NBA Draft: Top Prospects to Watch on Monday, Jan. 6

In somewhat of a bare day of college basketball action, six prospects stand out as the biggest names to watch in Big Ten and Big 12 action.

Dec 30, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Ace Bailey (4) and guard Dylan Harper (2) gesture to fans after being subbed out during the second half against the Columbia Lions at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

While the slate of high-level games is limited on Jan. 6, several intriguing prospects have the opportunity to stand out under a less crowded spotlight. With only one ranked team taking the floor this evening, we have a good opportunity to focus on players who may not have received as much attention as they deserve. From the Big Ten to the Big 12, three matchups featuring interesting prospects are set to steal the show this evening.

Let’s take a closer look at six of the top prospects set to compete in conference games tonight.

---

Ace Bailey | Wing | Rutgers | 6’10” | 200 lbs | Freshman

Jan 2, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Ace Bailey (4) dribbles the ball while Indiana Hoosiers forward Luke Goode (10) defends in the first half at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Ace Bailey is one of the most polarizing one-and-done prospects this year and has showcased an intriguing body of work. Coming off a 39-point performance in his last matchup against Indiana, Bailey will look to translate his play into wins. He currently averages 19.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 0.7 assists, one steal and 1.3 blocks on promising shooting splits of 48.5%/35.2%/57.8%. His rare combination of positional size, athleticism and shot-making makes him highly valuable. However, he needs to continue improving his shot selection and passing instincts to fully maximize his draft value.

---

Dylan Harper | Guard | Rutgers | 6’6” | 215 lbs | Freshman

Dec 21, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Dylan Harper (2) dribbles up court against Princeton Tigers guard Dalen Davis (22) during the first half at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-Imagn Images / Tom Horak-Imagn Images

Dylan Harper has recently entered the conversation for the No. 1 pick. Having missed Rutgers’ conference opener against Indiana, this first look at Big Ten play will be pivotal. Harper has been one of the best freshmen in the nation so far, and continuing his impressive productivity against 11-3 Wisconsin would solidify his standing. Harper currently averages 22.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.2 steals, with solid shooting splits of 52.5%/37.3%/73.4%. If he maintains his strong numbers through conference play, the sky’s the limit for his potential leading up to the 2025 NBA Draft.

---

John Tonje | Guard | Wisconsin | 6’5” | 218 lbs | Senior

Dec 7, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) during the game against the Marquette Golden Eagles at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images / Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

John Tonje has been one of the biggest breakout players in the Big Ten. Despite being an older prospect, his stellar season has propelled him up draft boards. As the driving force behind Wisconsin’s 11-3 start, Tonje has scored over 20 points in four games, including a 33-point performance in a win over Pittsburgh and a 41-point outing against Arizona. He averages 18.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, two assists and 0.8 steals, with shooting splits of 45.7%/38.5%/93.3%. His consistency and ability to deliver in big moments have boosted his NBA prospects in his final year of eligibility.

---

Joseph Tugler | Forward | Houston | 6’8” | 230 lbs | Sophomore

Nov 4, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (11) dunks against the Jackson State Tigers in the first half at Fertitta Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-Imagn Images / Thomas B. Shea-Imagn Images

Joseph Tugler’s defensive film has been among the best in the country, even though his overall season averages during Houston’s 10-3 start have been modest. His rising draft stock is primarily due to his defensive versatility and ability to cover space efficiently. Tugler averages 6.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.8 steals and 2.5 blocks while shooting 51.7%/42.9%/55.2%. While his three-point efficiency (3-of-7 on the season) is promising, it comes on extremely low volume. Regardless of whether his offensive production improves, Tugler’s defensive upside could keep him in contention to hear his name called in the upcoming draft.

---

Bruce Thornton | Guard | Ohio State | 6’2” | 215 lbs | Junior

Dec 29, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Bruce Thornton (2) celebrates a three-point basket during the first half against the Indiana State Sycamores at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images / Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Bruce Thornton has been one of the most impressive guards in the Big Ten this year. After a breakout sophomore season, he appears to have taken another leap forward, consistently demonstrating NBA potential. Through his first 14 games, Thornton is averaging 16.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 0.9 steals, while shooting 54.3% from the field, 44.4% from three and 81.6% from the free-throw line. Before Ohio State’s Big Ten opener loss to Michigan State, he posted back-to-back 30-point performances against Kentucky (30 points) and Indiana State (33 points). If Thornton can replicate these high-scoring outbursts in conference play, his draft stock will only rise.

---

Dawson Garcia | Forward | Minnesota | 6’11” | 234 lbs | Senior

Jan 2, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Dawson Garcia (3) works around Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Furst (1) during the first half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images / Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Dawson Garcia has been highly productive this season, though he remains under the radar for most draft boards. He has led the Golden Gophers in scoring in ten games and in rebounding in eight, solidifying his status as their go-to player. Garcia is averaging 19.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, two assists, 0.9 steals and 1.1 blocks, with promising shooting splits of 50.9%/36.4%/79.6%. After a strong collegiate career, this season has showcased his floor-spacing ability as a big man, which could help him earn a chance to prove himself at the NBA level.

---

Want to join the discussion? Like Draft Digest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest NBA Draft news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.

---