2024 NBA Draft Thread

[clyde21]

The Stephon Castle hype is getting a little weird at this point.

7 games played
Less than 20 MPG
7.7 PPG
2.7 APG
1/7 from three

He's a "hey, keep an eye on this guy for March" tier prospect... not a guy who should be projected in the lottery.

its a "we're running out of players we can put in the top 5" kinda thing

[FarBeyondDriven]

The Stephon Castle hype is getting a little weird at this point.

7 games played
Less than 20 MPG
7.7 PPG
2.7 APG
1/7 from three

He's a "hey, keep an eye on this guy for March" tier prospect... not a guy who should be projected in the lottery.

well, in such a weak draft class...

he had a bad injury, is on a veteran team with title aspirations and there's no reason to rush him back. If this is still his production come tournament time his draft stock will take a major hit and he likely won't be a lottery selection. He is just another in a long line of kids that chose weird schools to go to if their goal was to maximize their draft stock.

[FarBeyondDriven]

I gotta say, I'm getting sour on Almansa. He's just 18 but still, I'd like to see more polish. He looked so much better in FIBA. Coaching has a lot to do with that I'm sure. Ignite has a terrible coach and system. They're not even trying to win games. They sub 4 sometimes 5 guys at once and their bench is terrible. I'm surprised talented guys keep choosing to go there. I get the allure of being a pro and playing against pros but it's pretty bleak as far as learning to win and playing the right way on a well-constructed team. Regardless, Almansa isn't a 7 footer, has average athleticism and can't spread the floor. So what is he going to be? I think at best he might become the Charlotte version of Miles Plumlee. That's an NBA starter but I can't get very excited about that.

[EvanZ]

Harrison Ingram could tease some people this year

[Duke4life831]

Finally getting around to watching some of the Ignite games on my DVR.

With how much money is getting thrown around in NIL nowadays, I wonder how much longer Ignite continues to be a place the top guys go to.

You don’t get to expand your name and exposure because very little people watch and the quality of play just sucks. Lots of just one on one selfish play.

Just not really seeing the big time benefits for Ignite with the money that gets thrown around in college now.

#1 over seas pro league: best development
#2 “college”: crazy NIL money and have a chance to really grow your name recognition if you’re on a good team
#3 ignite/OTE: easy check as you wait to the draft.

[The Moose]

Is Sheppard the best freshman NCAA prospect in this class?

Collier and Walter really don't move me, neither does Castle

[EvanZ]

Is Sheppard the best freshman NCAA prospect in this class?

Collier and Walter really don't move me, neither does Castle

Sadly he might be, although I might vote for Boswell who even though he’s a sophomore is a year younger than Sheppard. In my book we have to compare Boswell to the Freshmen class.

[FarBeyondDriven]

Finally getting around to watching some of the Ignite games on my DVR.

With how much money is getting thrown around in NIL nowadays, I wonder how much longer Ignite continues to be a place the top guys go to.

You don’t get to expand your name and exposure because very little people watch and the quality of play just sucks. Lots of just one on one selfish play.

Just not really seeing the big time benefits for Ignite with the money that gets thrown around in college now.

#1 over seas pro league: best development
#2 “college”: crazy NIL money and have a chance to really grow your name recognition if you’re on a good team
#3 ignite/OTE: easy check as you wait to the draft.

the announcers that talk to these kids said that the ability to have more freedom, outside of the shackles of college systems, and to work on skills they ordinarily wouldn't be able to, is some of the appeal. I agree with you. Not worth it. I'm really surprised a guy like Dink Pate is choosing to go there after watching how things have played out this year. Then again, these kids aren't being harmed. Guys choosing Ignite are going high in drafts and might have 2 top 10 picks. So I just don't know what to think

[FarBeyondDriven]

Is Sheppard the best freshman NCAA prospect in this class?

Collier and Walter really don't move me, neither does Castle

He might be the 3rd or 4th best freshmen prospect on his own team. He might be the best college player though since his limitations (athleticism, defense, size, length) aren't prohibitive. Collier, Castle, Bradshaw, Walter, Williams, Carrington, Ndongo, Missi, Foster, McCain, Wagner, Mgbako and Dillingham could all be argued to be better freshmen pro prospects.

[EvanZ]

Is Sheppard the best freshman NCAA prospect in this class?

Collier and Walter really don't move me, neither does Castle

He might be the 3rd or 4th best freshmen prospect on his own team. He might be the best college player though since his limitations (athleticism, defense, size, length) aren't prohibitive. Collier, Castle, Bradshaw, Walter, Williams, Carrington, Ndongo, Missi, Foster, McCain, Wagner, Mgbako and Dillingham could all be argued to be better freshmen pro prospects.

My guess is Sheppard will actually be better than almost all of these names.

[The Moose]

Is Sheppards defense actually prohibitive at all?

He's 1 of 2 in freshman this season with a 3+ BLK% and 5+ STL %, and the only freshman doing it in high major comp.

Those are like Thybulle, GPII college rates, and no freshman in high major freshman has held those rates for an entire season.

He'll be undersized defensively but he has great instincts, high IQ and is still an event creator on that side and he barely fouls, so its not like he just gambles all game.

