2024 NBA DRAFT THREAD

[JShuttlesworth]

There's a bunch of interesting 1st/2nd year NCAA players in this draft who are not all ranked high in mocks so far. Going to use their ESPN ranks here for easy reference.

-#4 Ja'Kobe Walter (Baylor, Freshman 6'5" SG)
-#11 Kyle Filipowski (Duke, Soph 6'11" PF/C)
-#18 Ryan Dunn (Virginia, Soph 6'8" Forward)
-#20 Rob Dillingham (Kentucky, Freshman 6'3" PG)
-#22 Kel'el Ware (Indiana, Soph 7'0" C)
-#25 Reed Sheppard (Kentucky, Freshman 6'3" Combo G)
-#31 Kylan Boswell (Arizona, Soph 6'2" PG)
-#58 Judah Mintz (Syracuse, Soph 6'4" Combo G)
-#N/A Kwame Evans (Oregon, Freshman 6'9" Forward)

I've also liked what I've seen from #2 Alexandre Sarr (7'1" PF/C), #3 Zaccharie Risacher (6'9" Forward) and #8 Nikola Topic (6'6" PG) but its hard to confirm what you see with the eye test for international guys due to the lack of advanced metrics available for international prospects.

Walter and Mintz IMO seem like high upside prospects so far. Been very impressed with what I've seen from both of them. Mintz should end up being a huge riser in the mocks as the season progresses.

The rest of the guys on this early NCAA shortlist project most likely as high end role players (still with high upside possibility), a few of them being defense first guys (Dunn/Boswell/Evans), a couple being Kentucky PGs (why am I not surprised they both look good so far), and a couple bigs who I would have had graded as 1st rounders if they declared last year (Filipowski and Ware).

Good post

I've been following a lot of the players you've listed here, I think guys like Filipowski, Ware, and Sheppard are going to be solid role players in the NBA. Dunn definitely seems like the defensive minded pick if you're looking for a wing

I still want to watch more Kentucky games to see Dillingham and Sheppard out there, but they've got my attention

When it comes to the "Top 5" prospects --

I'm high on Sarr, he's probably the player I'm most drawn to, but I am intrigued by Buzelis, and Topic -- not so much on Walter though. Topic would be the biggest wildcard of the bunch for me, although there are a lot of question marks with Buzelis also.

I don't know if I see star potential in someone like Collier. Collier has great size at the guard spot, but his shooting percentage are low, just 30% from deep and 69% from the line. Jury is still out on him for me

[NotMyKawhi]

I always pick international guys later. Not 100% guarantee but its more likely other teams didnt scout well

The 2 biggest steals in Draft history(giannis and Jokic) international guys

[Reeko]

If we’re in the top 6 and he’s on the board when we pick we gotta get Nikola Topic.

[Yallbecrazy]

I’ve seen him as high as #2, as low as #17 and every where in between on every mock draft I’ve looked at. Seems like that type of no consensus draft where the best player ends up going around 15th. What do like about Topic so much to have him first on your board?

He's really good at every part of the game, he's very young and filling up the stat sheet in a professional league. He passes well, shoots decently, gets to the rim, has great size for a point guard, and gets a good amount of steals on defense.

I've yet to see anyone in NCAA that is worthy of a top 5 pick in normal years, still early so that could change.

I never got the vibe that he's good on defense or shooting. Am I off on this?

30% from 3, but mid 80s from the free throw line on high volume. Can shoot off the dribble, I think there might be some run bad on his 3pt shooting and he's at least solid with potential, but not obviously not elite.

I don't think his defense is as bad as advertised, and while not good, isn't bad.

Kyle Filipowski is emerging as another potential good pick.

[agkagk]

Any canadian prospects of note in this years class?

[God Squad]

He's really good at every part of the game, he's very young and filling up the stat sheet in a professional league. He passes well, shoots decently, gets to the rim, has great size for a point guard, and gets a good amount of steals on defense.

I've yet to see anyone in NCAA that is worthy of a top 5 pick in normal years, still early so that could change.

I never got the vibe that he's good on defense or shooting. Am I off on this?

30% from 3, but mid 80s from the free throw line on high volume. Can shoot off the dribble, I think there might be some run bad on his 3pt shooting and he's at least solid with potential, but not obviously not elite.

I don't think his defense is as bad as advertised, and while not good, isn't bad.

Kyle Filipowski is emerging as another potential good pick.

Yeah I noticed the FT percentages, but it's the 3pt were I question if he's good. I have more faith in his shot than I do his defense, but if he can be a neutral then he should be legit. I have him top 5 due to his combination of playmaking, size and ability to get downhill (even with his athleticism). Probably the best passer/playmaker in the draft.

But still a risk nonetheless.

I'm not big on Filipowski personally.

[whitehops]

If we’re in the top 6 and he’s on the board when we pick we gotta get Nikola Topic.

let's say the raps jump up in the lottery, keep their pick and are picking 4th but topic went top 3. who would you want then (assuming sarr and holland also went top 3)?

i've done very little scouting so far but matas buzelis seems like a masai pick.

