2024 NBA Draft Big Board: Top 50 Prospects Ahead of Combine
Every NBA evaluator and decision-maker will be at the NBA combine to learn final details that will help continue to shape their draft boards.
Bleacher Report has its top 50 rankings set before heading to Chicago for measurements, athletic test results scrimmages and workouts. Our board and upcoming mock drafts will ultimately require more updates prior to June 26.
Talking to scouts, nobody seems to have the same order of rankings, including at the top, where there are legitimately between five and 10 candidates who can go No. 1.
Our No. 1 is ultimately the same No. 1 who started the season there back in October.
The lottery could potentially change that, as team fit can play a major role in prospects' early development. And a few highly-touted international prospects are also still competing and have more chances to move the needle on their 2024 stock.
50. Isaac Jones
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Isaac Jones moved differently than most in attendance at the Portsmouth Invitational, looking quicker and bouncier, leading to easy baskets, defensive contests and offensive rebounds.
He also grew five inches since starting his junior college career, and it showed on some face-up dribble moves throughout the season.
Though already 23 years old, Jones has made a case for a potential frontcourt energizer and big-wing defender.
49. Judah Mintz
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Judah Mintz didn't make any obvious adjustments since last year, when he was considered a borderline draft pick. I share the belief that his three-point weakness is overblown and that he has some outlier offensive potential with how explosive and slithery he is attacking the basket and how tough of a two-point shotmaker he can be. Plus, he has the ability to create for teammates.
His game will likely be best suited for a bench-spark role, though he did look slightly more comfortable off the ball this year catch-and-shooting and attacking closeouts.
48. Hunter Sallis
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While the 2-guard archetype that doesn't play-make for teammates has little margin for error, Hunter Sallis may possess enough self-creation, three-level shotmaking and athleticism to make a living off scoring. He finished the year shooting 46.1 percent on pull-ups, 48.2 percent on mid-range jumpers, 40.5 percent from three and 42.9 percent on floaters.
47. PJ Hall
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PJ Hall will need his shooting to be more reliable at the next level, but he looks close enough (on his 1.4 threes per game) for a chiseled, 6'10" big who has excellent post-up and box-out technique.
He should be able to continue scoring around the key with various moves, strength and shotmaking. He'll obviously fit much easier offensively if he turns into a regular spot-up threat from behind the arc, where he hit a career-best 52 threes this past season. His rise in three-point attempts (165 in 2023-24) and consistency from the free-throw line are promising indicators.
46. Jaxson Robinson
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Jaxson Robinson's breakout earned him an NBA combine invite after he drilled 81 threes with 6'7" size and a projectable stroke. Flashes of self-creation into jumpers and drives also hint at another level of potential upside.
Though listed as a senior, he's still 21 with a year left of eligibility, and his former BYU coach is now at Kentucky. Robinson should have some interesting options and decisions to make over the next month, but staying in the draft will likely mean someone takes him for shooting in the second round.
45. Ajay Mitchell
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Currently viewed as a second-round pick by scouts, Ajay Mitchell will have a key opportunity to improve his image against power-conference guards and more mid-major stars during NBA combine scrimmages
His year ended with him scoring over 35 points in two of Santa Barbara's final three games. A weak strength of schedule, record (seventh in the Big West) and his lack of three-point volume work against him. But there will be believers in his scoring translating based on how effectively he uses change of speed to get to spots and touch shots/adjustments around the paint.
Plus, despite taking just 2.9 threes in 31.5 minutes as a third-year college guard, he made them at a solid rate (39.3 percent), burying free throws (85.8 percent) and demonstrating the shotmaking versatility to connect off the catch and dribble.
44. Jamal Shead
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While a lack of size and questionable shooting will limit Jamal Shead's first-round looks, ferocious defense, capable playmaking and toughness could earn him a role and contract similar to Jevon Carter's. He looks like a value pick in the second round for a team more interested in adding immediate rotational depth and defense over gambling on a longer-term project with upside.
43. Kyshawn George
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The combination of 6'8" size, 40.8 percent three-point shooting, ball-handling and passing skills create an archetype and intrigue that Kyshawn George may ride into the first round.
