Back to: 2024 NBA Mock Draft
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6/27/2024
The 2024 NBA Draft is in the books and it was a wild one. As expected two Frenchmen went no.1 and no.2, Risacher to the Hawks and Sarr to the Wizards, followed by breakout star Reed Sheppard to the Rockets at no.3.
The Spurs landed their guy Castle at no.4 and then the fun began with the Detroit Pistons making a somewhat surprising pick of Ron Holland at no.5. This pick wasn’t completely out of left field but most analysts believed he’d go lower, after reportedly shooting poorly in workouts (and during the G League Ignite season). I’m a fan of Ron Holland and like the pick, although I had him mocked outside of the top 10.
At no.6 the Hornets took one of my favorite players in the class in 6-10 dynamic French forward Tidjane Salaun. It’s an upside swing with some boom or bust potential but I think it was worth it. He has as much upside as any player in this class. If this pick hits the Hornets will be looking at a loaded forward/wing position with him and Brandon Miller. Now they just need LaMelo to stay healthy.
I was surprised to see Donovan Clingan fall to no.7 after so many teams were reportedly looking to trade up to get him. He goes to a great situation in Portland. More on that here.
At no.8 the fireworks began. The Spurs took Rob Dillingham, a pick that had been rumored for some time. But then they turned around and traded him to the Timberwolves for far-in-the-future draft picks. It was a shocker and Spurs fans were definitely not pleased. I love the addition of Dillingham for the Timberwolves. He gives them a dynamic guard to pair with emerging superstar Anthony Edwards. That’s going to be fun.
And the big news continued with the next pick, as the Memphis Grizzlies took one of the most polarizing prospects in the draft in Zach Edey. I’m a believer in Edey and think this is a great fit for him.
With the 10th pick in the draft the Jazz landed Cody Williams, the lanky, high-upside wing from Colorado. He’s going to take some time but is a good swing at that point in the lottery.
The two players who we thought might fall on draft day, Holland and Dillingham, both went top 10. Meanwhile Tennessee sharp-shooter Dalton Knecht fell out of the top 10. And the fall continued all the way down to no.17 where the Lakers stopped his slide.
There were a few mid/late first round picks that I really liked… and I wrote about that here.
Former top recruit Isaiah Collier fell all the way to no.29, to the Jazz. And another top recruit, Justin Edwards, went undrafted.
Of course one of the biggest stories of the draft was the late second round selection of one Bronny James who went no.55 to the Lakers. It’s a great story and one that will fun to watch as it continues to unfold next season. More on Bronny’s here.
The new two-day draft format was a success and it was nice to have the draft spread out and not nearly as hectic as in previous years. For draft analysts like myself it meant that instead of my brain being completely fried in one night it got slow roasted over two days. A welcomed change.
This was a fun draft cycle to cover. Drafts like this, that lack a top tier talent and have a lot of parity and uncertainty, make for a lot of entertainment and intrigue. That intrigue is going to continue into Summer League, which starts on July 12. There we’ll get our first glimpses of these players with their new teams and start to get a feel for how their games will translate.
I want to thank everyone who read and followed my work this draft season. It means the world to me to see that people are reading what I write and hopefully getting some value, or at least some entertainment out of it.
It’s been a really fun year…and now on to 2025!
6/26/2024
Latest Draft Buzz:
The Jazz could be looking to trade up with an eye on Stephon Castle. If Castle falls past San Antonio at no.4 things could heat up.
The Lakers are supposedly keeping the no.17 pick and will look for a player who can contribute right away. Things can change and anything can happen but if they do keep the pick watch for names like Tristan da Silva, DaRon Holmes, Tyler Kolek and maybe even Terrence Shannon Jr.
Speaking TSJ, the Illinois wing is rumored to be showing well in workouts and could be a riser. He’s got a big draft range, from late lottery to early second round. My guess is he comes off the board in the early/mid twenties.
The rumors of the Grizzlies offering Marcus Smart and no.9 to the Rockets for no.3 have been refuted. The trade makes sense to me but it supposedly is not in the works.
The Hawks are reportedly not trading out from no.1 and will take the top guy on their board. Risacher seems like the pick. Alexandre Sarr has declined to workout for the Hawks (seems weird) and so likely won’t be the pick.
6/25/2024
Latest Draft Buzz:
The Houston Rockets could be trading the no.3 pick to the Memphis Grizzlies for Marcus Smart and the no.9 pick. If this trade goes down, I like it for both teams. But mainly for the Grizzlies. Donovan Clingan is a game changing defensive player and a really interesting fit next to Jaren Jackson Jr. Those two will shut down the rim for the next decade for the Grizzlies and both having some unique offensive talents as well. JJJ is a really good 3pt shooter with some nice face-up scoring as well. Clingan is an underrated passer who can facilitate the offense and make reads off the short roll, while also having solid post scoring ability. This move would bring the Grizzlies back into playoff contention and possibly, eventually, title contention as well.
The Rockets would get one of the elite perimeter defenders in the game in Marcus Smart, a mature veteran who would help shape the culture of the up and coming team. The no.9 pick in this draft will be hit or miss. I’d expect the Rockets to draft one of the more NBA ready players there. Dalton Knecht would be a great fit, if he’s still on the board.
The Lakers are rumored to be shopping the no.17 pick. No surprise there. They have a very small window of time to be in contention before LeBron can no longer maintain his high level of play. They could also look to pick up and early second round pick to draft Bronny.
The Suns could be looking to trade back from pick no.22 with one report suggesting the Jazz as a trade partner. The Jazz hold the no.29 and no.32 picks and could package both to move up. The Suns need some cheap contracts and are also another potential landing spot for Bronny James, perhaps at pick no.32.
The Blazers are rumored to be high on Zach Edey. They hold the no.7 and no.14 picks in the draft and Edey could be one of their guys, most likely at no.14, if he’s still on the board.
6/24/2024
Latest Draft Buzz:
Ryan Dunn is back in the first round of my mock after reportedly shining in team workouts, showing off his elite defensive versatility and an improved outside shot.
Devin Carter is another player who has impressed in workouts and throughout the pre-draft process. I’ve got him at no.10 in this mock but he could slide up a few spots, possibly even as high as no.6 to the Hornets. He fits the mold of what NBA teams are looking for with his all around game, maturity, defensive versatility and ability to step in and contribute right away.
Kel’el Ware is another hot name. He comes in at no.17 in this mock but his draft range extends all the way up to late lottery. It’ll be interesting to see if he goes above Zach Edey, two very different center prospects.
There’s not a ton of buzz around Pacome Dadiet but the more I study him the more I think he’s solidly in the first round. He’s both an upside swing and a player who has a lot of polish for his age. And it’s rare to find a 6-9 18-year-old with his shot-making, versatility and feel for the game. I’m a big fan.
