In the latest edition of ‘P.I. Pulse’, Pro Insight’s Alex Brown and Zach Welch spent time compiling musings on a group of the top prospects that they have come across, with a focus on those eligible for the 2024 NBA draft, and beyond:
The 2024 NBA draft is shaping up to be one of the most fluid and open drafts in recent years, with a wide array of varying opinions among scouts, media, and team executives regarding the outlook, quality, and depth of this class. In a year where we expect consistent change and fluidity on draft boards as the season progresses, P.I. took a deep look into the state of the class and put together a list of 60+ players garnering NBA draft interest.
*All statistics are as of December 1st, 2023
Izan Almansa
6’10” Big | G League Ignite | 2023 | 18.5 Years Old
Tale of the Tape
One of the most accomplished young FIBA players in recent years with Spain, an Overtime Elite standout, and described as a “consummate pro,” Izan Almansa has had a lot of eyes on him before entering this season with the G League Ignite. While Ignite’s tough start has been harder on Almansa than others as a more cerebral player that thrives in a lot of structure, the NBA appeal is evident as a reliable, high IQ, skilled, and versatile prospect. A crafty, inside the arc big, Almansa employs high-level angle usage, soft touch, and a controlled pace to find his own. He can make an impact in the hustle areas as well, showing anticipation on the offensive glass and the wherewithal to run the floor hard for advantages when they present themselves. Furthermore, he has the capacity to put the ball on the floor in the halfcourt as a crafty slasher who can kick it out to shooters when walled off — a basic, but very positive skill for his archetype. This passing acumen also carries over to DHOs and general hub decision making, something Almansa has historically always been trusted in executing. Defensively, his stronger frame and intelligent angle play allow him to hold his own. Quicker hands, cognizance, and intelligent positioning help him generate blocks and deflections, and Almansa’s overall defensive feel and IQ stand out off the ball with his ability to maintain scheme integrity. His athletic tools tend to limit him, however, and he could benefit from adding stamina to more effectively hang in the pace-and-space style of the NBA game. While he may not have standout measurables or the highest projected ceiling, Almansa has all the tools to be a reliable winner en route to a long NBA career, especially with increased reliance and emphasis that the NBA puts on skill and feel. Expect first round looks for Almansa and the potential to rise as Ignite’s squad continues to build cohesion.
Matas Buzelis
6’10” Wing | G League Ignite | 2023 | 19.1
Showing his intrigue in the G League Fall Invitational matchup against Alex Sarr, Ben Henshall, and the Perth Wildcats, Buzelis has missed the start of the season due to an ankle injury, and scouts are eagerly awaiting his return. The Lithuanian has long been on Pro Insight’s radar for his unique fluidity and perimeter skill set at 6’10”, always intriguing for his coveted and scalable dribble-pass-shoot equity and defensive versatility, something this struggling Ignite squad could really use. Buzelis comes across as tailor-made for the positionless, multi-ball handler style of the modern game, fitting in seamlessly as a big ball handler who can play both on and off the ball as an initiator, a connector, or play-finisher. He is a dangerous shooter off the catch and off the bounce, and with his ability to maintain an advantage as a passer once run off the line, he is a very tough cover for defenses as a potential second or third option. Although not yet the type of player that could act as a primary creator and high usage playmaker, he can initiate PnR, make pocket passes, and maintain an advantage at a high enough level to warrant reps as a creator. He could stand to show more physicality in owning his space, as well. Defensively, Buzelis’ size and agility help him thrive off the ball, but with added strength in POA, his potential versatility as a switchable defender that has the capacity to recover and guard multiple positions is certainly in line with what the NBA is looking for. Despite having a neutral wingspan, he has the capacity to cause havoc off the ball due to his mobility, agility, instincts, and size, historically generating events and causing deflections at a high level. How that will translate to Ignite’s level of competition will be intriguing to track, as well as the level of toughness and aggression he shows. Heading into December, his eventual draft ceiling could ultimately be determined by how much upside he shows as a high option player rather than a potentially elite complementary piece, but in this class, it is hard to pass on a 6’10” player that can dribble, pass, and shoot at a high level in the lottery.
Carlton ‘Bub’ Carrington
6’4” Guard | Pitt | Freshman | 18.4
Joining a Pitt team that boasts the likes of Blake Hinson, Ishmael Leggett, and the Diaz-Graham twins, Carlton ‘Bub’ Carrington has begun his collegiate career with tremendous production whilst showing genuine improvement in key areas. Making the positional move to a full-time PG, Carrington kicked off his debut in a massive way with a triple-double, neither small feats for the youngest player in the ACC. The Baltimore native has been dominant thus far as the lead pick-and-roll handler (97th percentile as a scorer, 90th including passes), asserting himself as Pitt’s primary advantage creator and playmaker. Historically, while Carrington has always been able to fill it up both with his pull-up jumper and off-the-catch as a score-first guard with more flashes of playmaking than fleshed-out substance, now he seems to have added more balance to that approach, more consistently countering the defense with his passing without making as many premeditated decisions. He is still prone to overdribbling and forcing the issue, which will be worth monitoring long term, but that added element of passing decisiveness has elevated an already deadly offensive attack. Furthermore, he will need to generate more paint touches and find scoring opportunities around the rim to further augment his creation capacity. Defensively, Carrington has held his own thus far as an engaged and capable POA defender with positive signs of further development off the ball. Carrington is a quick-footed lateral mover and screen navigator with decent enough length at 6’7” to help check the perimeter spots at the next level. He makes a positive effort and impact on the glass for his position, as well. Moving forward, proving he can be more of an event generator would be encouraging for his defensive outlook, with only one steal and zero blocks to his name through his first seven games. Over the next months, teams will closely monitor how his early success and style scales to conference play, which will be the true proving ground for Carrington as a potential one-and-done. As of now, though, the intrigue he has shown as a higher option ball handler has been very encouraging for his NBA upside, proving he can operate as a scorer and passer off a live dribble for a HM team. While his draft outlook is still up in the air, he is firmly on the radar of teams and has a chance to play himself into the first round.
Stephon Castle
6’6” Guard | UConn | Freshman | 19.1
Spearheading a stacked freshman class for UConn that boasts potential long term NBA prospects in Jayden Ross, Solo Ball, and Jaylin Stewart, Stephon Castle has an opportunity to step into a prominent role early on as last year’s National Champions look to replicate their success this year. The former McDonald’s All-American is one of the more unique freshman prospects this year due to his combination of positional size and playmaking, and will undoubtedly have an opportunity to make a statement this season. Offensively, he uses his handle, deceleration, physicality, and tight space navigation to generate rim pressure and live at the free throw line. His ability to attack downhill and create advantages will be key for the Huskies, as his slashing accentuates his more advanced playmaking ability. He has demonstrated considerable vision, manipulation, and accuracy as a passer, although whether he can reach the level of a true NBA high-option creator has more of a polarizing view among scouts. A primary area he will need to further prove is an NBA tool is his three-point shot, which has been a bit streaky in previous contexts, but if he can build on the flashes of shot-making that would significantly help his draft ceiling. The main question that draft evaluators will be looking to answer is whether he projects more as a jumbo playmaker or a high-level connector, offensively. Defensively, he showed positive flashes both on and off-ball in high school, but he’ll need to string these moments together more consistently for the Huskies. The primary intrigue of his defensive profile is the combination of his desire to cause havoc with event creation and his potential to guard multiple positions with his functionally strong build and mobility. At the end of the day, in an era where size and positional playmaking are incredibly valuable, Castle projects to be one of the more intriguing names on NBA radars with his unique slashing and playmaking polish for someone of his size. If the jumper falls at a high rate this year, Castle could solidify himself in that ideal pass-dribble-shoot mold that continues to be coveted around the league.
Donovan Clingan
7’2” Big | UConn | Sophomore | 19.8
After firmly positioning himself on draft boards with last season’s National Champions playing behind Adama Sanogo, Donovan Clingan returns to UConn with high expectations. Now expected to be a starter and key fixture on both ends, NBA teams are eager to see if Clingan can maintain the absurd production levels he showed last year while increasing his playing time. Last year, he averaged just 13.1 minutes per game, but averaged an astounding 21.1 pts/40, 17.1 reb/40, and 5.5 blk/40, with a 14.3% block rate, while also shooting 65.9% from the field. He should have a great roster context this year with spacing and playmaking around him from the likes of Stephon Castle, Tristen Newton, Cam Spencer, Alex Karaban, and a slew of other high-level contributors. Clingan projects to drive value as a play finisher, offensive rebounder, roller, and opportunistic rim runner. Furthermore, he is surprisingly light on his feet with solid balance, reflexes, and soft hands for a 7’2” 265-pound big, and he improved a lot as a screener over the course of the past season, which at that size, could be invaluable to the players surrounding him. Beyond his screen craft and ability to roll hard and finish, he has shown that he can be a quick processor as a post facilitator that can take advantage of broken or scrambling defenses and hit cutters, which may help translate over to more short-roll reps in the future. Defensively, while mostly used in soft/drop, he is especially adept in drop coverage where he can play the angle/timing game with ball handlers and constantly make an impact with his length and presence. While his discipline will need some work on the inside, his ability to anchor a defense as a rim protector will undoubtedly be appealing. On top of all this, he is a tenacious rebounder with a nose for the ball on both ends. Having already drawn the attention of the NBA world last season, Clingan is primed for immense consideration this year due to his combination of size, movement skills, and his ability to fit in as a high IQ big who can finish, rebound, protect the rim, and make the effort to run the floor.
