Babcock Hoops' NBA Draft Analyst Matt Babcock is spending the week in the Bahamas, diving into early-season college basketball action. Having just wrapped up evaluating top prospects at the Baha Mar Hoops Championship, Matt shares his key takeaways on some of the most intriguing players from the tournament.
The Baha Mar Hoops Championship wrapped up last night with Tennessee's dominant victory over Baylor, securing the tournament title. Over two days, the competition showcased the talent of four prominent programs and provided valuable early-season tests for the teams.
The tournament began with Baylor’s dramatic double-overtime win over St. John’s, capped by Jeremy Roach’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer and Tennessee’s commanding second-half surge to defeat Virginia. Day two featured St. John’s bouncing back with an emphatic win over Virginia in the consolation game, while Tennessee cruised past Baylor behind Chaz Lanier’s first-half scoring explosion to claim the championship.
While watching these teams was entertaining, my focus in the Bahamas wasn’t on team success but on evaluating individual NBA prospects. Here are my key takeaways on a few players who stood out:
VJ Edgecombe — Baylor
Heading to the Bahamas, I was most excited to see Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe, currently slotted as the No. 4 prospect on our Babcock Hoops Big Board. In their opening game against St. John’s, Edgecombe struggled offensively, often limited to a corner spot as other ball handlers dominated the action. Despite this limited role, he maintained his poise, competed hard, and demonstrated maturity under less-than-ideal circumstances.
The second game against Tennessee started similarly, but things changed midway through. Sitting just behind Baylor’s bench, I noticed head coach Scott Drew strategizing with assistant coach Steve Henson. Moments later, Drew jumped up and yelled, “VJ, point guard.” With the ball in his hands, Edgecombe initiated a high pick-and-roll, using his elite athleticism and burst to attack the rim for a smooth, effortless finish. This adjustment finally showcased his offensive potential.
Edgecombe finished with 20 points, demonstrating his ability as a dynamic slashing scorer and to knock down shots from beyond the arc. What also stood out was his relentless competitiveness—he plays hard every possession, no matter the role he’s asked to fill. His athleticism, skill, and effort excite me about his future. I hope Baylor continues giving him more opportunities to attack downhill because great things happen when they do.
Chaz Lanier — Tennessee
No one helped their stock as much as Tennessee’s Chaz Lanier over the past few days. At 6-foot-4 with a sturdy frame, Lanier possesses one of the most valuable skills in basketball: outside shooting. In Tennessee’s first game against Virginia, he scored an impressive 26 points, knocking down six three-pointers. By the end of the night, he had more than caught my eye.
Lanier caught fire early in the championship game versus Baylor, hitting five three-pointers in the first four minutes. But he didn’t stop there. He began mixing in smooth mid-range jumpers off the dribble, timely cuts to the basket, and tough, reliable defense. By halftime, Lanier had 25 points, including seven three-pointers, before easing off in the second half as Tennessee secured a convincing victory.
Lanier’s performance blew me away. He’s left me not questioning whether he belongs on our big board but rather how high he should climb. Lanier is a legitimate NBA Draft prospect and someone I’ll be tracking closely.
RJ Luis Jr. — St. John’s
Heading into the Bahamas, I hadn’t seen St. John’s play this year or last and wasn’t familiar with RJ Luis Jr. He wasn’t on my radar or watchlist, but after watching him in two games, that’s all changed. Luis showcased a well-rounded game and seemed to embody the competitive, tough persona of his iconic coach, Rick Pitino.
At 6-foot-7, Luis checks many boxes, and his versatility and grit intrigued me. While I’m not 100% sure he’s ready for this year’s draft, he’s certainly someone to monitor moving forward.
Blake Buchanan — Virginia
Virginia had a tough showing in the tournament, losing two games by a combined 47 points. Despite the team’s struggles, sophomore big man Blake Buchanan caught my attention. At 6-foot-11, Buchanan is mobile, athletic, and has a great motor. He excels at the "dirty work" big men are often tasked with—defense, rebounding, and rim protection.
Although his offensive role was limited, Buchanan showed flashes of potential with smooth footwork, a soft touch, and solid passing ability. Interestingly, his high school coach, Kelly Reed, shared that Buchanan was a dynamic and versatile scorer at the prep level, even hitting nearly 30 three-pointers during his senior season—a promising sign that there may be more to his game than he’s currently showing. Buchanan is definitely a player I’ll be keeping a close eye on as he continues to develop.
Up Next: Battle 4 Atlantis
The Baha Mar Hoops Championship provided a fantastic start to my time in the Bahamas, but the trip is far from over. The Battle 4 Atlantis is up next, featuring one of the most competitive fields in college basketball.
Location: Imperial Arena, Atlantis Resort
Dates: November 27–29
Key Matchups (November 27):
Arizona vs. Davidson
Gonzaga vs. Louisville
Indiana vs. Oklahoma
Providence vs. West Virginia
Top Prospects to Watch:
Carter Bryant (F, Arizona)
KJ Lewis (G/F, Arizona)
Mackenzie Mgbako (F, Indiana)
Caleb Love (G, Arizona)
Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the Bahamas.
In the meantime, check out the Babcock Hoops 2025 NBA Draft Big Board to explore the top-ranked prospects and their draft projections.