With the NCAA tournament officially coming to an end and UConn retaining their throne atop collegiate hoops, it's time to revisit my big board for the 2024 NBA Draft. I put out the first iteration of my big board right before the tournament began, and I'm here to revise it now that the tournament is over. We have risers, fallers, and everything in between. That being said, let's jump right into my second official first-round big board of the 2024 NBA Draft cycle.
1.Alexandre Sarr - Center - 7'1" 217lbs - Perth Wildcats
A month later and Alex Sarr remains as the top name on my big board. The international big man is a versatile two-way option with a ton of upside. His calling card at the moment is his defensive game, as he's a 7-footer who moves with the fluidity of a wing. He's a dominant interior presence with elite rim protection, and he's not a fish out of water when he gets dragged out to the perimeter. On offense, Sarr uses this fluidity to his advantage, as he's a dynamic scorer from multiple levels. He has the handle of a wing and is an elite playmaker for a big man. He's fantastic at attacking the rim off the dribble and he has a deep bag of post-moves he can use if he's fed in the paint. He's a great screener who knows how to operate in the pick-and-roll at a high level. He has an incredibly well-rounded game and is significantly more skilled than the majority of players his size.
He has a ton of room to grow as a shooter, but he's nowhere near where he should be to be considered an elite shooting prospect. He takes a good number of shots from the three and from the mid-range but struggles to knock them down at an efficient clip. If he can start knocking these down more consistently, he will become an incredibly dangerous offensive option. Overall, despite being an incredibly skilled player who has shown a ton of flashes, Sarr is still a very raw prospect who needs to be properly developed once he makes the league to ensure that he becomes the player we think he can be.
2. Ron Holland - Wing - 6'8' 206lbs - G-League Ignite
Ron Holland remains my favorite player in this draft, as I believe he has the highest ceiling of any prospect in the class. He checks all the boxes as far as upside is concerned, and even if he comes into the league as a raw upside gamble, I still think he can impact games right away. He's an elite perimeter defender who gives his all on every possession. He has the best motor in this draft, something that will surely help him as he develops into a more polished version of himself. He's a hyper-athletic player, and he uses this trait to elevate his game on both ends of the floor. He puts a ton of pressure on the rim on his drives, and his size, strength, and athleticism allow him to power through interior defenders. He's a great shot creator, and even though he doesn't always make these shots, I am a fan of his long-term outlook as a shooter.
Like I said, Holland is still an incredibly raw prospect. He still has a long way to go as far as maturation and decision making is concerned. His handle isn't fantastic at the moment, and he really doesn't have an offhand. For him to reach his potential he's going to have to develop an off-ball game and learn how to hit standstill shots. He's a high usage guy, and that's likely not how he will be used out of the gates. That all being said, I am still very confident in Holland's long-term projection. I could see him being a late bloomer, as he is one of the younger prospects in this draft, but I would bet that at some point he will bloom into a very good NBA player.
3. Matas Buzelis - Wing - 6'10 209lbs - G-League Ignite
The first major riser of my big board is Matas Buzelis of the G-League Ignite. Since my last big board, Buzelis has done two things to boost his draft stock. He has played better, which obviously matters the most, and he also called out Zaccharie Risacher, who will be on this board soon. The Ignite's season is over, but Buzelis finished strong and gave me more confidence in his outlook as a future pro. He has the best positional size in this draft, and at 6'10" he is an immensely skilled wing. He's an all-around offensive weapon who projects to be able to do just about everything on that end of the floor. He has struggled to knock down his shots at a consistent clip, but he's shown some really intriguing flashes as a shooter and shot creator. He's a fantastic passer for a wing who should be more than capable of being a secondary playmaker in the league. He has a deep bag that allows him to score on all three levels and is a legitimate athlete with above the rim capabilities.
Buzelis is still physically behind where I'd like him to be, as he's incredibly thin and lanky. He needs to get significantly stronger if he wants to be able to play defense in the NBA at an above average level. He also has a ton of room to grow as a decision maker, as he turns the ball over more than I'd like him to at this point in the cycle. You could chalk that up to playing for an abysmal team in the Ignite, but a good chunk of the blame still has to belong to Buzelis. These aren't weaknesses that he won't be able to fix after some time in the league, but they are worth noting. Overall, I believe in Buzelis as a long-term project, and think he has the potential to be the top player out of this draft.
4. Nikola Topic - Point Guard - 6'6" 201lbs - Crvena Zvezda
I thought long and hard about who I wanted to slot in the fourth position on this board, and I came to the conclusion that international guard Nikola Topic hasn't done anything to drop on my board and nobody other than Holland and Buzelis have leaped him. He has been injured for a while, but I just like him too much as a prospect to drop him. I also think that he's likely San Antonio's target in this draft, and I have to think they will fall into the top four. Topic is the premier lead guard in this draft, and I think a ton of teams are going to be looking to pair him with their young bigs. He's a shifty ball-handler and fantastic finisher around the rim. He is an under the rim player, but he's managed to make scoring on the drive a major strength in his game. He is a smart and mature playmaker who hits open teammates and executes the pick-and-roll with ease. I like him to become an even better passer and playmaker at the next level when he's playing next to better talent. Finally, he's shown flashes of being a good shooter. Nothing concrete at this point, but most evaluators agree that an outside game is in his future.
