The NBA Draft is quickly approaching, and here’s how the big board stands with two days to go. Scouts and teams have seen combine results and are concluding private workouts and interviews. This should give much needed insight into the totality of the prospects available and their skill levels.
The 2024 class is largely regarded as one of the weaker classes in recent memory, but there are valuable prospects. There may not be franchise altering talent similar to previous years, but many will make positive impacts for their teams.
Let’s take a look at our final NBA draft big board.
Final NBA Draft Big Board:
1) Alexandre Sarr: Perth Wildcats (NBL Australia)
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. He averaged 1.3 blocks and 0.5 steals in only 17 minutes per game having played in a professional league overseas. Similar to Dereck Lively’s impact in Dallas, this may be just the floor for Sarr’s potential at the next level. He still has plenty upside though as he’s shown flashes of intriguing offensive skill in face-ups and three-point shooting.
2) Zaccharie Risacher: JL Bourg (France)
Zaccharie Risacher is a six-foot-nine French wing who fits what the NBA is looking for. Risacher’s stock has been consistently high due to his high percentage three-point shooting and solid defensive efforts. This ‘3-and-D’ wing archetype is always valuable, and Risacher looks to be the best of this mold for this class. This makes his floor somewhat safe, and there’s still a lot of untapped potential in his playmaking and physical growth.
His limited self-creation ability isn’t what you’d like to see this high on the board, but he’s a solid overall prospect.
3) Stephon Castle: UCONN
Stephon Castle is one of the prospects with the best blend of baseline skill and upside. He’s got NBA ready traits in his physical profile and certain skills, but also has the upside to become more. Castle is a 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’s defensive excellence has also been well noted. He was consistently tasked with shutting down the opposition’s best guard or wing at UCONN. For now, Castle has reportedly only wanted to work out and entertain teams that don’t have a franchise point guard. If his playmaking continues to trend upwards, this is certainly a viable position for him with his plus size and ball-handling ability.
If Castle can figure the jump shot and self-creation out, he could become one of the stars of this draft.
4) Donovan Clingan: UConn
Donovan Clingan is a seven-foot-two big man who finished his sophomore season with the Huskies. He won his second national championship this season and was dominant throughout the postseason. Clingan is another prospect with a clear projected role as a frontcourt anchor on the defensive and offensive side of the ball. He has great shot-blocking ability and is a good play-finisher on the interior.
While there may be some mobility concerns, his measurements are eerily similar to those of Rudy Gobert. He should feel like one of the safer bets in this class to be a solid contributor for any NBA team.
5) Rob Dillingham: Kentucky
Rob Dillingham is a twitchy scorer who plays with a lot of flash. Dillingham can provide shot making and a scoring boost immediately to any team that drafts him. This ability to create his own shot gives him some of the highest upside in class, and he also has the matching production to show for it. The major concern for Dillingham is his size at the next level, having measured at six-foot-one with a slight frame. It’s a tough league for small guards unless they are elite scorers, which he certainly can become.
Other concerns coming into the season were exactly what role he could fill at the next level. Was he a ‘spark-off-the-bench’ microwave scorer? Can he play true point guard? Dillingham answered these questions by mostly proving he can succeed at whatever role is needed. Once firmly in the rotation at Kentucky, he thrived with just about any lineup on the floor.
6) Reed Sheppard: Kentucky
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. Sheppard is far and away the best pure shooter in this draft and does a lot outside of just shooting. He also averaged 2.5 steals and 4.5 assists per game this season as one of Kentucky’s primary playmakers.
Sheppard established himself as a top player on a loaded Kentucky team when not many expected him to. This gives teams much reason to believe he’ll accomplish the same thing for an NBA team when finding a role. His upside is limited, but he’s simply too good a basketball player to slide any further down this NBA draft big board.
7) Matas Buzelis: G-League Ignite
For Matas Buzelis, any team selecting him will be betting on his major upside, which may be highest in class. Buzelis is the best prospect outside of Risacher who has the ability to become a star forward on the wing. It’s possible he may have more upside than Risacher as well.
