The NCAA Tournament is finally here, and the East region could be the most-watched in the March Madness bracket. This region features powerhouse teams such as Duke, St. John’s, Kansas, Michigan State, Connecticut and UCLA, each boasting a handful of top players. Here are five standout athletes to keep an eye on from this competitive region.
Cameron Boozer, Forward, Duke
Cameron Boozer could become the center of attention for fans across the country, as he is the standout talent in all of college basketball. Boozer is a true freshman and the son of former Duke legend and NBA star Carlos Boozer.
The 18-year-old forward has been putting on a show all season, averaging 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. Boozer is likely to take home every national player of the year award this season and should be a top 3 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Darryn Peterson, Guard, Kansas
Darryn Peterson might be the most exciting player in all of college basketball, as he could potentially be the No. 1 pick in this year’s NBA Draft. However, he has played in only 22 games this season due to a series of injuries, even missing halves of games, checking himself out.
There’s no doubt that a healthy Peterson could be the top player in the tournament, but the biggest question mark is whether he will stay healthy.
Bruce Thornton, Guard, Ohio State
Bruce Thornton will be playing in the NCAA tournament for the first time, which might seem surprising since he is a senior. Ohio State has missed the tournament for the last three seasons, making it the only time he will get to play in the Big Dance.
Thornton has been the heart and soul of the Buckeyes for the past three seasons. He may have flown under the radar since Ohio State hasn’t been the top basketball school in recent years, but he is an elite college basketball guard who truly stands out and could take over a game.
Zuby Ejiofor, Forward, St.Johns
St. John’s has been one of the top teams in college basketball over the last two seasons, largely thanks to head coach Rick Pitino. Yet, Zuby Ejiofor has also played a significant role in helping the Red Storm clinch back-to-back Big East Tournament titles.
The biggest challenge Duke might face in the region could come from St. John’s, thanks to Ejiofor’s elite defense, which allows him to match up effectively against Boozer in the post.
Donovan Dent, Guard, UCLA
UCLA brought Donovan Dent in from the transfer portal last offseason, and he was regarded as one of the top players available. Before joining the Bruins, Dent had a successful three seasons at New Mexico, averaging 13.5 points and 7.6 assists over 33 games.
The main concern surrounding Dent is whether he will be able to play in the first round of the tournament. He suffered a calf injury during the Big Ten Tournament semifinals against Purdue on Saturday, forcing him to leave the game and not return.
5 Standout East Region Players to Watch in March Madness