0
0
With the 2024 NBA Draft just under three weeks away, most mock drafts have a select few players at the top of the draft. In recent reports from around the basketball world, the Atlanta Hawks are starting to look at UConn Huskies Center Donovan Clingan as the potential first overall pick while many mocks have had the Hawks taking Alex Sarr since the team landed the pick in the lottery. Projected lottery pick Nikola Topic has partially torn his ACL, which could very well move him down in the draft, allowing some potential prospects to move up.
Terrence Shannon Jr.
Age: 23
Pos: SG/SF
Team: Illinois
A senior from Illinois, guard Terrence Shannon Jr. averaged 23.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 2.3 APG on splits of 47% from the field and 36% from three in 32 games. Falling into the early second round in most mock drafts, an outside legal situation could make teams hesitant to sign the guard.
His game has a strong possibility of smoothly transferring to the league, but at 23 years old, it’s likely there would not be too much growth and improvement from Shannon. In late March, Bleacher Report compared him to Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown. Recent mocks have him going to the Toronto Raptors in the second round and the New York Knicks with the 24th pick.
Carlton Carrington
Age: 18
Pos: PG/SG
Team: Pittsburgh
A freshman from Pittsburgh, Carlton Carrington has begun to rise in the most recent mock drafts. In his only season with Pittsburgh, Carrington averaged 13.8 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 4.1 APG on shooting splits of 41% from the field and 32% from three. Drawing comparisons to players like Lou Williams and Bones Hyland, Carrington has the potential to grow, with his three-point shot being one of the biggest issues he needs to address.
Mainly projected as a first-round pick as of recent draft picks, Carrington is likely to go outside of the lottery. Yahoo Sports has him going to the Los Angeles Lakers at 17, CBS Sports has him falling to the New Orleans Pelicans at 21, and Bleacher Report has the Celtics picking him with the final pick of the first round.
Johnny Furphy
Age: 19
Pos: SF
Team: Kansas
A freshman guard from Kansas, Johnny Furphy has plenty of upside if he can develop his game in the NBA. In his 33 games with Kansas Furphy averaged 9.0 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 1.0 APG on splits of 46% from the field and 35% from three. He has shown signs of being a good defender in the league, but at 6’9 and only 189 lbs, he has to fill into his frame to be a solid NBA player.
If he can develop throughout his rookie year, Furphy has the potential to be a steal in the 2024 draft. Current mocks have Furphy going late to the first round with Bleacher Report having him go 18th to the Orlando Magic, CBS Sports having him going to the Cleveland Cavaliers at 20, Yahoo Sports having him going at 27 to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Kevin McCullar Jr.
Age: 23
Pos: SG/SF
Team: Kansas
Another player from Kansas, Kevin McCullar Jr. has the potential to help the contender late in the first round or early in the second round of the draft. In his senior year at Kansas, McCullar averaged 18.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, and 4.1 APG. Late in his senior season, McCullar had some knee injuries, something that could play a role in his draft projections.
His three-point shooting is seen as a concern, shooting only 33% from beyond the arc. Like many of the players in this draft, his age is a concern, coming into the league at 23 years old. With the odds of massive development not being high, he could be a concern for teams looking at him. Tankathon has McCullar mocked at 33rd to the Milwaukee Bucks while the Bleacher Report has him going to the Minnesota Timberwolves at 27.
Ryan Dunn
Age: 21
Pos: PF
Team: Virginia
A forward from Virginia, Ryan Dunn has been seen as a potential first-rounder by some and a second-rounder by others. In his second year at Virginia, Dunn averaged 8.1 PPG, 6.9 RPG, and 2.3 BPG on 54% from the field. While there have been some concerns regarding his offensive play, he has the potential to have a significant impact on the defensive end from day one in the league.
In current mock drafts, Dunn is going late in the first round and halfway into the second round. CBS Sports has Dunn going to the Knicks with the 25th overall pick while Yahoo Sports has him falling all the way to the Charlotte Hornets with the 42nd pick.