Buzelis is a six-foot-ten wing with polished offensive skills. He can shoot it at all three levels and is a fluid athlete in space. He’s also shown some promise as a weakside shot blocker. Scouts and fans alike were frustrated throughout the season though with Buzelis’ lack of consistent aggression or big-game performances. Buzelis was inefficient in his lone pro season and shot just 27.3 percent from three on the year. His flashes are very bright though, and they have kept him in top five consideration. If he puts it all together, he can become a special player.
8) Ron Holland: G-League Ignite
Ron Holland is a six-foot-eight wing who also played with the G-League Ignite. Due to the Ignite’s awful season and inconsistent scoring numbers, many cooled on Holland as a top prospect. While he didn’t have the most consistent performance, Holland still can impact the game on both ends. His NBA-ready size and athleticism at six-foot-eight should translate well to filling different roles for any NBA team. Holland is an explosive athlete who may be able to guard positions one through four at the NBA level. In an uncertain NBA draft class, these easily projected traits should keep Holland at the top of any big board.
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. He’s shown enough flashes for scouts to buy into that potential, and playing on a bad G-league Ignite team may give him slack.
9) Nikola Topic: Mega MIS (Serbia)
Nikola Topic is a Serbian six-foot-six point guard who can run the show and is currently playing internationally. He’s sustained multiple knee injuries this season, and teams inside the lottery will have his medicals. It was recently revealed that he has a partially torn ACL. This has certainly impacted his draft stock, but his archetype and talent may be too valuable to let slide outside the lottery.
As a prospect who was once in contention for number one overall, Topic could prove to be a steal if he stays healthy. He’s not an explosive athlete, but his craft and playmaking ability more than makeup for it. Topic can be the jumbo-sized point guard that is becoming a trend in the NBA.
10) Dalton Knecht: Tennessee
Dalton Knecht put up big-game performances seemingly every night as he took the college world by storm. These outbursts placed him high on NBA draft boards, and have many believing him to be a surefire 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 was one of the most exciting prospects to watch this season also winning SEC Player of the Year.
11) Tidjane Salaun: Cholet Basket (France)
Let’s take a look at another high-upside wing in Tidjane Salaun. At first glance, teams will be reminded a lot of Michael Porter’s athletic profile as a pro comparison. Salaun is a lanky six-foot-ten wing who has shown a clean shooting strike combined with solid athleticism. Shooting the three-ball at the high percentages has made Salaun’s draft range very wide. He’s still a project pick in most eyes, but he flashed enough to suggest he may be further along in his development than previously believed.
Team’s will be very intrigued to see if his ball-handling and playmaking ability can improve in order to unlock his potential.
12) Devin Carter: Providence
Devin Carter will hope to be a taller version of Pelican’s fiery, defensive point guard Jose Alvarado. Carter’s defensive ability is based on physicality and high energy. This projected defensive impact was also helped further after the NBA combine. Carter tied for the highest max vertical at 42 inches, posted the fastest sprint at 2.87, and had the second-fastest lane agility time at 10.63. It was an impressive showing, and it earned him an apparent promise from a team inside the lottery.
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. Carter’s an improved shooter who will hope to be a longtime NBA contributor that fits on any roster.
13) Cody Williams: Colorado
Cody Williams rose to number one pick conversations before a rough backend of the season leveled out his stock. He’s a six-foot-eight slender wing who played one season at Colorado. Williams is the younger brother of rising star Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder. He’s a smooth and fluid athlete who looks to have a very polished all-around game for his age.
However, scouts were disappointed by his affinity for mediocre performances as he never exploded or took over a game. His jump shot legitimacy and seemingly average athleticism with the ball in his hands may limit his upside more than previously believed. Young wings with production and traits like Williams though are usually always at the top of the draft.
14) Ja’Kobe Walter: Baylor
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 makes Walter one of the safer bets in this draft. Or does it?
Walter shot at lower percentages in the back half of the season and had some underwhelming performances on defense. He isn’t the strongest in the self-creation department, so his stock is solely based on that 3-and-D role. He hopes to have re-confirmed particular worries regarding his defense and consistent shooting in the draft process. Young wing prospects like Walter can still provide a much-needed boost for NBA teams though.
