March Madness is in full swing and it’s already sent many NBA draft prospects packing. The 2024 NBA draft class is considered to be one of the weakest classes in recent memory. Scouts and fans alike are constantly trying to project these prospects’ ability to be effective at the next level. While it may not be the most effective at predicting future NBA stars, creating pro comparisons for the draft is always fun. It can give some insight into a player’s archetype and possibly projected role at the next level.
It’s important to note however that comparisons are only a surface-level insight into a prospect’s stock. How well someone ends up performing in the NBA will obviously be determined by numerous other factors. These factors can include work ethic, off-court behavior, statistical performance, and even injury.
So with that being said, let’s take a look at pro comparisons for the top 2024 NBA draft prospects.
2024 NBA Draft Pro Comparisons: Part 1
1) Alexandre Sarr: Perth Wildcats (NBL Australia)
Pro Comparison: Evan Mobley
Alex Sarr is a French big man who plays in the NBL out of Australia. Sarr is extremely mobile for his size standing at a lanky seven-foot-one with a seven-foot-five wingspan. He’s already NBA-ready on the defensive end blocking shots and using his length and mobility on the perimeter. This easily projected defensive skillset has made him a similar prospect to Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Mobley has been excellent on defense since entering the league, but his perimeter game on offense hasn’t quite reached its potential. This is eerily similar to Sarr, who’s only shown ‘flashes’ of offensive skill in face-ups and three-point shooting.
2) Zaccharie Risacher: JL Bourg (France)
Pro Comparison: Cameron Johnson/Michael Porter Jr.
Zaccharie Risacher is a six-foot-nine French wing with a lot of upside. Risacher’s stock has been consistently high as of late due to high percentage three-point shooting. He’s also shown great value as a secondary playmaker to go along with his ‘3-and-D’ wing archetype. This archetype makes his floor somewhat safe, and there’s still a lot of untapped potential in his athleticism and physical growth. His slender frame and three-point shooting as a tall wing will remind many of Cameron Johnson and Michael Porter. Risacher will hope to utilize his mobility and athleticism to become an even better defender and playmaker though.
3) Nikola Topic: Mega MIS (Serbia)
Pro Comparison: Josh Giddey
Nikola Topic is a Serbian six-foot-six point guard who can run the show and is currently playing internationally. He’s not an explosive athlete, but his craft and playmaking ability more than make up for it. Just as Josh Giddey was seen entering the 2021 draft, Topic gets this pro comparison as a gifted passer and pick-and-roll playmaker. Also similar to Giddey, there are questions about Topic’s outside shot and how well it will translate. Giddey hasn’t quite mastered his perimeter shot yet, so teams will hope Topic shows better progression. Regardless, Topic can be the jumbo-sized lead guard that is becoming a trend in the NBA.
4) Cody Williams: Colorado
Pro Comparison: Ziaire Williams/Jaden McDaniels
Cody Williams has been rising up draft boards consistently after a good freshman season at Colorado. He’s a six-foot-eight slender wing who excels at multiple facets of the game. Scouts like that Williams is a jack of all trades, but aren’t as excited about the ‘master of none’ part. This makes comparisons hard as Williams will need to develop to become an efficient player in the NBA (something he’s very capable of). On the low end, Ziaire Williams’ frame and seemingly polished game coming out of Stanford is a decent comparison. On the high-end, Jaden McDaniels could be a great comparison if Williams’ defense becomes elite, and his shooting/slashing continues upwards. Williams is the younger brother of starting NBA guard Jalen Williams, so there’s a certain pedigree to counting on his development. Young wings with production and upside like Williams are usually always at the top of the draft.
5) Ron Holland: G-League Ignite
Pro Comparison: Tari Eason
Ron Holland is a six-foot-eight wing playing with the G-league ignite. Due to the Ignite’s awful season and not having consistent efficiency, many have cooled on Holland as a top prospect. While he hasn’t had the most consistent performance, Holland still can impact the game on both ends. His NBA-ready size and athleticism should translate well and will remind a lot of people of Tari Eason coming out of LSU. However, Holland has shown far more flashes of a perimeter game than Eason at the same respective age. If the ball handling and shooting can start to better trend upward, he’s one of the few in this class with the possibility of star potential.
6) Reed Sheppard: Kentucky
Pro Comparison: Malcolm Brogdon
Reed Sheppard was another surprise to draft boards and wasn’t expected to be one of the top prospects above other teammates at Kentucky. He’s only six-foot-three and doesn’t possess elite athleticism, but he’s shown that he can be a lethal shooter and high-IQ passer. He’s had to handle point guard responsibilities a lot of times for Kentucky this season. This ability as a combo-guard to shoot the three ball and defend at a high level despite average athleticism draws the Malcolm Brogdon comparison. Sheppard’s shown he’s an extremely adept team defender averaging a ridiculous 2.5 steals per game. He established himself as a top player on a loaded Kentucky team when not many expected him to. There’s more than enough reason to believe he’ll accomplish the same thing for an NBA team when finding a role.