The Houston Rockets pick at no.3 remains available and is a likely trade up spot for a team targeting Donovan Clingan or perhaps Reed Sheppard. The Rockets are in win-now mode and are interested in adding a star player, rather than a rookie. The Hornets, Grizzlies, Blazers and Pelicans could be teams looking to move up.
There are also some rumblings about the Spurs being interested in adding Donovan Clingan to pair with Wemby. This would be about the most fun outcome of this draft I can imagine. It would be an odd pairing on paper but the reality is those two would be an absolute force on defense…a nightmare for teams to score against. It probably won’t happen but damn it would be fun.
The biggest story of this draft remains the vast amount of uncertainty. Virtually anything can happen on draft day and the top of the draft still feels wide open. It’s going to be insanely fun to watch how it plays out Wednesday night!
6/21/2024
Latest 2024 NBA Draft Rumors And Plenty Of Smokescreens
Out West we’re just entering wildfire season but there’s already plenty of smoke in the air in NBA Draft circles. At this time of year it’s hard to differentiate reality from illusion and so all rumors should be taken with a sense of suspicion.
Nevertheless, some of the rumors and rumblings about the 2024 NBA Draft will turn out to be true. So let’s take a look at some of the more likely ones:
Cody Williams Won’t Last Until No.10
Mock drafts have been all over the place with Cody Williams. I went from having him at no.1 overall mid season to dropping him out of the top 10 at one point. Now his arrow is pointing up again. Rumors are that teams in the 5-10 range are high on Williams and he’s likely to be drafted in that range.
Donovan Clingan To The Hawks
The two Frenchmen have been the most consistently mocked players to the Hawks at no.1 but rumors are that the team is very high on Clingan and could take him with the first pick. Head coach Quin Snyder had a lot of success with a similar big, lumbering, shot-blocking big man in Utah when he coached Rudy Gobert and he could be lobbying for the team to draft Clingan.
Teams Intrigued By Carlton Carrington
One of the youngest players in the draft, Carrington has a wide draft range, from late lottery to late first round. But rumors are that teams in the top half of the first round are high on him. I have him rated a bit lower but don’t be surprised to see his name called in the 14-20 range.
Enrique Freeman Is A Hot Name
The combo forward from Akron flew under the radar all season long but has had a strong draft season and is a hot name. He’s gone from being a fringe draft pick to someone who could crash the first round, or at least go early second round.
Tyler Kolek To The Suns
If Tyler Kolek is available at no.22 the Suns could run to the podium to draft the feisty point guard from Marquette. Kolek’s agent (Mark Bartelstein) is the father of Josh Bartelstein, the Sun’s CEO. Kolek is also a great fit for the team as as player who can come in and contribute to winning from day one. Bronny James has also been working out for the Suns but that selection would only seem to make sense if there’s a package deal for LeBron.
Matas Buzelis To The Pistons
Another father/son connection is Buzelis’ agent Michael Tellem who is the son of Pistons Vice Chairman Art Tellem. Buzelis would also be a good fit in Detroit, especially if you trust that his shooting will pan out.
Sometimes it’s just smoke. But you know what they say: “where there’s smoke there’s fire.”
6/16/2024
Today marks the final day for international players to withdraw from the 2024 NBA Draft, and we saw a number of surprising announcements, the biggest being Izan Almansa choosing to pull his name from the draft, with an eye on 2025. Izan could be headed back to Europe or possibly to the NBL. He had an ok season last year with the Ignite but didn’t live up to expectations.
His Ignite teammate Thierry Darlan also pulled his name from the draft. He probably wouldn’t have been drafted this year, after battling injuries to start the Ignite season, and will have a chance to raise his draft stock over the next year, most likely playing overseas.
Other players withdrawing from the 2024 draft include: Mouhamed Faye, Andrija Jelavic, Noah Penda, Eli Ndiaye and Zacharie Perrin.
Juan Nunez decided to keep his name in the draft and will likely be an early to mid second round pick.
Pacome Dadiet is staying in the draft, which is no surprise. He’s easily a high second round pick and could end up as high as mid first round.
Ulrich Chomche is keeping his name in the draft too and will be an interesting player to see where he lands on draft night. He’s got the upside and promise to be a good NBA player but is very much a developmental prospect. He projects as a mid second rounder.
French wing Melvin Ajinca is keeping his name in as well and projects as a second rounder.
Ignite forward Babacar Sane is staying in the draft as well and could be a second rounder but more likely goes un-drafted.
6/12/2024
With just two weeks to go until the NBA Draft there is plenty of chatter about players rising and falling, smokescreens and misinformation flooding the blogosphere and so much that is still unknown about how this draft will play out. In some drafts we have a good idea of the top 5 picks, or at least which player will go no.1. This year it’s all wide open.
There are a few upperclassmen who have been getting a lot of buzz recently – and this could be one one those drafts where selecting a solid, NBA-ready player instead of a boom or bust, high-upside player could be the smart move. Devin Carter and Tristan da Silva are both hot names. Carter could end up as a top 10 pick when all is said and done and da Silva might crack the lottery. There are a number of teams in the 8-14 range that have playoff aspirations and will be looking for a player who can come in and have an immediate and meaningfully impact.
DaRon Holmes is another upperclassmen getting some buzz. He apparently has a first round promise and could even end up as a top 20 pick.
Dalton Knecht is also receiving a lot of interest in the top 10, which should come as a surprise to no-one. I could see him going as high as no.5 to Detroit or as low as no.9 to Memphis.
I totally get teams drafting these older, safer prospects but it could result in some very high upside players dropping into the mid/late first round. I’m incredibly high on the long-term potential of Yves Missi and if a team is able to draft him in the second half of the first round they could get great value. Johnny Furphy could be a steal later in round 1 as well, if he falls that far.
Pacome Dadiet could be a riser, compared to where he’s most often mocked. He’s mostly been mocked in the early to mid second round but could end up going in the first round, possibly even in the top 20. He’s got the size, ball skills and shot-making prowess to be a solid NBA player with some sneaky star potential.
Players have until June 16th to withdraw from the draft. This mostly affects international players, since the NCAA withdrawal deadline already happened about two weeks ago.
5/30/2024
It was an active an exciting NCAA withdrawal deadline yesterday, with many big names choosing to remove their names from the 2024 draft and return to college basketball. The 2024 draft took a bit of hit in terms of depth. I did’t have any clear first round grades on the players that withdrew their names but the second round got a bit thinner. Meanwhile the 2025 draft got even more stacked with depth and talent.
While there’s still no word from Jaxson Robinson, who appears to be staying in the draft, it could be that he filed the paperwork and for some reason has yet to make an announcement. I’ll be monitoring this closely today. UPDATE: ROBINSON HAS WITHDRAWN FROM THE DRAFT AND COMMITTED TO KENTUCKY.