Jared McCain
Age: 20
Pos: G
Team: Duke
A recent riser in many mock drafts, Duke’s Jared McCain has the potential to immediately make an impact in the league, whether that’s coming off the bench or a team takes a chance starting him. In his only season at Duke, McCain averaged 14.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 1.9 APG, shooting 46% from the field and 41% from three. While he’s proven to be a great shooter and rebounder at just 6’3, he’s not the best as a defender or playmaker.
In recent mock drafts, McCain has been mocked late in the lottery and right outside of it. CBS Sports has him going the highest at 13 to the Sacramento Kings, Tankathon has him going to the Miami Heat at 15, and both Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report have the Sixers drafting him with the 16th pick.
Zach Edey
Age: 22
Pos: C
Team: Purdue
One of the most popular names to come out of March Madness, Purdue center Zach Edey has a limited but impactful basketball repertoire. In his most senior season at Purdue, Edey averaged 25.2 PPG, 12.2 RPG, and 2.2 BPG, shooting 62% from the field. The majority of Edey’s scoring came in the paint, with not much coming from 10 feet from the basket and beyond. At the combine, Edey received praise for his shot-making ability, something that could improve in the NBA. On the defensive end, his impact should be seen right away.
Edey has drawn comparisons to Milwaukee Bucks big man Brook Lopez, something that could play into his draft positioning. CBS Sports has Edey going to Milwaukee with the 23rd pick while Bleacher Report has him going to the Knicks at 25 and Yahoo Sports has Edey going to the Celtics at 30.
Tyler Smith
Age: 19
Pos: PF
Team: G-League Ignite
The third G-League Ignite player to possibly be drafted in the 2024 draft, Tyler Smith has the potential to be a solid role player in the league. In his 27 games with the G-League Ignite, Smith averaged 13.4 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 1.2 APG on splits of 47% from the field and 36% from the arc. Among the power forwards in the draft, Smith is currently listed to be the second-best power forward behind Alex Sarr.
While he’s received some praise for his shooting and athleticism, he has also received plenty of criticism for his defense and playmaking. Scouts have noted he is not a great playmaker, whether that’s for himself or his teammates, even though he’s a consistent player, he still has plenty of room for development. Most mocks currently have him going in the first round, with Tankathon having him go at 20 to New Orleans, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report having him go to Milwaukee at 23, and CBS Sports having him to go Minnesota at 27.
Kyshawn George
Age: 20
Pos: SG/SF
Team: Miami
Another prospect who has been rising in recent mock drafts, Miami Hurricanes guard Kyshawn George has the potential to be one of the best 3-and-D players to come out of the 2024 draft. In his one season at Miami, George averaged 7.6 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and 2.0 APG on shooting splits of 42% from the field and an impressive 40% from three. Like many in this draft class, there is plenty of development needed, he has the potential to be a great playmaker and shooter in the league.
The most recent mock drafts have George being drafted top-20, with Yahoo Sports having him go the highest to the Sacramento Kings at 13. CBS Sports has him going to the Orlando Magic at 18 and Bleacher Report has him going to the Raptors at 19.
Tyler Kolek
Age: 23
Pos: PG
Team: Marquette
In his three seasons at Marquette, guard Tyler Kolek has shown consistent improvement as he heads for the league. In his senior season with the Golden Eagles, Kolek averaged 15.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 7.7 APG on splits of 49% from the field and nearly 39% from behind the arc. Being 23 years old, he is another player on a long list of older players in the 2024 draft pool.
Kolek has been mocked to be drafted in the first round by two different mock drafts. Tankathon has Kolek going to the Knicks at 25 while Yahoo Sports has him going to the Suns at 22. For the Suns, Kolek would be the ideal pick. A young guard who can score in every way in addition to being a strong facilitator, Kolek would solve Phoenix’s point guard problem without costing them too much.
Author Profile