Zero explosion and a 46.7 two-point percentage does hint at some bust potential. It wouldn't be surprising if he was advised to skip scrimmaging at the combine and continue to sell his fluidity and shot during workouts.
42. Pelle Larsson
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While it would feel more comforting if Pelle Larsson shot more threes, he shot 42.6 percent for the year and 39.7 percent on 340 career attempts. The efficient transition finishing, slashing and secondary playmaking seem translatable, given his physical tools and IQ/decision-making. An interchangeable wing, Larsson has the physical tools, skill set for versatility and mentality of an NBA role player.
41. Baylor Scheierman
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Baylor Scheierman should have the shotmaking skill and passing IQ to get by without any speed or explosion. He's also been an efficient finisher using body control and touch. Betting on Scheierman at the next level ultimately means betting on skill, feel and fit to carry him through athletic disadvantages. The 9.0 rebounds per game is a bonus stat that shows he's willing to play in big-man areas.
40. Cam Christie
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Cam Christie stood out with his 40.5 percent spot-up shooting, smooth pull-up game (39.6 percent, 134 pull-up attempts) and passing flashes for a 6'6", 18-year-old. He rarely went to the rim, showed minimal adjustment ability or explosion when there and he doesn't have a floater. Christie will be heavily reliant on his jumper, but his age, size, mechanics and numbers suggest he has serious shotmaking potential.
39. Ryan Dunn
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Ryan Dunn's defensive court coverage and disruptions should be impactful enough for him to earn speciality minutes without offering any shooting or ball-handling. He has the instincts, and at 6'8", he acts on them extremely fast with his quickness and explosive leaping.
Offensively, he'll operate as a play-finisher with his bounce in transition and coming off cuts.
But to be a regular starting-caliber player, he'll either need to become somewhat capable of making a catch-and-shoot jumper, or he'll need specific teammates that can mask his weaknesses and create and stretch the floor around him.
38. Carlton Carrington
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On one hand, Carlton Carrington was able to drill 102 pull-ups at just 18 years old. On the other hand, he shot 32.2 percent from three and 33.3 percent off the catch, totaled just 29 buckets at the rim and rarely got to the free-throw line.
Unless he suddenly develops a new gear of burst or quickness, he's going to be highly dependent on hitting dribble jumpers. But at his age with 6'5" size, he still has serious shotmaking ability, and he can make some high-level passes operating as a team's playmaker.
37. Jamir Watkins
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Drafting Jamir Watkins is a bet on the Swiss Army knife archetype and outlier positional strength. At 6'7", 210 pounds, he logged 153 possessions as a pick-and-roll ball-handler. Getting downhill, he gives defenses problems with shifty dribble moves, physical drives, tough two-point shotmaking and some playmaking feel.
Shooting will unsurprisingly be a swing skill, but Watkins checks enough boxes with his rim pressure, passing, offensive rebounding and defensive tools to get by at the next level as just a capable three-point threat.
36. DaRon Holmes II
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DaRon Holmes made improvements in key areas this year with his shooting and on-ball skill as a ball-handler and passer. Size and athleticism for finishing are still his moneymakers, but some extra shotmaking and driving ability have helped separate Holmes from other basic low-post threats and dunkers. There are just translatability questions about his flat shot, face-up play and defensive presence in the paint.
35. Jalen Bridges
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Age and creation limitations will keep Jalen Bridges from going first round or maybe even drafted. But his three-and-D case feels quietly strong right now after he shot 41.2 percent from deep with 6'9" size and wing agility to guard positions 2-4.
Improved range and shot diversity—he was 15-of-27 shooting off movement and a respectable 37.0 on pull-ups—plus the cutting and transition finishing could now give Bridges enough offensive purpose for the next level.
34. Bobi Klintman
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The hesitation with Klintman focuses on the idea that he hasn't showcased a surefire NBA strength or speciality. Everything has mostly come in flashes, from his time at Sunrise Christian Academy, one year at Wake Forest and previous season in the NBL.