I love seeing Hunter Sallis returning to Wake Forest. He had a breakout year last year and might have been a high second round pick this year. But another year of development will do him well. He had less than stellar numbers in the combine athletic testing and his draft stock was stagnant in the post season/draft season.
UConn got a massive boost with the return of Alex Karaban, giving them another loaded roster and a chance to make a ton of noise again next March. Karaban has a chance to not only earn significant NIL money but to boost his draft stock. I had him as a mid to late second rounder this year but think he can take a bit of a jump next year, as more of a focal point of the offense, and could rise into the first round conversation.
It seems Ulrich Chomche is staying in the draft. I would have loved to see him in school for a year or two but no withdrawal announcement as been made.
A lot of the projected late second round guys have benefited from so many names withdrawing form the draft. Enrique Freeman and Isiah Crawford, for example, have a better shot now at getting drafted. Freeman had a great draft season so far and is trending up.
KJ Simpson chose to stay in the draft. He had an awesome year at Colorado and a strong draft season. He projects as an early to mid second round pick and could be the third Buffalo drafted this year.
5/24/2024
The deadline for college players to withdraw from the 2024 draft and maintain college eligibility is coming up soon, May 29th. There will be a number of tough decisions to make. On one hand the NIL rules make it much more enticing for guys to return to school and earn money will working on their game and looking to improve their draft stock. On the other hand next year’s draft is so stacked with talent that it could be harder to standout as one of the top 60 prospects next year.
Coleman Hawkins would earn a massive bag if he returns to school. The former Illinois player entered the transfer portal and would be very sought after. He’s a borderline second round pick this year but returning to school could make the most sense.
Jaxon Robinson is another player that could return, and with his former coach Mark Pope now at Kentucky that would seem like a natural landing spot for the sharp shooting wing. He didn’t standout much in the scrimmages at the combine and will need to round out his game to be a NBA player.
Cam Christie is a very intriguing prospect who has the size, the shooting and all the tools but doesn’t seem NBA ready. I think he’ll stay in the draft but if he returned he could transfer to a bigger school or go back to Minnesota and be the man.
I really like Ulrich Chomche as a long term prospect and I think he’ll stay in this draft but I’d love to see him go the college route for a year. He’s got elite tools but a ton of development left to do before he’s ready to impact an NBA game. He’s a likely second round pick if he stays.
Alex Karaban is coming off of two national championships and now has a really tough decision to make. I think this is 50/50. He’d get paid a lot to return to school but I’m not sure he’d raise his draft stock much, especially in such a strong 2025 class.
Ugonna Onyenso seems likely to return to school. But there’s been no announcement yet, as far as I know. He has so many more aspects of his game to unlock, so whether that’s in the G League next year or back in school, I’m excited to watch his development.
Jaylen Wells is a fringe second round pick if he stays in the draft but has a chance to do big things with another year in school. He’s just starting to figure out how good he can be and it would be awesome to see him take another year in school, develop his game and potentially make a big move up draft boards next year.
Mark Sears is an incredibly fun and talented player but his lack of size could hinder his feasibility at the NBA level. Going back to school and earning that NIL money would be a good move.
JT Toppin is having a great draft season which could push him to stay in this year’s draft. The high energy forward from New Mexico doesn’t have great size but has length and a high motor. He could be a second round pick if he stays in the draft.
Jarin Stevenson has gained a lot of momentum over the past 3 months and would likely be drafted if he stays in the draft but it would be awesome to see him go back to school to raise his draft stock.
I think Jamir Watkins will stay in the draft but has yet to announce a decision. Another year in school would do him some good but he’s put out enough good tape to get drafted this year.
A few more players yet to announce their decision but who will likely stay in the draft are Hunter Sallis, Johnny Furphy and Kyshawn George.
5/20/2024
The draft combine is over and the biggest risers/fallers have settled into their ranges in the latest mock update. A few second round risers include Ajay Mitchell, Nikola Dursic, Baylor Scheierman, Trenton Flowers, KJ Simpson and Enrique Freeman. One or two of these guys could land in the late first round but most likely will be early to mid second round picks.
JT Toppin also had a nice showing at the combine. I currently have him mocked in the 2025 draft but he could decide to stay in this year’s draft. That will be an interested decision to watch.
Meanwhile over in France both Zaccharie Risacher and Tadjane Salaun have been playing at a very high level in the French playoffs, putting up some big time performances in clutch situations, as 18 year-olds. Risacher has firmly established himself as a top 3 prospect in this class and Salaun is looking more and more like a top 10 pick who could even crash the top half of the lottery. Check out these impressive highlights from Risacher’s last game:
Another French wing, Melvin Ajinca, has had some nice moments as well, showing off his 3pt shooting ability. He’s a likely second round pick.
There continues to be a lot of buzz around Bronny James after a very good combine and his decision to stay in this year’s draft. As I wrote here, drafting Bronny will be only partially about his talents and of course, partially about his name, fame and the possibility of getting (or keeping) LeBron James on the team. In short, drafting Bronny would be a good business decision.
5/14/2024
Reports indicate that Nikola Topic’s left knee injury isn’t serious. He’ll likely miss the rest of the Adriatic League finals but should be able to participate in pre-draft workouts! That’s great to hear!
Meanwhile the NBA Draft Combine is well underway. A few standouts from the athletic testing include Devin Carter, Reed Sheppard, Dalton Knecht and Yves Missi.
Devin Carter is a tad undersized for a 2-guard but with his strength, length and athleticism that won’t be a problem. He posted a 42 inch max vertical (tied for best at the combine) and had an impressive 35 inch standing vertical. He also set a combine record with the fasted 3/4 court sprint and excelled in all the other drills as well. He’s looking more and more like a top 20 lock and could go lottery.
Reed Sheppard came in with similar concerns about his size and athleticism but his 42 inch vertical jump at the combine put some of those concerns to bed. And of course he shot the lights out in drills! His measurements were not great, as expected, coming in at 6-1 3/4 without shoes and just a 6-3 1/2 inch wingspan. But it’s his shooting prowess and his instinctual play on both ends that give him value, not his measurables.
Dalton Knecht is a known commodity as a shooter and a scorer but he really impressed with his agility and quickness at the combine posting great numbers in the shuttle run and the pro lane agility tests. He’s a top 10 lock in my eyes and could go top 5.
I’m a huge fan of Yves Missi and his untapped potential and athletic upside. And he showed it at the combine with great vertical jump measurements and 3/4 court sprint. He measured with a good but not great 7-2 wingspan – but it’s his athleticism that really stands out and gives him so much potential.
Bronny James measured in at 6-1 1/2 but a solid 210 pounds and a nice 6-7 1/4 inch wingspan. He also posted a 40 1/2 inch vert and shot the lights out in drills, especially in the 3 point star drill. Of course his fame will play a role but it’s looking more likely that he’ll be drafted in the second round.