Isaiah Collier
6’4” Guard | USC | Freshman | 19.1
In the conversation for the top selection in this year’s NBA Draft, USC’s Isaiah Collier continues to improve and showcase the upside to be a high option player in the NBA. A strong and powerful athlete at ~6’4”, Collier’s ability to own his space on both ends sets the foundation for the impact he is able to have on the court. While he lacks ideal length, Collier is also a very tight ball handler with big hands who has the ability to generate paint touches and put a lot of pressure on the rim in the halfcourt in ball screens and matchup-dependent isolation. That ability to create advantages and breakdowns consistently puts him into a position to get to the line at a very high rate, employ his crafty finishing, and leverage his excellent playmaking vision. A creative deliverer of the basketball, Collier has a wide array of passes at his disposal off a live dribble, and historically has seen the floor in a way that only a select couple players in his class can claim to match. However, turnovers have been an issue early with a whopping 34 through his first seven games, which will certainly be an area to monitor long term for carrying a high usage. Another area that was a swing skill with Collier was the three-point shot, and thus far, Collier has looked more effective from beyond the arc, hitting self-created looks off step-backs and side steps with ease and executing at the free throw at a high rate. Defensively, Collier's stout frame, sharp instinct and toughness help him to add value when defending the perimeter positions, and he doesn’t give ground easily when engaged and in a stance. He can sniff out actions early, and has shown to be able to sneakily generate opportunistic steals in the passing lanes and on the ball. The overall feel is high, but he will need to stay engaged more consistently to maximize his combination of functional strength, anticipation, and instincts — all in all, he has the foundation to be a net positive defender at the NBA level. So far, though, Collier’s offensive starpower has him building momentum as the potential top selection come June — and would probably be the top pick if the draft happened tomorrow — but there is still a lot of basketball left to be played and a lot for Collier to prove. Keying in on reducing turnovers and further proving that the jumper is a consistent threat will be affirming factors for his already high stock as the season progresses.
Ryan Dunn
6’8” Forward | Virginia | Sophomore | 20.9
Last season, Ryan Dunn served as a consistent defensive-oriented fixture off the bench on a strong Cavaliers team, contributing to a run in which they won the ACC regular season title, made it to the ACC Conference Finals, and were rewarded with the 4-seed in the NCAA Tournament. With only one starter returning in NBA prospect Reece Beekman and a younger core across the board, Dunn is poised to step into a greater role on and off the court. He already established himself as one of the most intriguing and versatile defenders in college basketball last season, and has been off to an incredible start thus far, averaging 2.9 steals and 2.9 blocks with a whopping 11.0 DBPM. Using his 7'0" wingspan and excellent functional movement skills, Dunn gives opposing offenses headaches night after night, both on and off the ball. On the ball, he was able to guard 1-4 consistently using his length, active hands, and lateral agility to shut down elite players of varying sizes and playstyles. Off the ball, he is a cerebral team defender, showing off phenomenal secondary rim protection chops whilst maintaining a constant threat in the passing lanes. Offensively, he was much more of a work in progress, only shooting 63 field goal attempts throughout the entire year; he showed very little aggression on this end. Yet, he has now been elevated to UVA’s second-highest scorer thus far, contributing through his athletic finishing, slashing, cutting, rim running, free throw generation, and glue guy style. The biggest area to track is his effectiveness from beyond the arc, and he has been off to a lackluster start by the numbers at just 4/17 through his first seven games, but he has already attempted more than all of last year (5/16) and has shown a serviceable foundation to build upon here. Regardless, he still managed to make a difference on the offensive end with screening, crashing the offensive glass, simple connective passing, and cutting with ample opportunity to continue to grow this season. Overall, Dunn is a simply elite defensive prospect with NBA-level tools, and with that baseline offensive connector foundation and increased aggressiveness, he has the makings of a bonafide first round talent who has a chance to really rise if the jumper falls at a serviceable rate.
Justin Edwards
6’7” Forward | Kentucky | Freshman | 19.9
A highly-touted forward who entered Kentucky ranked in the top-3 by most outlets, Justin Edwards has always been able to hang his hat on his two-way versatility, impressing scouts with his defensive foundation and flashes of offensive skill. Primarily efficiently scoring in opportunistic ways in the early going, Edwards scores in the gaps alongside other creators, routinely getting in the mix as a cutter, offensive rebounder and rim runner. He will have to answer questions about the consistency and overall shaky track record of his jumper, which has not been a threat through the early season. If he isn’t able to consistently impact the game with his shooting, teams will be concerned with his scalability as a complementary piece, as well as how high he could potentially grow his usage, offensively. On the other end of the court, while he lacks ideal NBA length for the wing with a wingspan just under 6’10”, Edwards is a capable defender who can be trusted to check wings and ball handlers, showing the foundational movement skills, engagement and footwork to scale effectively to the NBA level. He could benefit from adding functional strength, as he will need to be the type of defender who can defend bigger NBA wings and creators to hit on his value proposition, especially when he won’t be able to recover as effectively when beat off the bounce in the NBA. Off the ball, he may not cause a ton of havoc, but is usually solid at understanding his responsibilities, navigating off-ball actions, effectively digging, tagging, and stunting with purpose, and generally being in the right spot while playing with effort. While he is on the older end for a freshman, turning 20 this December, he will have a foundation to build upon as a versatile wing-sized defender who can do little things well and find opportunistic baskets offensively, and that could be enough to invest in for teams that are confident in their ability to improve his shooting.
Kyle Filipowski
6’11” Forward | Duke | Sophomore | 20.1
Filipowski has been projected by many to be one of the top collegiate players in the country in his second season for the Blue Devils, looking to take a big developmental step along with fellow sophomore prospects Tyrese Proctor and Mark Mitchell. He will find himself as the main fixture of a Duke forward depth chart that is deep with young talent, including Mitchell, five-star TJ Power, and fellow future draft prospect Sean Stewart. Picked as the ACC Preseason Player of the Year, “Flip” is an NBA-level athlete with capable movement skills and ball skills. On offense, he has a unique skill set for someone his size. He processes the floor quickly, helping him be a plus-positional passer, especially in the short roll. He can put the ball on the floor and has advanced slashing technique for a big, with a solid handle, counters, and good footwork. He has some balance and contact finishing issues that derail his driving efficacy at times, but with work on these two areas, he could unlock real upside as a versatile short-roller and positional slasher alike. Filipowski has also shown some upside as a shooter, with solid mechanics and rhythm as a spot-up shooter, and finished shooting a solid 76.8% from the line while shooting 28.2% from behind the arc, last year. Should he take a step as a shooter, it will provide even further offensive versatility for him to tap into. Defensively, he has shown flashes of helpside rim protection, operating in drop, and even switching onto wings and forwards a bit. He still seems to be developing his feel on defense and scouts will be watching to see if he adopts a PnR coverage that he can truly intimidate ball handlers with. Overall, as a more modern big with the mobility and ball skills to slash and operate in space, Filipowski has a chance to build on the success he had last season to affirm his draft stock.
Ron Holland
6’7” Forward | G League Ignite | 2023 | 18.4
Headlining the G League Ignite recruiting haul is former Texas-commit Ron Holland, who has been an early focal point in the Ignite’s offense. Already renowned for his excellent Team USA performances, Holland entered the season an early favorite to be drafted in the top-5, with the upside to go number 1. While Ignite has been off to a slower start this year, he has still shown what makes him an intriguing prospect, long term. Boasting one of the strongest motors anywhere, Holland’s impact starts with his relentless nature and ability to play in space. Pairing that motor with a 6’7” frame, physicality, and above-average NBA athletic tools, he naturally thrives in transition and as a slasher, where his ability and willingness to finish through contact makes him all the more dangerous. That ability to generate paint touches and constantly put pressure on the rim has always allowed Holland to assert his will against a defense, but in preparation for the athletic advantage over his peers lessening when he gets to the NBA, he has worked over the years to blend in modern dribble-pass-shoot wing skills. However, currently some scouts question whether or not he has enough skill with the ball in his hands to be a top option on a winning team, and see him more as a complementary option who impacts winning. To potentially scale to a higher usage at the NBA level, scouts will be monitoring his ability to limit turnovers, handle in tight spaces, create for others, and knock down perimeter shots efficiently as the season progresses, although he has shown consistent improvement in key areas. Defensively, Holland’s relentless attitude is further emphasized, where he remains consistently engaged and can switch onto multiple positions. His defensive effort and versatility will be early calling cards in the NBA as his offensive continues to develop, especially if he is not going to have the ball in his hands right away. At the end of the day, though, with his track record of improvement and being very young for the class, there is plenty of reason for optimism as he continues to adapt and grow with the Ignite, and we expect a bright future for Holland long term.