The big question for Topic is his defense. He does have great positional size as a big point guard, but his strength and athleticism are lacking. I'm not sure I believe in his ability to be an agile lateral mover on the defensive end, and instead would prefer to see him matched up against shooting guards so he can play help. That would, of course, throw off his team's defensive scheme, and make him difficult to have on the floor at times on that end. He also has shown that his motor only exists on offense, which make his defensive woes even scarier. Finally, if he never progresses as a shooter, his offensive game will be stifled. I do think Topic has a lot of room to grow, but to fully maximize his potential he needs to land on a team that has the perfect role carved out for him.
5. Donovan Clingan - Center - 7'2" 280lbs - Connecticut Huskies
The biggest riser since the last mock draft, UConn big man Donovan Clingan has jumped from 14 to 5 after a stellar tournament run. The two-way big really impressed me on the offensive end in this year's tournament, which is what warranted the jump in my eyes. All year I have viewed him primarily through a defensive lens, but after watching him dominate the past few weeks I am significantly more confident in his offensive game. He remains an elite defensive prospect, as he's one of the best rim protectors in the draft and can still keep up with players on the perimeter. He's not incredibly agile outside of the paint by any means, but he's significantly better on his feet than most players his size. On offense, he showed that his interior bag is far deeper than most evaluators previously thought. He has a soft touch inside but can quickly shift to a powerful approach if his defender is undersized. He's a beast on the pick-and-roll and is a better lob finisher than you would expect. I also saw him step out for a couple threes on his tournament run. He didn't make any, but they didn't look half bad. I seriously think he has a higher ceiling than we've been giving him credit for the majority of this cycle.
I must admit that I'm still a little cautious about Clingan. There is a world where he's a Walker Kessler type who found more success in the tourney. Now, I love Walker Kessler, and obviously he should have been drafted higher than he was, but I wouldn't have loved him as a top five guy. That being said, Clingan has a much higher offensive ceiling than someone like Kessler. Clingan isn't quite as mobile, but he's significantly more powerful and composed. I don't have Clingan in the top three on my board like a lot of evaluators right now, but a nine-spot jump is nothing to scoff at. At worst, Clingan will be a very good role player for a very long time assuming he stays healthy.
6. Reed Sheppard - Combo Guard - 6'3" 187lbs - Kentucky Wildcats
Reed Sheppard kind of got screwed in March, and he's dropped on a lot of boards because of this. I'm not going to fall into that trap, because I still believe in Sheppard as a prospect and player. Did he have a bad tournament game? Sure. Was his coach John Calipari? Yes. That's all you should need to know to not put a ton of weight on that singular performance. Sheppard had a stellar freshman campaign and was one of the most impressive freshmen I've seen in a long time. Not impressive in a hyper-athletic, jump off the screen type of way. Impressive in a mature, way ahead of his peers type of way. He has the best hands in this draft, as he showed flashes of being an elite point of attack defender. He's a fantastic decision maker on both sides of the court. He's arguably the best shooter in this draft. He's got a soft touch inside which allows him to play bigger than he is. He has a solid pull-up mid-range game that tests defenders who don't respect it. He can do a little bit of everything and is bad at nothing. He's the definition of a freshman with the floor of a grad-senior.
Like I said, Sheppard was coached by John Calipari this year, which left me with some questions concerning his game. For example, while he did shoot an incredible percentage from deep, the volume was not where I would have liked it to be. He would go games of only shooting one or two threes, which is absolutely ridiculous for a shooter of his caliber. He also fell off defensively as the season went along. Not sure why, but I didn't notice him falling asleep on defense until well into the season, when he began to do that pretty regularly. I'm not sure if it was because he got comfortable in the system and no longer felt the need to prove himself, but I was significantly more impressed with his defense early in the season than I was late in it. That being said, you still have to remember that he was only a freshman. I think he'll be just fine on both ends once he makes the league, and I think whatever coach lands him will be able to get the most out of the very talented young player.
7. Stephon Castle - Combo Guard - 6'6" 215lbs - Connecticut Huskies
It feels weird having Stephon Castle technically drop on my board after the tournament run he just had, but he really didn't drop. I simply moved Buzelis and Clingan up, pushing Castle down in the process. That being said, I'm still a big fan of Castle's game and I believe in how he projects as a pro. I was incredibly impressed with his defensive game in the tournament. Obviously, he's been a great defender all year, but I think he really leveled up when his team needed him to. His defense on Terrence Shannon Jr in the Elite 8 was the most impressive display of perimeter defense I saw in the tournament. His ability to completely shut down opposing guards as a borderline forward will translate to the next level. He still has a long way to go on the offensive end, but the flashes he has shown make me feel better about his long-term outlook on that end. He's super athletic and is capable of putting a ton of pressure on the rim. He's a good decision maker and smart passer for someone who's not asked to do a ton of playmaking. His outside jumper still has a lot to be desired, but at times he can catch fire from deep.
