Atlanta Hawks 1st Pick
At 6-foot-8 with a rangy wingspan, Risacher has prototypical size for an NBA wing. Shooting is his primary calling card, though he took a massive leap in efficiency this season after hovering around 30 percent from three-point range in 2022-23. He’s also a middling free-throw shooter (71.6% FT this season), so Risacher will have to prove that the jump in outside shooting is for real at the NBA level. To reach his ceiling, Risacher will likely need to add some weight to his 200-pound frame, but that’s not a major concern at this stage in his development. Ideally, Risacher would land with a team that’s willing to be patient with his development. He’s unlikely to be an instant-impact player in Year 1, but down the road his shooting and decision-making could make him a valuable rotation piece.
Washington Wizards 2nd Pick
Sarr stands 7-foot-1, with defense being his standout skill. He moves incredibly well for his size and can guard on the perimeter as well as protect the rim. That size and athleticism make him an obvious pick-and-roll threat, and he’s shown some potential as a ballhandler in transition and passer in the halfcourt. The hope is that he can evolve into more of a shooter, but he went a modest 16-of-58 (28%) from deep last year and 58-of-82 (71%) from the charity stripe. Sarr also has a thin frame, which may cause some challenges against bulkier NBA centers.
Houston Rockets 3rd Pick
At 6-foot-2, Sheppard is a fantastic catch-and-shoot player who can create his own shot at times and is a willing passer. He has elite defensive instincts, which allows him to jump passing lanes and poke the ball away from opposing ballhandlers, but he needs to get stronger before being considered a solid NBA defender.
San Antonio Spurs 4th Pick
A sturdy 6-foot-6 guard/wing, Castle can use his physicality and change of pace to create offensive advantages and finish at the rim. He’s shown a nice passing ability, and he’s a tough defender. However, his shooting is a project. Castle went 20-for-75 (27%) from deep, and his 83-for-110 (76%) efficiency from the charity stripe is acceptable. Defenses routinely played far off him, daring him to launch from deep.
Detroit Pistons 5th Pick
Ron Holland II
At 6-foot-8, Holland has elite fluidity for his size. His jumper looks smooth, and he can pull up from anywhere on the court and get his shot off, but his shooting percentages need to improve. He’s not a natural point guard, but he draws plenty of attention and is willing to find the open teammate. Defensively, Holland has all the tools, but he’s a work in progress on both ends of the floor.
Charlotte Hornets 6th Pick
Tidjane Salaun
The 6-foot-9 forward has intrigued scouts with his combination of fluidity and shooting touch. He’s smooth in transition and cutting to the basket, while he can also knock down looks from deep. He went a modest 68-for-211 (32%) in 2023-24 but 61-for-168 (36%) in 2022-23 and 27-for-77 (35%) in 2021-22. Salaun is mostly a finisher as he totaled 44 assists to 64 turnovers last year. On defense, he isn’t a showstopper but he has a 7-foot-2 wingspan and competes with good athleticism. Hustle and desire helps him on both ends of the floor.
Portland Trail Blazers 7th Pick
Donovan Clingan
Clingan’s combination of size and defensive awareness makes him one of the best big man prospects in the draft. With a 7-foot-7 wingspan and excellent mobility, Clingan has immense potential as a defender, particularly around the rim. He’s poised to be among the better shot-blockers in the NBA, but could struggle when asked to switch out onto much quicker players. Offensively, Clingan is relatively limited, but he’s a strong finisher inside with good touch for his size. While he doesn’t have a deep arsenal of post moves, Clingan also doesn’t demand the ball, which should bode well for his future as a low-maintenance, defense-first, lob-finisher at the pro level.
San Antonio Spurs 8th Pick (Traded to Minnesota)
Rob Dillingham
At 6-foot-1, Dillingham has an elite offensive package that will translate to the NBA. He has a quick first step and can score at all three levels, like many other NBA guards who went to Kentucky. He will also find the open shooter but needs work as a playmaker to be considered a true point guard, as his shot selection and ball security can be spotty. Building his frame should help correct those issues, as Dillingham was at 164 pounds at the Combine. Dillingham won’t turn 20 until January of 2025, which makes an ideal prospect at the top of the 2024 NBA Draft.
Memphis Grizzlies 9th Pick
Zach Edey 周志豪
At 7-foot-4, Edey dominated collegiate opponents with ease. He was a great screener, attacked the boards, displayed solid footwork and an efficient touch around the rim. Edey had great discipline defensively (less than 2.0 fouls per game as a junior and senior) and rarely needed to leave his feet to swat shots as an amateur. His large base allowed him to move defenders out of position and get to his spots. Edey was also a quality free-throw shooter for a center, making over 71 percent from the stripe in three of four seasons at Purdue. There’ll be a stiff learning curve at the professional level, and Edey is far from a polished product. However, given he’s been playing the game for only six years, there’s no reason to believe he’s anywhere near his peak yet.