Oso Ighodaro
6’11” Big | Marquette | Senior | 21.4
Coming off a great season on and off the court last year in which he was selected to both the All-Big East Second Team and the Big East All-Academic Team, Oso Ighodaro is primed to be one of the best players in the conference in his fourth year with a Golden Eagles squad that has returned most of its talent outside of Olivier-Maxence Prosper. A selfless, high feel big at 6’11”, Ighodaro is able to create for himself and others as a DHO hub, a short-roll playmaker, and in the low post. His passing decisiveness and ability to get to his push shot (a coveted NBA tool in modern bigs) which extends out near the free throw line, help him make a real versatile impact in the short roll. Showing more aggression could help his case, as he can be too selfless at times, but his most translatable NBA trait is that he consistently makes the right read and processes the floor quickly, using creative passing deliveries to move the ball around. He pairs this with high-level screen craft, excellent interior touch, and balanced footwork in the paint. Ighodaro is unlikely to add value as a shooter, however, as this has been an aspect of his game that he has notably lacked. Defensively, he brings a similar level of versatility as a big who can effectively execute multiple pick-and-roll coverages and who has the movement skills to comfortably switch down a position when applicable. His feel further shines through on this end with his rotations, positioning, and communication. Two areas to track here will be sharpening up his footwork when defending in space and seeing whether his added bulk helps him project better as a true post defender, an area he’ll continuously be tested in as the year progresses. Ultimately, a team looking for a high-feel DHO and short-roll hub that brings versatility on the defensive end should give a long look at Ighodaro as someone that could slot in right away.
Alex Karaban
6’8” Forward | UConn | Sophomore | 21.1
Returning for the defending national champions alongside key pieces in Donovan Clingan and Tristen Newton, Alex Karaban hits on a lot of what the NBA looks for in versatile modern 4s. An excellent perimeter shooter, Karaban projects to add value right away with the jumper, finishing last season in the 94th percentile on spot-ups and the 95th percentile on all jump shots, shooting 40.2% from deep on solid volume. UConn makes the most of this tool, involving him in primary actions as a screener that can pick-and-pop or ghost into open space as well as employing him as a weak side spot-up threat and off-ball screener. While the mechanics are a bit unorthodox, he gathers and releases it quickly and consistently enough to carry serviceable volume, and the overall track record speaks for itself, even though the shot isn’t falling at it’s usual rate thus far. Furthermore, if the shot isn’t there, the ball never sticks. A key aspect of his impact, Karaban is capable of making quick decisions with the ball, showing the capacity to quickly process scheme options and deliver the ball with accuracy when advantages present themselves in a positive manner for a complementary piece. Adding to his offensive versatility, Karaban also brings a consistent impact on the offensive glass, showing keen anticipation and activity in securing extra possessions. Proving that he can achieve more scalable finishing efficiency to pair with the jumper, as well as some more equity in space offensively would help his case, but in general he is a low-mistake floor-raiser who can slot in as a scheme-versatile complementary player. On the defensive end, while he doesn’t necessarily pop athletically, Karaban holds his own as an intelligent, engaged and fundamentally-sound defender. With positive length, functional strength, serviceable lateral mobility, and little wasted movement, he is able to defend down a position when required, and looks to enforce difficult shots and angles on creators. He may not project as a lockdown defender, but UConn entrusts a lot to him defensively by having him show, switch and recover quite often on the perimeter, requiring a high level of discipline and communication. His cognizance as a team defender doesn’t go unnoticed, either, consistently remaining engaged and aware while off the ball. All in all, Karaban has had a solid start to the season, producing offensively and further proving that he makes a lot of sense as a scalable role player who could earn NBA minutes for his floor stretching, BBIQ and overall versatility.
Yves Missi
6’11” Big | Baylor | Freshman | 19.6
Born in Belgium and raised in Cameroon, Yves Missi comes from a basketball family, with both parents and his brother (Steve Moundou-Missi) playing for Cameroon’s National Team in the past. Originally interested in soccer, Missi eventually found the game and developed rapidly, electing to accelerate his timeline and re-classify in May to join Baylor for the 2023-24 season. Already gaining league-wide first round traction, Missi has tools you can’t teach as an instinctual, mobile, fluid, and explosive 6’11” big with a 7’2” wingspan. Offensively, scouts will be relatively comfortable with his foundation as a lob-catcher, efficient roller, rim runner, play finisher, and offensive rebounder, as his fluidity, hands, and above-the-rim finishing passes the looks test for an NBA big. He has a good feel for the position, as well, syncing up his rolls well with ball handlers, positioning himself well in traffic and generally playing to his strengths. That foundation is excellent for making an efficient impact, yet still, scouts will be monitoring how the overall offensive skill level progresses as the year goes on, most notably as a passer on the roll. Defensively, Missi fits the mold of the mobile and versatile rim protector that the league covets. Despite playing less than 20 minutes per game thus far, he has been extremely impactful as a rim protector, recording over 2 blocks per game while limiting his fouling more so than others in his archetype. His mobility in POA fits the idea of what the NBA values, but he will still need to become more disciplined and fundamentally sound to reach his very high upside on this end. For his draft outlook, while he may be a more limited offensive player, teams will be more comfortable with that early when considering the defensive value and tools allowing him to consistently impact the game. Expect first round interest to continue to build for Missi as the season progresses.
Tyrese Proctor
6’5” Guard | Duke | Sophomore | 19.7
Headlining a strong sophomore class for the Blue Devils including the likes of Kyle Filipowski and Mark Mitchell, Tyrese Proctor will look to step into a greater offensive role and become a leader on a team that has four freshmen slated to be major contributors, such as pro prospect and sixth man Caleb Foster. After being projected by some to be a one-and-done, Proctor elected to return to Duke to further develop as a lead handler, and his growth curve will be critical to watch this year. Leading the AP Preseason #2 team in the nation, Proctor will have the country’s attention all season long. The two big knocks on him have been his lack of elite movement skills and the more passive style with which he played last year. Looking back to last season, he was an adept screen navigator, which he demonstrated chasing shooters off screens and effectively guarding at the point-of-attack. Additionally, he was a smart, high-feel team defender that didn’t commit many mistakes or gambles. This lack of risk-taking also resulted in lower steal and block numbers than you’d like to see from someone with his size and defensive prowess. Offensively, he shot a superb 87.1% from the free throw line along with a solid 38.8% on catch-and-shoot attempts. He was a sound decision maker, as well, with a strong understanding of capitalizing on the windows he opened and good court mapping, posting 4.4 assists per 40 minutes with a 2.04 A:TO. NBA teams will be looking to see Proctor’s aggressiveness take another step this season, which he has begun to flash in preseason exhibitions. He has the handle, creativity, and wiggle to become a strong secondary creator if he plays with more aggression. Otherwise, he still has a solid foundation as an off-ball shooter and smart connective passer. Regardless of whether he takes a leap this season, Proctor will warrant first round draft consideration due to his baseline two-way connector skillset, the dribble-pass-shoot foundation and his upside as a creator.
Zaccharie Risacher
6’9.5” Wing | JL Bourg-En-Bresse (FRA) | 2005 | 18.7
Zaccharie Risacher is a highly-touted French wing who has made a name for himself through his dribble-pass-shoot skillset at nearly 6’10”, and is now playing with JL Bourg on loan from ASVEL in the LNB Pro A and Eurocup. The 18 year-old wing is still very narrowly-built hovering around 200 pounds and only has a reported 6’10.5” wingspan, but despite his physical immaturity in a league that boasts former collegiate stars and ex-NBA players, he has been a key fixture as a starter who has produced at a very high level for his age thus far. Mostly a spot-up wing with genuine value off movement, Risacher has been able to slot into an off-ball role where he is shooting a blistering 46% from deep while showing a lot of promise as a connector and versatile defender. While Risacher is maybe not the most traditionally ‘polished’ shooter, mechanically, he does flash some rare, intriguing capabilities as a shooter, primarily with his overall adaptability and self-organization on a variety of off-catch scenarios. Furthermore, he has the handling capacity to attack closeouts, leveraging that gravity to find himself in advantage states where he can make a pass or finish. Defensively, while he could benefit from adding functional strength down the line, he is fluid and mobile with the instincts and reactivity to generate events at a high level, especially considering the level of competition. All in all, Risacher has been intriguing to NBA teams as a versatile perimeter shooter who can carry volume, which is huge at that size, with a connecting skillset and the juice to attack a tilted defense off the catch. As a high-upside prospect with size and a dribble-pass-shoot foundation, expect Risacher to receive plenty of attention in the lottery for his modern skillset that is a seamless fit for the modern NBA.
Tidjane Salaun
6’9” Forward | Espoirs Cholet (FRA) | 2005 | 18.3
French forward Tidjane Salaun is a name to keep an eye on as one of the international prospects generating buzz early in this season, and as one of the youngest. Playing a significant role for a competitive team in one of the best leagues in the world after turning 18 in August is undoubtedly a major factor in that. As we saw with Victor Wembanyama last season, as well as fellow 2023 lottery pick and Metropolitans 92 teammate Bilal Coulibaly, NBA teams value young players that are trusted with significant playing time in the LNB Pro A. Prior to this season, Salaun had been stringing strong showings together this year, including at February’s Basketball Without Borders Camp, the FIBA U18 European Championship, and at the adidas Eurocamp in June. While his game still has a ways to go and he is a bit of a raw prospect, the baseline value prop he offers is already drawing NBA interest. He has a long frame standing 6’9” with a 7’2” wingspan and a strong set of movement skills. Offensively, he has a simple, yet important skillset as an active cutter, screener, and rebounder. He attacks closeouts well in straight lines and keeps the ball moving well, allowing him to fit in well off the ball. Salaun has shown flashes at lower levels of shot-making and playing more on ball, but these have yet to materialize at high levels and his form may need some work to translate to the NBA since he is only shooting 28.8% from 3 so far this season. He may have more attainable upside on defense since he brings a high level of activity on and off the ball and uses his length well, although his feel is still developing. Perhaps the trait that stands out most about Salaun is his unrelenting motor; he runs the floor harder and more consistently than anyone even in games where he is struggling to score or making mistakes. NBA teams may be intrigued with the upside of an athletic and long forward with such a high motor, defensive versatility, and a propensity for doing the little things on offense.
