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NCAA Tournament 2016: 5 West Region Players for Lakers to Watch

By Cody Williams

Mar 1, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) and guard Grayson Allen (3) head down the court after Allen scored against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the first half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) and guard Grayson Allen (3) head down the court after Allen scored against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the first half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 11, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) shoots a jump shot as West Virginia Mountaineers forward Devin Williams (41) defends in the second half during the Big 12 Conference tournament at Sprint Center. West Virginia won 69-67. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) shoots a jump shot as West Virginia Mountaineers forward Devin Williams (41) defends in the second half during the Big 12 Conference tournament at Sprint Center. West Virginia won 69-67. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Buddy Hield – Oklahoma

Unless you’ve been living under a rock while keeping up with sports this season, you’ve already seen and heard about Oklahoma Sooners senior guard Buddy Hield. The senior has shown time and again that he’s a big-time performer that lives for the big moment and making the big plays. That and his ridiculous production this season have him projected as a lottery pick and, if the Lakers were to keep their pick, they might have to take Hield into consideration.

Hield’s production this season has just been off the charts in the most major of ways. The talented, sweet-shooting guard has averaged 25 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 49.6 percent from the floor and an absurd 46.4 percent from beyond the arc. His offensive prowess as a scorer is wholly undeniable and will translate to the NBA level with ease, but he’s also got solid length and athleticism to go with good instincts that help him show promise on the defensive end.

Though Hield is projected to fall comfortably out of the top-three, a strong tournament performance could boost his stock even further. Moreover, the Lakers could always trade back to garner more assets if their pick falls at No. 3 in the draft. Either way, Hield is too good and electrifying for the Lakers to not keep tabs on throughout the NCAA Tournament.

Next: No. 1 Brandon Ingram

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