In this special episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe and Krysten Peek take a trip down memory lane, sharing their first impressions of future and current NBA stars during their high school days. The duo discusses their initial thoughts on standout prospects like Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe, and Jeremiah Fears, while also reminiscing about the first time they watched Deandre Ayton, Trae Young, Michael Porter Jr., and Anthony Edwards as prep stars. With...
Jan 11, 2025•34 min•Ep. 249
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael and James Barlowe dissect Rutgers’ underwhelming start to the season. Despite boasting arguably two of the top three NBA prospects in the 2025 draft class—Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper—the Scarlet Knights find themselves sitting at 8-8 overall and 1-4 in Big Ten play, putting both their NCAA and Big Ten tournament hopes in jeopardy. The Barlowes discuss how Rutgers’ struggles reflect on Harper and Bailey, questioning whether a top-five...
Jan 10, 2025•34 min•Ep. 248
On the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael and James Barlowe tackle three key questions inspired by standout performances from Tuesday night. First, they ask, “Is Cooper Flagg getting better?” The projected number one pick in the 2024 NBA Draft has strung together strong performances, including improved efficiency from three-point range—addressing a season-long concern. Next, they discuss Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe, who had arguably his best performance of the season against...
Jan 09, 2025•34 min•Ep. 247
In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, host Rafael Barlowe is joined by co-host Krysten Peek to recap her experience at the Hoophall West Invitational, where she provided play-by-play for 12 games. Peek breaks down the standout performances of several of the nation’s top high school prospects, including AJ Dybantsa, Tyran Stokes, and Brayden Burries, along with rising talents like Isiah Harwell, Christian Collins, and Chris Cenac. From Dybantsa’s dominance to Stokes’ physi...
Jan 08, 2025•32 min•Ep. 246
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, host Rafael Barlowe and co-host Leif Thulin discuss prospects whose draft stock is trending downward. Leif shares his insights on why certain players have struggled to maintain their standing, citing recent performances that have raised concerns about their NBA potential. The conversation focuses on VJ Edgecombe’s inconsistent shooting, Egor Demin’s recent struggles, Will Riley’s thin frame, Khaman Maluach’s raw development, and Collin Murr...
Jan 07, 2025•30 min•Ep. 245
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, host Rafael Barlowe is joined by co-host Leif Thulin to break down the biggest risers in NBA Draft stock from recent games. Thulin shares a detailed list of players who impressed with standout performances over the weekend and highlights why their draft profiles have taken a significant leap. The discussion centers on Ian Jackson’s dynamic scoring, Ace Bailey’s 39 point performance, Carter Bryant’s improved consistency, Koby Brea’s sharpsho...
Jan 06, 2025•35 min•Ep. 244
On the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe broke down Duke’s Saturday game, with James sharing live scouting insights from his near courtside perspective. The conversation spotlighted Cooper Flagg’s outstanding performance, where he posted 24 points and 11 rebounds in a statement victory. The brothers also discussed Duke standouts Tyrese Proctor and Isaiah Evans, while touching on the sharpshooting of Kon Knueppel and the intriguing potential of ...
Jan 05, 2025•34 min•Ep. 243
In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, brothers Rafael and James Barlowe break down Ace Bailey’s monster 39-point, 8-rebound, and 4-block performance in a game without Dylan Harper, as well as Rutgers' tough loss to Indiana. In the second segment, Rafael shares live scouting insights from the Oregon vs. Illinois game in Eugene, with a deep dive into Illinois freshman Kasparas Jakucionis. The Barlowe brothers engage in a spirited debate over Jakucionis' skillset, comparison...
Jan 03, 2025•36 min•Ep. 242
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, host Rafael Barlowe and co-host Krysten Peek recap the top performances from the Jordan Holiday Classic. Krysten, who provided play-by-play commentary for the games, offers her firsthand analysis of standout prospects, including Cameron and Caden Boozer, the Mingo Brothers, Jax Richardson, Jordan Smith Jr., Amare Bynum, and Ryan Hampton. The discussion highlights the names to watch from the event, as Krysten shares her thoughts on the perfo...
Jan 01, 2025•36 min•Ep. 241
In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, host Rafael and James Barlowe revive their popular Rookie Watch series after a month-long focus on college basketball. The episode begins with a spotlight on Jared McCain, whose stellar play was interrupted by injury. They then dive into Jaylen Wells, the Memphis Grizzlies rookie who’s exceeded expectations as a surprise starter for one of the league’s top teams. The brothers also highlight the quiet yet steady improvement of Alex Sar...