Alexandre Sarr
7’0” Big | Perth Wildcats (AUS) | 2005 | 18.6
After showing intrigue during his time at Overtime Elite and during the FIBA U19 World Cup, French big Alex Sarr has turned a corner with his play for the NBL’s Perth Wildcats, seemingly breaking out with his masterclass performance against the Ignite at the G League Fall Invitational alongside future NBA prospect Ben Henshall. As part of the ‘Next Stars’ program, Sarr has blossomed as a versatile 7-footer who can really protect the rim and add some modern big skills offensively. Fitting the mold of what the NBA is looking for in mobile, long, and scheme versatile bigs, Sarr brings defensive presence with his 7’5” wingspan and ability to switch in a pinch, and while he still has room to grow with his footwork and discipline, he projects to be able to do a lot of what the NBA demands out of its bigs. Playing harder and more confidently, Sarr has been able to play a key role for Perth early, and that has translated to the offensive end as well. While not playing with the most efficiency just yet, Sarr has shown flashes of an inside-out attack that NBA teams could buy into, with willingness to shoot the 3 off the pop and off the catch paired with athletic finishes inside. At 47% from the floor and 30% from deep on the year with a 56% free throw percentage though, teams will be monitoring just how efficient he could be, as there are still mechanical areas to iron out and strides to make with his decision making. While the defensive versatility and rim protection will be the calling cards at the end of the day, seeing how much offensive usage he could carry in the future, especially when compared to young stars in his archetype in the league, will be the key aspect to track. At the end of the day, his strengths and those tools are likely to land him in the top-5 on draft night at this stage, as those traits don’t come around too often.
Tyler Smith
6’10” Forward | G League Ignite | 2023 | 19.2
Electing to pursue the Ignite pathway alongside fellow OTE prospect Izan Almansa, Tyler Smith has been trending up throughout the early season, currently producing 17.1 PPG, 5 RPG, and 1.9 APG on 55% shooting from the field and 50% shooting from deep through his first seven official G League games. While the Ignite have struggled as a whole (especially defensively) with less veteran production and a continuously improving G League field, Smith has earned NBA interest due to his combination of size, shooting and athletic tools. An ideal modern 4 in quite a few ways, Smith’s capacity to shoot the corner 3, pick-and-pop, finish dunks, catch lobs, run the floor, and willingness to carry volume on the perimeter make him a relatively low maintenance addition, offensively, that can raise the ceiling of a team that already has their established creators. He has also shown improvement as a decision maker with the basketball, and while there are still strides to make, his ball movement has been a benefit to his team thus far. That ability to produce in the gaps may not scream ‘high ceiling,’ but players with the fundamental value proposition continue to stick. Defensively, while primarily a 4 defender, Smith has the length and mobility to hold his own when switching, as well as the capacity to add value as a rotating rim protector and passing lane threat. He may not be the elite level of defender teams will be looking to put on ball handlers or constantly blowing up plays off the ball, but he projects to hold his own defensively if this trend continues. He will be monitored ever more closely as the season develops, but expect Smith to receive first round consideration for his blend of modern 4 traits.
Nikola Topić
6’6” Guard | Mega Basket (SER) | 2005 | 18.3
Early into the scouting cycle, Topić has been gaining steam as an NBA prospect through a tremendous start to his first season as the starting point guard for Mega Basket in the Adriatic Basketball League. One of the youngest prospects in the class and the son of decorated Serbian player and coach Milenko Topić, Topić grew up learning from a FIBA World Champion. Despite this being his first season with Mega, Marko Barać has already entrusted Topić as the starting PG on a team largely consisting of other young European up-and-comers, such as fellow potential NBA draft prospect Nikola Đurišić. This is in large part due to his immense impact as a primary playmaker who can both generate and capitalize on advantages. Possessing a quick first step, high slashing feel, a solid handle, and a good change of pace, he generates paint touches at will. Once he collapses the defense, he has the counters, craft and touch to finish at the rim, as well as the ability to spray out to his teammates. He plays with great creativity and manipulation as a passer and is capable of delivering a wide variety of passes all across the court, although he is still developing the ability to fully read the second line of defense. While he shoots it at an efficient clip from the free throw line, his shot has question marks, shooting under the 30% mark from deep on the season. His shot mechanics need work, and he lacks movement shooting equity and the ability to punish defenders from deep off the bounce. His underdeveloped in-between game will also pose developmental hurdles to overcome, as Topić relies almost exclusively on points in the paint to drive his scoring. Defensively, he has demonstrated good feel but his consistency of execution and technique need major work. At the end of the day, there aren’t many point guards his size who can use both burst and craft to get to the paint while also being advanced playmakers, so he will certainly continue to garner NBA consideration.
DJ Wagner
6’3” Guard | Kentucky | Freshman | 18.6
The face of the third generation of his family’s basketball greatness, Wagner will look to build upon the legacy of his father Dajuan and grandfather Milt, both former NBA players. Wagner is entering his freshman year at Kentucky coming off a strong senior season of high school, in which he was the McDonald’s All-American MVP, a Nike Hoop Summit participant, and won his second consecutive New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year. He now joins Kentucky as part of a loaded freshman class including fellow Camden teammate and five-star recruit Aaron Bradshaw, fellow highly-touted wing Justin Edwards, and intriguing backcourt mates in Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard. He is primed to take the reins of this squad as the next in a long line of high-level Kentucky guards. Armed with a tremendous first step, a strong control over his change of speed, a shifty handle, and polished footwork, Wagner is adept at getting to his spots in the mid-range and at getting downhill. He has a good mid-range jumper, a promising floater and uses his body control and physicality to finish well with either hand at the rim. He also has a strong sense of creatively leveraging the windows his scoring gravity opens up to set his teammates up well. As he continues to round out his game, he will need to reliably stretch his shot beyond the arc and improve his shot selection, although his touch inside the arc and from the free throw line point towards upside in the former. With his combination of creating for himself and others, Wagner will thrive early on as a second-side creator attacking tilted defenses, but he may even have primary creation upside. Defensively, he moves well laterally, can stick with shifty guards and has some really active hands. His off-ball defense, screen navigation and consistency in recovering back into plays to endure second and third efforts will be key. Since his frame is more on the slight side and he lacks elite defensive feel, he likely will never be a superb defender, but he should still be able to grow into a serviceable one. Wagner will be one of the top young guards to watch this season as a high-level self creator and capable playmaker headlining a tremendously talented freshman class on a real contender in the SEC.
Ja’Kobe Walter
6’5” Guard | Baylor | Freshman | 19.3
After leading Link Academy to a 2023 GEICO Nationals title alongside Elliot Cadeau, Ja’Kobe Walter is on track for a massive freshman year at Baylor. At 6’5” with a 6’10” wingspan, he is an intelligent, focused two-way threat who stood out at the highest levels of grassroots as a scalable winning piece that can change the game with his defense and shot-making. Offensively, he stands out above his peers for his capacity to score the ball at an elite level in a variety of simple, albeit effective ways without taking his team out of the offensive flow. Along with being a lethal spot-up threat, Walter can bury tough off-dribble pull-ups from within and beyond the arc just as easily as he can will himself to the free throw line. He has room to grow in terms of consistency here and also has strides to make as a more deceptive creator off the bounce (for himself and others) to carry a higher usage level long term. Overall, though, he has the foundation of a perimeter player who can slot into a winning, off-ball role alongside other creators right away with upside to grow his usage. Defensively, Walter is focused, physical, tough, and makes few mistakes. His length and lateral mobility allow him a degree of versatility on the perimeter, switching up and down a position with relative ease. While he doesn’t have outlier length nor the most explosive athleticism, Walter is smart, tough and physical enough to add value at the NBA level as he develops. His ceiling may not seem as high as others in the class, but Walter has potential as a versatile defensive stopper who could, in time, get the assignment on an opposing team’s best or second-best ball handler. Off the ball, he can be trusted to maintain scheme integrity and play with constant effort, and while there will be freshman mistakes this year, his track record here is very strong. Ultimately, there is very little chance that Walter doesn't end up as a winning two-way player. He has established himself as a presumably low-risk, high-reward option early on in Waco, and is garnering early/mid-lottery interest due to the safety of his two-way impact, winning approach, and raving character reviews.
Cody Williams
6’7.5” Wing | Colorado | Freshman | 19.0
The younger brother of the OKC Thunder’s Jalen Williams, Cody Williams has a lot of what the NBA is looking for in a long, wiry, rangy, and fast-paced wing-sized player with some ball skills. After an uncharacteristically underwhelming summer and Team USA performance, Williams has hit the ground running at Colorado, producing with efficiency as a third option alongside KJ Simpson and Tristan Da Silva, averaging 12.8 points, 3.5 boards, and 2 assists on 60.4% shooting from the field and making half of his few three point shots thus far. At 6’7” and change with a 7’0” wingspan, Williams fills the mold of an offensive connector (with creator upside) who can attack the rim, be dangerous in transition, and is capable of defending multiple positions. He is trending in the right direction as a perimeter shooter, as well, which could be a tool he could employ with more volume given time and development. Mainly, though, his combination of long strides, length, and twitchy, shifty, and deceptive movement make him a difficult cover for most, and have historically allowed him to generate paint touches seemingly at will and dominate the open court. However, Williams has not been an exception to the overall trend of freshman creators struggling to scale their on-ball usage thus far in the new landscape of college basketball, and tracking how this develops as the year continues will be important to determining his draft ceiling. Defensively, Williams can get skinny through screens, defend the 1-3 spots, and impact shooters with his length on contests. He may need to add additional functional strength to more effectively hang at the NBA level, but the foundation of movement and tools is strong enough to warrant optimism for his long term versatility and outlook. When draft night comes, we expect Cody Williams to get lottery attention as one of the higher upside bets in the class with the track record of development and intangibles that could propel him to greater heights, in the long run.
