NBA Swing: 2024 NBA Draft Prospect Preview Part 1

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As the conference finals start for both teams, most teams outside the playoffs are looking towards the 2024 NBA draft. With this class being considered one of the weakest draft classes in a very long time, there is no guarantee of who will go first. As many of the players are seen as project players who may not have an impact right away, it is important to look and what some of the prospects have to offer ahead of the draft.

Alex Sarr-Perth Wildcats Age: 19 Pos: F/C

The projected first overall pick by many mock drafts, Alex Sarr could be the center of the future for the Atlanta Hawks. The 7’1 big man most recently played for the Perth Wildcats of the National Basketball League, where he averaged 9.4 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 1.5 BPG. His brother Olivier spent time with the Oklahoma City Thunder and is currently a player for their G-League team, the Oklahoma City Blue.

Donovan Clingan-Connecticut Age: 20 Pos: C

A two-time national champion with the UConn Huskies, Donovan Clingan is projected as a top-five pick by many mock drafts. The 7’2 center became a standout in his second season with UConn, starting 33 of his 35 games. During the 2023-24 season, Clingan averaged 13.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, and 2.5 BPG while shooting 63% from the field. Clingan has been criticized for his performance at the NBA Combine, putting up the third-worst vertical max with 29 inches. Reports noted that his numbers from the combine were like Wolves center Rudy Gobert.

Reed Shepard-Kentucky Age: 19 Pos: PG/SG

Coming out of a basketball family, Reed Shepard has shined in his single year at Kentucky. In 33 games with Kentucky, Shepard averaged 12.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and 4.1 APG on shooting splits of 53% from the field and 52% from beyond the arc. He would be named SEC Freshman of the Year by the conference’s coaches. Even though he came in at just over 6 feet at the combine, he tied the best max vertical leap at 42 inches. He also stood out during his three-point shooting drill.

Rob Dillingham-Kentucky Age: 19 Pos: PG/SG

Another guard from Kentucky, Rob Dillingham has shown plenty of promise before the 2024 draft. In his 32 games played at Kentucky, Dillingham would come off the bench in all but one game, putting up averages of 15.2 PPG, 2.9 RPG, and 3.9 APG on splits of 47% from the field and 44% from three. Dillingham has been described as an athletic and confident scorer but has also been questioned about his defense and shot selection at times.

Zaccharie Risacher-JL Bourg Age: 19 Pos: SG/SF

Last playing for JL Bourg of the LNB Pro A, Zaccharie Risacher has jumped toward the top of many mock drafts recently. In 23 regular season games, Risacher averaged 11.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and 1.0 APG on splits of 54% from the field and 45% from three. Risacher was not a part of the combine but has shined as he helped his team make a postseason run. With his length and defensive prowess being two of his standout qualities, Risacher is likely to go top-five in this year’s draft.

Nikola Topic-KK Crvena Zvezda Age: 18 Pos: PG

Just over a year into his professional career overseas, Nikola Topic has been seen as a top-10 NBA prospect in several mock drafts. A member of Crvena Zvezda, a part of the ABA League, Topic has only played a handful of games this season. Being loaned to the Serbian team Mega, Topic averaged 18.6 PPG, 6.9 APG, and 3.7 RPG in 13 games. Topic would not be a part of the combine as Mega would be in the playoffs. Topic would, unfortunately, suffer a knee injury in the playoffs, the second knee injury he’s suffered since January.

Dalton Knecht-Tennessee Age: 23 Pos: SG/SF

Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht may have shown plenty of promise for the NBA, even though he’s considered one of the older prospects in the draft. After spending two years at Northern Colorado, Knecht would transfer to Tennessee, averaging 21.7 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and 1.8 APG on splits of 45% from the field and 39% from the beyond the arc. He would be named SEC Player of the Year and SEC Newcomer of the Year. At the NBA combine, Knecht would put up impressive numbers, finishing with the best shuttle run time, while also finishing top five in several other drills.

Matas Buzelis-G-League Ignite Age: 19 Pos: SF

A five-star recruit coming out of high school, Matas Buzelis chose to join the G-League Ignite over going to college. A member of the last Ignite team, Buzelis put up solid stats in his 26 games with the team. During the 2023-24 season, Buzelis would average 14.3 PPG, and 6.9 RPG. One of his biggest downfalls during his time in the G-League would be his three-point shooting, shooting just 26% from beyond the arc on just over 3 attempts per game. While he was shooting over 40% from three in high school, there are concerns about whether he can find his shooting stroke again or not.

Ron Holland-G-League Ignite Age: 18 Pos: SF

A former no.1 recruit of the 2023 class and another member of the last G-League Ignite team, Ron Holland showed plenty of promise during his time with the team. In just 14 games, the 18-year-old forward averaged 19.5 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and 3.1 APG. Like Buzelis, Holland’s three-point shooting averaged in the mid-20 % on just over three attempts per game. Even though he’s been described as an athletic wing with a strong frame, there is still room to fill out his frame in the league. Holland is currently projected to be drafted in the bottom half of the lottery.

Ja’Kobe Walter-Baylor Age: 19 Pos: SG/SF

The Big 12 Freshman of the Year, Ja’Kobe Walter is a prospect with plenty of upside ahead of the 2024 draft. In the 35 games with Baylor, Walter averaged 14.5 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 1.4 APG. While he can score, his shooting percentages are not the best, shooting 37% from the field and 34% from three. Walter also struggled staying in front of players on the defensive end at times, likely lowering his stock towards the middle of the draft. Like most of the prospects in the NBA draft, Walter is a project player, but his potential could be realized after a few years in the league.