assist outing in Duke’s win over Maine. They also discuss Duke teammate Kon Knueppel’s impact, as he dropped 22 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. In the second segment, the Barlowe brothers analyze ...
Nov 05, 2024•36 min•Ep. 194
In Rookie Watch Volume 6 of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe dive into recent performances from the league’s standout rookies. Kicking things off, they spotlight Alex Sarr’s impressive showing against the Miami Heat, where Sarr’s poise and defensive presence turned heads. They then shift focus to Jared McCain, who exploded for a career-high performance against the Memphis Grizzlies, and discuss Zach Edey’s first career double-double, showcasing his rebounding a...
Nov 04, 2024•35 min•Ep. 193
In Rookie Watch Vol. 5 on the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael and James Barlowe dig into the early ups and downs of this season’s rookie class. They kick off with No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher, dissecting his recent shooting woes after a tough 1-9 night against the Kings. Rafael points out that despite getting open looks courtesy of Trae Young, Risacher has struggled to convert, shooting just 25% on catch-and-shoot jumpers and an eye-catching 36% on layups. The duo then highlights Trista...
Nov 02, 2024•36 min•Ep. 192
In the latest episode of Locked On NBA Big Board - Rookie Watch Vol. 4 , Rafael and James Barlowe dive deep into the recent developments among this season’s NBA rookies. The Barlowe brothers kick things off by spotlighting Ryan Dunn’s surprising emergence as a three-point threat. Rafael and James discuss Dunn’s reputation as a shaky shooter in college and debate if this shooting leap could have made him a legitimate contender for the No. 1 pick had it shown up earlier in his game. In the second ...
Nov 01, 2024•36 min•Ep. 191
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, host Rafael Barlowe and Leif Thulin dive deep into the North Carolina Tar Heels’ roster, focusing on the highly anticipated freshmen, Drake Powell and Ian Jackson. Despite the buzz around them as NBA prospects, Barlowe and Thulin discuss how both Powell and Jackson may face limited roles this season, with a real possibility of coming off the bench. The hosts analyze whether North Carolina is the best environment for them to showcase their p...
Oct 31, 2024•36 min•Ep. 190
