Top Ten NBA Draft Prospects in College Basketball 2.0
This is an exciting NBA Draft class because there is so much parity among the players. In years past, players started to differentiate themselves into draft tiers before the season began. This year, it seems that players need to use their seasons as their try-out. Even with NBA scouts having high school viewings and notes on these players for a couple of years, there is still almost certain to be a lot of movement as we continue toward the June NBA Draft.
One aspect of this draft to watch for is the non-college, draft-eligible pros. In 2023, 25 of the 30 players who went in the first round of the NBA Draft were from the college ranks. The parity among the college players will allow for other players to find their way into the conversation. The G-League will have players like Ron Holland, Matas Buzelis, Izan Almansa, Theirry Darlan, Tyler Smith, and others who are certain to get looked at as NBA Draft prospects. The NBL has also made a push toward this NBA Draft with the development of their Next Stars Program. Players like Alexandre Sarr, Bobi Klintman, AJ Johnson, Trentyn Flowers, and Alex Toohey are creating buzz.
Then you have the International players under evaluation. Prospects like Serbian guard Nikola Topic and French wing Zaccharie Risacher will certainly be studied for this draft. Each of these NBA Draft-eligible players is already playing in professional leagues and finding varying levels of success for themselves.
However, nothing brings more shine to the general NBA fan than college basketball. As I spoke about above, this year’s draft is as wide open as we have seen in previous cycles. The interesting piece about how this NBA Draft is shaping up is the depth of the class. While this draft cycle is lacking the traditional talent that would be associated with a No. 1 overall, or even a top-five pick, its talent runs past the lottery and even into the second round.
Before the season started I had Ja’Kobe Walter as the top one-and-done player in this upcoming draft. As we have gotten about halfway through the season, I have not moved off him yet. With the uncertainty in this draft, players are playing their way up and down draft boards each week. This draft will have a lot of fluidity but remember all it takes is one team to fall in love with you.
Let’s discuss the college basketball 2024 NBA Draft Power Rankings version 2.0.
1. G Ja’Kobe Walter, Baylor
The Buzz: The floor is relatively high with Ja’Kobe Walter, and in this draft, there is value in that. The jump shot is the value. Walter has a quick release and is able to get to his balance points off the catch or one or two dribbles. Walter does have questions with his burst, which arise when guarding the ball, and his inability to consistently get by defenders off the bounce. He is a good team defender, who uses length and instincts. Walter might not have the ceiling as a No. 1 option at the highest levels, but in a draft with a lot of question marks, he is a high-floor guy who adds value as he connects pieces.
2. F Cody Williams, Colorado
The Buzz: The upside with Cody Williams is interesting. He has already shown capability as an opportunistic scorer in college, playing with others who can create opportunities. Williams is a nice connecting piece with the ceiling to grow into more. He does not have the most advanced dribble and does not put much pressure on the rim, but he is shooting 50.0 percent from three on 2.0 attempts per game. You like the upside he brings on the defensive side of the floor, with long arms and quick anticipation. There are questions about this top-end athleticism and his thin frame, along with inconsistent processing. He has shown in high school and international play that he is a good passer and a quick processor. There is a gamble here on the ceiling, paired with the production he is already giving in the scoring column.
3. F Dalton Knecht, Tennessee
The Buzz: In a draft that is filled with connecting pieces, Dalton Knecht has shown that he can go out and create offense with the ball in his hands. He has been electric scoring the ball this season, already with 35-plus performances against UNC, Florida, and Georgia. Knecht is shooting 40.0 percent from three and 83.3 percent from the free throw line. He is comfortable with the ball in his hands and can quickly get to his spots. The fact players like Jaime Jaquez are finding success in the league bodes well for Knecht being 23 on NBA Draft night. Knecht’s ability to score and the control and efficiency with which he has been able to do so are appealing in this draft class.
4. G Isaiah Collier, USC
The Buzz: Isaiah Collier is an alpha among alphas. He plays at an aggressive pace and consistently puts pressure on the front of the rim. Questions have arisen with his decision-making and his shooting, and those will be things that scouting departments will need to figure out how comfortable they are. Collier is shooting 31.3 percent from three on the season, but the 66.3 percent from the free-throw is a question, that has lingered since high school. Collier wants the ball in his hands, and at 210 pounds, he is capable of winning at the point of attack on both ends of the floor.