I really don't see a ton of weaknesses in Castle's game besides his outside shot. He still has a long way to go to be a consistent shooter from deep, and I'm not positive he will ever be great at this. Sometimes I wish he had played for a team with less star power so we could have seen him shine more as a first option, but in a way, I think we were seeing him play the role he'll play in the league when he was at UConn. He has a very high ceiling and a relatively high floor, and all in all I think he's a very safe pick in this draft.
8. Zaccharie Risacher - Wing - 6'8" 202lbs - JL Bourg
Look, I think everyone was a little too quick to hop off of the Zaccharie Risacher hype train. Did he drop on my board? Sure, but a lot of that was because of how well other players have performed in comparison. I'm still incredibly impressed with Risacher's game and think there's a good chance he rises back up boards before draft day. He has struggled as of late, especially with his outside shot, which is his primary calling card as a prospect. We have to remember that he is young and playing professional basketball and is bound to have a slump at some point. Unlucky for him that that slump is happening right before the draft. That being said, he's still a big wing who has proven he's a very good shooter, an incredibly valuable archetype in the league. Even with his shooting dipping as of late, he's still a very good passing wing and a very good defender. People are acting like him having a shooting slump should drop him out of the lottery, and I just don't understand that at all.
When it comes to actual weaknesses, Risacher doesn't have many. I'd say his primary weakness are his struggles scoring inside the paint. He is very thin and lanky and doesn't have a wide array of post-moves. If he does add weight and strength, I believe he would immediately become a significantly better inside scorer. I also think this addition of strength would help him become an even better defender. All in all, Risacher is still a wing who moves and plays like a guard who for the majority of his year has been a lights out shooter from deep. Those traits are convincing enough to keep him in the top ten on my big board.
9. Dalton Knecht - Wing/Shooting Guard - 6'6" 204lbs - Tennessee Volunteers
Very rarely does a guy as old as Dalton Knecht show us what you have to show us to be a lottery pick in the NBA Draft. Most teams are simply more willing to take a shot on a younger player who they are able to mold in the way they want to mold them. However, when it comes to a player like Knecht, we've seen all we need to see to know that this guy is going to be a good NBA player. He was the best offensive player in the nation this year in his lone season at Tennessee. He's an elite three-level scorer, so elite, in fact, that most evaluators universally agree that he'll certainly get buckets at the next level. His offensive floor is as high as it gets, and when it comes to that end of the floor there is an argument to be made that Knecht is as safe as a draft prospect can get. He is just a pure bucket getter, and his motor on the offensive end ensures that he'll be a pure bucket getter at every level of the sport.
That all being said, there are some very glaring weaknesses in Knecht's games. The most obvious one is his defense. He just has no interest in playing defense. I can't even say that he can't play defense, because I don't know if he can or can't. He simply does not play defense and saves all of his energy for offense. He may have the best offensive motor in this draft, but he also likely has the worst defensive motor in this draft. I guess that's better than just not being able to play defense, but it doesn't give me much hope for his willingness to get better. He has shown flashes as a playmaker, but I don't particularly believe in his ability to be a great playmaker or passer. He's out there to put the ball in the hoop, and considering that's the most important aspect of the game I think he'll be a valuable piece no matter what.
10. Cody Williams - Wing - 6'8" 190lbs - Colorado Buffaloes
Another guy who has fallen on my board is Cody Williams. At this point I think he's purely an upside guy, and I haven't been incredibly impressed with his actual production in his freshman year. Physically, I think he projects to have the archetype that most NBA organizations prefer in the modern game. I just think he's too raw to go incredibly high in this draft. He was iffy in his three tournament games, with the only thing that really impressed me being his ability to block shots as a wing. He still plays like a freshman who's not completely comfortable in his role, and I do think coming back for his sophomore year would do him a ton of good. That being said, I'm positive a team will be willing to take a gamble on him in an attempt to develop him within their organization. He projects to be a three-level scorer, showing solid flashes from all three levels this season. He's more of a floaty athlete than an explosive one, which doesn't hurt on defense but definitely limits his offensive upside as an above the rim finisher. His defense is what really stands out at the moment, and I think for the most part he will be a good defender in the league right away.
I think Williams' primary weakness is his size and strength. He has fantastic height and length, but he needs to put on a ton of muscle if he wants to hang with guys at the NBA level. He's about as thin as it gets, which holds him back in the interior on both ends. His shooting also has a long way to go. Like I said, he has shown flashes, but hasn't shown any consistency. His ability to elevate over defenders on his shot has been impressive, but he has to start knocking these down at a higher rate if I'm going to buy into him as an all-around offensive threat.
11. Rob Dillingham - Combo Guard - 6'3" 176lbs - Kentucky Wildcats
A lot of the things I said for Dalton Knecht are true for Kentucky freshman Rob Dillingham. The differences? Dillingam is significantly younger, a less polished scorer, and a confirmed bad defender. I will admit, he is a far flashier scorer than Knecht, but at the same time a less consistent one. I do have to give him the same excuse that I gave Reed Sheppard...John Calipari was indeed his coach. He wowed spectators with his ability to score in every way imaginable, and at times looked completely unstoppable on that end of the floor. His shot selection is a bit insane at times, but I'd be lying if I said he isn't incredibly fun to watch. He's a three-level scorer, a flashy passer, and is sneakily very athletic. If these offensive traits can translate to the next level, then we are going to look dumb for having him as low as we have him on our boards, but I'm not 100% sure if they will.