Alex Karaban has had one of the best combine shooting performances I can remember. In the 3 point star drill he hit a remarkable 21 out of 25 shots. He’s just a lethal spot up shooter, can hit shots off the dribble, plus he measured in with an impressive 6-11 wingspan, which helps with some of the defensive and athletic concerns. I had been hoping he would return to school but this performance will lift his draft stock and he could be staying in the draft this year.
5/13/2024
Elite 2024 draft prospect Nikola Topic has suffered another injury and his draft stock will likely take a hit. A few months ago Topic had a ligament injury that caused him to miss about 3 months. It’s not yet known the extent of this latest injury but video showed him being helped off the floor, not walking under his own power. We’ll likely find out in the next day or two how bad the injury is. Stay tuned for an update.
One day after the Hawks won the Draft Lottery, the Draft Combine is underway. Players are being measured and the rosters for the scrimmages are set. And a bit of news that is overshadowing it all is that Bronny James is reportedly staying in the 2024 draft and will take part in the combine drills and activities.
Stay tuned for draft combine coverage. Every year we see a few players shine during this event and rise up draft boards. Who will be the big risers this year? We’ll find out soon.
5/12/2024
The Hawks have won the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery!! Congrats to Hawks fans! The Wizards will be picking no.2, the Rockets move up to no.3 and the Spurs will be picking at both no.4 and no.8 (from the Raptors). The Hawks had just a 3% chance of landing the top pick but beat the odds and now have a chance to select the player they believe is the best in this wide-open draft class. Could that be Alexandre Sarr?
The Wizards stayed put at no.2 and will get a much needed infusion of talent to their depleted roster. Serbian point guard Nikola Topic would be an interesting addition, bringing much needed passing, play-making and a bit of flair to the team.
The Rockets (from the Nets) also made a big move up, having the 9th best odds and moving up to no.3. They’ll have a chance to add another key piece to a quickly improving young roster. Could they add UConn center Donovan Clingan to the front court? How would he pair with Sengun? Or maybe they add the sweet shooting French wing Zaccharie Risacher?
The Spurs moved up one spot and also won the Raptors pick (no.8), since it fell outside the top 6. Will they add two players or maybe package those picks to move up for Topic? Either way, things are looking up in a big way in San Antonio.
5/12/2024
It’s Lottery Day!!!!! Stay tuned for live updates during the lottery drawing and an updated mock draft shortly after. Good luck to all the fans out there who are hoping their team moves up in the draft. And happy mother’s day to all the moms out there. You are amazing! Thanks for all that you do!
5/11/2024
One day to go until the draft order is decided! The 2024 NBA Draft Lottery will take place tomorrow (Sunday) at 3pm ET. Stay tuned for near-instant updates and analysis of the lottery results and a fully updated mock draft.
The lottery drawing will determine the top four picks in the draft, with the rest of the selections determined by reverse order of the final standings. The lottery results will be announced live on ABC.
Even in this somewhat weak draft it’s still a big deal to win the lottery and to be picking no.1. It’ll also be interesting to see if any surprise team beats the odds and jumps up into one of the top four spots. We’ll find out real soon!
5/9/2024
The NBA Draft Lottery is this coming Sunday, the 12th and this year winning the lottery will be both a blessing and will bring a huge amount of pressure to the team/GM drafting at the top. There seems to be a bit of consensus around Alexandre Sarr being the top prospect in the draft, but public big boards and mock drafts might not reflect what NBA teams are thinking. And, as I wrote here, team need and fit could be more of a factor this year, compared to other years, given the parity at the top of the draft.
The NBA Draft Combine is also coming up next week (13th-19th) and so we’re sure to see a few players jump up draft boards based off of their play in scrimmages and to a lesser degree measurements and athletic testing. Last year Ben Sheppard was a combine riser, eventually becoming a late first round pick. Here’s a full list of this year’s draft combine invites (with a few more expected to be added after the G League Elite Camp).
A handful of these players will go through the process before deciding to return to school but most will stay in this year’s draft. It’s interesting to see Bronny James on the combine invite list, after a fairly pedestrian freshman season. I wonder if his name/fame had anything to do with it?
Another interesting thing about this year’s combine is that all players have to get measured for height, wingspan etc. in order to be draft eligible. The top players are no longer able to skip out on being measured.
With about 7 weeks to go until the draft there is some clarity around who the lottery picks are likely to be. But after that things are very wide open. This might not be a strong draft class but I anticipate that draft night itself is going to be one of the most fun and wild drafts in a long time. We’re going to see some “wow” moments of players getting drafted outside of their projected range.
It will also be interesting to see how the new two night format plays out. Will that lead to less chaos in the usually chaotic late first to mid second round range? I, for one, am very glad of the change, since it’ll give me an opportunity to catch my breath and hopefully put out better content. And what’s not to like about having two nights of the draft instead of one?!
4/25/2024
With the early entry deadline coming up in a few days (4/27) we now have a pretty good idea about which prospects will be in this year’s draft. Some of the early entrants are just testing the waters and have until May 29th to make a decision to stay in the draft or return to school, so there’s still some sorting out to do. But overall the make-up of this draft class hasn’t changed much. It’s a solid group through the first round but very much lacking a top tier talent.
In overseas action star Serbian point guard Nikola Topic is back in action after missing about 3 months with a knee injury. He’ll look to get back into form against solid competition (playing in the ABA League again), and could solidify himself as a top 5 pick in June with a stretch of good play. He’s even got a chance to go no.1.
Meanwhile Zaccharie Risacher continues to have mixed results. It’s easy to knock his poor shooting efforts and inconsistent play but considering his age and the competition level, he deserves some benefit of the doubt and understanding. With that said, it’s becoming harder to see him as the top player in this draft, as some mocks still rank him, and I feel much better about mocking him in the mid lottery.
This year’s draft lottery will take place on May 12th. Of course every team would want to win the lottery but this year, with no clean top player, there will be added pressure on whichever team/GM is making the first pick. I wrote a piece about which players are most likely to be the top selection this year – the long and short of it, we have no clear idea and there is no prospect that clearly deserves to go no.1. This thing is completely wide open at the top.
4/1/2024
OK, I’m finally ready to admit it: I’ve got Zach Edey way too low in my mock. Ever since Edey burst onto the scene a few years ago I’ve been intrigued, like everybody else, but I’ve also been a skeptic that his game would translate to the NBA, especially on the defensive end.
I pictured him trying to guard the NBA P&R, getting switched onto a guard and getting torched repeatedly. And that could very well happen at the next level. But it’s now time for me to admit that his potential limitations guarding in space are not enough to negate his massive impact in other aspects of the game.
As much as the NBA game could expose some of Edey’s limitations the spacing and high level passing in the League will open things up for him in the post and could make him even more effective around the rim.
While it remains to be seen if Edey can play starter level minutes, there’s every reason to believe he’ll be an effective and impactful rotation big who can chance the dynamic of the game when he’s on the court. That alone is worth a mid first round pick, or even a lottery pick in this draft. Edey will be moving up at least a few spots in my next mock update.
