In a recent episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe and Krysten Peek explored the significant impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals on the 2025 NBA Draft class. They discussed how NIL opportunities have made it financially advantageous for some prospects to return to college, even when projected as first-round picks. This trend has led to a thinner draft class, as players opt to stay in school where they can earn substantial income through NIL agreements. B...
May 30, 2025•32 min•Ep. 339
On the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe dissect the pivotal draft decisions made by several underclassmen ahead of the NBA draft withdrawal deadline. They delve into the choices of Jamir Watkins, Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Adou Thiero, and RJ Luis Jr., all of whom have opted to remain in the draft, analyzing how these decisions might influence their professional trajectories. Mid-episode, breaking news emerges as Labaron Philon announces his wi...
May 29, 2025•34 min•Ep. 338
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe, James Barlowe, and Leif Thulin engage in a focused and fiery debate on what the Philadelphia 76ers should do with the third overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. While the consensus around the league favors Rutgers freshman Ace Bailey—valued for his shot making and long-term upside—Rafael Barlowe goes against the grain. He makes the case for Texas freshman Tre Johnson, citing Johnson’s scoring package and shot-making abi...
May 28, 2025•36 min•Ep. 337
In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, host Rafael Barlowe is joined by co-hosts James Barlowe and Leif Thulin to break down the major decisions NCAA prospects are facing ahead of the NBA Draft withdrawal deadline. In the first two segments, the crew focuses on high-profile returners: Yaxel Lendeborg, one of the top prospects still on the fence, has opted out of the NBA Draft and committed to Michigan via the transfer portal after leaving UAB. Alex Condon of Florida has al...
May 28, 2025•34 min•Ep. 336
In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, host Rafael Barlowe is joined by his brother, James Barlowe, to unveil James' post-NBA Combine mock draft. The duo delves into detailed analyses of the top 10 picks, discussing player fits and team needs. James provides insights on Cooper Flagg's potential impact with the Dallas Mavericks, Dylan Harper's compatibility with the San Antonio Spurs, and debates whether the Philadelphia 76ers should select Ace Bailey at number 3. He also e...
May 23, 2025•35 min•Ep. 335
In the recent episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael Barlowe and Leif Thulin delved into the top shooters in the 2025 NBA Draft class. Leif offered insights on several prospects, highlighting their shooting abilities and potential impact at the next level. 1:38 – Leif shares his thoughts on the NBA Combine. 4:11 – Koby Brea 6:16 – Tre Johnson 13:25 – Kon Knueppel 19:31 – Ace Bailey 24:00 – Jase Richardson 26:34 – Walter Clayton Jr. 28:21 – Chaz Lanier #NBADraft2025 #TopShooters #...
May 22, 2025•33 min•Ep. 334
In this NBA Combine mailbag edition of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael Barlowe answers ten of the hottest draft-related after the 2025 NBA Combine in Chicago. He breaks down the biggest risers from the 2025 NBA Combine, explores how much the Combine and Pro Days really matter in the draft process, and dives into roster strategy for teams like OKC, Portland, and Philly. Rafael shares his thoughts on whether the Spurs should go all-in for Giannis Antetokounmpo, how Brooklyn should hand...
May 21, 2025•33 min•Ep. 333
On the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael Barlowe sits down with one of the 2025 draft’s biggest enigmas—Cedric Coward. Taped last week in Chicago following a post-workout interview at the NBA Combine, Coward discusses his meteoric rise from Division III Willamette to Eastern Washington, and eventually to Duke via the transfer portal. A strong showing in Chicago, including lights-out shooting and impressive measurements, has vaulted him into the first-round conversatio...
May 20, 2025•32 min•Ep. 332
On this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, I sat down with Colorado State wing Nique Clifford to talk through his path to the 2025 NBA Draft. We dive into his transition from Colorado to Colorado State, how that move unlocked a new level of production, and why he’s the best rebounding wing in this entire draft class. Nique opens up about testing the NBA waters last year, what he learned from that experience, and why coming back for his senior season was the right call. We wrap with ...
May 16, 2025•26 min•Ep. 331
In part two of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, brothers Rafael and James Barlowe pick up where they left off, breaking down day one of the NBA Combine scrimmages after their previous episode was cut short. The episode features a spirited debate between the two over Tahaad Pettiford versus Jase Richardson, diving into questions of upside, fit, and long-term projection. They spotlight standout performances from Pettiford, who had a big game, Maxime Raynaud’s dominant presence in the paint, an...