[EvanZ]

Sheppard is the guy people will think is cute and can’t make it but he’ll probably end up surprising the so-called experts while guys like Collier bust out of the league.


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[HadAnEffectHere]

Sheppard is the guy people will think is cute and can’t make it but he’ll probably end up surprising the so-called experts while guys like Collier bust out of the league.


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Sheppard is like barely behind Collier on mocks at this point, lol.

You pretty strongly overestimate how much experts like Isaiah Collier.

I don't think anyone is in love with a bully ball PG with short arms, a questionable handle, turnover problems, and a questionable jumpshot.

[EvanZ]

Sheppard is the guy people will think is cute and can’t make it but he’ll probably end up surprising the so-called experts while guys like Collier bust out of the league.


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Sheppard is like barely behind Collier on mocks at this point, lol.

You pretty strongly overestimate how much experts like Isaiah Collier.

I don't think anyone is in love with a bully ball PG with short arms, a questionable handle, turnover problems, and a questionable jumpshot.

I don’t look at mocks so I’m glad to hear it. I just know Collier was #1 a couple weeks ago according to Givony.


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[clyde21]

Harrison Ingram could tease some people this year

he's been teasing me for two years

[babyjax13]

Harrison Ingram could tease some people this year

I've been feeling like he'd be a late first for a while but almost every time I watch him I feel like he has an underwhelming game

But yah, 6-7 forward who can shoot and moves the ball well, that's exactly the kind of player that slides and makes people look dumb.

[FarBeyondDriven]

Is Sheppards defense actually prohibitive at all?

He's 1 of 2 in freshman this season with a 3+ BLK% and 5+ STL %, and the only freshman doing it in high major comp.

Those are like Thybulle, GPII college rates, and no freshman in high major freshman has held those rates for an entire season.

He'll be undersized defensively but he has great instincts, high IQ and is still an event creator on that side and he barely fouls, so its not like he just gambles all game.

I've often seen him having trouble staying in front of his man in college. He would get cooked in the NBA. He is very smart though which is why you see the opportunistic production. It's hard to be a good defender in the NBA when you don't have great size, length or athleticism. He won't necessarily need to be a plus defender in his likely role which is to come off the bench and help hold down the forte.

[BigGargamel]

The Stephon Castle hype is getting a little weird at this point.

7 games played
Less than 20 MPG
7.7 PPG
2.7 APG
1/7 from three

He's a "hey, keep an eye on this guy for March" tier prospect... not a guy who should be projected in the lottery.

Not calling you out, but the thing about this draft. It sucks. Especially the freshman class. Some draft fans don't like when people say drafts suck, because there will still be good players taken, but overall...it sucks.

BUT

You still are going to have 14 guys go in the lottery. Castle is a lottery projection right now, because he is one of the 14 best prospects available.

Holland, Sarr, Collier, Buzelis, Topic, Walter, Castle, Sheppard, Williams, Risacher, Dillingham, Filipowski, Almansa, Proctor, Bradshaw. These are the guys that are available this year. I wouldn't tank for any of them, but it's just one of those drafts. 58 players are still going to be selected, no matter how good or ready they are.

I actually like a lot of guys projected to go a little later, and think they will carve out nice roles for playoff teams. Boswell, McCullar, Missi, Tyler Smith, Karaban, da Silva, Ighodaro, Kalkbrenner are a few guys I wouldn't mind Denver targeting late.

[BigGargamel]

Maybe it's my Colorado bias but I'd take Cody Williams over any other college freshman right now. Just wish he wasn't dealing with some stupid nagging injuries. I think he has the most upside and NBA friendly game. Should wind up as a top five pick.

[FarBeyondDriven]

The Stephon Castle hype is getting a little weird at this point.

7 games played
Less than 20 MPG
7.7 PPG
2.7 APG
1/7 from three

He's a "hey, keep an eye on this guy for March" tier prospect... not a guy who should be projected in the lottery.

Not calling you out, but the thing about this draft. It sucks. Especially the freshman class. Some draft fans don't like when people say drafts suck, because there will still be good players taken, but overall...it sucks.

BUT

You still are going to have 14 guys go in the lottery. Castle is a lottery projection right now, because he is one of the 14 best prospects available.

Holland, Sarr, Collier, Buzelis, Topic, Walter, Castle, Sheppard, Williams, Risacher, Dillingham, Filipowski, Almansa, Proctor, Bradshaw. These are the guys that are available this year. I wouldn't tank for any of them, but it's just one of those drafts. 58 players are still going to be selected, no matter how good or ready they are.

I actually like a lot of guys projected to go a little later, and think they will carve out nice roles for playoff teams. Boswell, McCullar, Missi, Tyler Smith, Karaban, da Silva, Ighodaro, Kalkbrenner are a few guys I wouldn't mind Denver targeting late.

it might have something to do with the fact that the consensus from experts has been wrong especially the last decade or so. Seems like every year whether the consensus is good or bad, the opposite will end up being the reality. And since posters on here seem to just go with the consensus it means this board is usually wrong. Hence my skepticism and push back agaisnt the narratibe. Hey, maybe 2024 will buck the trend