Dec 31, 2024•36 min•Ep. 240
In this episode of the LockedOnNBA Big Board podcast, Rafael Barlowe and James Barlowe team up for a special Mailbag Monday live Q&A session, where they answer your burning questions about the 2025 NBA Draft and beyond. Drawing from Twitter DMs, emails, and YouTube comments, the duo provides in-depth analysis of the latest prospects, debates the rankings, and shares insights into the scouting process. Whether you’re curious about international standouts, college players on the rise, or sleep...
Dec 30, 2024•34 min•Ep. 239
In this festive episode, we play the role of basketball Santa, handing out personalized "gifts" to some of the top NBA prospects to help them unlock their full potential. From Cooper Flagg to Donovan Dent we tailor each present to address the areas that could take their game to the next level. Tune in as we spread holiday cheer and basketball insight to the next generation of stars.
Dec 25, 2024•35 min•Ep. 238
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe and Krysten Peek reflect on the impact of Dalton Knecht, who went from a standout senior at Tennessee to a key rotation player for the Los Angeles Lakers playing on Christmas Day. Inspired by Knecht's journey, Rafael and Krysten dive into six senior prospects who may not be dominating like Knecht did but could outperform their draft projections in the 2025 NBA Draft. The duo discusses Johni Broome, Kam Jones, Nique Clif...
Dec 25, 2024•35 min•Ep. 237
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael Barlowe is joined by Richard Stayman to discuss standout performances from the prestigious City of Palms Tournament in Fort Myers, Florida. Renowned for producing future NBA stars, the event offered scouts and fans an early glimpse at several top high school prospects. Stayman breaks down the performances of Cameron and Cayden Boozer, who led their team to the championship, and explains why he believes Cameron Boozer is his favorite ...
Dec 24, 2024•36 min•Ep. 236
In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe recap standout performances from the weekend, starting with a discussion on the race for the number one pick. They dive into the games of Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and Ace Bailey, as well as their teammates, highlighting Duke’s dominance over Georgia Tech and impressive outings from Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach. The Barlowe brothers also break down Rutgers’ surprising loss to Princeton, shining a sp...
Dec 23, 2024•35 min•Ep. 235
In the latest Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael Barlowe and Krysten Peek dive into the shifting landscape of college recruiting, exploring whether high-level prospects are increasingly bypassing traditional basketball powerhouses like Duke, Kentucky, Kansas and North Carolina. They highlight A.J. Dybantsa, the projected 2026 top pick, choosing BYU for its NBA-style offense, as well as Rutgers' standout freshmen Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey. The duo discusses how NIL opportunities and indivi...
Dec 21, 2024•36 min•Ep. 234
In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael and James Barlowe break down Jeremiah Fears’ electrifying performance against Michigan in the Jumpman Invitational. Fears dropped a career-high 30 points, capped by a clutch, heavily contested three-pointer with 11.5 seconds remaining. Adding to the drama, Fears was fouled on the shot, completing a four-point play to seal Oklahoma’s thrilling 87-86 victory. The Barlowe brothers discuss Fears’ draft stock, with James reiterating...
Dec 19, 2024•35 min•Ep. 233
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael Barlowe and grassroots/NBA draft expert Krysten Peek dive into the 2026 NBA Draft class, a group they believe has the potential to surpass even the highly anticipated 2025 class. While the 2025 cycle is still in full swing, the duo takes an exciting look ahead at the future stars that scouts and fans should already have on their radar. Leading the discussion is BYU commit AJ Dybantsa, widely regarded as the top prospect in the 2026 c...
Dec 18, 2024•37 min•Ep. 232
In part two of Leif Thulin’s Top 10 NBA Prospects series on the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Leif and Rafael Barlowe dive into the next wave of top-tier talent for the 2025 NBA Draft. They kick things off with Jeremiah Fears and Nolan Traore, discussing the contrast between Fears' polished game and Traore’s recent struggles in Europe. The duo also break down Egor Demin’s inconsistencies against Power 5 competition, before shifting focus to Noa Essengue and his intriguing long-term upside. Th...
Dec 17, 2024•25 min•Ep. 231
In part one of a two-part series on the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Leif Thulin breaks down his top 10 NBA prospects with Rafael Barlowe for the 2025 NBA Draft. Leif kicks things off with Cooper Flagg as his clear-cut number one pick, diving into why the versatile forward leads the pack. The conversation then pivots to Dylan Harper and whether his strong play could challenge Flagg for the top spot. In a surprising twist, Leif names Texas freshman Tre Johnson at number three, followed closel...
