5 NBA prospects to watch in the Final Four

Four teams are still standing as the college basketball season nears its conclusion, and only a handful of legitimate NBA prospects remain.

Mikal Bridges has all but locked up a lottery selection come June, while Jalen Brunson and Devonte' Graham headline the battle of the remaining 1-seeds when Villanova and Kansas meet. On the other side, all eyes will be on Moritz Wagner when Michigan takes on Loyola Chicago.

Here's what you need to know about the top five NBA prospects in the Final Four.

Mikal Bridges - Villanova

Unquestionably the top remaining prospect in the tournament, Bridges has provided steady, long-range shooting and lockdown perimeter defense all year. That's continued in the Big East and NCAA tournaments, with the 6-foot-7 junior shooting 50 percent from three on 6.6 attempts per game in seven tournament contests.

Bridges isn't an elite scorer and hasn't stood out like the other big names while playing for a deep Villanova squad with six players averaging double figures. But the 2016 national champion is a proven winner, and showed what he's capable of in the Wildcats' second-round win over Alabama. Bridges scored 19 of his 23 points within the first 5:30 of the second half, igniting an 18-1 run which put the game out of reach.

As one of the top catch-and-shoot specialists in college, Bridges possesses arguably the most valued trait for a role player in the NBA. Over the entire campaign, he's shooting 43.6 percent on 228 3-point attempts - eighth among players who have taken at least 200 triples this year. The mechanics on his jumper are textbook, with a consistent follow-through and an ability to quickly set his feet.

Bridges will likely be the first non-freshman drafted and boasts the best physical profile of all perimeter players in the draft, with a monstrous 7-foot-2 wingspan. He uses that length to effectively disrupt passing lanes and protect the rim, averaging 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.

It's the ideal time for Bridges to enter the NBA, as the value of prototypical 3-and-D wings is skyrocketing. With players like Khris Middleton, Otto Porter Jr., and Robert Covington cashing in on their two-way play, Bridges could position himself to eventually do the same.

Devonte' Graham - Kansas

Graham shined in his first season as Kansas' starting point guard after two years playing shooting guard alongside Frank Mason, leading the team to a third straight 31-plus-win season. He proved he's a capable primary ball-handler and consistent 3-point threat, providing a clearer picture of what he can become in the NBA. As his usage jumped from 17.9 percent to 25.2, Graham became a more effective passer, ranking third in the nation with 7.3 assists. And he rarely makes costly mistakes, averaging just 2.8 turnovers and 1.4 fouls despite playing 94.1 percent of possible minutes.

Graham led Kansas' balanced attack in the regular season with 17.2 points per game. In four years with the program, he's shooting 40.8 percent on 5.1 average 3-point attempts, while this season he's shooting 40.3 percent on 6.9 threes. He's struggled to score at the same rate in tournament play, but the senior guard's mistake-free basketball remains the catalyst for the Jayhawks' success.

Though his ceiling isn't high enough to warrant being a lottery pick, his decision-making and shooting range should allow him to develop into a quality backup point guard. He guided Kansas through the second-toughest schedule in the country (according to Kenpom) and the Jayhawks survived arguably the toughest route to the Final Four of the remaining teams. His battle versus Brunson on Saturday should be telling.

Jalen Brunson - Villanova

The hype surrounds Bridges, but Brunson has been Villanova's true leader in his third season as a starter, providing the necessary stability to help it become one of the country's strongest programs. Brunson calmly controls the nation's top offense, turning the ball over just 1.8 times in 31.8 minutes while maintaining an impressive 61.1 effective field-goal percentage. He dominates possessions with a 26.1 percent usage, but that's key to how the Wildcats' high-powered, pace-and-space offense functions.

Brunson dictated his Sweet 16 matchup against West Virginia's Jevon Carter, the 2017 NABC Defensive Player of the Year. Brunson forced the defense to collapse on drives and bullied Carter in the post, either getting a shot over the defender or kicking it to an open shooter. He finished with 27 points, sinking 8 of 15 field-goal attempts in arguably his most impressive offensive showing of the season.

Although the 6-foot-3 Brunson's measurements and athleticism make it difficult to peg him as a starting point guard at the next level, the Big Dance should boost his stock. Point guards have become a dime a dozen in the NBA, but one that shoots 40-plus percent from three and plays with efficiency and physicality on both ends of the floor still has a place.

Moritz Wagner - Michigan

It's hard to get a read on Wagner after he disappeared against Montana and Houston, but dominated the monstrous Texas A&M frontcourt of Tyler Davis and Robert Williams. The latter performance provided evidence of his motor and soft touch around the basket, while he hit shots from the perimeter and ran alongside his guards in transition. He finished with 21 points on just 12 shots, helping Michigan annihilate the Aggies' 13th-ranked defense.

The 6-foot-11 center was built for the modern college game, offering 3-point range, crafty footwork, and solid rebounding skills. Per 40 minutes, his stats highlight what the German can provide: He averages 21 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 39.6 percent on 5.9 threes.

Wagner's jumper is fluid for a near 7-footer, and he doesn't need the rock to be effective. He's also a crafty ball-handler for his size, and can get to the rim against opposing bigs. Although he may not be a big-minute option in the NBA, teams could utilize him to stretch the floor and make intelligent plays on offense.

Malik Newman - Kansas

After transferring to Kansas from Mississippi State, Malik Newman struggled to provide the Jayhawks with consistent play all year, but he's exploded in the last three weeks, including a 32-point outburst in an overtime win against Duke. The 6-foot-4 sophomore constantly broke the Blue Devils' zone defense, finding openings from corner to corner and exposing opposing big men trying to cover the perimeter. The rotations couldn't contain Newman, who scored all 13 of the Jayhawks' points in the extra five-minute frame.

Newman possesses a high release on his jump shot, he's great in catch-and-shoot situations, and he's excellent at shooting off screens. When teams are aggressively forced to close out on the perimeter, Newman's shown the ability to blow past the defense and finish strong around the basket.

In 2015, ESPN rated him as the top shooting guard prospect, but he's fallen off since, struggling to showcase his skills at either end of the floor. After the season, there was little to no chatter about Newman being a possible draft pick. However, this tournament has restored faith in Newman's offensive potential, and he's taken major strides defensively. Expect NBA teams looking for perimeter play to give him a look in the mid-to-late second round.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)