Additional Names
Trey Alexander
6’4” Guard | Creighton | Junior | 20.6
Following a stellar sophomore campaign where he improved across the board, all eyes will be on how Alexander continues his developmental trajectory for a re-tooled Bluejays squad that still features fellow prospect Baylor Scheierman, returning college star Ryan Kalkbrenner, and a strong transfer class highlighted by Steven Ashworth. Early on, Alexander established himself as a capable scorer with some real tough shot-making chops and an expanded passing repertoire. Defensively, he used every bit of his 6’10” wingspan, along with his screen navigation skills, to bother shooters, be a disruptive defender off the ball, and showed the capacity to shut down opposing guards at the point of attack. Although a relatively average athlete by NBA standards, if Alexander can solidify himself as a more efficient scorer who can continue to build on his ability to create for others, he could be one of the top upperclassmen returners drafted this summer.
Melvin Ajinça
6’7” Wing | Saint-Quentin (FRA) | 2004 | 19.4
Melvin Ajinça secured his place on NBA watchlists with his breakout performance at the FIBA U19 World Cup where he led a second-place French team in scoring at 19.3 PPG (53/49/83 shooting splits), playing alongside the likes of Alexandre Sarr, Zaccharie Risacher, and Zacharie Perrin. The shooting consistency has always been a swing skill with his projection, but he started off hot from deep and never seemed to cool off, showing the capacity to hit contested 3s off the catch, shoot off movement and create separation off of a couple dribbles. Ajinça’s athleticism further intrigued, proving to be a dangerous above-the-rim finisher and straight-line slasher with a quick first step. This season, he has an opportunity to cement his stock with Saint-Quentin in France’s LNB Pro A where he’s slotted into an off ball role where he will have to shoot it from deep efficiently, attack closeouts, cut, relocate, and defend to his potential. The overall decision making and processing will need to improve on both ends, as proving that he can choose his spots efficiently, build on the passing flashes, and carry more of a cognitive load defensively will be key. With a wide range of viewpoints among scouts entering this year’s NBA draft discussion, Ajinça will be paid close attention to as the season progresses, and could hear his name called if he shows further progress in key areas.
Reece Beekman
6’3” Guard | Virginia | Senior | 22.2
Reece Beekman is now entering his third year of being on draft radars and NBA teams will be hoping that this is the year his game takes another jump. Beekman is well-established as one of the best perimeter defenders in college basketball as a lock-down point-of-attack defender and a formidable off-ball defender, as well. Offensively, he is a great decision maker who plays well within the flow of the offense, boasting a 3.37 A:TO, last season, but he is not an advanced creator by NBA standards and lacks an efficient means of scoring. As of right now, teams will like him as a responsible game manager on offense who can be a really high-level defender and if he can take any sort of jump on offense, he will posture himself even better.
Adem Bona
6’9” Big | UCLA | Sophomore | 20.7
Adem Bona returns to the NBA draft conversation as a higher option player for UCLA this year alongside new additions in Sebastian Mack and Lazar Stefanovic. After struggling with fouling during his freshman season (5.8 fouls per 40), teams will be monitoring his ability to stay on the court as well as the overall skill level as a passer, something he flashed during his eye-catching play with Prolific Prep. The efficiency, sky-high motor and rim protection equity were all on display in year one, where he finished around the rim in the 94th percentile while finishing 54 dunks, and thus far he has been finishing in the 90th percentile around the rim on higher volume this season. While getting a ton of post reps early, if he can hit on that baseline value as an efficient high motor rim runner, play finisher, roll man, and shot blocker, Bona could end up finding his way onto an NBA roster come June.
Kylan Boswell
6’2” Guard | Arizona | Sophomore | 18.6
Extremely sturdy and functionally strong for the guard spot at 215, and perhaps the youngest sophomore in college basketball, Kylan Boswell has been making noise early this season for the current highest-scoring offense in college basketball alongside NBA prospects like Pelle Larsson and Keshad Johnson, quarterbacking his team while shooting at an incredibly efficient clip from deep. Boswell always wants to play the right way, and really competes on the defensive end where his functional strength and positive length adds versatility to his defensive outlook, despite being undersized by NBA standards. Boswell should earn NBA interest this year for his combination of youth, work ethic, BBIQ, shooting, and defense.
Aaron Bradshaw
7’1” Big | Kentucky | Freshman | 19.6
Joining the Wildcats alongside Camden teammate DJ Wagner after being considered a top-5 recruit by most ranking outlets, Aaron Bradshaw has been out since June due to a foot injury that required surgery, and was not able to participate in preseason activities. With that considered, as well as how lower body injuries to bigs can be alarming to teams, Bradshaw will have a lot to prove when he returns to the court. In high school and AAU settings, Bradshaw stood out for his rim protection, putting a lid on the basket defensively with his length and anticipation, while showing the offensive ability to finish above the rim and space the floor a bit. A more mobile and rangy 7-footer, Bradshaw hits on a lot of what teams are looking for in modern 5s, physically, but will have to further fill out his frame and add functional strength to fit more seamlessly. He has the tools to really match up with the bigs in this class, and scouts will be eager to see how he looks on a college court.
Trevon Brazile
6’10” Forward | Arkansas | RS-Sophomore | 20.9
After showing notable intrigue last season prior to a season-ending ACL tear alongside future draft picks Anthony Black, Nick Smith, Jr., and Jordan Walsh, Trevon Brazile will be monitored closely during his second campaign with the Razorbacks. Brazile’s archetype seems like an ideal fit in the modern game, with the upside to be a long and rangy inside-out threat who can finish explosively above the rim and hit perimeter shots off the catch in a complementary role. Outside of monitoring his health, growing his feel as a decision maker and passer would help his case this year. Defensively, Brazile’s explosive leaping, serviceable mobility, excellent timing, and plus-length help him really impact the game as a rim protector, as he’s periodically served as an anchor and havoc defender for Arkansas early in the season. Adding functional strength and growing as a processor on both ends will help Brazile capitalize on the extra eyes on him this year.
Berke Buyuktuncel
6’9” Forward | UCLA | Freshman | 19.3
After being cleared by the NCAA after the start of the season, Buyuktuncel has been thrown into the fire as one of the main fixtures of UCLA's renowned international freshman class — including Aday Mara, Jan Vide, and Ilane Fibleuil. Buyuktuncel projects to offer the Bruins real versatility on both ends of the floor, and moves extremely well on both ends for a 6'9", functionally strong forward, navigating the court with surprising fluidity, agility, and explosion. Offensively, he plays with craft, cognizance and intelligence as a connecting piece, and is a willing shooter from beyond the arc. While it has been improving, scouts will want him to show more shooting consistency as the year progresses. Defensively, he adds further versatility on and off the ball due to his functional strength, length, movement skills, and overall feel. Buyuktuncel has also shown intriguing flashes as an event generator, as his timing, angle knowledge and anticipation all help him make the most of his tools. The NBA will certainly take notice of Buyuktuncel's combination of feel, tools and versatility as he is considered for the draft this year.
Coen Carr
6’5” Forward | Michigan State | Freshman | 19.1
The term ‘freakish athlete’ may be a bit of an understatement with Coen Carr, and when you pair that with a big time motor, hustle and high-level defensive potential, it could be easy for some teams to overlook the lacking positional size and limited offensive skillset. The NBA appeal as a wing defender is enticing, long term, as high motor, versatile, and tough defenders that are outlier functional athletes tend to carve out a roster spot. For the offensively-tilted NBA, though, Carr will need to show a more bankable three-point shot and/or improvement as a connecting passer and handler to make more sense as a one-and-done prospect at this stage of his development. Currently, he finds his spots in the gaps as a cutter, rim runner, and offensive rebounder, and is more a product of the offense that requires spacing to optimize. As the NBA game continues to be increasingly demanding offensively, Carr will need to prove he can fit in there more seamlessly, and that will be the primary area to monitor over the course of the season.
Pacôme Dadiet
6’7” Wing | Ratiopharm Ulm (GER) | 2005 | 18.3
Emerging as a regular contributor for Ratiopharm UIm, who finished seventh in the Basketball Bundesliga last year and currently positioned with the best record in the league, Dadiet will be a name to keep an eye on this season as a very young European wing already making an impact on winning basketball games at a high level. A French national, Dadiet has shown an ability to thrive in a variety of different roles, having received higher usage in situations like last season with Ulm’s German Pro B League team, Orange Academy. While he has been limited to playing largely off of the ball this season, he brings a lot of activity as he’s constantly cutting, running ahead in transition, and looking to shoot off-the-catch as well as pick opponents up full court. Defensively, he plays with a level of understanding beyond his years as it pertains to making the right rotations, positioning himself off the ball and helping steady his team when their defense is tilted. He also has quick hands to generate steals guarding on the perimeter, strip bigs in the paint, and be a ballhawk in the passing lanes. That being said, he’ll need to improve his on-ball defensive positioning; he is forced to open his hips and allow drives too often, in part due to over-aggressive on-ball positioning. The biggest thing inhibiting him so far this season is a hesitance that has presented itself on both ends of the ball, as there are times in which he seems to understand the right read on defense but won’t commit to it, or that he has an opportunity to show more of his game on offense but passes it up. Overall, as such a young international wing with the combination of tools, feel, shooting upside, and ability to attack tilted defenses, NBA teams will keep an eye on Dadiet’s progression this season.