Like I said, Dillingham is a straight up bad defender. He's not bad in the same way as Knecht, because at least he tries. The thing is, it just doesn't matter how hard he tries, he can't play defense. He's undersized, a bad lateral mover, and is not strong enough to slow down opponents with his body. For him to be a good NBA player he is going to have to be the dynamic offensive player he was in college, which is asking a lot. NBA defenders are way better than the college defenders that Dillingham was going to work against this year. I am worried that he's a Bones Hyland type of player, which is not the player comparison you want to see in a lottery pick. He'll definitely be a gamble, but I think he's worth the gamble at this point in the draft.
12. DaRon Holmes II - Center/Forward - 6'10" 235lbs - Dayton Flyers
I remain on the DaRon Holmes hype train, as he continued to impress me in Dayton's two NCAA tournament games. He was one of the best players in the country this year and is the definition of a modern NBA big man. He's a legitimate three-level scorer as a big and is solid in back to the basket and face-up possessions. He's a good playmaking big, and someone you can trust as both a scorer and decision maker. He's also a fantastic defender, as he was one of the best rim protectors in the country this year while also maintaining the agility to stick with perimeter players outside of the paint. He's a good rebounder who never fails to box out and be tough under the basket. He just does everything well, and at the very least will be a very impactful role player in the league.
As an older player, Holmes doesn't have a ton of glaring weaknesses. I'd say the biggest question surrounding his game is if he will be able to keep shooting the three at an efficient clip against NBA defenders. I'm not certain he'll ever be a lights out shooter, but I'm relatively confident he will maintain the ability to space the floor at any level. Secondly, he did struggle with turnovers at times. However, his assist to turnover ratio remains positive. All in all, Holmes is a very high floor prospect with a higher ceiling than people are giving him credit for. If I were a team looking for a center, and Sarr and Clingan are off the board, I would probably take DaRon Holmes.
13. Kyle Filipowski - Center/Forward - 7'0" 248lbs - Duke Blue Devils
Kyle Filipowski remains a difficult prospect to evaluate despite giving us a two-season sample size at Duke. Everyone knows that he's a very versatile player who can probably slot into most rotations in the league, but something seems off. I feel like every time he matches up against solid competition, he ends up walking away looking worse than before the game started. Then the next game he'll go out and thoroughly impress me. Like Holmes, he is a three-level scorer and an even better shooter from deep. He's a 7-footer who plays like a wing, and who will surely be an effective offensive option at the NBA level. He's not a fantastic defender, but he is a smart one who's willing to do the small things to make an impact on that end of the floor. He's a decent rim protector, but he does struggle with bigger opponents who are able to overpower him. I think his best role in the league would be as a starting four or a backup five in a system that doesn't ask him to operate inside too much and allows him to space the floor.
As I mentioned, Filipowski's biggest weakness is his strength. He gets bullied by stronger big men on both sides of the court, something that doesn't bode well for his matchups in the league. This is why I think he would be best at the four where at the very least he will have a height advantage most of the time. I do think he has a frame that is capable of adding muscle, but I worry that adding too much muscle would harm his ability to shoot the ball. I think he'll be fine, but I am of the opinion that fit will be a really important aspect of Filipowski's development. If he ends up on a team that asks him to play in a way that doesn't allow his game to flourish, he will seriously struggle.
14. Tidjane Salaun - Forward - 6'9" 219lbs - Cholet Basket
There aren't many players in this draft with all-star upside, but I think that international forward Tidjane Salaun has that type of a ceiling. It's going to take a lot of work to get him there, but at the end of the lottery I think it's worth the risk. He's a very versatile player who plays high-level offense and defense. He's an athletic weapon who puts a ton of pressure on the rim off of cuts and lobs. He's also having the best shooting season of his young career, something that evaluators were unsure about before this year. On defense, Salaun is a big hustler and a great off-ball defender. His athleticism and size make him a force in the interior, and his speed and agility make him a force on the perimeter. He's a super fluid forward, which helps to elevate his game on both ends of the floor. If he can improve as an on-ball defender and show consistency as a shooter and shot creator on the other end, Salaun will have one of the more intriguing ceilings in this draft.
At the moment he isn't fantastic with the ball in his hands, creating his own shot, or driving to the basket. He isn't bad at these things, but when he keeps the ball for too long, he tends to have turnover issues. His only real glaring weakness is his playmaking and passing, which he hasn't shown much of at all. I just don't think he has great playmaking IQ, which is definitely a red flag when it comes to feel for the game. That being said, he is a young player matching up against professionals. Who knows, this may not have been as big of an issue if he were playing in the NCAA. He's definitely going to be raw coming into the league, but I'm a huge fan of his long-term outlook. At the very least he will be a very good defender right away, and the offense will come along with time.