May 16, 2025•27 min•Ep. 330
In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael and James Barlowe delve into the San Antonio Spurs' options with the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. While Rutgers' Dylan Harper is the consensus projection at that spot, the Barlowe brothers explore potential concerns regarding his fit alongside De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle in San Antonio's backcourt. They also discuss the possibility of the Spurs considering Ace Bailey or even trading the pick for a superstar like Gianni...
May 15, 2025•25 min•Ep. 329
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe recap Day 1 of the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, where prospects participated in athletic testing, shooting drills, and on-court work. The Barlowe brothers highlight who stood out and impressed scouts, including big performances from Mark Sears, Chaz Lanier, Dink Pate and Cedric Coward. They also dive into key decisions from players with remaining college eligibility, such as Isaiah Evans and Boogie Fland, who withd...
May 14, 2025•23 min•Ep. 328
On this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael Barlowe and James Barlowe break down a stunning Day 1 at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. The big headline: the Dallas Mavericks defy the odds with just a 1.8% chance to win the lottery and now hold the No. 1 pick—putting them in prime position to select Cooper Flagg. The Barlowe brothers explore what this means for the Mavericks future. They also dive into the San Antonio Spurs landing the No. 2 pick and the tantalizing prospect of pairi...
May 13, 2025•28 min•Ep. 327
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe dive into the excitement surrounding the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, where teams are anxiously hoping for the chance to select top prospects like Cooper Flagg or Dylan Harper. The Barlowe Brothers then shift their focus to the G League Elite Camp, highlighting five standout performers who earned invitations to the NBA Draft Combine. To close out the episode, Rafael and James preview what they're most looking forwa...
May 12, 2025•34 min•Ep. 326
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, host Rafael Barlowe sits down with Stanford's Maxime Raynaud to discuss his remarkable journey from an unheralded freshman averaging just four points per game to a standout senior season. Raynaud's transformation culminated in a historic year where he ranked second in the ACC in scoring, led the conference in rebounds, and became only the second seven-footer in NCAA history to make over 60 three-pointers. The conversation delves into Raynau...
May 09, 2025•38 min•Ep. 325
In a recent episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, brothers Rafael and James Barlowe delved into the intriguing group of jumbo playmakers in the 2025 NBA Draft class—prospects listed at 6'6" or taller who blend size with advanced playmaking skills. The discussion centered on Egor Demin, Kasparas Jakucionis, Dink Pate, Neoklis Avdalas, and Kobe Sanders. The Barlowe brothers evaluated each player's strengths and areas for improvement, providing insights into their potential roles at the N...
May 07, 2025•35 min•Ep. 324
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, host Rafael Barlowe sits down for an exclusive one-on-one interview with Nevada’s Kobe Sanders, one of just 75 players invited to the 2024 NBA Draft Combine. Sanders, a 6’8 point guard with jumbo playmaking skills, made the rare leap from the Portsmouth Invitational directly to the NBA Combine—bypassing the usual G League Elite Camp. In their conversation, Barlowe and Sanders dive into his unconventional path to the draft, the unique advant...
May 07, 2025•23 min•Ep. 323
In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael Barlowe, James Barlowe, and Richard Stayman react to the official 2025 NBA Combine invite list released on May 2nd. The trio breaks down the top prospects they’re eager to watch in Chicago and discuss the growing trend of elite players skipping 5-on-5 scrimmages, questioning how many top names will actually participate. They highlight which fringe prospects need a standout week to secure their draft stock and analyze the evolvi...
May 03, 2025•34 min•Ep. 322
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Leif Thulin joined Rafael Barlowe to share why he believes Cooper Flagg has the potential to be equal to—or even better than—Jayson Tatum at the NBA level. While Flagg enters the 2025 NBA Draft cycle as the consensus projected No. 1 pick with comparisons ranging from Kawhi Leonard to Andrei Kirilenko, Leif made a bold case for a Tatum-level ceiling. He explained that at the same stage in their development, Flagg was already the better shoot...
May 01, 2025•34 min•Ep. 321
In Part 2 of James Barlowe’s Big Board 4.0, the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast wraps up its two-part breakdown of the projected 2025 NBA Draft lottery. After sharing his top 7 picks in Part 1, James returns to reveal prospects ranked 8 through 14. Rafael Barlowe challenges James not just on why he’s high on each player, but also asks him to unpack the red flags and developmental concerns that could shape each prospect’s draft future. The discussion features Duke’s Khaman Maluach and Kon Knueppe...
