Here we are with part two of the 2024 NBA draft pro comparison board. Pro comparisons can give fans a chance to perceive draft prospects in light of NBA players they’re already familiar with.
For part two, there will mostly be players that have a projected range in the back end of the lottery and late first round.
2024 NBA Draft Prospect Pro Comparisons: Part 2
1) Tidjane Salaun: Cholet Basket (France)
Pro Comparison: Michael Porter Jr.
At first glance, teams will be reminded a lot of Michael Porter’s athletic profile. Tidjane Salaun is a lanky six-foot-ten wing who has shown a clean shooting strike combined with solid athleticism. He actually is very similar to the top five projected pick Zaccharie Risacher in this class. So why is Risacher top-five and Salaun a late lottery guy? Salaun is younger than Risacher, but his game seems to be younger in its development as well. He’s still very raw and hasn’t quite shown the secondary playmaking abilities that Risacher has. He will firmly work himself into the lottery though if he can prove the flashes are legit.
2) Yves Missi: Baylor
Pro Comparison: Clint Capela
Yves Missi has quickly ascended many draft boards in his freshman season at Baylor. He’s a seven-foot big man who’s a fluid mover and provides an instant defensive impact. He will hope to fill the coveted big man role in today’s game that’s a shot blocker and pick-and-roll play finisher. His game is eerily similar to Clint Capela who’s made a living getting rebounds, catching lobs, and blocking shots.
3) Ryan Dunn: Virginia
Pro Comparison: Matisse Thybulle
Ryan Dunn is one of the more special defensive prospects we’ve seen in a long time. He projects to have a specific role at the next level as a defensive ace for any team. Dunn’s a six-foot-eight forward with elite mobility and athleticism. The problem is that he’s not very competent offensively in any real way. This elite defensive ability combined with poor offensive efficiency will remind many of Matisse Thybulle. Dunn is bigger and more gifted athletically than Thybulle, but his offense is actually worse at the same age. If Dunn can flash any semblance of an offensive game in private workouts, he will go higher on draft boards.
4) Devin Carter: Providence
Pro Comparison: Jose Alvarado
Devin Carter will hope to be a taller version of Pelican’s fiery defensive point guard Jose Alvarado. While Carter may not be the fastest or most athletic, he makes up for it with physicality and energy. Carter stands at six-foot-three and tries to keep constant pressure as an on-ball defender. He’s also adept as a team defender and chasing through screens for steals. He’s been seen as streaky on offense up to this point, but he’s had big scoring outings that may give teams confidence.
5) Jared McCain: Duke
Pro Comparisons: Donte DiVincenzo/De’Anthony Melton
Jared McCain has had an excellent freshman season for Duke. He’s had a number of big performances this season and been a consistent performer throughout the year. What’s really contributed to McCain’s rise however is his three-point shooting combined with solid perimeter defense. He’s shooting 41.2 percent from deep on just under six attempts per game. McCain’s ability as a ‘3-and-D’ connector guard draws comparisons to Donte DiVincenzo and De’Anthony Melton. Both are a little taller or have more length than McCain, but the roles and playstyles are very similar.
6) Zach Edey: Purdue
Pro Comparison: Ivica Zubac/Boban Marjanovic
Zach Edey’s archetype as a big with no perimeter game and limited mobility usually doesn’t bode well for an illustrious NBA career. He’s a seven-foot-four giant though whose sheer production earns him a spot on this list. With consistent development, there’s reason to believe he can be a consistent producer though similar to Ivica Zubac for the Clippers. Edey’s averaging 23.2 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game as a senior. If he can prove his shot blocking and length are enough to make up for a lack of mobility, an NBA team may have an intriguing center prospect to anchor the paint.
7) Tyler Smith: G-League Ignite
Pro Comparison: Jabari Smith
Tyler Smith is a smooth lefty forward at six-foot-ten with good mobility. He moves like an NBA wing and has a smooth release on his shooting stroke. His game has shades of Jabari Smith as a more perimeter-focused power forward with plus athleticism. He still needs to show that he possesses an elite trait or gain a defined role to rise up draft boards. Playing for a woeful G-league Ignite team that’s struggled all season certainly didn’t help his chances. If he can show consistent shooting in pre-draft workouts though, he could become one of the higher-upside power forwards in this NBA draft class.
8) Kel’el Ware: Indiana
Pro Comparison: Daniel Gafford
Kel’el Ware is a sophomore transfer playing at Indiana this season. Standing at seven-foot-one, Ware contains elite athleticism for his size. He shines on the defensive end blocking shots as well as a lob-dunk finisher. He’s probably being asked for too much outside of that role at Indiana, but it’s given him some opportunity to show his upside. This athletic play finisher style will remind many of Daniel Gafford for the Mavericks. Ware’s main concern will be to answer questions about his motor and aggressiveness during the pre-draft process. Regardless, Ware will hope to be a steal at the center position for this NBA draft class.
9) Bobi Klintman: Cairns Taipans (NBL Australia)
Pro Comparisons: Jordan Nwora/De’Andre Hunter
Bobi Klintman left Wake Forest after this past season in favor of the NBL in Australia. At six-foot-nine, Klintman has an intriguing skillset as a combo forward with a clean shooting stroke. He’s a combo forward who’s good at a lot but hasn’t quite mastered one skill just yet. This archetype is very similar to Jordan Nwora and De’Andre Hunter currently. Klintman is a prospect who could rise up draft boards following good showings in private workouts or the combine. Playing in a pro league though, Klintman has certainly had his ups and downs on the season, making him more of a project pick at this point.
10) Oso Ighodaro: Marquette
Pro Comparison: Domantas Sabonis
Oso Ighodaro is yet another player who will hope to fill a clear role at the next level. He’s a six-foot-ten big with good athleticism and can defend multiple positions. He’s not going to try and take jump shots but has flashed a really good floater around the rim. He’ll be a good pick-and-roll partner for any guard on a team that drafts him. Ighodaro has also acted as the main ‘connector’ or initiator from the perimeter on offense. This playmaking, IQ, and passing ability give Ighodaro a Domantas Sabonis comparison as a draft prospect. He doesn’t have the post-scoring ability that Sabonis does though so his upside isn’t as high. In a draft that has so many question marks, players like Ighodaro have an advantage.
11) DaRon Holmes: Dayton
Pro Comparison: Nic Claxton
DaRon Holmes was projected as a second-round center in last year’s NBA draft but decided to return to Dayton. It’s served him well up to this point as he’s beginning to receive late first-round consideration. Holmes’ popular pro comparison as an NBA draft prospect is Nic Claxton. They’re both very long and slender centers that move well at their size. Holmes’ length and mobility have allowed him to be successful in a variety of pick-and-roll coverages. While not a perimeter player, Holmes was the leading scorer for the Flyers operating out of the low post. He averaged 20.2 points per game while also leading his team in rebounds and 7.9.