Another massive young man who is rising up draft boards is UConn center Donovan Clingan. Early season foot injuries dropped his stock but he’s back healthy, moving really well on the court and absolutely dominating games. His impact on the defensive end is massive and goes well beyond the box score. He compares favorably to past prospect Walker Kessler, with his ability to shutdown opponents at the rim.
Clinton is also a very good passer from the high post, has great hands and soft touch around the rim. He’s a starting level center with All Star upside – and should be drafted accordingly. He’s likely to get drafted in the top half of the lottery and some boards even have him no.1 overall.
Speaking of the top spot, the race for no.1 is as wide open as ever. There are at least 5 prospects who could land in the top spot, but none that have separated themselves from the group and look fully deserving of that spot. Risarcher, Sarr, Buzelis, Clingan, Williams, Castle… all could land at the top of the draft. Hell, either of the Kentucky guards or Ron Holland could even make a claim on being the best prospect. It’s wide open and literally anything could happen on draft night. The draft might be short on talent but it won’t be short on intrigue.
3/24/2024
Today’s mantra: “I will not overreact to March Madness, I will not overreact to March Madness.”
But with that said, there is plenty of movement in the mock after the first to rounds of the tournament. Including:
Cody Williams takes a dip. He’s been struggling for the past month or so, being slowed by injuries and not having much of impact on a deep Colorado team. I’m still very high on him and view him as one of the top prospects in the draft but the past month has raised some concerns. He struggles to get his own shot, shoot off the dribble and is a low volume 3pt shooter. It remains to be seen if his outside shot is for real and if he can be a go-to scorer. He slides to no.6 in the latest update.
Reed Sheppard also falls a few spots after an abysmal first round performance. Honestly, that one game doesn’t really alter his draft stock, it just highlights the fact that we have all gotten a little ahead of ourselves viewing him as a top 5 player. He had an incredible season, one of the best shooting performances I can remember from any player, let alone a freshman, but is that enough for a team in the top 5 to overlook his shortcomings?
DaRon Holmes II has continued to play at a high level, despite the Flyers losing in the second round. Holmes does it all on the court, showing off improved floor spacing and play-making ability and has really become a complete big man. He could be a first rounder.
N’Faly Dante helped his draft stock a lot over the past few weeks, having a great Pac12 tournament and first two rounds. I still don’t’ necessarily see him as getting drafted but he’ll be in the second round mix, or two-way conversation. It’s been awesome to watch him develop over the past four years, battling through injuries and growing into a really solid center for the Ducks.
Other players moving up the board include Johni Broome, Jaylen Wells, Tristan da Silva and Malique Lewis.
Meanwhile Ryan Dunn falls a few spots. He’s obviously a defensive monster but the offensive game is so limited that it’s hard to view him as a starter at the next level. A team could still take a flyer on him in the first round but I don’t see him as first round lock.
3/18/2024
who the lottery talents are in this draft class, but this is the time of year when we always see a player or two go on a deep tournament run, gain national attention and fly up draft boards. NBA scouts know not to overvalue NCAA tournament heroes but it can be hard to ignore the hype and the noise that comes from making waves in March.
There are a few movers in the latest mock draft update including Ja’Kobe falling to no.15 and Kyshawn George rising into the late lottery. And Ron Holland moves back into the top 10.
Collin Murray-Boyles continues to rise as well and is flirting with first round territory. It’ll be interesting to see if he goes through the draft process this year and if he ultimately decides to stay or go.
Over the next few weeks we’re sure to see more movement in the mock, thanks to the hype and heroics of March Madness. Stay tuned!
2/12/2024
The more I watch of Yves Missi the more I think he has real star potential – not just rim-running/defensive big potential. He has a chance to be an elite defender who can guard all over the floor but he’s also looking much more comfortable with the ball in his hands and is on a great trajectory as an offensive player. So far this year he’s averaging 11ppg on 63% shooting but I think those numbers would be much better if he had a point guard and other passing guards who could find him when he’s open in the lane. He could thrive at the next level with NBA spacing/passing.
The no.1 spot is still wide open. Zacharrie Risarcher takes over the top spot in this latest mock update. He’s been impressive all season, showing confidence and aggressive play on both ends and shooting the lights out.
Cody Williams slides two spots but is still in the running for no.1 overall, IMHO.
2/1/2024
I just can’t get enough of watching Tidjane Salaun. I think this kid is going to be star, and now have him up to no.4 in the latest mock draft.
Dalton Knecht keeps rising as well. He’s an older prospect but is so completely NBA ready and should be able to step in and put up numbers right away. He’s a lethal 3pt shooter who doesn’t need much room to get his shot off. In NBA spacing he’ll be even more lethal.
Johnny Furphy continues to rise as well and is now up to no.16 in the latest mock. It’s rare to find 6-9 players that can shoot the ball the way he can. Add in his plus athleticism, high BBIQ, solid defense and overall feel for the game and he’s got lottery potential.
After an awesome first game Zonimir Ivisic has taken a step back and some of that initial hype has fallen away. He slides down to early second round in this mock update.
1/19/2024
We have a new projected no.1 overall pick in our latest mock draft, with Colorado PG/SF Cody Williams taking over the top spot. Cody has been playing at an elite level over the past month+, showing all the skills to be a dominant player at the NBA level. He’s got the size, athleticism, skill-set and feel for the game that NBA stars are made of. Cody takes over the top spot from Alexandre Sarr, who has missed a few weeks with a minor hip injury.
While this draft still doesn’t have a clear no.1 player or clear franchise altering talent we’re starting to see some of the top prospects find their footing and emerge as legit top 5 level players. French star Zaccharie Risacher has also been putting in work in recent weeks, showing off his special shooting touch, feel for for the game and all around skills, with legit NBA size. He rises to no.2 overall on the latest mock update.
Purdue star Zach Edey lands in the late first round, as he continues to dominate college basketball and prove that he can potentially be a solid role player at the NBA level. In this draft (or any draft really) finding a role player who will stick in the league and bring value to a NBA team in the late first round is a good deal for any franchise. Edey might not be a long term starter but in this range of the draft, that’s not what you need.
Hunter Sallis, Devin Carter and Adama Bal continue to climb in the second round. While DJ Wagner and Justin Edwards continue to fall.
1/13/2024
Lots of movement in the latest mock draft update: Tidjane Salaun continues to rise up the board. I’ve been high on him all draft cycle and have had him in my lottery for a long time but he’s taking his game to a new level, showing more efficient shooting, great self-creation abilities, to go along with all that athleticism. He’s moving up into the mid to high lottery conversation.