Dec 17, 2024•28 min•Ep. 230
In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe and James Barlowe break down the standout performances from the weekend in college basketball. The episode kicks off with an in-depth discussion of Dylan Harper, who delivered a game-winning shot against Seton Hall in another strong performance. In the second segment, the spotlight shifts to his teammate Ace Bailey, who impressed with an efficient first half but struggled from the free-throw line. Later, Rafael of...
Dec 16, 2024•36 min•Ep. 229
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Richard Stayman joins host Rafael Barlowe to provide insights into his unpublished Big Board. Stayman highlights why he is higher than the consensus on Ben Saraf, Kam Jones, Jase Richardson, and Max Shulga, diving into their standout traits and potential as prospects. On the flip side, he explains his reservations about VJ Edgecombe, Egor Demin, and Nolan Traore, detailing areas where they fall short compared to their growing hype. The duo ...
Dec 14, 2024•37 min•Ep. 228
In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, brothers Rafael and James Barlowe dive into James’ top five lead ball handlers for the 2025 NBA Draft, while exploring what defines a lead ball handler in today’s game. The list features Dylan Harper, Kasparas Jakucionis, Jeremiah Fears, Egor Demin, and Boogie Fland, with James sharing his detailed evaluations of each player’s strengths and potential. Rafael complements the discussion with insightful deep dives into analytics, offerin...
Dec 13, 2024•37 min•Ep. 227
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael Barlowe is joined by Krysten Peek to discuss the top Tier 2 prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft. While Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, and Egor Demin headline her Tier 1 rankings, Krysten dives deep into the next group of standout players. The duo breaks down the potential and performances of Tre Johnson, VJ Edgecombe, Asa Newell, Kasparas Jakucionis, Liam McNeeley, and Derik Queen—players Krysten considers Tier 2 prospects for t...
Dec 12, 2024•36 min•Ep. 226
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael Barlowe and Leif Thulin dive into Leif’s top big-man prospects for the 2025 NBA Draft. The discussion kicks off with Maryland’s Derik Queen, who has been stellar this season and tops Leif’s list of bigs. They break down Queen’s dominance, skill set, and why he’s earned the top spot. The conversation then moves to Duke’s Khaman Maluach. Maluach's current production, and comparison to former Duke center Dereck Lively spark a detailed d...
Dec 11, 2024•37 min•Ep. 225
In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast , Rafael Barlowe and Krysten Peek dive into the surprising decision by AJ Dybantsa, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, to commit to BYU. Dybantsa, widely regarded as a generational talent, chose the Cougars over powerhouse programs like Alabama, Kansas, and North Carolina, a move that has sparked widespread discussion in basketball circles. Peek shares exclusive stories from covering Dybantsa throughout his high school car...
Dec 10, 2024•32 min•Ep. 224
In this lively episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe dive into the ever-popular debate surrounding Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The focus? Reading and reacting to Twitter comments about who fans think is the best NBA comparison for the freshman phenom. Cooper Flagg’s rare blend of athleticism, skill set, and positional versatility has sparked a wide range of opinions online. Listeners are treated to a mix of thoughtful, hi...
Dec 10, 2024•37 min•Ep. 223
In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael and James Barlowe dive into their weekend observations and prospects that caught their attention. They kick things off with Texas freshman Tre Johnson, who showcased his elite shot-making ability in a strong performance against UConn despite the loss. This leads to a debate comparing Tre to Ace Bailey, with the brothers questioning why Ace is considered a better NBA prospect. They highlight Tre’s efficiency after concerns about...
Dec 09, 2024•36 min•Ep. 222
In Part 2 of James Barlowe breaking down his Big Board 1.0 on the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast , hosts Rafael and James dive deeper into top prospects, offering detailed insights and analysis. James explains why he’s so high on Derik Queen and Noa Essengue, praising their skillsets and development trajectory. The discussion shifts to Boogie Fland, who has exceeded preseason expectations, and Joson Sanon, a rising name in draft circles. The duo also cover Ben Saraf and Nolan Traore, two intern...
Dec 07, 2024•36 min•Ep. 221
In part two of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe and Leif Thulin examine four prospects who Leif believes have seen their draft stock fall through the first month of the college basketball season. The episode starts with a breakdown of Baylor freshman VJ Edgecombe’s struggles and Leif questions whether he’s still worthy of a Top 20 selection. They then discuss Duke’s Kon Knueppel, a prospect many expected to be a lottery pick, with Leif explaining why he was hesitant to r...
Dec 05, 2024•35 min•Ep. 220