Apr 30, 2025•33 min•Ep. 320
In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, host Rafael Barlowe is joined by James Barlowe to unveil Part 1 of his Big Board 4.0, highlighting the top 14 prospects he believes should be lottery picks in the 2025 NBA Draft. This installment focuses on the top 7 players, with a heavy freshman presence dominating the early ranks. James shares his thoughts on Duke’s Cooper Flagg, Rutgers duo Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears, Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe, Texas’ dynam...
Apr 30, 2025•32 min•Ep. 319
On this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael Barlowe is joined by James Barlowe, who’s got an agenda to push: Derik Queen can be as good as Alperen Şengün. With Şengün earning his first All-Star nod in 2025 and leading the Houston Rockets to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, James believes Queen shares a similar offensive profile and playmaking IQ. The duo dives into a detailed comparison of Queen and Şengün’s pre-draft scouting notes, exploring how both were doubted fo...
Apr 25, 2025•32 min•Ep. 318
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael Barlowe is joined by Leif Thulin to spotlight the safest bets in the 2025 NBA Draft class — the prospects with the highest floors. Leif breaks down why he believes Duke’s Kon Knueppel, Rutgers’ Dylan Harper, Arizona’s Carter Bryant, and UConn’s Liam McNeeley project as reliable long-term pros. Things get especially interesting when Rafael and Leif dive into a spirited debate about McNeeley — while Leif views him as a steady, high-flo...
Apr 24, 2025•28 min•Ep. 317
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, host Rafael Barlowe is joined by Leif Thulin for a deep dive into the top high-upside prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft class. The conversation centers around the players Leif believes have the highest ceilings, with in-depth breakdowns of Ace Bailey’s shot making, Derik Queen’s advanced skill set for a big, VJ Edgecombe’s two-way potential, and Jeremiah Fears’ dynamic scoring and playmaking tools. It’s a ceiling-focused episode spotlighting ...
Apr 24, 2025•25 min•Ep. 316
On the April 23rd episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael Barlowe breaks down a busy day of NBA draft declarations, headlined by projected top-three pick Ace Bailey officially entering the 2024 NBA Draft. Rafael shares his analysis on Bailey’s explosive athleticism, scoring upside, and long-term ceiling. He then pivots to North Carolina freshman Drake Powell, who also declared after one season—Barlowe offers insight on Powell’s defensive tools and developing offensive game. Intern...
Apr 24, 2025•28 min•Ep. 315
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Krysten Peek joins Rafael Barlowe to recap her experience covering the 2025 Jordan Brand Classic in Washington, D.C.—a premier all-star showcase for high school seniors. Peek shares her on-site impressions of several top prospects, including Kiyan Anthony, Caleb Wilson, AJ Dybantsa, and Cameron Boozer. She offers insights into their performances, skillsets, and how they stacked up against elite competition in one of the year’s most high-pro...
Apr 22, 2025•30 min•Ep. 314
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael Barlowe dives into a packed slate of draft declarations and breaking news, headlined by Cooper Flagg officially entering the 2025 NBA Draft. Widely projected as the No. 1 overall pick, Flagg is now fully committed to the NBA, and Barlowe breaks down what makes him a generational prospect while also spotlighting the three teams with the best odds to land him. Barlowe then shifts to Baylor freshman VJ Edgecombe, who officially declared...
Apr 21, 2025•29 min•Ep. 313
In a recent episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, host Rafael Barlowe welcomed Richard Stayman, who provided firsthand insights from the 2025 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (PIT). As a historic four-day event, the PIT serves as a premier showcase for graduating seniors aiming to elevate their NBA draft stock. Stayman highlighted standout performances from the tournament, noting players who seized the opportunity to impress scouts and potentially secure spots in upcoming NBA combine...
Apr 21, 2025•34 min•Ep. 312
On this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, host Rafael Barlowe delivers an updated 2025 NBA Draft tracker loaded with key names and fresh intel on where things stand. Rafael breaks down the top prospects who have officially declared for the draft, including Dylan Harper, Tre Johnson, Derik Queen, Jeremiah Fears, and more. He also highlights the big names still holding off on a formal announcement—Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach, and Ace Bailey—who are all expected to make decisions soo...
Apr 18, 2025•35 min•Ep. 311
In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, brothers Rafael and James Barlowe dive deep into the game of projected top-five pick VJ Edgecombe. While Edgecombe’s elite athleticism and defensive upside make him one of the most tantalizing prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Barlowe brothers take a trainer’s-eye view to highlight where the 6’5” wing still needs polish. From his struggles as a pull-up shooter to his surprising inefficiency finishing at the rim, Rafael and James break do...
Apr 18, 2025•35 min•Ep. 310