Robert Dillingham also continues to fly up the draft board, landing in the top 10 of the latest mock update. I was cautious with Dillingham coming into the season but he’s show such awesome scoring ability, outside shooting and play-making that the concerns about his size are fading. He’s lightening quick with the ball in his hands and plays with great poise. Him and Sheppard have been awesome for UK this year and both look like first rounders with lottery potential.
On the flip side, Isaiah Collier is sliding down the board. He’s had a mixed season so far for USC, showing play-making and the ability to score in the lane but lacking an outside shot. Now he’s out for a while with a hand injury. It’s too soon to give up on him as a potential lottery pick (he’ll have to finish the season strong to regain that status) but for now he’s sliding into the mid first round conversation.
12/20/2023
With Bronny James back in action for USC the 2024 draft class gets an added boost of excitement. While Bronny might not be a lottery talent he’s certainly a legit NBA level prospect and one of the most intriguing prospect stories of the past few seasons.
At about 6-3 with a strong frame he’s got the size to be a combo at the next level. He’s a very different style of player than his old man; of course there’s the size difference but also different skill sets as well. Bronny is a more advanced outside shooter than LeBron was at the same stage, but not nearly the same level of passer/initiator. One thing I’m impressed with every time I see Bronny play is how much heart and hustle he brings on the court. His love for the game shows and he also seems to really know his role(s) and plays within himself. And the 3pt shooting is legit.
12/2/2023
There are a number of big movers in my latest mock draft including 5 new names in the first round. The biggest riser has been Tennessee wing Dalton Knecht who rises to the late lottery. Knecht is having a monster first season for the Vols, after transferring from Northern Colorado. He’s one of the best 3pt shooters in college ball, has really good athleticism and NBA size. He looks like a lock for the first round (although is currently out with an ankle injury).
Kentucky combo guard Reed Sheppard is another big riser. I had him projected to be a two year college player but, after an incredible start to the season, it looks like he could be ready to enter the draft this year. His outside shooting has been spectacular, his decision making off the charts and his defense has been really impressive.
His teammate Rob Dillingham also rises into the first round after a blazing hot start to his college career. Dillingham has always been able to put the ball in the basket but so far at Kentucky he’s showing really good playmaking and decision making and is bringing great energy on both ends of the court. Undersized guards are a tough sell but this kid has big time ability.
A player I’m higher on that most is Clemson big PJ Hall, who I see as a first rounder. He looks ready to contribute to a NBA team right away, can really space the floor and has the strength to hold his own in the paint. He’s not a big vertical pop guy or rim protector but is a smart defender, a good rebounder and talented offensive player.
Ryan Dunn is flying up draft boards with his truly elite defensive performances and flashes of offensive ability. The 6-8 forward from Virginia might be the best defender in all of college basketball and has legit NBA size and lockdown potential at the next level. He struggles on the offensive end but I wouldn’t write-off his developmental potential. If he can at least be a serviceable 3pt shooter and good transition player he could be a NBA starter. If the offensive game comes around he could be a star.
Another player I’m extremely high on is Baylor big Yves Missi. He’s still very raw but has the tools be a high level starter at the NBA level. He’s got blazing open court speed, great agility and a very high motor. In this less than stellar draft a player like Missi could go way higher than most people expect, just based on the upside.
A few players falling in the latest mock include all the Duke prospects (Proctor, Filipowski, Mitchell, McCain and Foster). Filipowski is putting up nice numbers but I struggle to see him having a big impact in the league early in his career. Proctor looks like a potential mid first rounder but I’m not sure he’s a starter at the next level. He also just suffered a leg injury which could have him out for an extended period of time. Mitchell, McCain and Foster could stay in school for another year or two. TJ Power has looked nice in limited minutes but is not a this year guy.
One more player I want to highlight is Kansas wing Johnny Furphy. I currently have him mocked as a 2025 first rounder (with lottery potential) but wouldn’t be totally surprised if he jumps into the 2024 draft conversation. It’s rare to find 6-9 guard who can stroke the 3 the way he can. He’s nice.
11/22/2023
The beginning of basketball season always tells us so much about the upcoming draft. Seeing the top prospects play their first few weeks of the season goes a long ways towards confirming or changing our perceptions of them as NBA prospects. This year we’ve seen some major hits, one massive surprise and a few disappointments.
Let me start with the big surprise: Carlton ‘Lil Bub’ Carrington, a 6-5 freshman point guard from Pittsburgh has put on a show early in his college career, posting a triple double in his first game and following that up with a number of strong performances. He’s got the size and length, great court vision, a nice mid range game and deep range. After being rated outside the top 100 recruits by most scouting services Lil Bub is flying up draft boards and has legit first round potential.
After seeing a few college games I realize I was too high on Aday Mara, the 7-3 Spaniard who is now suiting up for UCLA. The offensive talent is enticing and the size is special but he just doesn’t have the speed, agility or strength to hold his own on the defensive end. He’ll block some shots and make an impact in the lane but I have serious questions about his ability to stay on a NBA floor. He’s taking a tumble on my latest mock. His teammate Adem Bona has looked awesome in the early going and could go as high as late lottery.
D.J. Wagner is falling a bit as well, going from late lottery/mid first round to late first or possibly even second round area of the draft. He’s the type of undersized scoring guard that needs to be really elite in hitting the 3 while also being a high level defender. I think he can be a great college player but might be more of a 6th man type of player at the next level. Meanwhile his teammate Robert Dillingham has come out of the gates strong and is moving up from late second/undrafted range up towards the top of the second round. He’s undersized but incredibly shifty and has shot the ball far better than I expected (so far).
A few upperclassmen are moving up my draft board including Dalton Knecht, the 6-6 wing who transferred to Tennessee and Kevin McCullar Jr. of Kansas. Both look very NBA ready and could find a supporting role early in their NBA careers. Trey Alexander has looked great as well.
Nikola Topic continues to impress overseas and is looking like a lottery talent. The sturdy 6-5 point guard is insanely crafty with the ball and a great finisher, despite not having great vertical pop. He’s a great passer and very capable 3pt shooter. He looks to be in complete control of the game whenever he’s on the court.
11/11/2023
With the college basketball season now underway I want to highlight a few of the teams I’m going out of my way to watch this year. NCAA basketball is stacked with exciting players and teams, and of course I’m excited to watch all the blue bloods such as Duke, Kentucky, Kansas and UConn play but there are a handful of other teams that will be appointment viewing for me this season. Here are five of the teams I’m most excited to watch this year:
Iowa State – The Cyclones have a handful of potential NBA-level talents on the roster but it all starts with star freshman Omaha Biliew. The 6-8 combo forward is an incredible athlete who makes plays all over the court. He has the potential to be a lock-down defender who can guard up and down the line-up. He’s a nightmare in transition and attacks the rim with a vengeance. As his outside shot and overall offensive skillset develops he’ll be the type of complete two-way wing that NBA teams covet. There’s a chance he’s a one and done first rounder, or possibly a two-year player.