[Bruin]

If we’re in the top 6 and he’s on the board when we pick we gotta get Nikola Topic.

let's say the raps jump up in the lottery, keep their pick and are picking 4th but topic went top 3. who would you want then (assuming sarr and holland also went top 3)?

i've done very little scouting so far but matas buzelis seems like a masai pick.

I’d be happy with Buzelis. Just stay away from Collier

[ArthurVandelay]

If we’re in the top 6 and he’s on the board when we pick we gotta get Nikola Topic.

let's say the raps jump up in the lottery, keep their pick and are picking 4th but topic went top 3. who would you want then (assuming sarr and holland also went top 3)?

i've done very little scouting so far but matas buzelis seems like a masai pick.

Buzelis can’t shoot so I can see Masai being interested lol

Personally I’d go Zaccharie Risacher

I’m also a fan of Reed Sheppard. I don’t know what he’s going to do at NBA level but looking at his size he shouldn’t be doing what he’s doing as a freshman in college either. In the last few years I’ve placed less emphasis on physical attributes (I still highly value) and started to give more merit to guys who actually produce.

[Reeko]

If we’re in the top 6 and he’s on the board when we pick we gotta get Nikola Topic.

let's say the raps jump up in the lottery, keep their pick and are picking 4th but topic went top 3. who would you want then (assuming sarr and holland also went top 3)?

i've done very little scouting so far but matas buzelis seems like a masai pick.

He does, but I like Risacher more at this stage. By June I’ll probably want them to take someone I haven’t even heard of at this point.

[DG88]

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[Bruin]

Looking forward to seeing how Topic does in Euroleague. If he performs well his stock might sore to #1

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[Dalek]

The guy I that is a player to watch is Cody Williams. You just don't see freshman at 6'8 average 14 PPG on 60% from the floor and 60% from three and he is basically the third option on the Buffaloes. It is only 7 games, but he looks impressive and will only grow into his frame like his big brother.

I can't think of another 5 star recruits that Colorado got, but former Buffalo players like Derrick White and Spencer Dinwiddie are all those kind of bigger playmakers and Williams will be better than both of them. He is the younger bro of Jalen Williams, so his NBA lineage is another huge plus. To me, he could easily be the number one pick in this draft if he keeps his play up. Just a very easy player to project into the NBA with all the upside you could want.

You watch him as the third option and he moves without the ball, spaces the floor and can make good reads. Just a high IQ guy worthy of a top pick in this class.

Watch on YouTube

[Bruin]

Projected mid 1st round pick…

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[Rapsfan07]

The guy I that is a player to watch is Cody Williams. You just don't see freshman at 6'8 average 14 PPG on 60% from the floor and 60% from three and he is basically the third option on the Buffaloes. It is only 7 games, but he looks impressive and will only grow into his frame like his big brother.

I can't think of another 5 star recruits that Colorado got, but former Buffalo players like Derrick White and Spencer Dinwiddie are all those kind of bigger playmakers and Williams will be better than both of them. He is the younger bro of Jalen Williams, so his NBA lineage is another huge plus. To me, he could easily be the number one pick in this draft if he keeps his play up. Just a very easy player to project into the NBA with all the upside you could want.

You watch him as the third option and he moves without the ball, spaces the floor and can make good reads. Just a high IQ guy worthy of a top pick in this class.

Watch on YouTube

This is who I have my eye on.

[God Squad]

Projected mid 1st round pick…

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Gawwwt damn that's a serious charge. Sucks because IMO he's certainly draftable as a sparkplug.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Projected mid 1st round pick…

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Gawwwt damn that's a serious charge. Sucks because IMO he's certainly draftable as a sparkplug.

He stayed in school too long and now his career might be over. But if it’s true he probably would’ve messed up in the NBA somehow anyways.

[Kevin Willis]

Projected mid 1st round pick…

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Yikes!

[wegotthabeet]

I always pick international guys later. Not 100% guarantee but its more likely other teams didnt scout well

The 2 biggest steals in Draft history(giannis and Jokic) international guys

Don’t forget Ginobili.

[Psubs]

The guy I that is a player to watch is Cody Williams. You just don't see freshman at 6'8 average 14 PPG on 60% from the floor and 60% from three and he is basically the third option on the Buffaloes. It is only 7 games, but he looks impressive and will only grow into his frame like his big brother.

I can't think of another 5 star recruits that Colorado got, but former Buffalo players like Derrick White and Spencer Dinwiddie are all those kind of bigger playmakers and Williams will be better than both of them. He is the younger bro of Jalen Williams, so his NBA lineage is another huge plus. To me, he could easily be the number one pick in this draft if he keeps his play up. Just a very easy player to project into the NBA with all the upside you could want.

You watch him as the third option and he moves without the ball, spaces the floor and can make good reads. Just a high IQ guy worthy of a top pick in this class.

Watch on YouTube

This is who I have my eye on.

Last year, NBADraft.net had him going #1 overall. Then at the start of the season they had Risacher going #1. Ah Cody now back at #1.

Brandon Miller or Brandon Ingram 2.0? BI shot 68% FT's at Duke and his first 3 pro years shot under 70% but is now around 85% his last 4.5 seasons.

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