Two weeks away from the 2024 NBA Draft, two of the best big men in the Big Ten conference have begun to receive lottery interest.
Big Ten Big Men Garnering Lottery Interest
Kel’el Ware
In his most recent mock draft, Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman reports that Indiana center Kel’el Ware is “generating realistic consideration in the late lottery.” Many drafts have Ware going in the mid-to-late first round. Interestingly, Ware was the eighth-best prospect coming out of high school in the Class of 2022, per the ESPN 100. UConn’s Donovan Clingan, likely the first collegiate center to come off the board on draft night, was ranked 56th.
“An impressive pro day of shooting has had teams buzzing…” though, says Wasserman. Furthermore, “the narrative about his underwhelming motor has seemingly been squashed.” It doesn’t hurt that Ware spent the last year learning under former NBA coach and player Mike Woodson.
Wasserman’s mock draft has Ware being selected 13th overall by the Sacramento Kings. This isn’t a bad spot for the big man. The Kings are looking for a shot-blocker that can play alongside Domantas Sabonis. Athletic at 7-foot-1 and 230 pounds, Ware averaged 1.9 blocks per game in 2023-24.
Ware’s outside shooting allows him to complement Sabonis at the other end. In fact, the Kings already have an idea of what a Sabonis-Ware pairing would look like given the skillset of Indiana Pacers stretch-five Myles Turner. To that point, in 2023-24, Ware shot a sizzling 42.5 percent from deep. Though only had a 12.5 percent 3-point attempt rate, if he’s demonstrating he can make 3s at a higher volume in predraft shooting drills, it raises his theoretical ceiling.
Zach Edey
Wasserman relays “rival teams believe” Purdue star Zach Edey “could go in the lottery.” He cautions that “there are still skeptics, (but) it also sounds like some teams will be willing to take a chance” on Edey’s blend of size, mobility, touch, and defensive upside.
In 2023-24, Edey averaged 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game. One of the most decorated players in college, Edey’s earned two AP Player of the Year Awards, two Wooden Awards, two Naismith Awards, and two Consensus All-American selections, among other honors. Obviously, the pro game is played a bit differently than it is in college. Nonetheless, his performance in the same league most prospects played shouldn’t brushed aside.
Production aside, he looks like he should be able to play in the more fast-paced NBA. Though 7-foot-5 and 299 pounds, he tested above-average athletically at the Draft Combine. He also showed off his 3-point range, though he only took two 3-pointers in college. Lastly, he’s a solid post playmaker, indicative of an high basketball IQ. He’s not just a big body either, as he’s a formidable rebounder.
In reality, he is a lottery prospect.
Wasserman’s mock draft has Edey being taken 17th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers. As the Lakers don’t have a particular need for a center, this is a tough spot to envision him in. However, three teams in the back of the lottery —the Kings, Chicago Bulls, and Oklahoma City Thunder —are looking for a starting center.