But the flashes of transition ball-handling, shooting range, athleticism around the rim and some live-dribble passing were enticing for a 6'8" combo forward. His positional tools and skill set create a coveted archetype that will sway teams to stay patient. Klintman's three-ball may ultimately make or break him, unless there is a lot more half-court creation that's been hidden.
33. Dillon Jones
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I'm choosing not to overthink Dillon Jones' lack of set position or questionable fit. He's become too sharp handling the ball, getting to spots and finishing off self-creation with driving layups, pull-ups and floaters. A 30.3 assist percentage highlights real point-wing playmaking skill and feel with his live-dribble passing.
And at 6'6", 235 pounds, the 9.8 boards per game reflects strength and a willingness to go after loose balls despite his offensive guard role.
He needs to keep improving his catch-and-shoot stroke, but just being capable or average may be enough for him, as he's had excellent success attacking the rim in spot-up situations.
32. Kevin McCullar Jr.
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There is still some mystery around Kevin McCullar Jr.'s knee injury that limited him late in the season and sidelined him for the NCAA tournament. Ignoring medical reports, his 18.3 points per game were generated mostly in transition and from off the ball. While McCullar struggled creating in ball-screen situations with turnovers and converting layups and pull-ups, he'll provide offensive value with his transition finishing, cutting and ability to make shots and plays curling around screens.
Though he doesn't have a signature skill or strength, and his three-point shooting percentage in five college seasons was just 30.9, he's still a threat to score in a variety of ways, his 4.1 assists in 2023-24 reflects IQ and passing, and at 6'7", he has excellent wing-defender tools and toughness.
31. Zach Edey
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For a 7'4" center, the post skill that Zach Edey now has creates enough of an advantage that it's become much easier to picture him being an effective NBA scoring option.
He obviously won't receive the same type of usage, but the ability to consistently turn into high-percentage hooks, get easy putbacks and simply provide an interior defensive presence could yield starter value for the right team.
30. Tyler Kolek
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The scouting report barely changed on Tyler Kolek from one season to the next. The advanced level of his pick-and-roll skill and feel just became more obvious and seemingly translatable.
But he's also a 44.7 percent catch-and-shooter. Between the ball screens and spot-up threes, Kolek has an adaptable game that should be able to provide enough creation for a rotational guard.
29. Harrison Ingram
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Harrison Ingram improved his shooting at North Carolina, as he spent more time off the ball getting rhythm looks next to RJ Davis and Armando Bacot. At Stanford, he was able to show more pick-and-roll ball-handling and playmaking.
Between his time at both schools, Ingram has developed a connector skill set with his spot-up threes and passing. Flashes of shotmaking from the post, pull-ups and defensive activity could be bonus that helps make Ingram a more multidimensional, two-way role player.
28. Johnny Furphy
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Positional size, shooting and athletic play-finishing create an NBA pathway and future role for Johnny Furphy. It's difficult to picture him playing many rookie minutes. Furphy's three-ball doesn't feel reliable enough to compensate for the lack of creation and passing. He rarely shot off the dribble or took a floater, and at 202 pounds, physicality will give him problems at both ends.
He's still interesting for patient teams, with the idea that he'll eventually develop into a stretch forward who'll provide complementary scoring with spot-up shooting, transition play and cutting.
27. Alex Karaban
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Alex Karaban checks a valued combination of boxes with a level of skill that feels translatable for off-ball scoring. He shot 41.0 percent on spot-up jumpers. He'll be one of the draft's most productive and efficient cutters. He may be the best in the class at reading defenses and getting himself open for easy baskets with surprise slips or backdoor actions. His outstanding 70.8 percent finishing wasn't because of explosive hops.
And at 6'8", he shot 15-of-24 on pick-and-pops.
Karaban also has a competitive edge—he'll sprint the floor and beat his man and make aggressive, physical plays defensively.
He may wind up being very undervalued due to athletic and creation limitations. The fit should be seamless.
26. Yves Missi
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Among our top 50 prospects, Yves Missi ranked second in pick-and-roll points per game behind DaRon Holmes II. He has the 7'0" size and coordination to continue giving guards a big finishing target at the next level.
Baylor also ran plays to get Missi the ball in space at the top of the key, where he's a threat to put the ball down, attack bigs off the dribble and finish on the move.