15. Jared McCain - Combo Guard - 6'3" 197lbs - Duke Blue Devils
Jared McCain was the most impressive player in the tournament for a stacked Duke team that made it to the Elite 8. He was really the only Blue Devil that showed up in Duke's Elite 8 loss to NC State, finishing with 32 points and giving his all until the very last second. He impressed me with his ability to create his own shot, something that wasn't incredibly apparent throughout the season. He was given more opportunities to be a lead guard in the tournament, and I think he was better for it. Everyone knows he's one of the best shooters in this draft, but now we can be somewhat confident in his ability to play the point guard position instead of the full-time two. He's a super composed ball-handler and smart decision maker, who plays a significantly more mature game than most freshman. He's a strong 6'3" and is able to use this strength to be a very effective perimeter defender.
The biggest weaknesses in McCain's game are his size and athleticism. While he did impress me in his possessions as Duke's lead guard in the tournament, the sample size isn't big enough to be fully convinced he can play the one full time. He's too small to play the two in the league, so he's going to have to fully adapt to the one once he lands on a team. When it comes to athleticism, he's definitely not an above the rim threat. He'll have to become a very crafty finisher to finish around the rim in the league. This lack of elite athleticism could also affect his defense, but I'm less worried about that due to his strength and lateral movement acumen. All in all, McCain is about as safe as a freshman prospect can be, and I don't see him falling too far outside of the lottery.
16. Isaiah Collier - Point Guard - 6'5" 210lbs - USC Trojans
Despite playing on a horrible USC team during his freshman campaign, I believe in Isaiah Collier's game and its ability to translate to the NBA. He was once mocked as the top prospect in this draft for a reason, and it's not like he completely stopped doing the things that had him projected first overall. He didn't find team success this season, but he played well personally. He's a pretty athletic big point guard who ruthlessly attacks the rim. He's a very good finisher at the rim, and while he isn't an elite athlete he's still capable of getting above the rim from time to time. He plays an exciting brand of basketball and moves at a high-speed pace at all times. This has its positives and negatives, as it does allow him to be an elite transition scorer and playmaker, but also leads to turnovers. If he can maintain the positives and limit the negatives, he could have one of the more intriguing ceilings in this draft. This speed and effort also translates to defense, where Collier is a pesky on and off-ball defender.
The biggest question about Collier's game is his shooting. He hasn't been a horrible shooter this year, but he hasn't been great either. He has been a below average free-throw shooter, which usually means a guy won't end up being a good shooter from deep. He shot well in AAU ball, but shot bad in high school, so he has shown absolutely no consistency as a deep threat. Like I said, he also has to cut down on those turnovers and learn how to play a more composed style of basketball. Collier is worth the gamble, but he's definitely not a for sure thing if he doesn't land on a team that's willing to put effort into developing him.
17. Tyler Smith - Forward - 6'11" 224lbs - G-League Ignite
The closer and closer we get to draft day; the more Tyler Smith grows on me as a prospect. You don't see many players who have his size and skillset, and because of that he has to have one of the higher ceilings in the draft. He's already a very versatile offensive weapon, who is able to do just about everything on that side of the floor. He's a very good shooter from both beyond the arc and from the mid-range. He has a solid post-game with an array of moves inside. He's a lob threat in pick-and-roll and is confident stepping out for a three in a pick-and-pop. He's not a great playmaker but he is a smart decision maker and solid connective piece. All in all, the only things he struggled with on offense is handling the ball and finishing through contact at the rim.
Smith has seriously struggled on the defensive end, but not for a lack of trying. A lot of times he just looks lost on that end of the floor, but I still believe in his outlook as a defender. He has the size and athleticism to be a good defender, he just needs to figure out how that side of the floor works. At this point it's an IQ and feel for the game issue, which likely wasn't helped during his time in the G-League. He'll have a better support system around him in the league, and if they can turn him into an average or above average defender, I believe he will be a very good player.
18. Devin Carter - Point Guard - 6'3" 195lbs - Providence Friars
Another prospect who continues to grow on me as we near the draft is Devin Carter of Providence. He's one of the best pure point guards in this draft, and his two-way impact would be a great addition to most teams in the league. He does basically everything on the basketball court at a high-level, and the one thing that people were questioning going into this year, his shooting, has improved dramatically. He's now a very good shooter, which adds the extra layer to his already elite scoring game around the rim. He doesn't have an elite handle or playmaking ability, but he is capable enough to make an impact. He does have good enough vision to control the pick-and-roll and not make bad passes or be forced into bad turnovers. He's also a fantastic perimeter defender. He was one of the best defensive guards in the nation this year and seeing that he is an older prospect I assume that those defensive abilities will translate to the next level. Finally, he's a very good rebounder for a guard, which is just one more thing he brings to the table.
The only real weakness with Carter's game is his ball-handling and pure point guard status. He's not a floor general by any means and can get flustered at times if opponents send a double-team. That being said, he most likely won't be doubled very often in the league. I actually think there's a world where these weaknesses are less glaring in the NBA than they were in college because of the differences in style. Overall, he's a very safe pick who can impact winning basketball right away.