UNLV transfer Keshon Gilbert brings size and athleticism to the backcourt and Milon Momcilovic is a talented 6-8 freshman who can really shoot the rock. He’s one to keep an eye on for future drafts. Hasan Ward is also a big time player. The former VCU transfer is a load in the paint, highly efficient with his touches and provides the toughness and grit
UCLA – The Bruins had one of the most eventful and interesting off seasons in recent memory landing a boatload of international talent including star 7-3 center Aday Mara, who could be a lottery pick in the 2024 draft. They also return a potential first round pick in Adem Bona, giving them one of the most talented frontcourts in the nation.
Three other international freshmen, Jan Vide (Slovenia), Berke Buyuktuncel (Turkey) and Ilane Fibleuil (France) all have NBA potential, with Vide being the most likely to be a one-and-done. Add in second year guard Dylan Andrews and the Bruins are stacked with young talent. It’ll be fascinating to see how Coach Cronin utilizes all this talent and how the minutes are distributed. Will he play Mara and Bona together at the 5 and 4 respectively, with Mara guarding in the paint and Bona switching all over the floor? Will Vide be as good as advertised…. the next sensational big point guard out of Slovenia? I’ll be tuning in to Bruins basketball all season to see how these youngsters develop.
Miami – After incredible Final Four run last season (where they lost to eventual national champ UConn) Miami returns a loaded roster of veterans with some big time additions, both from the transfer portal and the incoming recruiting class. This roster has at least five pro prospects, along with a few more players who could develop into NBA consideration.
The Canes are loaded up front with the powerfully built Norchad Omier and bouncy freshman Michael Nwoko. Both of these bigs have NBA potential but it’s the freshman that has the most upside. Nwoko is a long and athletic 6-10 center who plays above the rim and has awesome physical tools to go along with a good feel for the game. Omier has the tools to be a solid rotational big at the next level. He’s starting to expand his offensive game, which will be necessary for him to make the jump to the league.
The Canes also landed prized transfer Matthew Cleveland (Florida State), a player I’ve been high on for a while. He’s a great fit as a do-everything wing for the Canes. But I’m burying the lead here: Wooga Poplar, a 6-5 shooting guard from Philadelphia who is now in his junior year, is the star of the team and a potential first round pick. Wooga can really score from the perimeter, has a good feel on the offensive end and is efficient. He’s a solid athlete with a good frame but his game is more skill-based. Plus he’s got a really cool name.
USC – Isaiah Collier gives the Trojans a potential top 5 pick and is one of the more exciting guards to watch this season. He’s the type of point guard that makes all those around him better and brings a steadying presence to this talented team. He’s a masterful passer, penetrator and pick and roll operator and if he can shoot the ball at a high level he’s got top 5 potential.
But it’s the star power of Bronny James that will make the Trojans must-watch TV, assuming he gets back on the court soon. After a health scare over the summer all signs point to Bronny suiting up for USC at some point this year, forming an exciting and talented backcourt with Collier.
The team also returns potential draft pick Kobe Johnson, a versatile and consistent wing who excels on both ends of the court. Add in dynamic small guard Boogie Ellis, second year center Vincent Iwuchukwu and intriguing freshman big man Arringten Page and the Trojans are near the top of my list of teams to watch this season.
Indiana – The Hoosiers landed one of the most talented transfers in the portal in Kel’el Ware (Oregon) and signed one of the most talented incoming freshmen in 6-8 wing Mackenzie Mgbako. They also return a workhorse of a power forward in sophomore Malik Reneau, who will be looking to take the next step in developing his offensive game to go along with his elite rebounding skills.
Both Ware and Mgbako could be first round picks this year, while Reneau has second round potentially (although I could see him staying 3 or 4 years in school). I’m especially excited to see if coach Mike Woodsen can light a fire under Kel’el Ware and bring out the best of his immense talent. Freshman Gabe Cupps is an exciting player as well, although it remains to be seen if he’ll prove to be a NBA draft prospect.
9/10/2023
Although we’re still almost two months away from the start of college basketball season plenty of NBA draft prospects have been on display this week with the second annual G League Fall Invitational. This year the loaded Ignite team hosted the Perth Wildcats from the NBL, a team featured stud 7-foot center Alexandre Sarr, and the teams split the two game series.
This Ignite team features a boatload of NBA prospects and the youngsters got a lot of run in the two games. Ron Holland was especially impressive, showing off his trademark aggressiveness and assertiveness while also showing an increased confidence in his outside shot. The 6-8 forward from Duncanville, TX scored from everywhere on the court and splashed some impressive 3pt shots. Holland poured in 56 points over the two games and notched 5 steals in game two. He might not be a clear-cut no.1 overall pick type of prospect but he is very much in the running for the top spot this year.
His teammate Matas Buzelis had some solid moments as well but looked like he might take some time to adjust to the speed and physicality of pro ball. He’s got all the tools as a 6-10 wing/guard and once the game slows down for him look out. He showed some impressive defense flashes, using his size and mobility to swallow up ball handlers, and he had some good moments on offense as well. Although he wasn’t the star of this event he’s still very much in the running as a top 5 pick.
But the star of the series (along with Holland) was Perth’s Alexandre Sarr. The springy and athletic 7-0 center showcased a wide range of skill on the offensive end, including range out to 3, and was a menace on defense, swatting six shots in each of the games. He had a few impressive blocks on Ron Holland and showed great footwork and agility, looking up the 6-8 Holland on the perimeter. Sarr also showed an increased level of intensity from what we saw during his time in OTE and he seems to have figured out how to bring the energy and intensity it takes to make it to the NBA. I’ve been a bit lower on Sarr than consensus but have been moving him up my mock draft over the course of the summer and he takes another big leap after these two impressive performances.
Izan Almansa had two solid games for the Ignite. The 6-10 forward from Spain just knows how to be productive on the court. He doesn’t need the ball in his hands a lot and is super efficient with his touches. He’s a high level rebounder, runs the court well and has great touch around the rim.
Other prospects who impressed include Tyler Smith and Babacare Sane of the Ignite and Ben Henshall from Perth.
6/13/2023
Yesterday was the last day for prospects to withdraw from the NBA draft (the NCAA deadline was May 31) and we saw a few more big names pull out of this years draft, further strengthening the 2024 draft class.
Bobi Klintman was the highest-ranking prospect to withdraw. After a year at Wake Forest he will be heading to Australia to play for Cairns in the NBL. This was somewhat of a surprise move, as he seemed to have a draft promise this year but there have been some rumblings and rumors this week, so it doesn’t come as a total shock. Klintman will have a chance to continue his upward momentum and solidifying his first round trade for next year, with a chance to rise into the lottery. He lands at no.13 in my latest 2024 mock.
Nikola Durišić was a bit of surprise as well. He would likely have been picked in the second round this year but instead chose to withdraw and will have a chance to improve his draft stock. The 6-7 Serbian is a 3pt shot away from being a first round pick. We’ll be watching closely over the next year to see how that area of his game develops.