Missi struggled scoring out of post-ups, shot 61.6 percent from the line and totaled 13 assists all season. But the physical tools and foot speed for finishing, rim protection and switching, plus flashes of face-up offense, should earn Missi a first-round grade.
25. KJ Simpson
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While there will always be skeptics in undersized scoring guards, KJ Simpson demonstrated the type of craftiness, high-level shotmaking and competitiveness for teams to bet on a 6'2" guard overcoming some physical limitations. At least if the gamble only requires a pick in the late 20s or second round.
A 43.1 percent catch-and-shoot guard who hit 42.7 percent of his pull-ups and 43.2 percent of his mid-range shots, totaled 110 made half-court buckets at the rim and registered a 25.0 assist percentage in three consecutive seasons, Simpson could be a second-round bargain for a team that doesn't worry about upside.
24. Payton Sandfort
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Payton Sandfort's shotmaking felt very persuasive the year, given the quick release, contested makes, the diversity of his jumpers and the accuracy on those catch-and-shoot, movement and pull-up looks.
He's also very effective scoring off 1-2 dribbles when playing out of spot-ups.
Sandfort's creation and athletic limitations will hold him back at both ends, but he's lethal around the perimeter with valued role-player intangibles like IQ and toughness.
23. Tidjane Salaun
28 of 50At 6'9", 18 years old, Tidjane Salaun's 68 threes, 35 dunks and excellent defensive tools create a strong foundation and theoretically high floor. That's if the shooting is real, though he's looked capable from deep for the past few seasons, and his 82.7 free-throw percentage is encouraging.
In between the shotmaking and athletic finishes, he has shown some ability to attack closeouts and generate driving opportunities. He has more trouble converting contested layups below the rim, however, and he hasn't showcased any vision or passing skill.
22. Tristan da Silva
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Tristan da Silva finished his third consecutive season as a consistent three-point shooter. Between his 6'8" size, his mechanics, the accuracy and shot diversity, he makes it easy to visualize a plug-and-play spot-up scorer.
But he also got more ball-screen reps this year, and while da Silva still isn't a creator, he's become capable of shaking defenders with some space and separating into pull-ups, runners or layups.
A lack of physicality and quickness suggest that he could have more trouble separating, finishing in traffic and defending NBA wings.
21. Kyle Filipowski
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Kyle Filipowski never had the wing-like movement and shooting fluidity of a 7-footer such as Lauri Markkanen. So it was a good thing he improved in other areas that have made him more well-rounded for an NBA role player.
He raised his assist rate to 18.4 percent, a number that clearly reflects high-IQ passing and processing from the post or off drives. Filipowski went from finishing 60.7 percent of his cuts to 80.5 percent. He blocked more shots and turned the ball over less. There were plenty of promising sequences of Filipowski sliding his feet and staying with smaller ball-handlers in space.
I don't anticipate a team getting a top-two or-three option, but I like Filipowski for a jack-of-all-trades big role that gets capable shooting, smart ball-moving, inside scoring and the occasional face-up play.
20. Kel'el Ware
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Buying Kel'el Ware as a potential lottery pick means betting on the offensive skill translating, his defensive tools for above-average rim protection and the questions about his motor or toughness being overblown.
At 7'0" with mobility and the ability to play high above the rim, his finishing off lobs, rolls and putbacks should carry over. He took advantage of smaller bigs in the post with his high release point, touch and tough shotmaking. But NBA-sized centers like Donovan Clingan, Hunter Dickinson, Johni Broome and Zach Edey kept him quiet, as Ware struggles against physicality.
On the other hand, he made 17-of-40 threes and occasionally looked fluid attacking closeouts with his handle and body control.
Defensively, he's naturally going to block shots with his size and length. But opponents can expose him with quick or back-to-the-basket counters, and he was a mixed bag moving his feet one-on-one in space.
19. Jaylon Tyson
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Jaylon Tyson's production and skill development shouldn't be overlooked due to California's lousy record.
He averaged 19.6 and 3.5 assists off some advanced creation, shotmaking and live-dribble reads. Tyson was most effective in ball-screen situations, handling at 6'7" with the ability to dance around and shoot off the dribble and attack with strong physical tools or play the role of setup passer.