Robert Dillingham
6’2” Guard | Kentucky | Freshman | 18.9
Rob Dillingham has been drawing interest for his ability to confidently put the ball in the basket in a variety of ways and the physical strides he has made. An ultra shifty microwave scorer who can get hot in a hurry off the bounce, Dillingham gives opposing POA defenders headaches with the constant threat of his pull-up paired with his highly deceptive movement. He’s buried 11 of his 21 catch-and-shoot 3s, as well, posing a threat without the ball in his hands. He has been highly productive off the bench early in Lexington, averaging 15.4 PPG, 5.7 APG, and 4.4 RPG in just 23 MPG while shooting 52.6% from the field and 53.3% from deep. He will still have archetypal questions to answer about the scalability of his game as an undersized microwave combo guard, as well as concerns regarding the overall decision making on both ends, which can be instinctually fantastic at times and head-scratchingly erratic at others. At the end of the day, if he continues to produce at a high level for both himself and others, that could be too much to ignore.
Garwey Dual
6’5” Guard | Providence | Freshman | 18.7
Coming off a strong season leading Southern California Academy with AJ Johnson last year, Dual enters the season with Providence looking to make some noise in Kim English’s first year at the helm. He is in a great developmental position with the Friars as he will not be expected to be the face of the team since they will rely on key returners Devin Carter and Bryce Hopkins, as well as Josh Oduro, who followed English from George Mason. That being said, he will get to slot in and complement this high-level talent while playing his role and developing his game further. Standing 6’5” with a nearly 6’11” wingspan, he is an incredibly long guard with great movement skills, too. His calling card is undoubtedly his defense, where he uses his length and athletic tools to wreak havoc on and off the ball. He can effectively guard 1-3 on-ball, is incredibly disruptive off-ball and has even shown flashes of shot-blocking. While he will need to reel in his decision making on this end, there are few prospects in this draft who combine his motor, feel and tools as a defensive event generator. Offensively, he is a pass-first creator who uses his quick first step, tight handle and creative gathers to get to the rim with ease, although his finishing will need some work. He has a good sense for capitalizing on the windows he opens with manipulative passing, playing with absolute unselfishness offensively. While he hit his J at a decent rate in high school, ironing out his form should be a point of emphasis. If Dual gets the playing time to fully show his two-way capabilities and can improve his ability to create for himself, he may garner some heavy consideration in this draft. As an athletic two-way creator who projects to be a high-level and versatile defender, a walking paint touch, and a willing playmaker, the NBA may very well come calling, be it this year or in years to come.
Zach Edey
7’4” Big | Purdue | Senior | 21.5
The reigning Naismith Player of the Year returns to Purdue for his senior campaign following a historic first round exit in the NCAA Tournament. After his extended solo workout at Priority’s pro day showed off impressive stamina and improving mobility, Edey boosted his stock and remains on the radar as a potential second round option. Arguably the toughest big to gameplan for in the country, Edey dominates the interior with his towering size, 7’10” wingspan, and ultra soft touch, finishing in the 97th percentile on high volume around the rim. Growing as a playmaker who can frequently capitalize on his gravity and ability to see over the defense will be an important skill to track this season. With more experience in the backcourt and a future pro prospect on the perimeter in Myles Colvin, Edey has the pieces around him to lead this group to a much better finish than last year’s and build his resume that much further.
Trentyn Flowers
6’8” Wing | Adelaide 36ers | 2005 | 18.7
Originally signed and on campus at Louisville, Trentyn Flowers wound up choosing the NBL Next Stars approach along with fellow American prospect AJ Johnson, where Flowers will have the chance to handle the ball more and emphasize developing the modern skills the NBA covets. While the point guard experiment didn’t yield success and ultimately ended, Flowers is a likely NBA draft candidate due to his athletic tools and flashes of wing skill at 6’8”. A wiry and explosive athlete, Flowers passes the tools test for a potential NBA wing, and teams will be monitoring the consistency of his perimeter shooting, decision making and flashes of guard skill as he slots into more of a complementary role.
Gavin Griffiths
6’6” Wing | Rutgers | Freshman | 19.4
One of the absolute most prolific perimeter shooters in the class, Gavin Griffiths possesses an NBA-level of shooting versatility, touch and adaptability that allows him to carry higher volume off the ball. In EYBL, he further proved to be an intelligent processor on the fly and flashed key complementary dribble-pass skills for a potential connector that can leverage his shooting gravity to get into an advantage state. The development of Griffiths' defensive impact, body and overall movement skills will be critical determining factors for a potential entry in this year’s NBA draft. Early on, the shot has not yet fallen at its usual rate, but heading into December and conference play, Griffiths has a real chance to assert himself as he continues to find his footing in the B1G. While initially expected to be more of a two-and-done name, the premium on elite, versatile wing shooters with connector skills has overridden early defensive concerns in recent drafts, and that trend has the potential to continue with Griffiths.
Ben Henshall
6’5” Guard | Perth Wildcats (AUS) | 2023 | 19.4
One of the more under-the-radar names this cycle, Aussie guard Ben Henshall is an NBA Academy Centre of Excellence product alongside the now-Kansas wing and long term NBA prospect Johnny Furphy. Henshall offers a value prop that should be appealing to NBA teams as a 6’5” guard who plays fearlessly, is tough as nails, competes at a high level, and has an advanced pass-dribble-shoot skillset for his age. This summer, he came across as the most polished player at the NBA Academy Games, and followed that up with excellent play at the G League Fall Invitational. Afterwards, Henshall had a historic NBL debut, scoring 24 and adding 5 boards in his first official NBL game, becoming the first Australian to lead a team in scoring his debut, and the second to score 20 in his debut, following Joe Ingles. While he may not get enough run at Perth to declare this year, if he gets more opportunities as the season goes on he could make enough of a case to get drafted in June. Expect an NBA future for Henshall when his time comes, nonetheless.
DaRon Holmes II
6’10” Forward | Dayton | Junior | 21.3
Entering his third year in the draft conversation, scouts will be hoping to see Holmes turn the corner as a prospect this season. He showcased some tremendous athleticism as a freshman that seemed to be sapped a bit from some injury struggles last season. That being said, he projects as a versatile pick-and-roll defender who can use his mobility and tools to fit into a variety of schemes in the NBA. As of right now, he projects as a roller on offense with some vertical pop, good screening and underrated short-roll passing; but if he can showcase a perimeter shot this season, teams could have their interest in Holmes reignited.
Elmarko Jackson
6’4” Guard | Kansas | Freshman | 19.6
While Jackson is not getting the high-option creator reps (15.9% usage thus far) we are used to seeing out of him, which is a common trend among today’s freshmen, there has been promising development thus far. Primarily, he has shown encouraging improvements as a team defender, passer and decision maker, even averaging 3.6 assists to 1.6 turnovers through his first seven college games. Proving he can fit in alongside other creators was a key aspect of his long term outlook, and while he hasn’t yet reached double-figures as a scorer, it is logical to expect his shooting efficiency to improve with time, especially with the tangible improvements to the shot and strong early free throw indicators. As the year goes on, Jackson could wind up carrying more usage as he continues to adjust to the pace as a self creator and off-ball scorer, and with the gravity Dickinson and McCullar possess, there is a shot he ends up as a valve for them down the stretch more often than we’ve seen thus far. While there is, of course, a chance that he ends up a top returner who could carry more usage in year two, with the context of this class and with his track record of constant improvement and intangibles, he could be a potential late-riser this cycle, which would certainly be nothing new for Jackson.
Bronny James
6’3” Guard | USC | Freshman | 19.2
There is more to Bronny James than hype and bloodlines, as the son LeBron James has proven to be a quality, winning player in his own right. A strong-bodied 6’3” guard who can really defend, shoot and facilitate, James is the type of player that guys love to play with. Noted further as a fantastic teammate, slotting in on the perimeter alongside the likes of projected lottery pick Isaiah Collier and potential NBA prospect Kobe Johnson will be no issue. Recently cleared after suffering cardiac arrest in July, the timeline on Bronny’s potential return is still unclear and will be undoubtedly handled with patience and care. When the day comes where he is able to return to the court and get acclimated, expect him to impact winning in multiple ways and raise the ceiling of his team.
Kobe Johnson
6’5” Wing | USC | Junior | 20.9
The younger brother of Jalen Johnson, Kobe Johnson hangs his hat on shooting and defensive event generation. Playing off of Isaiah Collier and Boogie Ellis early, Johnson has shown steady improvement from last year, averaging 14.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3 APG, and 3 SPG while burying 39% of his triples. He will need to get stronger and sharpen up his off-ball defense to scale more effectively to the NBA level, long term, but the foundational value that Johnson has will be intriguing for teams looking for wing shooting with defensive upside.
Dillon Jones
6’6” Forward | Weber State | Junior | 22.1
One of the most productive players in college basketball last season, Dillon Jones continues to come into his own and improve, and has thus far averaged 22 PPG, 11.6 RPG, and 2.6 APG while boasting 53/40/83 shooting splits. Jones also gets to the line at a tremendously high rate, already shooting over 8 free throws per game with a .672 FTR. If Jones continues to produce at such a level and is able to lead his team to some big wins in the new year, his production and versatility could be too much to ignore in the upcoming draft.