15) Isaiah Collier: USC
Another prospect some have soured on similar to Holland, 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. Collier will need to develop better perimeter shooting and and an in between game to move higher on NBA draft boards.
16) Jared McCain: Duke
Jared McCain has had an excellent freshman season for Duke. He’s had several big performances and has 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 shot 41.4 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 either a little taller or have more length than McCain, but the roles and playstyles are very similar.
17) Ryan Dunn: Virginia
Ryan Dunn is one of the more special defensive prospects we’ve seen in a long time. He clearly 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. Dunn has virtually no meaningful offensive production and shot 20.0 percent from three on one attempt per game. All that being said, there’s still a great chance he’s selected in the first round. That’s how good of a defender he is as an NBA draft prospect, and it keeps him high on our NBA draft big board.
If his shot were just serviceable, he would most likely be a top ten lock in this draft. Still, for someone who’s so elite on one end of the floor, there should be plenty suitors for his services.
18) Kel’el Ware: Indiana
Kel’el Ware was a sophomore transfer playing at Indiana this season. Standing at seven-foot-one and containing elite athleticism for his size, Ware shines on the defensive end blocking shots as well as a lob-dunk finisher. He will hope to fill the Dereck Lively role in this NBA draft class. While there are questions about his motor, he does clearly possess NBA traits.
19) Yves Missi: Baylor
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 also 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.
Missi is somewhat raw as he doesn’t have the best touch and is still new to high-level basketball in a way. He has the baseline traits to succeed at his specific role very early on, though.
20) Tristan Da Silva: Colorado
Tristan Da Silva is a combo forward who plays the game the right way and does a lot of things well. At six-foot-nine, he shot 39.5 percent from the perimeter and is a solid team defender. Scouts’ main concern with Da Silva will be his athletic limitations. He might be a tweener with no true position, but he’s proved he can affect the game in a variety of ways. He could become a connector piece at the forward position for a variety of NBA lineups.
21) Zach Edey: Purdue
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 has placed him on NBA draft big boards. He averaged 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game as a senior. This included a 37-point performance in the national championship game against UConn. If he can prove his shot blocking and length are enough to make up for a lack of mobility, he could become a frontcourt anchor in the NBA.
22) Kyshawn George: Miami
Kyshawn George has been a late riser to NBA draft big boards mostly due to upside and a coveted archetype. George is a six-foot-eight jumbo guard who’s shown playmaking upside combined with great shooting ability. He shot the ball at 40.8 percent from three on just over four attempts per game. Someone with playmaking and shooting ability at six-foot-eight always makes scouts excited. George came onto draft boards late however as he had to find his place on a talented Miami team. His role and playing time fluctuated throughout the season, but he began to find his rhythm in conference play.
Whoever selects George will need to allow him the proper time to develop and realize his potential.
23) Kyle Filipowski: Duke
Kyle Filipowski is a seven-foot big man with good perimeter skills. He showed much better percentages and overall play in his sophomore season at Duke. His shooting touch and fundamentals for his size certainly all pass the eye test. Filipowski’s had somewhat of a slide recently as there may be athletic and position concerns at the NBA level.
24) DaRon Holmes: Dayton
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 as he’s beginning to receive late first-round consideration. Holmes’ build and physique will remind many of Nic Claxton’s profile as a player. He’s a very long and slender center who moves well at his size. His 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 20.4 points per game while also leading his team in rebounds at 8.5.
25) Tyler Smith: G-League Ignite
Tyler Smith is our third Ignite prospect and may have been their most consistent player. 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. He still needs to show that he possesses an elite trait or gain a defined role to rise up our NBA draft big board. When his shot isn’t falling, how does he impact the game? His plus shooting and mobility at the six-foot-ten should unlock good lineup versatility though.
26) Johnny Furphy: Kansas
Johnny Furphy is a freshman sharpshooting wing from Kansas, standing at six-foot-nine. Scouts do have questions about Furphy’s athleticism and ability to compete on the defensive end. There also doesn’t seem to be much upside in shot creation, but Furphy has shown decent playmaking as a connecting distributor. Furphy earned his way into a starting key contributor as a freshman on a good Kansas team. Six-foot-nine wings who can really shoot the ball are always worth looking at in the back of the first round. He shot 35.8 percent from deep on 3.8 attempts per game.