Utah Jazz 10th Pick
Cody Williams
Williams fits the coveted prototype of a lengthy, athletic wing. His explosiveness isn’t jaw-dropping, but he can push the ball in transition and turn the corner on slower defenders in the halfcourt. His best offense comes when he can get a head of steam toward the rim and finish over rim protectors. If the defense commits too hard, he’s capable of making the right passing read. On the other end of the court, Williams can make life tough for almost any offensive player and would most likely thrive in a switch-heavy scheme. He’s lengthy and can move his feet. Like many young players of his skillset, he’s thin, which can limit him on both sides of the ball, but NBA teams probably won’t ask him to be a playmaker on offense or guard centers on defense. His shot is still somewhat of a question mark. He went 17-for-41 from deep (42%) but shot just 55-for-77 (71%) from the charity stripe.
Chicago Bulls 11th Pick
Matas Buzelis
At 6-foot-10, Buzelis is an excellent ballhander for his size and can finish with authority, but he also has solid touch on his floaters and stepbacks. He looks more comfortable as a catch-and-shoot 3-point option in the corners, but overall, his jumper needs to be more consistent (though his inefficiency for the Ignite was likely a byproduct of a bad team). Buzelis has elite defensive instincts, displaying fantastic patience and timing when contesting shots. He’s also agile enough to be a solid perimeter defender.
Oklahoma City Thunder 12th Pick
Nikola Topic
At 6-foot-6, Topic is a big guard who can get where he wants and makes the right play more often than not. He has excellent pace when driving to the basket, can finish with both hands and is a great distributor who looks like a veteran with the ball in his hands. Topic appeared confident shooting from the top of the key when opponents played drop coverage in pick-and-rolls, but his 3-point shooting needs to improve as he shot only 30% from deep in 2023-24. His frame suggests he can develop into a rangy defender who can disrupt passing lanes, but he needs to put on weight to become a capable one-on-one defender in the NBA.
Sacremento Kings 13th Pick
Devin Carter
Known for his defensive ability, Carter experienced an offensive breakout in 2023-24 that translated into an uptick in his Draft stock, and over the last 12 months has become widely considered as one of the best two-way guards in the nation. He’s a dangerous player in ball-screen and spot-up situations, meaning he can play on and off the ball. However, his decision-making will ultimately determine whether he makes a career as a point guard or shooting guard. His lateral quickness is an asset on both ends of the court, allowing him to get off screens with relative ease while also being helpful to defend in the perimeter. Even though his scoring ability is proven at the NBA level, he lacks a consistent mid-range game. Most of his offensive arsenal lies between attacking the rim and shooting threes. He looks the part of a two-way asset and a three-and-D player, with the potential to become even more if his offensive game continues to develop as it has over the last two years.
Portland Trial Blazers 14th Pick (Traded to Washington)
Carlton Carrington
With poise beyond his years, Carrington’s instincts in snaking pick-and-roll, getting to his spots in the midrange and stepping back into 3-pointers form a dynamic scoring package. Converting just 50.9% of his shots around the basket — 27th percentile nationwide — and attempting just 57 total shots around the basket are oddities given his smooth style and 6-foot-4 5 frame. It also represents a limiting factor in his next-level archetype. His facilitation is an elite counter to his shooting, as Carrington can offset his track record of limited rim penetration with quality passing.
Miami Heat 15th Pick
Ware possesses a highly-coveted skill set. He can stretch the floor on offense while protecting the rim on defense. The big man has an array of post moves at his disposal and can find open teammates when facing a double team. In the pick-and-roll, Ware can pop out to three, be a capable passer in the short roll or finish lobs. Defensively, Ware is able to utilize his length and 7-foot frame to stay vertical and erase shots at the rim.
Philadelphia 76ers 16th Pick
Jared McCain
McCain’s pedigree carried over to two 30-point performances in the NCAA Tournament, as well as seven games with at least four made 3s this season — flashes of serious next-level scoring ability. Scoring is the appeal, as McCain is a two-way competitor but shouldn’t be considered as a sure-fire asset on the defensive end in the NBA. Offensively, he ranked in the 81st percentile for off-the-dribble shooting efficiency, while also knocking down 42.1% of 160 catch-and-shoot 3s on the year. McCain can put the ball on the deck as well, converting 62.5% of his shots at the rim while ranking in the 37th percentile for frequency among guards nationwide. Being an attentive defender and possessing a sturdy frame work in his favor as well, but McCain’s size nonetheless shifts pressure to his offense translating.