Bobi Klintman
6’9” Forward | Cairns Taipans (AUS) | 2003 | 20.7
After seemingly rising up boards late in the 2023 NBA draft cycle, Klintman elected to withdraw from the draft to continue to develop his game. This has landed him as a member of the NBL Next Stars program suiting up for the Cairns Taipans. Klintman currently projects to be an off ball forward/big wing that is a high-level cutter and an active rebounder. He has an intriguing offensive upside, having shown creation flashes when he was younger and boasting a strong FT% (80.4%) to point towards shooting upside. There are not many forwards with his level of fluidity, commitment to the little things and offensive upside.
Dalton Knecht
6’6” Wing | Tennessee | Senior | 22.6
Through a winding road to high major basketball that started in JUCO and ended up at Tennessee, fifth-year senior Dalton Knecht has legitimate NBA potential. After averaging 20.2 PPG for Northern Colorado last year while finishing in the 90th percentile for scoring efficiency, Knecht has been the go-to scorer for Tennessee early, averaging 20.6 PPG and burying 40.5% of his 3 and putting up an efficient 37 against North Carolina due to his combination of high-level spot-up shooting, free throw generation and straight-line driving. Showing more connecting skills, especially as a passer, would help him scale his usage, but right now he projects as an efficient spot-up threat who can really punish a closeout — and at 6’6”, there is a place for that in the league. Furthermore, while he has shown definite improvement defensively, honing in on his impact here would only make his case stronger as the year goes on, but Tennessee should only help him here.
Tyler Kolek
6’2” Guard | Marquette | Senior | 22.7
Leading the charge for a dangerous-looking Marquette team alongside Kam Jones and Oso Ighodaro, lead guard Tyler Kolek is widely regarded as one of the best collegiate guards in America. Despite lacking traditional NBA size, length and athleticism, Kolek has earned NBA interest for his incredibly high feel, pick-and-roll mastery, crafty halfcourt game, playmaking equity, buyable shooting package, toughness, and competitive fire. One of the toughest covers in the country in pick-and-roll, Kolek has been extremely productive, averaging 13.9 PPG, 5 RPG, and 5.1 APG on 54.4% shooting from the field and 52.4% from deep. While he may not ‘wow’ NBA teams athletically, what he does well is coveted at the professional levels. If Marquette can achieve the elite level of success they are capable of this year, their on-court helmsman is sure to receive draft looks for his winning traits.
Riley Kugel
6’5” Wing | Florida | Sophomore | 20.1
After strongly finishing his freshman season for Florida, Kugel built momentum in 2023 NBA draft conversations, but elected to return to Gainesville for a second year to potentially boost his stock. He has established himself as a creative scorer with plus-athleticism and a projectable frame, especially shining for his dynamic shot-making down the stretch of last year. However, questions will be raised about the streakiness of his shot and scalability of his attack after his late hot streak last season and inefficient start to this season. Additionally, he is a very ambitious passer, but his decision making and accuracy will need to improve for teams to buy into him being a higher usage piece. His PnR Efficiency dropped from the 77th percentile down to 54th when including his passes last year and he had a negative A:TO, notable areas to track if he plans to get creation reps at the NBA level. If he can show that he can more efficiently create for himself and others in a scalable way, Kugel’s draft odds could certainly improve, but nonetheless expect a productive season that builds on the late season success he accumulated last year.
RJ Luis
6’7” Wing | St. John’s | Sophomore | 21.0
Coming off a solid freshman season for UMass as a spot-starter, Luis has a chance to become one of the star players for St. John’s in a newly-constructed roster for Rick Pitino’s first year in charge once he gets fully acclimated off his return from injury. He uses his combination of length at 6’7” and movement skills to be an impactful defender on and off-ball as an adept screen navigator, switchable wing defender and active help defender. Offensively, his scoring efficiency and decision making will need work, but he’s had some tantalizing flashes of creating for himself and others. He is creative in using gathers, pacing and his handle to get to his spots and has some creativity to his passing reads, too. He also has high-level touch indicators, a strong off-ball skillset and athleticism to finish acrobatically at the rim. If he can hit the ground running once his broken hand heals, he could warrant some consideration in this year’s draft as a two-way role player with some creation intrigue.
Jared McCain
6’3” Guard | Duke | Freshman | 19.8
A strongly-built guard and renowned knockdown shooter, Jared McCain could easily become an early success story for Duke, especially due to his excellent BBIQ, outlier work ethic and overall set of intangibles. He may not be a pure point guard, nor the most explosive athlete, and his length is nothing to write home about, but he really competes defensively and doesn’t make many mistakes, and that alleviates some of these potential ceiling-limiting concerns. At the end of the day, those intangibles paired with that high feel, two-way impact could be enough to warrant a selection this coming June, especially if he could be played alongside one of the bigger primary creators in the NBA. The future is bright for McCain, whether he decides to enter this year, or not.
Kevin McCullar
6’6” Wing | Kansas | Senior | 22.7
Long on the radar of NBA teams as a wing-sized defender with budding offensive skill, McCullar has been a key fixture in this Kansas offense alongside Hunter Dickinson and Dajuan Harris. While the shooting equity has historically been a question with McCullar, he has shown more as an offensive connector this year and has been much more assertive in finding his spots as a scorer. His defensive impact and versatility will be what he hangs his hat on, of course, as he is capable of checking multiple positions and making an impact off of the ball. His assertiveness and early season production have him trending more in the right direction for the highly offense-oriented NBA game, but he will need to cut down on turnovers and space the floor more efficiently to rise in the draft conversation.
Scotty Middleton
6’5” Wing | Ohio State | Freshman | 20.1
Scotty Middleton closed out his senior season with Sunrise Christian (KS) at GEICO Nationals with a clutch 3 to beat top-ranked Montverde (FL) and followed that up with a 22-point outing against the eventual champions, Link Academy (MO). Coming off the bench for Ohio State behind second-year man and pro prospect Roddy Gayle, Middleton brings a competitive fire and two-way impact on the wing that have allowed him to fill a role off the bench early. Offensively, he primarily relies on his spot-up shooting to produce, but has also shown the capacity to hit mid-range pull-ups as counters and is making strides as a self-creator. Growing as a handler and playmaker (primarily when maintaining an advantage) will be important to scaling his usage, but he has shown unselfishness as a ball mover, thus far. Defensively, he has excellent length at 7’0”, which has always assisted in his ability to be disruptive when guarding 1-3, but he will have to put on muscle to provide a similar impact at the NBA level. Middleton has NBA appeal due to the combination of length, shooting, defensive impact, and competitiveness, and has a chance to sneak into the one-and-done conversation if he shows growth in key areas this year.
Baba Miller
6’11” Forward | Florida State | Sophomore | 19.8
After an anomalous beginning to his collegiate career last season, in which he debuted during conference play after serving a 16-game suspension for a payment complication in 2020, Miller is looking to take a step forward in 2023-24. He never settled into things properly his freshman year, but still turned heads with his movement skills at his size and flashes on both ends. This past summer, representing Spain at the FIBA U19 World Cup, it looked like things started to click more for him. He showed some intriguing upside as a creator, pairing unusually developed passing chops and a shifty handle for someone his size. Beyond that, he finished extremely well at the rim and continued to show promise with his jumper. His defensive versatility was also on full display, switching up and down opposing lineups, deterring shots at the rim, and playing well at the level. He will have to improve at defending without fouling, however. The biggest question mark moving forward will be his shot, but the mechanics come across as workable. So long as he continues to polish his game and build off his momentum from the summer, Miller could make some noise in draft conversation as a modern forward with length, movement skills, defensive potential, signs of feel, and upside across the dribble-pass-shoot spectrum.
Ajay Mitchell
6’4” Guard | UCSB | Junior | 21.4
One of the more intriguing returners to keep an eye on may play outside the power conferences, but UCSB lead guard Ajay Mitchell is worthy of some attention. He was one of the major reasons that the Gauchos finished tied for first in the Big West last season, with a 27-8 record on the year, culminating in an NCAA Tournament berth. This year, the Belgian native will look to lead UCSB to greater heights and cement himself in NBA draft conversations. He has already started to turn heads as a crafty and creative 6’4” lead guard prospect. While he lacks elite athletic tools, he has excellent functional movement in terms of his economy of motion, flexibility, body control, and change of speed. He deploys these characteristics, along with his offensive craft to get downhill effectively. He can then finish extremely well at the rim — albeit primarily below the rim and with his left hand — and has some beautiful touch on his floaters, having shot 45.6% on 68 attempts last season. He pairs his prolific slashing ability with some nifty creativity, vision and manipulation as a passer. His ability to shoot from range at a solid efficiency and volume will be important for his NBA translation considering his lack of elite athleticism, but his 81.2 FT% and good mechanics serve as promising indicators in this area. He also is still learning to rein in his decision-making, as a factor of his boundless creativity since he is still developing his feel for passing windows. He has looked good defensively both on and off-ball, showing requisite lateral agility, as well as strong discipline, feel, and activity levels. He uses quick hands to generate steals and his flexibility to bend around screens and bother shooters. If he can hang athletically, he could provide some real value at the next level. While athletic concerns may loom over him, demonstrating that he can shoot from long range with a greater frequency and efficiency will solidify his place as a strong NBA prospect, due to his passing creativity, slashing polish and positional size.
