For diehard college basketball fans, the first Thursday and Friday of March Madness is 48 hours of Christmas morning. For NBA fans — Chicago Bulls supporters included — it's the perfect time to start scouting the next crop of draft prospects.
The Bulls need an infusion of talent. Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue are the only long-term locks the franchise has.
A top-four pick in the 2026 draft would change the equation (though Billy Donovan and friends are doing a fantastic job of avoiding that sort of logical decision).
That won't stop Bulls fans from dreaming, though. And if they're watching this year's madness with an eye on the future, they should be keeping their other eye locked on these five players.
5 NCAA Tournament prospects Bulls fans need to watch
This isn't a list of the top five prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft. It goes without saying that fans would be delirious at the opportunity to land A.J. Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson or Cam Boozer. Or even Caleb Wilson.
This group will likely stand out during the tournament, but they're not guaranteed top-10 picks. Which is probably good, because the Bulls could end the season at No. 10 in the lottery standings.
Chicago also owns two picks in the second round, which, as of March 19, land at 36 and 52.
1. Brayden Burries, G, Arizona
Brayden Burries is the one player on this list who could be available when Chicago's first pick comes around.
The 20-year-old freshman won't wow anyone with elite athleticism. What he is is a steady combo guard who can score at all three levels. He's a little on the shorter side at 6-foot-4, but he has the strength to compensate for it.
He's the leading scorer (15.9 points per game) on one of the best teams in the country. His game is Devin Booker-esque. And he's no slouch as a defender, either.
2. Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan
Yaxel Lendeborg is a polarizing prospect. He's 24 years old, a red flag for most organizations. But in terms of a pure skill set, Lendeborg has everything.
At 6-foot-9 and 230 pounds, he has the handles to blow past bigs or finish over smaller defenders. He can snatch a rebound (an average of 9.7 per game for his career) and lead a fast break. He has a 7-foot-4 wingspan and the requisite athleticism to defend multiple positions.
He was the Big Ten Player of the Year this season and the leading scorer for a team that lost three games.
3. Amari Allen, F, Alabama
If Amari Allen declares, he's going to fly up draft boards.
The Wisconsin native averaged 11.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.8 stocks (steals plus blocks). He shot 36.5 percent from three (4.1 attempts per game).
Allen is a 6-foot-7 wing who can defend and do all the little things, but his skill set as a dribble-pass-shoot player has been overlooked.
4. Milan Momcilovic, PF, Iowa State
Milan Momcilovic has one elite skill, but it's a skill all teams need: shooting.
The 6-foot-8, 220-pound Wisconsin product (shout out to the Badger State) leads the country in 3-point shooting percentage at a whopping 49.6 percent on 7.5 attempts per game. His shooting splits of 51/50/88 are wild.
Momcilovic is a high-IQ player with a strong frame and a whole bag of jump shots at his disposal. But as an elite shooter, he'll have a place on any NBA team.
5. Maliq Brown, F/C, Duke
Maliq Brown has a limited overall game, but what he does well is what the Bulls desperately need. Brown may be the best defender in all of college basketball.
The 22-year-old was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year this season for several reasons. He can guard all five positions. He has the best hands in the country to cause deflections and snag steals. His defensive IQ is elite.
One word describes Brown perfectly: Disruptive. The Bulls could use some of that.