19. Kel'el Ware - Center - 7'0" 242lbs - Indiana Hoosiers
Another major riser for this iteration of the board, Kel'el Ware really impressed me to finish his season. He was projected to be a first-round pick last year but decided to return to school in hopes of increasing his draft stock. While he didn't jump into the lottery, I do think he cemented himself as a mid-first rounder, and more importantly I think he grew as a basketball player. He's a hyper athletic center with fantastic movement and agility who impacts the game on both ends. On the defensive end he is a legitimate presence around the rim, and stays composed if he's dragged away from the paint. On offense he's a monster lob threat in the pick-and-roll and off of cuts. He's gotten better as a shooter, and this season he shot over 40% from deep on limited attempts. He has room to grow on the offensive end, but I really like his ceiling on both ends of the floor.
His main weaknesses revolve around his composure, maturity, and decision making. He often tries to do too much with the ball, which leads to needless turnovers. He doesn't handle double-teams well and is known to make poor decision when put under too much pressure. He also can lose focus during games, hampering his output on both ends. He's going to have to fix these weaknesses if he wants to stay on the floor in the league, because teams won't be able to play him if he's not locked in while he's out there. I do think if he can continue to grow both mentally and physically, he could be one of the better big men out of this draft.
20. Ja'Kobe Walter - Shooting Guard - 6'5" 195lbs - Baylor Bears
On the previous mock I was conservative in my placement of Ja'Kobe Walter and decided to slot him in at 15. This time around I just can't justify having him above guys like Smith, Carter, and Ware. Walter came into college as one of the top shooting prospects out of high school, but he didn't exactly impress me as a deep threat in his freshman campaign. I still do think he'll be a good shooter in the league, but I'm out on him as the transcendent deep threat he was talked up to be. He's decent on the drive, and isn't completely void of offense, but he hasn't been anything to write home about on that end. What has stood out to me most about Walter is his defense. When he is fully locked in on defense, he looks very good. The issue is that he's not always locked in. He gets caught spacing out from time to time, which does raise questions about his motor and feel for the game.
All in all, I have a ton of concerns about Walter as an NBA player. If he isn't the elite three-and-d player he's supposed to be, what exactly will he do? He doesn't really have a plan B. He's never going to be a lead guard due to his lack of a strong handle or playmaking acumen. He's not athletic enough to put a ton of pressure on the rim. He's not crafty enough to be an elite under-the-rim finisher. He seriously has to make sure that he's able to be a three-and-d specialist or I'm not positive there's going to be a ton of room for him on rosters. That being said, if he does live up to expectations, he has one of the preferred player archetypes. I think it's worth the gamble at some point between 17 and 24.
21. Ryan Dunn - Wing - 6'8" 216lbs - Virginia Cavaliers
For most players, the complete inability to make an impact on the offensive end of the floor would be a death sentence for their NBA dreams. For Ryan Dunn, he simply decided he'd be the best defender in the nation. Virginia was not good this year, but through their elite defense they were still able to make the tournament. Dunn led that defensive charge, and I believe he will continue to help defenses at the next level. He is an absolute beast on the defensive end, both in the interior and on the perimeter. His athleticism, size, and IQ allow him to match up against bigger opponents. His athleticism, agility, and strength allow him to match up against smaller opponents. He has absolutely no holes in his defensive game, and I believe he is the best defensive prospect in this draft because of that.
So why do I have him all that way at 21st on my board? Because the dude doesn't know how to play offense. He's okay in transition, but other than that he's completely lost on that end. He doesn't have a shot, doesn't have a finishing package, isn't a good playmaker, isn't a good passer, and is basically out of the play on every possession. If he isn't driving directly to the basket in a straight line, he is basically useless. All that to say...that stuff really doesn't matter for Dunn. He is so good on the other end that I guarantee you he will impact the game in a positive way night in and night out. His ceiling will never be particularly high, but his floor is already at his feet simply because he's that good of a defender. If he ever does develop some semblance of an offensive game, he will be very dangerous.
22. Johnny Furphy - Wing/Guard - 6'9" 202lbs - Kansas Jayhawks
Johnny Furphy has fallen on most people's boards, but he didn't fall too far on mine considering I'm not the highest on him. I never really understood the hype as a lottery selection, but I am a fan of his game and projection. He has a great build and is a very good shooter. His production wasn't quite where I'd like my lottery pick's production to be, and for that reason I have had him floating in the middle of the first-round. Like I said, I do believe in his long-term outlook as a solid shooting wing and off-ball threat. He's also not bad around the rim with room to grow as a finisher. He's a good athlete with great size who showed flashes of impacting the game at both ends in his freshman season. As far as freshman go, he's a relatively safe bet.
For the time being Furphy is really only an off-ball threat. He hasn't shown enough promise as a shot creator for me to believe he has that in his bag. He doesn't have a great handle and isn't a great playmaker. He's an okay connective option who doesn't turn the ball over much, but it's not like he's in a ton of positions that would lead to turnovers. He needs to get better moving laterally on defense, as he's not quite as agile and quick as he is athletic. All in all, he still has a ton of things to improve on. I actually wouldn't mind seeing him return for his sophomore season to get more looks and hopefully improve for next year.