Judah Mintz
6’3” Guard | Syracuse | Sophomore | 20.4
Despite returning to Syracuse for his sophomore season, Mintz is entering an entirely new context with Red Autry stepping in as the new head coach and transfer guard JJ Starling joining him in the backcourt. He had a strong freshman showing last year, demonstrating his ability to get downhill and score in the mid-range, all while causing some real havoc in Boeheim’s 2-3 zone. A confident, crafty and deceptive handler, Mintz has always been a problem to deal with for opposing defenses with his vast array of counters and ability to will himself to the line, and the story has been no different for Syracuse, producing at a very high rate early. The biggest knock on Mintz is his shot diet, both in his affinity towards a heavy mid-range attack and in his low three-point rate, which is not stylistically ideal for the NBA. If he can limit turnovers and continue to adapt his game to emphasize more from beyond the arc, Mintz will be a real name to keep an eye on this season.
Milan Momcilovic
6’8” Forward | Iowa State | Freshman | 19.2
Entering Iowa State alongside long term pro prospect Omaha Biliew, Milan Momcilovic is a tremendously skilled modern 4 prospect who excels as a highly versatile perimeter shooter, cognizant, low-mistake ball mover, and crafty self creator at 6’8”. Expected to play a larger-than-anticipated role right out of the gate, Momcilovic has been trending upwards early. Supremely capable of shooting off movement and off-the-catch in a variety of scenarios, Momcilovic has immediately taken on volume from the three-point line and has executed at a 45.2% clip, showing a bankable and coveted NBA skill. The questions surrounding him have always revolved around his defensive upside and athleticism, and while Iowa State has certainly advanced him on the defensive end right away, the jury is still out on the timeline and potential of his athletic development. Regardless, the premium on skilled players with size, feel and elite shooting versatility is higher than ever, and there aren't many in the class who can claim this level of prowess. Expect a pro future from Momcilovic when he decides to declare.
Grant Nelson
6’11” Forward | Alabama | Senior | 21.7
After bursting onto the scene last season due to his unicorn-like offensive traits and highlight reel play in the Summit League, Grant Nelson tested the draft waters before transferring out of NDSU to Alabama and the SEC, joining another star transfer in Aaron Estrada, where he’ll have a chance to implement his unique skillset against a much higher level of competition. At a rangy 6’11”, Nelson is a fluid mover who can really put the ball on the floor and attack the rim, showcasing dynamic vertical pop and a degree of fearlessness as slasher. He has further shown the ability to knock down the outside shot off-the-catch and while the numbers and volume haven't been great historically, the mechanics and confidence are in a good place. Along with monitoring that perimeter efficiency, defensive scalability and impact will be key areas scouts will be honing in on. Overall though, the bottom line with Nelson is that there aren’t many players at his size with such a unique skillset and fluidity and he will likely hear his name called on draft night as a result.
Wooga Poplar
6’5” Wing | Miami | Junior | 20.9
Poplar entered this season as a prime breakout candidate for Miami, considering that their two leading scorers from last season — Isaiah Wong and Jordan Miller — have moved on to the NBA. Coming off a season in which he operated primarily as a spot-up threat, shooting 40% on 94 catch-and-shoot 3s, only looking to attack closeouts at times, the expansion of his offensive game will be important to track. He has some positive athletic tools and yet only shot 48.2% on 56 layups, last season. His continued growth as a finisher and expanding upon some intriguing downhill passing flashes will be important to track. That being said, his adaptation to a more on-ball role might be a little rocky unless he’s substantially improved his handle, decision-making and pace. Defensively, he excels at chasing shooters around screens, as highlighted in his final performance last season covering Jordan Hawkins in the Final Four, but his defensive discipline still needs considerable work. He has NBA appeal due to the baseline of his shooting and defensive upside and he could generate some buzz in NBA circles if his offensive game progresses as he gets more usage.
Erik Reynolds II
6’2” Guard | St. Joseph’s | Junior | 21.2
While the margins may be slim for Reynolds as an undersized shooting guard currently projecting to strictly create for himself, his incredible scoring ability could intrigue NBA teams this year. Last season, he was one of the most prolific scorers in college basketball with a 58.7 TS%, while shooting 88.5% from the free throw line and 37.9% from behind the arc on a tough shot diet. He is an elite and versatile shooter who can score off movement, contested, and off his platform. It will be important to monitor how he handles moving into a position in which opposing defenses will key into him more. Additionally, he will have an opportunity to bring his playmaking to a higher level, as that is one of the more underdeveloped areas of his game. If he can maintain his outrageous scoring efficiency from last year and look to develop his playmaking ability further, he will be able to establish a clear value prop at the next level.
Babacar Sane
6’6” Forward | G League Ignite | 2003 | 20.2
Entering year two with G League Ignite alongside fellow NBA Academy Africa product and potential late-rising wing Thierry Darlan, Senegalese forward Babacar Sane will be looking to make a jump in production with more experience under his belt. Primarily producing as an explosive, functionally strong, and high motor rim runner, hustler, and cutter, Sane will need to prove that he can add pro-level value as a perimeter shooter to scale more effectively to NBA lineups. Defensively, he is a more instinctual player who leans on his athleticism and strength to generate events and get out in transition and with his combination of strength, mobility and explosiveness, he has potential as a versatile defensive stopper and event generator. All of that said, he will need to show further polish on the mental side of both ends to potentially scale into an NBA rotation, as the modern NBA continues to emphasize size, feel and skill above athletic upside.
Baylor Scheierman
6’6” Wing | Creighton | Senior | 23.2
Baylor Scheierman remains on NBA radars for his dynamic shooting and playmaking foundation. As a fifth-year senior and key returner for the Bluejays, he should garner some real consideration in the second round of the draft. He has long been one of the most audacious shooters in college basketball, capable of shooting off movement and off-the-catch at a very high level on higher volume, hovering around 40% on his career on over 600 attempts. He executes with high feel on offense and is capable of attacking closeouts and creatively delivering passes to his teammates, a unique skill for a versatile shooter. Over the course of his final season, Scheierman’s defensive outlook will continue to be monitored very closely, but the dribble-pass-shoot foundation remains intriguing enough to have his name called on draft night.
Terrence Shannon, Jr.
6’6” Wing | Illinois | Senior | 23.2
Shannon has been on NBA scouts’ watchlists for some time now as a 6’6” high motor wing with NBA-level athletic and physical tools. After testing the waters last cycle, Shannon will have a chance to affirm his draft stock with Illinois this season, and has been off to a hot start from deep early as Illinois’ top option, really shooting the ball at an elite level of efficiency off the dribble. With all the athletic tools to be a plus-defender, teams will be monitoring his off-ball play on both ends to scale more effectively into being a potential complementary piece who can ideally shoot, attack space and defend.
Reed Sheppard
6’3” Guard | Kentucky | Freshman | 19.4
After a storied high school career with North Laurel (KY), in which he was named Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year and a McDonald’s All-American, Sheppard is building on his parents’ legacy at Kentucky, joining their alma mater in Lexington. Through his first seven games, Sheppard is averaging 12.3 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 3.6 APG, 3.1 SPG, and 1.0 BPG while posting ridiculous 65.2/63.3/100 shooting splits, highlighting his ability to impact the game in a wide variety of ways. Offensively, he is a sharpshooter who attacks closeouts well, makes the right decision consistently, and can creatively make plays for himself and others. He’s also a high-feel defender who hounds ball handlers and causes havoc while being a genuinely plus-positional rebounder. His lack of NBA positional size or length for someone projected as a connector at the next level will be cause for questions, but if he continues producing and impacting games the way he has so far, watch out for his name on draft boards. At the end of the day, Sheppard is a winner, through and through, and has been as long as we’ve followed him.
Tristan da Silva
6’9” Forward | Colorado | Senior | 22.5
Coming off a year in which he was named to the All-Pac 12 Conference First Team, Tristan da Silva will look to continue to boost his draft stock as one of the best seniors in the country. Questions may arise about his mobility due to his “slow-mo” playstyle, but should he overcome these questions, he has a unique two-way value prop at the next level. Playing alongside two creators that will warrant defenses’ attention in Cody Williams and KJ Simpson should open up a lot of windows for da Silva to capitalize on. Given his versatile skillset of off-ball shooting and crafty slashing, he is primed to Pac-12 punish defenses this year. He also may be surrounded by the right mix of complementary players to help him improve his passing feel and decision making. Defensively, he uses his length to disrupt at the level in PnR and shut both wings and post players down. Ultimately, NBA teams may be hesitant to take da Silva due to mobility concerns, but his unique playstyle and versatile impact on both ends should draw some eyes.
Kel’el Ware
7’0” Big | Indiana | Sophomore | 19.6
Ware made the move to Indiana and the physical B1G alongside coveted recruits Mack Mgbako and Gabe Cupps, where he will carry more responsibility than may have been anticipated early, giving him the chance to show more of his skillset in a featured role — especially on a roster that doesn’t have a ton of on-ball creation or perimeter shooting. After a lackluster start to his college career where he averaged 6.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and 1.3 BPG off the bench at Oregon, Ware simply has too much talent to not continue to draw NBA interest, but he will have a lot to prove heading into this year to reaffirm his draft stock. Initially drawing NBA scouts’ attention for his combination of size, athleticism, rim protection, finishing in space, and budding perimeter skills, he will have to show the intensity, focus and toughness demanded for the next level to ultimately rise on boards. Ware’s early season production has had him trending in the right direction and conference play will undoubtedly be a massive proving ground for him to affirm his stock.
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