Los Angeles Lakers 17th Pick
Dalton Knecht
Knecht is one of the more unique and polished players in the 2024 Draft class, though at age 23 there’s a chance that teams could view him as a relatively low-ceiling prospect. Still, Knecht has excellent size and is comfortable handling the ball, shooting off the catch and pulling up off the dribble from well beyond the 3-point line. Knecht’s confidence and seemingly unlimited range are what make him such a dangerous offensive player. He’s not overly quick or athletic, but defenders are forced to respect his ability to pull up at a moment’s notice. Knecht had 11 games with at least four made 3s last season, including a 6-for-12 performance in the Vols’ Elite 8 loss to Purdue. The 6-foot-6 wing tends to run hot and cold, but when he’s locked in, he’s one of the most difficult players in the country to stop. Defensively, Knecht will almost certainly be a liability at the NBA level. Improving his quickness and positioning will be key points of emphasis. Even so, he’s a heady player on both ends, so the hope is that his instincts and IQ help offset some of the physical limitations.
Orlando Magic 18th Pick
da Silva solidified his status as a bona fide, multi-level scoring weapon in 2023-24, finishing in the 76th percentile by converting 63.5% of his shots at the rim, ranking in the 82nd percentile by knocking down 46.7% of his shots in the midrange, and canning 48.4% of his unguarded catch-and-shoot 3-point attempts. That being said, da Silva shooting just 35.8% on his guarded catch-and-shoot attempts and 21.1% on a limited volume of dribble-jumpers is distinctly less compelling. His 60.6 true-shooting percentage still ranked 152nd nationwide this season, which is extremely impressive given his balanced shot diet. Colorado ranked in the 71st percentile with a 104.1 defensive rating during da Silva’s minutes this season, with the switchable forward offering valuable scheme versatility — although he’s more of a quality team defender than one-on-one stopper..
Toronto Raptors 19th Pick
First and foremost, Walter is a three-point shooter. Of his 10.9 shot attempts per game, 6.3 of them came from distance. He drained 2.1 per game at 34.1 percent. While that’s not an elite number, he took plenty of difficult movement triples. He’s capable of pump faking and driving off his three-point threat, but he’s not a top-shelf athlete and needs to work on his finishing around the basket. He’ll often pump fake to push in and shoot a mid-ranger. Taking a step forward as a ballhandler and passer would do wonders for his potential. Defensively, Walter struggles from a lack of footspeed and may be better off guarding bigger players given his 6-foot-10 wingspan on a 6-foot-5 frame.
Cleveland Caviliers 20th Pick
Jaylon Tyson
At 6-foot-6, Tyson has the size to get to the rim and match up with opposing wings on the defensive end. The 21-year-old’s biggest strength is his ability to create his own shot, but he has also proven to be a reliable spot-up shooter. Tyson is a willing passer and can find teammates as a playmaker in the pick-and-roll.
New Orleans Pelicans 21th Pick
Yves Missi
A dangerous rim-runner, Missi ranked eighth in the nation with 76 dunk attempts this season. Deriving 32.2% of his offensive possessions from rolling in pick-and-roll plays marked the 17th-highest frequency in the nation, displaying a clear niche to translate to the pros. Another 34.4% of Missi’s possessions came via offensive rebounding and cuts around the basket, so he profiles strictly as a play-finisher at this time. His 14.4% offensive rebounding rate was the 32nd-highest mark in the nation. In addition to his rim presence on offense, Missi’s 7.1% block rate ranked 66th in the nation. The big man was also able to protect the rim at a high level without fouling out of a single game in 34 appearances.
Phoenix Suns 22th Pick (Traded to Denver)
DaRon Holmes II
Holmes is at his best in pick-and-roll situations. He makes an impact as a screener and finisher in those plays, where his mobility is also above average for his size. He doesn’t have the most polished offensive game, and his shooting might be subpar at the next level despite experiencing improvements over his last college season. Still, he has the quickness and athleticism to be an asset near the rim as a lob threat and finisher, something he’ll need to enhance at the next level due to his struggles creating his own shot. Holmes also can be an asset defensively due to his ability to defend multiple positions. But he won’t be a difference-maker on that end of the court. He projects to play as a center at the next level, and his 6-foot-9 frame makes him undersized at the position. His positioning on defense also needs some work, and his reactions at the college level were often a bit slow when he wasn’t playing deep near the rim. That will only get worse, given the speed of the NBA game.
Milwaukee Bucks 23th Pick
AJ Johnson
At 6-foot-5, Johnson has the ideal size and athleticism for a guard at the next level. He flashed the ability to create his shot and has the vision to find open teammates. Defensively, Johnson’s length gives him the tools to bother opponents on the perimeter.
