The 2027 NBA Draft already has its headliners, but the class also has a second tier that could wind up mattering just as much once the season gets rolling. Beyond freshmen names such as Tyran Stokes, Jordan Smith Jr. and Caleb Holt, there are returning players who could push their way into the conversation, even if they aren’t getting the same buzz right now.
Three of those under-the-radar prospects are now heading into key junior seasons, and each has a different path to making noise.
Aday Mara’s return to USC gives him another shot to turn tools into production. He explored the NBA Draft process in 2026 before deciding to come back to the Trojans, and after transferring from Virginia, he put together a solid sophomore year in Los Angeles.
Cofie averaged 9.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 51% from the field and 31.8% from 3-point range. He also measured 6-foot-8-and-a-half without shoes at the NBA Combine, with a 7-foot wingspan and a weight of 232 pounds.
If he puts together a strong season in the Big Ten, he has the kind of profile that can get him into the 2027 draft mix.
At NC State, Quadir Copeland is the kind of perimeter scorer who can force NBA teams to keep watching. He followed a breakout sophomore season with averages of 13.8 points and 3.6 rebounds, while hitting 43.3% of his shots from the field and 42.7% from 3 on more than seven attempts per game.
Listed at 6-foot-6 and 190 pounds, his size and shooting touch make him a natural draft conversation piece. The Wolfpack also recently found out that big man Ven-Allen Lubin can return for a fifth season, and with McNeil’s scoring punch in the mix, NC State could be set up for another NCAA Tournament run.
Michigan’s frontcourt has taken a hit, with three players leaving for the 2026 NBA Draft, and Mouhamed Thiam is expected to help new head coach Mike Boynton rebuild the rotation. Thiam spent his freshman season at UCF before moving to Cincinnati for his sophomore year, where he averaged 12.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 52.5% from the field and 28.8% from deep.
At 7-foot-2 and 250 pounds, he brings the kind of size that can stand out immediately, especially if he delivers in the Big Ten. He’ll be joined in Ann Arbor by Tennessee transfer JP Estrella, giving the Wolverines another frontcourt pairing worth watching.
In Other News...
NC State Fans Just Got An Injury Scare With Gunner Rivers
A fresh injury scare hit NC States future quarterback pipeline when Gunner Rivers went down in St. Michaels senior season opener. The 2027 Wolfpack commit hyperextended his right leg and had to be helped off the field, a tense moment for a prospect already carrying plenty of attention as the son of former NFL quarterback and current coach Philip Rivers.
There was at least some early relief afterward, with Philip Rivers and his son both indicating the injury did not appear to involve structural damage and expressing optimism about the recovery. Before leaving the game, Rivers had already shown why NC State fans are watching closely, completing 3 of 4 passes for 84 yards and a touchdown before the lower-body issue cut his night short. [Read more 🡒]
NC State Opens With A Virginia Game That Already Feels Personal
The 2026 opener between NC State and Virginia already has more layers than a typical September matchup, and plenty of them sit on the sidelines. Ruffin McNeill and Garret Tujague bring Virginia ties into the Wolfpack staff, while Virginia offensive coordinator Des Kitchings spent eight seasons coaching at NC State before heading back to Charlottesville. Even before the teams take the field, the familiarity runs deep enough to give the game a little extra edge.
Boo Corrigan adds another thread to the connection, with the NC State athletics director carrying long family ties to Virginia. So when these programs meet to start the season, it will not just be about a clean opening test or a nonconference measuring stick. It will also be a reunion of sorts, with enough shared history to make the buildup feel personal long before kickoff arrives. [Read more 🡒]
NC State Is Counting On Josiah Victor In A Crucial Defensive Transition
NC States defensive front is entering a transition, and Josiah Victor looks like the player positioned to anchor it. The sophomore nose guard is expected to step into the starting role in 2026 after spending last season building experience and using the offseason to prepare for a bigger workload. With Brandon Cleveland gone from the spot, Victors rise gives the Wolfpack a clearer picture of how they want to hold up inside as the season opener against Virginia approaches.
Victor sounds ready for the responsibility, and he has leaned into the chance to grow with both teammates and coaches around him. He spoke confidently about the role ahead and the motivation that comes with being counted on more heavily, which matters for a defense that will be asking him to help steady the middle from the start. For NC State, the question is no longer whether Victor can learn the job, but how quickly he can turn that preparation into production when the games begin. [Read more 🡒]