Zvonimir Ivisic, the 7-3 Croatian center has taken his name out of this year’s draft, with an eye on 2024 instead. I had a draft-able grade on him this year and look forward to see what he adds to his game over the next 12 months.
And Ousmane N’Diaye is out of this draft as well, further strengthening in the depth of the 2024 international class. He’s an intriguing high upside type of player but I didn’t necessarily see him getting drafted this year.
In college basketball news Alabama has landed top transfer Grant Nelson. Nelson tested the draft waters this year after a great season at North Dakota State but made a good decision to continue to hone his game for a year before entering the 2024 draft.
Arthur Kaluma has made his transfer decision, choosing Kansas State. He’s a possible second round pick next year.
Although the 2024 draft still lacks a top end talent there is an increasing amount of depth in this talent pool. The May 31st NCAA deadline and yesterdays NBA deadline added a lot of solid prospects to next year’s class.
5/25/2023
With just about a week to go until the deadline to withdraw from the NBA Draft we’ve already seen a handful of big name players pull their name out of the draft and opt to return to school.
Kansas welcomes back veteran wing Kevin McCullar, who might have been a late second round pick this year but instead heads back to Kansas for one more year in hopes of raising his draft stock for 2024.
One decision that surprised me a bit is PJ Hall deciding to return to Clemson. Hall had an impressive draft combine and was trending towards being a second round pick. I actually love this move for him and could see him get some first round buzz next year.
In other 2024 draft news Slovenian star guard Jan Vide has signed with UCLA, continuing an impressive run of international recruiting for the Bruins. We’re still waiting to hear an announcement from potential top 5 pick Aday Mara, who is rumored to be joining the Bruins as well.
Stay tuned for lots of announcements over the next 7 days. A few names I’m most interested in hearing from are Julian Philips, who could stay in the draft or return to school (and transfer), and Andre Jackson who seems to be leaning towards staying in the draft but would be a massive boost to the defending champion UConn Huskies if he returns.
4/1/2023
The High School basketball season might be over but this is when the fun begins. We just had the McDonald’s All American Game earlier this week and we’re one week away from the Nike Hoops Summit. Geico Nationals is just wrapping up today and AAU season is here. The nerdy-ist of draft nerds rejoice.
I gave my thoughts on the McDonald’s game here. And I’ll do the same for the Nike Hoops Summit. The bottom line is that this is a nice senior class of prospects but is still missing that true no.1 guy.
We do have some news about returning college players. Tyrese Proctor is the big name, a potential lottery pick in 2024, who gives Duke a chance to be a special team next year. His teammate Mark Mitchell is also returning to Duke for year two.
Former Michigan big man Hunter Dickenson is staying in school but will be transferring. He’ll be a hot commodity – and get big NIL money.
3/12/2023
We love looking ahead and getting excited about the upcoming draft classes but so far this 2024 draft class is not looking very exciting. The hype will be there because of some high profile players like Bronny James but the top end talent is lacking, at least so far.
At this very early juncture some of the top players project to be Aday Mara (Spain), Matas Buzelis (G League Ignite), Ron Holland (Texas), Zaccharie Risacher (France), Justin Edwards (Kentucky), Cody Williams (Colorado) and DJ Wagner (Kentucky). None of these players are a clear no.1 overall type of prospect and there doesn’t appear to be a Tier 1 talent in this draft class.
As I write about here the international group and potentially the returning sophomores and upperclassmen will go a long way towards strengthening this down draft year.
12/6/2022
Just about 18 months out from the 2024 draft and there’s still a lack of an elite talent in this draft class. I believe that will change over the next year+ as one or more players emerge as Tier 1 talents but at this point it’s not clear who that will be.
It could be Xavier Booker who is off to a strong start to his senior season and will be taking his talents to Michigan State next year. Or maybe one of the wings like Justin Edwards or Matas Buzelis will make a big leap up in their development.
If I had to guess I’d say the no.1 pick in 2024 will be a player that is not currently considered as a top half of the lottery talent. Some player will emerge from lower on the radar and rise all the way up to the no.1 spot.
We’ve seen in before with Anthony Edwards reclassifying and rising up to no.1 and with Zion Williamson going from a top 10 recruit who was mocked in the late lottery to being the clear no.1 pick in 2019.
I’ve stated my theory before that with the strong player development in the States and internationally that we’ll not have any more weak draft classes. I still think that’s true but so far the 2024 class is looking less than stellar.
Over the next year we’ll see which players take their games to a new level and rise up to take over the top spots in this draft class.
10/12/2022
Unlike the 2023 draft, which has a clear no.1 overall player, the 2024 draft is wide open at the top.
At this point I’m sticking with the high upside PF/C Xavier Booker at the top spot but that is far from a lock. There are a handful of other players in his class that could take the top spot and there’s also a major wildcard: if the NBA lifts the age limit rule and once again allows high school seniors to enter the draft one of the top 2024 recruits could jump to the top of the 2024 NBA Draft.
The biggest name to keep an eye on if that happens is Tre Johnson, a silky smooth 6-5 scoring guard from Texas. Johnson landed as the no.2 pro prospect in all of high school basketball in the recently released Elite 25 rankings (Patreon preview). If given the option to enter the 2024 draft he’d immediately be in the discussion for no.1 overall. Johnson currently sits at no.1 in our 2025 mock.
Ian Jackson is another elite recruit from the 2024 recruiting class who could look to enter the draft straight out of high school. Jackson is currently mocked no.2 overall in 2025.
With the 2024 draft not having a dominant no.1 overall prospect it might appear to be shaping up to be a weak class. But player will emerge between now and June 2024 – and this class might have the top prospects from two recruiting classes, making it incredibly deep. So don’t get down on the 2024 draft class just yet.
7/20/2022
With G.G. Jackson potentially reclassifying and being eligible for the 2023 draft, the 2024 draft class has taken a hit at the top. But there’s plenty of time for many more elite level prospects to emerge.
At this early stage Xavier Booker looks like the most intriguing prospect in this class and is (very early) favorite to be in the running for no.1 overall. The 6-11 lefty has an elite frame and athletic ability, a high skill level and the ability to take over games. If he can ratchet up the intensity a few notches he’ll be scary good.
Kwame Evans Jr. is another player with an elite frame/length and very intriguing upside. He doesn’t always play like a no.1 option, demanding the ball and taking over games but heading into his senior season at Montverde I’ll be looking for him to show more of that top-dog mentality. All the tools are definitely there.
Some of the other top names in this class, at this early stage, include: Ron Holland, Mackenzie Mgbako, Justin Edwards, D.J. Wagner and Matas Buzelis.
Overall it’s looking like a good group and it’ll be interesting to watch over the next 23 months as new names rise to the top of this class.