27) Carlton Carrington: Pittsburgh
Carlton Carrington skyrocketed onto draft boards after a triple-double to begin the season at Pittsburgh. He’s certainly cooled down since that point, but scouts still see his potential. It seems his draft range is all over the place at this point, as he’s even worked out for the Thunder who have a pick at 12. He’s a six-foot-five guard with good creation, playmaking, and shot-making ability. He needs to provide much more effective rim pressure though to be considered a solidified NBA prospect.
Teams are still unsure of exactly what position suits him best, and how he impacts the game if he’s not a volume scorer.
28) Baylor Scheierman: Creighton
Baylor Scheierman was a consistent leader for a talented Creighton basketball team. He’s a lefty who took 289 three-pointers this season which is good for most on this list. He shot those threes at 38.1 percent and averaged 8.3 attempts per game. These are impressive numbers although he won’t be asked to carry as heavy an offensive burden at the NBA level.
Scheierman isn’t just a three-point shooter either, as he racked up 9.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game as well. He plays the game with great finesse and could prove to be a plus playmaker even at the NBA level.
29) Tyler Kolek: Marquette
Tyler Kolek is a traditional point guard who led Marquette to a great season. He’s not the tallest or most athletic, but he’s a physical floor general who can dissect defenses. Kolek loves the pick-and-roll and can make all the advanced reads and passes scouts like to see. Without having a high projected scoring ability or defensive impact though, teams will wait until at least the late first to take a chance on him.
30) Jaylon Tyson: California
Jaylon Tyson had a breakout year after transferring to California this year. He nearly averaged 20 points per game and shot the three-ball at 36 percent on 4.5 attempts. This explosion has placed Tyson on NBA draft boards after struggling to find success in college. At six-foot-seven, he has NBA traits on the wing. While he may play in a ‘3-and-D’ type of role early in his career, he has the creation ability to provide playmaking.
31) Kevin McCullar: Kansas
Kevin McCullar was a superb defender for the highly-ranked Kansas Jayhawks squad. At six-foot-six, he has the size and defensive instincts to match up with a lot of guards and wings in the NBA. He’s also flashed some ability to be a kind of point forward this season, having multiple triple-doubles under his belt. He’s a fifth-year college player, so he will be very old for a rookie. However, he still may be able to contribute immediately if given a defined role. McCullar should be able to provide a solid rotational presence on the wing for NBA teams.
32) Cam Christie: Minnesota
Cam Christie’s name may sound familiar as he’s the younger brother of Lakers guard Max Christie. Similar to his brother in 2023, Christie has a smooth jumper and is a top shooter in this NBA draft class. He shot 39.1 percent on 5.4 attempts per game for the Golden Gophers this season.
At six-foot-five and only 18 years old, Christie would be a great upside pick for an NBA team.
33) Adem Bona: UCLA
Adem Bona is another vertical spacing big man out of UCLA. Standing at six-foot-ten and 245 pounds, Bona will be a shot blocker and lob dunk finisher at the next level. Scouts will also value Bona’s high motor and effort levels. Bona needs to clean up his foul numbers and continue to work on his overall skill to improve his draft stock.
34) Pelle Larsson: Arizona
Pelle Larsson fits what you like to see in complimentary role players at the next level. He can shoot the three ball, is a willing defender, and has good athleticism at six-foot-six. Larson also played this ‘3-and-D’ role at Arizona willingly. This means there won’t be much upside or creation for scouts to evaluate, however. On the right team though, he could be the Christian Braun of this draft class.
35) Terrence Shannon Jr.: Illinois
Terrence Shannon Jr. had the season and numbers to be much higher on this list. He stays at the last spot on this NBA draft big board however due to sexual assault allegations from December. He has officially been ruled not guilty of all charges, so teams may be inclined to take him higher based on in-person interviews.
From a basketball perspective, Shannon is a six-foot-five combo guard with scoring ability. He averaged 23.0 points for the Fighting Illini this year and flashed a variety of offensive skills. There are questions defensively though and about how effective he can be if not allowed to take volume shots.