5. C Kyle Filipowski, Duke
The Buzz: Kyle Filipowski has been consistently consistent this season while showing a good bit of versatility. Duke does a lot of things with Filipowski, whether pick and pops out to three, scoring on the block, or running the offense through him on different levels of the court. Filipowski is an intriguing passer, finding the open man and delivering on target. He is averaging 3.2 assists per game in ACC play. When he is not double-teamed he is capable of taking his man one-on-one and finishing at a 57.4 percent clip at the rim. Filipowski lacks explosive burst, but he moves his feet well and has some fluidity in his hips. He is also shooting 42.1 percent from three on 3.4 attempts per game this season. His comfort in making plays with the ball in his hands this season has been enticing with his 7-foot-0, 240-pound frame.
6. G Robert Dillingham, Kentucky
The Buzz: There is no questioning Robert Dillingham’s ability to create advantage off the bounce. He is one of the best paint-touch guards in college basketball and plays at a consistent pace that not many can keep up with. His size and his decision-making are questions. Kentucky has done a good job of utilizing Dillingham this season as a change-of-pace guard. Allowing him to come in fresh and play at a breakneck pace, also not having to rely on him on the defensive end. Dillingham is thin, listed at 175 pounds, so preserving his minutes will help with his longevity this season. Dillingham has zero fear of any stage and has shown he can quickly get downhill without dancing with the ball. In a class with a lot of off-ball guys, someone who can consistently create advantage with the ball in his hands opens eyes.
7. F Kevin McCullar, Kansas
The Buzz: In a draft that has a lot of questions, there will be NBA teams that look toward more sure things. Kevin McCullar will be 23 on NBA Draft night and has spent five years in college, but every player’s path is different. In previous seasons, McCullar carved out his niche as an athletic and competitive wing who could guard multiple positions. The physical profile was obvious, but the offensive questions remained. This season, McCullar is averaging 20.0 points per game while shooting 49.6 percent from the field, 36.8 percent from three, and 84.2 percent from the free-throw line. While he shot 51.2 percent from the field as a freshman at Texas Tech, each of these numbers is a career-high. Where McCullar has really taken a step is with his passing and his processing. He is averaging 4.7 assists per game this season. His usage has gone way up, but so has his efficiency and production. The shooting will need to stay steady, but his ability to create opportunities with the ball adds to the intrigue.
8. C Yves Missi, Baylor
The Buzz: Yves Missi plays hard. From the opening tip of a game to the final horn, every second he is on the floor, Missi is in attack mode. The 7-foot-0, 235-pound center is originally from Cameroon. He classified up from the 2024 class and enrolled at Baylor a year early. Missi started the season on fire, showing activity on the boards, protection around the rim, and finishing everything around the basket. His production has stalled a little in Big 12 play. He has four double-doubles on the season along with three games with four or more blocked shots. While there are some processing questions, he has good hands and is very fluid and mobile big with a great motor and explosive pop. The defensive upside is high. With his size, there is a lot of value there, as long as he can get back his consistency.
9. C Zach Edey, Purdue
The Buzz: The sheer dominance we have continued to see from Zach Edey overrides any questions that there may be with his mobility when guarding in the pick-and-roll. Sure, his profile is not ideal for today’s NBA, however, the NBA has also not seen many 7-foot-4 players with Edey’s touch, rim protection, and the passing he has developed. Edey is not a stiff, and at 300 pounds, has shown continued development this season with his conditioning and mobility. Edey is a good rebounder with strong hands. He delivers good outlet passes, and has shown he can pass appropriately out of a double team in the half-court. Edey will be 22 on NBA Draft night, he will also have the option of coming back for another season. With that said, the success of players like Walker Kessler and Rudy Gobert could open the minds of teams to take a hard look at the high floor of Zach Edey.
10. G Reed Sheppard, Kentucky
The Buzz: The success Reed Sheppard has seen early in his college career has been undeniable. Even coming off the bench for Kentucky, Sheppard has shown excellent off-ball abilities. He is shooting 54.9 percent from three, which is providing excellent spacing for two of the top paint-touch guards, DJ Wagner and Robert Dillingham, in the country. He is also proving to be a very instinctive off-ball defender, collecting 2.5 steals per game. As more players have become healthy for Kentucky and they have gotten into SEC play, Sheppard’s numbers have taken a dip across the board. But his connecting aspects are clear. Size and weight will be big for him as he goes through the testing process. Sheppard is a little older for his class, as he will be 20 on Draft night. It is hard to ignore 56.6 percent from the field, 54.9 percent from three, and 82.9 percent from the free throw line with 4.2 assists to 1.5 turnovers.