23. Yves Missi - Center - 7'0" 235lbs - Baylor Bears
Yves Missi is another player who has fallen on my board for no fault of his own. I simply am not as high on him as I am the guys I put over him, but I do still think he's an NBA caliber big man. He's a very athletic big with great size and strength. On offense, he's a lob threat who operates in the pick-and-roll and on the block. He has great hands and is a good finisher around the rim even if he's not dunking it. On defense, he uses his athleticism and length to be an elite rim protector. He's also good enough to disrupt the perimeter. He's not going to lock perimeter players up, but he's not lost out there either. Finally, he's an elite rebounder on both ends. He was one of the best offensive rebounders in the nation this year. He'll be a monster in drop coverage and can offer an immediate two-way impact to any team.
The issue is that Missi is not a versatile offensive option in the slightest. He is only useful as a screener and inside scorer. In the modern NBA I'm not sure how successful guys like him can be. He doesn't have a handle, isn't a passer, can't shoot, doesn't have a ton of post-moves, and is an awful free-throw shooter. He's going to need a ton of polishing on his offensive game if he wants to be anything more than a decent role player.
24. Tristan da Silva - Forward - 6'9" 220lbs - Colorado Buffaloes
One of the few new faces to the board, Tristan da Silva was a borderline guy for me before his impressive performance in the NCAA tournament. I've always known he was a versatile forward with NBA size, but his age did scare me. I needed to see more production to feel comfortable with him as a first-round guy, and after the tourney I think I've seen all I needed to see. He is a three-level scorer with great size who has shot the three incredibly well in his career. He's a great passer who's is capable of some secondary playmaking, as he has fantastic IQ and feel for the game. On defense, he is a good lateral mover with great length. He's big enough to hold his own inside, and he's quick and smart enough to defend the perimeter. On both ends of the court he always seems to be in the right spot at the right time and then proceeds to make the right decision.
There really is no glaring weakness with his game, which is to be expected of a 23-year-old senior. He's not a special athlete, but he's not necessarily a bad one either. His length makes up for a lot of his athletic woes. The only reason he isn't higher is because of his age, as he doesn't have much of a ceiling. I believe he will be a solid contributor in the league without much room to grow.
25. Collin Murray-Boyles - Forward - 6'7" 231lbs - South Carolina Gamecocks
Now onto a player in the complete opposite position of someone like Tristan da Silva. Collin Murray-Boyles is an incredibly young and incredibly raw prospect who had a very impressive freshman campaign at South Carolina. He's one of the top defensive prospects in this draft, and while his offensive game is unique, it's effective. He's a switchable defender who can stick with perimeter guys or use his strength and length to challenge big men in the paint. He has great defensive instincts for a freshman, getting a ton of deflections and contests. On offense, he is restricted to the paint with his very limited shooting ability, but he's made the most of this situation. He's a great scorer inside, using either brute force to bully opponents or a soft touch and deep bag of post-moves. He's also a very good passer and secondary playmaker who always make the right decision passing out of the post or on a drive and kick. His feel for the game is well beyond his years, something that would suggest he has a ton of room to grow.
As I mentioned, the only true weakness of his game right now is his inability to shoot the three. He has soft touch around the rim, but this touch hasn't extended outside of the paint. As of right now he would be an absolute spacing nightmare for NBA teams. He has said he's going back to school for his sophomore season, and if that's the case we can only hope that he takes a lot of time to develop even a semblance of an outside game.
26. Kevin McCullar - Wing/Guard - 6'7" 212lbs - Kansas Jayhawks
Here's a guy that has slowly trickled down my board over the course of the backend of the season. Kansas had a wildly disappointing season, and McCullar's late season injury officially tanked their year. I like McCullar's game, but his age forced me to drop him down my board. He's a three-level scorer coming off of the best offensive season of his collegiate career. He's a smart playmaker who's capable of running the offense if asked to do so. He's not a lead ball handler, but he's a smart enough player to make the right decision when he's acting as an offensive hub. It's his defense that I think will translate the best to the NBA game. While he's only been a true offensive star in college for one season, he's been a great defender for the entirety of his time in college. He's an excellent perimeter defender both on and off-ball and offers the size necessary to help at the rim. He's the type of player who gives his all in every facet of the game.
Like most older prospects, McCullar doesn't have ton of glaring weaknesses. That said, I do have more questions about him than I do other older guys in this draft. How injury prone is he? Was this year's offensive explosion an outlier? What exactly will his role be at the next level? I think he translates best as a three-and-d wing, but I could see him being asked to play the two. I guess the only way to find out the answers to these questions is to see him in action. He's definitely a high-floor prospect, but I'm not sure how high I would have his ceiling.
27. Tyler Kolek - Point Guard - 6'3" 195lbs - Marquette Golden Eagles
Tyler Kolek was the best pure point guard in college basketball this year. At first, I was unsure of how well he would fit in the league, but it's hard to deny his output and ability to control the game. He's a fantastic passer with unreal vision and feel for the game. He's also a dynamic scorer with a knock down outside shot and crafty finishing ability. He's proven that he's capable of playing at any pace, throwing off the gameplans of opposing teams. On defense, he gives a ton of effort and uses his elite IQ to make up for his lack of size and athleticism. He's always in the right spot, picking up steals and deflections to frustrate opponents. Finally, he has experience carrying a ton of weight and responsibility. This has led to him having an impressive clutch gene, being one of the more composed late-game players in the country.
