THE MOST exciting period in college basketball is coming to an exciting conclusion, with the Final Four for 2025 seeing the four best sides all season left standing in the penultimate stage of the NCAA National Tournament.

Since seeding began in 1979, there was just one occasion where the Final Four was made up of all one-seeded sides, and that number has now been doubled in a clear demonstration in the quality of the top teams in the tournament this year.

With stars on all four sides and likely NBA draftees aplenty, there are sure to be plenty of players that put their name under lights with some big performances on the big stage, as many famous names have done so in years gone by.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will be casting an eye over a key player from each side that has the potential to have a huge say in the outcome of the tournament, starting with a familiar face for Aussies.

Duke Blue Devils – Tyrese Proctor

Guard | 01/04/2004 | 198cm

Cooper Flagg might be the biggest name in college basketball, but Proctor has loomed as a wildcard all month for the Blue Devils, and has stepped up throughout the tournament. Flagg’s inclusion to Duke this year has taken a lot of Proctor’s touches away, but he has adapted to his new role brilliantly as a catch-and-shoot player. In his new off-ball role, Proctor has had excellent outings in two out of Duke’s three matches throughout the tournament, first leading the way with 25 points in the Blue Devils’ first game, before backing it up in the Elite Eight with 17 points on 7/10 shooting from the field.

Proctor is also an elite defender, often tasked with shutting down the opposition’s best backcourt players. Coming up against Houston, who is one of the best perimeter sides in the country, he will likely have his hands full trying to shut down three-point attempts, which has become the Cougars’ bread and butter in the National Tournament. Proctor is currently on the brink of draft boards, but his performances so far have certainly boosted his stock, and if he can continue on an upward trajectory, it is hard to see the Aussie go unpicked.

Houston Cougars – Emanuel Sharp

Guard | 07/03/2004 | 191cm

The Cougars have a lot of offensive options, with four players averaging double-digits on the 2024/25 season. They often have multiple players that perform strongly and it has been one of their biggest strengths throughout the tournament. Although L.J. Cryer leads the team in scoring, Sharp’s shooting makes him a truly dangerous player for Houston. As mentioned above, the Cougars are the best shooting side remaining in the National Tournament, and Sharp is a key pillar in this success. He is not afraid to fire off a shot from deep with seriously impressive range, and although his shooting mechanic is unorthodox, it seems to be a winning formula.

In the win over the Tennessee Volunteers in the Elite Eight, Sharp was prominent again with 16 points on 4/10 shooting from behind the arc. Although Houston has built plenty of wins on the back of perimeter defence (the Cougars were the best in the country throughout the 2024/25 season), its shooting has been just as important and will be against a Duke side that looms as the title favourite. If the Cougars are to pull off the upset, Sharp will need to be at his best from behind the arc.