2024 BIG BOARD: SEASON TIP-OFF EDITION.
There’s no Victor Wembanyama at the top of this track class, but that’s exactly what makes it so exciting to evaluate, and further I’ve dug into this draft class, the more interesting it has become. Sure, while there are no generational prospects, there is a plethora of exciting players brimming with potential. In fact, there are players outside of my lottery, or even outside of my pre season top- 40, that have the potential to shoot up big boards with a strong season.
Matas Buzelis | W | G- League Ignite
Currently one of two players vying for my #1 overall prospect, Buzelis has a player profile and tools highly coveted by the NBA. Currently, he projects as a tall playmaking wing, capable of leading an offense, hitting perimeter shots, and attacking of the dribble. If he displays that his playmaking chops are for real, I expect him to cement his spot atop the draft.
Ron Holland | W | G-League Ignite
Holland has glowing issues, including an unproven perimeter shot and loose ballhandling, but he also has a tremendously high upside. He’s a gifted athlete, who attacks the rim ferocity and has a tremendous motor and work ethic. If he is able to sharpen up his weak points and display a deeper scoring bag for the Ignite, I expect him to contend for the #1 spot.
Isaiah Collier | PG | USC
One of the players I am most excited to watch at the next level, Collier’s prospect profile is reminiscent of last year’s top point guard, Scoot Henderson. Collier is a great athlete, but he is also a natural playmaker with incredible feel for the game. In a year with a lot of wing and big man prospects, Collier enters the year as my top guard.
Alexandre Sarr | C | France
Sarr put his name on the map with his stellar play over the last few months, and he’s earned every right to climb so high. As a prospect, he has an enticing combination of physical gifts, athleticism, and feel, especially for a player who projects to play the five. He’s surprisingly fluid with the ball in his hand, too.
Justin Edwards | F | Kentucky
One of this year’s most prolific scoring prospects, Justin Edwards walks into the season as the centerpiece of a fun Kentucky squad. He has prototypical size for a modern wing, and the shot profile to match. In a draft class with no clear alpha, Edwards ability to put the ball into the bucket, coupled with his athletic and physical gifts, makes him an enticing prospect.
Izan Almansa | F/C | G-League Ignite
Izan Almansa boosted his stock more than anyone with his performance at the 2023 U19 World Cup, where he led Spain to the championship and earned MVP honors. He’s a throwback player in the way he scores; however, he is incredibly polished within the arc, boasting a plethora of face-up moves that most teenagers don’t have. Modern day 4s often have the ability to stretch the floor, though, which is an area Almansa needs to improve.
Tyrese Proctor | PG | Duke
A player many are banking to explode in his sophomore season, Tyrese Proctor will look to keep up the momentum he built after struggling in his first few months as a freshman. After settling in as a player, Proctor established himself as a reliable and steady ballhandler and shooting threat. Proctor also has great size and defensive instincts, making him an interesting prospect and my second highest rated guard.
Zaccherie Risacher | F | France
Probably the most polarizing player in my top-10, with some loving him and others unsure about his potential. Risacher failed to answer many of the questions people had about him at the 2023 U19 world cup, where he didn’t establish himself as his team’s best player; however, I believe in his upside and value his player archetype, as 2-way upside and athletic gifts give him an extremely high ceiling. He is very raw, though, with question marks about his shooting, giving him a low floor.
Donovan Clingan | C | UConn
Despite being a freshman last year, the 7’3” Donovan Clingan was one of college basketball’s most intimating and prolific defenders. He has extremely good instincts, and, while he may not be the most gifted at moving laterally, he has potential to be a game-changing drop cover big at the next level. He moves into a bigger role next season and will play a key role in UConn’s bid to repeat.
Ja’Kobe Walter | W | Baylor
Ja’Kobe Walter’s budding offensive game makes him, like Justin Edwards, one of the best scoring prospects in the 2024 draft class; however, Walter offers upside as a defender, too. If he continues developing his ballhandling, which will make him an even more potent scorer, Walter could slot in as a prototypical scoring 2-guard who can also guard multiple positions.
Stephon Castle | W | UConn
There is a lot to like about Stephon Castle’s game. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he jumped into the top-5 of my big board with a strong freshman season. At 6’6”, Castle has the feel and playmaking to lead an offense. What holds him back is his unrefined scoring touch. Playing on a talented Connecticut team is a boon for Castle though, as he’ll be able to show off his gifts as a creator while also not having to shoulder the offensive burden out of the gate.
Aday Mara | C | UCLA
One of my favorite prospects in this draft Cycle, Aday Mara is an offensively-gifted center, whose passing ability at his size makes him downright special. His offensive gifts aside, there are a few concerns that Mara needs to correct before cracking the top-10. During the U19 World Cup this summer, Mara looked slow laterally, and, despite his height, he was often attacked over and over due to his lack of strength.
Garway Dual | PG | Providence
A late riser on my draft board, Garway Dual plays with poise and has displayed excellent vision. He also has exceptional size for the lead guard position, as he has a 6’5” frame with a 6’11” wing span. This, along with the defensive tenacity he has shown in his tape, makes him an excellent point-of-attack defender. His ability to positively affect the game on both ends makes him a projected lottery pick.
Cody Williams | W | Colorado
Another polarizing player, Cody Williams is enticing for many of the same reasons as Risacher before him. He has ideal size, playmaking chops, and athleticism. What he has lacked, though, is the ability to consistently put those attributes together on the court. To do so, Williams will need to not only improve his strength, but grow as a threat from the perimeter.