He is a smaller guard, which means he will inherently be a weak spot on defense. It really doesn't matter how hard he tries to be a good defender, opposing teams will make an effort to target him. He's also not a three-level scorer as he doesn't take the mid-range pull-up. I think this would add depth to his offensive arsenal, making him an even more intriguing prospect. He's a pretty safe bet for an impactful backup point guard, but I'm not sure his ceiling is much higher than that.
28. Dillon Jones - Forward - 6'6" 235lbs - Weber State Wildcats
Dillon Jones is an interesting prospect, but an effective one. He utilizes two different playstyles to be a very versatile shot creator, those being bully ball and finesse. He shifts between barreling through defenders at the rim and using a tight handle to find his soft touch floaters and mid-range jumpers. He overpowers smaller defenders and blows by bigger ones, making him a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. He's a smart decision maker who punishes teams who try to double him or collapse on his drives. He's capable of knocking down the three, but he hasn't been able to find consistency in this area and I don't love his mechanics. When his strength is challenged, he looks like a good defender, but he does struggle to move laterally with quicker players. Finally, he's an excellent rebounder for an undersized forward/wing, and because he's able to immediately push the pace he becomes a force in transition.
Like I said, he's not a very agile defender. The acceleration he's able to generate on offense doesn't seem to translate to the other end, and he gets beat by quicker players often. His shooting is also worrying. At his size he's going to have to develop an outside game if he wants to make an impact in the league. He's an older guy, so at this point we can't be sure that an outside shot will ever develop. He's also not a great athlete who is pretty much restricted to below-the-rim activity on both ends. He's a super interesting prospect, and one that could make teams harder to gameplan for, which is why I think he's worth a late first-round pick.
29. Zach Edey - Center - 7'3" 306lbs - Purdue Boilermakers
Look, I know Zach Edey has been moving up boards ever since his dominant tournament run, but I just can't get there on him. I think having him as a top thirty guy is generous, and I'm willing to cave in and extend that generosity. I do believe that he's significantly better than most players of his size and stature, which is why I think he'll be able to stick around in the league. He'll still be an imposing interior force in the league and a really good rebounder. I'm most impressed by his endurance, as he was able to play entire games in the tournament without a substitution. I'm also impressed with his ability to stay away from foul trouble. I do think he was given a favorable whistle in college, but he did get very good at avoiding contact that wasn't necessary and, in the process, staying out of foul trouble. He'll be able to pick up some blocks when he's on the floor, and his size alone should deter some actions at the rim.
Like most guys as big as Edey, he has a ton of serious red flags. He has absolutely no outside game on either end. He won't get the favorable whistle he got in college when he gets to the league. He won't be the most powerful guy on the floor every night. That endurance is going to be tested by faster and stronger players. Guys his size always have injury concerns, even if he was healthy in college. I think he could make for an interesting backup big for a few teams, but don't get in over your head thinking that Edey has some sort of legitimate all-star ceiling.
30. PJ Hall - Center/Forward - 6'10" 238lbs - Clemson Tigers
Clemson went on one of the more surprising runs in the tournament this year, and while PJ Hall wasn't their best player in every game, he was incredibly important. He's been one of the best players in the country all year, and his versatility as a modern big man is why I have him on my board. He's a three-level scorer as a big who moves off-ball like a wing. He has a good handle for a big, allowing him to attack closeouts and get inside where he's also an elite scorer. He's a smart passer and a capable offensive hub who has the IQ to hit his teammates for open looks without hesitation. He's not a great defender, but he's not bad either. On defense, he's never in a bad position and always helps at the right time. I would define his overall game as one that's based in IQ and feel, as he jumps off the screen as a player who is calculating every move on the basketball court to determine the best possible decision before making it.
Like I said, he's not the greatest defender. He's strong but he's not massive, so he can get bullied inside at times. He's also not quick enough laterally to move with quicker guys on the perimeter. He's undersized as a center, which is where he spent most of his minutes in college. In the league I think he'll be better suited as a backup four. He's not the best athlete, but he makes up for this with his feel and craftiness. All in all, I think he's capable of slotting into rotations as a guy who will give teams valuable minutes every night.
That's that, the second iteration of my first-round big board for the 2024 draft cycle. Not a ton changed from my first one apart from guys moving around. A few guys that were on my last one have fallen out (Kyshawn Goerge, Izan Almansa, Jaylon Tyson) and a few guys jumped in (Zach Edey, Tyler Kolek, Tristan da Silva). In about a month, maybe sooner if I get bored, I hope to have a full two-round big board out. I will also likely put out one more mock draft between now and then. By that point we will be getting very close to draft day, so stay tuned for all of my draft content coming out.
A huge shoutout to No Ceilings for providing the majority of the videos I used in this article. They do great NBA Draft work over there.