7) Rob Dillingham: Kentucky
Pro Comparison: Lou Williams/Tre Mann
Rob Dillingham is a twitchy scorer who plays with a lot of flash. The major concern for Dillingham coming into the season was exactly what role he could fill at the next level. Was he a spark plug microwave scorer off the bench? Can he play true point guard? Dillingham answered these questions by mostly proving he can succeed at whatever role is needed. He played on and off the ball and found ways to be effective in a variety of lineups. He will mostly be heralded though at either guard spot for his ability to score the ball and utilize playmaking opportunities off of that ability. This dynamic offensive threat will remind many of Lou Williams, or even Tre Mann out of Florida.
8) Matas Buzelis: G-League Ignite
Pro Comparison: Gordon Hayward
Scouts and fans alike have become frustrated with Matas Buzelis’ lack of consistent aggression or big-game performances. His flashes are very bright though, and it can be argued that he has the highest upside in class. People are also trying to figure out what curve G-league Ignite prospects should be graded with. Buzelis is a six-foot-ten wing with polished offensive skills. His ability to affect the game at all three levels on offense will remind many of a young Gordon Hayward. Hayward is a good pro comparison as Buzelis has the height and athletic ability to become a star in this draft. Buzelis will need to prove that his flashes can become consistent performances though.
9) Ja’Kobe Walter: Baylor
Pro Comparison: Moses Moody/Mikal Bridges
It’s an easy buy-in process when analyzing Ja’Kobe Walter’s skillset. He’s long, athletic, and can shoot the three-ball at a high clip. He can also use this length and athleticism to be effective on the defensive end. This 3-and-D archetype along with a wiry frame draws comparisons to Mikal Bridges and Moses Moody. Bridges was a better defender out of college while Moody was a better pure scorer, but there are shades of both their games in Walter.
Walter shot at lower percentages in the back half of the season and did have some underwhelming performances on defense. He bounced back however with two good March Madness performances before being bounced out in the round of 32.
10) Isaiah Collier: USC
Pro Comparison: Kyle Lowry
Another prospect some have soured on, it’s not quite the time to bail on Isaiah Collier as a top prospect. Collier is a big and physical point guard listed at six-foot-five and 210 pounds. He uses size as well as solid athleticism when finishing at the rim, and he can be a floor general on offense. This bulldog point-guard mold easily makes most think of Kyle Lowry. In today’s game, Collier will need to show better perimeter shooting to capitalize on this Lowry projection.
11) Stephon Castle: UConn
Pro Comparison: Johnny Davis/Anthony Black
Stephon Castle is another tall lead guard at six-foot-six. His physical tools allow him to be either a point guard with good size or a wing with good ball-handling ability. Castle has also shown he can compete on the defensive end of the floor as well. A tall combo guard with competitive defense gives a pro comparison to Anthony Black who was picked sixth in the draft last year. They also both struggle to shoot from the perimeter. Castle did show more of a mid-range scoring ability at the high school and collegiate level though that was similar to Johnny Davis at Wisconsin.
12) Donovan Clingan: UConn
Pro Comparison: Jakob Poeltl/Walker Kessler
Donovan Clingan is a seven-foot-two big man in his sophomore season with the Huskies. Clingan has a clear projected role as a frontcourt anchor on the defensive and offensive side of the ball. Naturally, there have been questions about Clingan’s archetype being suitable for the NBA. Clingan isn’t a bad mover for his size, but injury and having only played three 30-plus minute games has caused concern. NBA comparisons are very similar to Jakob Poeltl and Walker Kessler. They’re clear frontcourt anchors that don’t venture out to the perimeter very often. Also, despite what most may consider below-average mobility, they are very efficient and effective on both ends. Clingan’s playing his best basketball currently in March Madness and will hope to continue a dominant postseason to secure high positioning on draft boards.
13) Dalton Knecht: Tennessee
Pro Comparison: Terrence Ross/Pat Connaughton
Dalton Knecht is playing his best basketball down the stretch. He’s had big-game performances seemingly every night. These outbursts have helped solidify questions about first-round potential, and have many believing him to be a lottery talent. He is a six-foot-six wing who’s a great perimeter shooter and also goes for big dunks when given a runway. His movement shooting ability sprinkled in with highlight dunks is very similar to a later-career Terrence Ross. Knecht has also shown value as a cutter making him a good off-ball role player. Role players will be valued in this draft, and this slashing ability draws a pro comparison to Pat Connaughton. Currently, Knecht isn’t the best lateral mover on defense, but there’s reason to believe he will be serviceable.
Knecht is one of the most exciting prospects to watch in March Madness due to his affinity for big games. He also plays for a two-seed Volunteers team that is still playing for a deep run.
14) Kyle Filipowski: Duke
Pro Comparison: Dario Saric
Kyle Filipowski is a seven-foot big man with good perimeter skills. His all-around game is based more on skill rather than explosive athleticism. Filipowski is also somewhat of a ‘tweener’ as a stretch four who can play some five. This description so far screams of Dario Saric who’s made a living by being a do-it-all big man with high IQ. Filipowski is seemingly more athletic than Saric and also possibly two inches taller. He’s shown much better percentages and overall play so far in his sophomore season at Duke. He hopes to make a team in the back end of the lottery very happy on draft night.