New York Knicks 24th Pick (Traded to Washington)
Kyshawn George
It’s a relevant red flag that George logged just three dunks across 713 minutes of action, as the 6-foot-7 guard continuing to develop as a finisher would be strongly reinforced with an above-the-rim style. Even still, converting 58.5% of his attempts alongside a potent 42.7% clip off 96 catch-and-shoot 3s creates multi-level scoring upside. George has deep range, advantageous size to release his shot and a handle to create separation at will. Development is needed, however. Among all players with at least 50 pick-and-roll ball handler possessions, George turned the ball over 26.9 percent of the time to rank 835th out of 884 qualifiers. He had similar struggles taking care of the rock and making decisions in transition, but his physical profile and shooting touch are huge pillars to work from. George is not an on-ball hound defensively, but he was a critical component of Miami’s defense -with the Hurricanes performing 10.8 points better with George on the court and ranking in the 82nd percentile nationwide in defensive rating during those minutes.
New York Knicks 25th Pick
Pacome Dadiet
Dadiet is a young player who’s still growing into his body, which is to be expected at 17 years old, and he’s still learning the nuances of playing the game at a high level. The 6-foot-8 forward has a solid frame for his age, and his broad shoulders and agility allow him to defend multiple positions. His lateral quickness and above-average acceleration are traits that project him as someone who should be capable of guarding NBA-caliber guards and wings. However, his off-ball defense is not on par. He can consistently knock down open 3s on offense and positions himself well on the perimeter, but he hasn’t shown the makings of an elite shooter. He’s a good finisher near the rim, though, and that ability should translate well to the next level. Dadiet reads the game well off the ball, but his decision-making ability could improve, particularly when opposing defenses close out on him.
Washington Wizards 26th Pick via New York (Traded to Oklahoma City)
Dillon Jones
There are questions regarding whether Jones will end up as a shooting guard or as a small forward at the next level, and there’s a chance his physical development will lean him one way or the other. He possesses enough power, strength and tenacity to defend forwards at the next level, although he has also enough lateral quickness to handle smaller guards if needed. An area where he particularly thrives is rebounding as Jones is elite on the glass for his size. His 3-point shooting will likely be a swing skill because, even though he can be a double-double machine, his long-range shooting will determine whether he can be a regular starter or a situational rotation piece. Jones is an above-average passer, really smart and fluid off the ball on offense. He finishes plays with efficiency near the rim but has enough vision to create for others if needed.
Minnesota Timberwolves 27th Pick
Shannon is at his best when he’s going downhill in transition. When defenders give him space, he’s more than capable of knocking down open looks off the dribble. At 6-foot-6, Shannon has the size and athleticism to guard multiple positions, and he has great defensive instincts, though he tends to take too many chances in the passing lanes.
Dunver Nuggets 28th Pick (Traded to Phoenix)
Ryan Dunn
Dunn’s elite athleticism, prototypical size and instincts allow him to be a menace on defense. He can protect the rim from his position while also being able to smother opponents on the perimeter. Offensively, Dunn lives at the rim and can finish over shot-blockers. The 21-year-old is also an elite rebounder for his position.
Utah Jazz 29th Pick
Isaiah Collier
At 6-foot-3, Collier has good size for an NBA point guard, and adding weight to his 205-pound frame won’t be necessary. In high school and college, Collier consistently bullied his way to the rim. It’s fair to wonder if that will translate to the NBA, though Collier is also a solid ball-handler with a quick first step. He’s also a willing passer with plus vision. Shooting remains a question mark, however, as Collier’s numbers have been all over the map since midway through his high school career. Given his less-than-ideal mechanics and at times difficult shot selection, Collier hovering around 30-to-35 percent as a rookie would be a success.
Boston Celtics 30th Pick
Baylor Scheierman
Scheierman will be a wing at the next level, though it remains to be seen whether he’ll be more utilized as a shooting guard or a small forward. He’s equally adept at playing both positions, though he possesses above-average size if deployed in the backcourt. He proved to be a versatile, do-it-all kind of player during his last two years in college. While being a jack-of-all-trades type of player should boost his draft stock, he also turned heads due to his offensive arsenal, particularly his deep shooting range and his efficiency from beyond the arc. His size allows him to profile as an above-average rebounder for a guard, though he’s not on a Josh Hart level. He hasn’t been able to develop too much on the defensive end of the court, and since he’s not an elite athlete, he could have problems defending quick guards and bigger players. However, he’s an excellent shooter with a deep offensive skill set, and that should be enough to carve him a role in today’s NBA.
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