With a monster usage, he's prone to forced shots and passes. And it's worth questioning how well he'll transition to more of an off-ball role at the next level.
But Tyson's scoring versatility really stood out, specifically his footwork and rhythm in creation and ability to hit jumpers in different ways with NBA forward size. I like him as a small-ball 4 and go-to guy for a second unit.
18. Ja'Kobe Walter
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It's not worth nitpicking at Ja'Kobe Walter's 34.1 three-point percentage. He buried 75 threes, shot 37.8 percent (on volume) at Link Academy and just hit 79.2 percent of his free throws. The shotmaking feels real, and at 6'5" with a solid physical profile, he pairs shooting with strong defensive tools and quickness.
His on-ball creation needs work. His handle has its moments on quick moves that result in line-drive opportunities. But he can also be loose with it, and he doesn't have the burst to blow by without being able to freeze his man with a dribble move first. He was able to draw 183 fouls, but Walter mostly struggled at the rim (46.1 percent on layups).
A realistic, high-end outcome feels like a three-and-D spot-up 2-guard such as Wesley Matthews or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
17. Devin Carter
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Before the season, Devin Carter had been on my radar as a deep sleeper for a defensive specialist role. Fast-forward, and he's been top 20 for the most of the season due to his offensive improvement.
Carter used a big spike in usage to become a dangerous ball-screen weapon and confident shotmaker, finishing with 85 threes (37.7 percent) after making 35 last season.
He was an effective pick-and-roll ball-handler, using change of pace and patient dribbles to find a path to the rim. His pull-up was erratic, and though he added new isolation moves with his step-back and side-step footwork, he didn't convert those self-created jumpers at a good rate.
Carter profiles as more of an off-guard, given physical and on-ball weaknesses and his 40.7 percent catch-and-shoot stroke, efficient cutting and ability to get downhill with dribble handoffs.
Still, relentless, pesky defense may be his moneymaker. It's not often guards in the 6'3" range can block 30-plus shots in consecutive seasons. Carter's ability to stay attached gives his men little margin for error.
16. Cody Williams
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Efficient scoring and excellent defensive tools are the selling points to Cody Williams. He averaged 11.9 points on just 20.8 percent usage and 62.0 percent true shooting.
He stood out most driving the ball and finishes those drives with some difficult one-handers and touch shots. Some of his makes in the lane looked like they had no chance on his way up.
He showed a comfort level playing off the ball, making 46.2 percent of his catch-and-shoot chances and picking good spots to cut.
I still have a tough time picturing offensive upside based on how raw he looked in creation situations, his low-volume three-point numbers and a very limited pull-up. But Williams' knack for finding ways to make plays within the offense's flow, as well as defend 4s and wings, feels translatable to a complementary role.
He projects as the type of low-maintenance supporting player who'll impact games without putting up flashy stats.
15. Pacome Dadiet
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Pacome Dadiet's game looks very adaptable due to his shotmaking versatility, how well he moves without the ball and his defensive tools.
But between his age, 44.1 percent pull-up jumper and ultra efficiency on his limited ball-screen reps (1.1 PPP), it's also worth betting on more on-ball upside and development over the next few years.
14. Terrence Shannon Jr.
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Front offices will debate Terrence Shannon Jr.'s speed, slashing, shotmaking improvement and defensive tools versus age, streaky shooting and a reliance on high usage and athleticism.
Investigations into rape allegations will still be the most important part of any pre-draft homework. The University of Illinois recently dropped its investigation, citing insufficient evidence. However, a criminal case in Kansas remains open, and Shannon will have a hearing on May 10.
The results will be critical for his draft stock, as will each team's own findings.
Just evaluating on-court development and NBA fit (if he's cleared of disturbing allegations), an improved handle, lightning first step downhill and shotmaking confidence have made Shannon a high-level player in ball-screen situations. Between his rim pressure in transition and as a pick-and-roll ball-handler, and his 31 made pull-ups threes and 46 made catch-and-shoot threes, he's gradually evolved into an NBA scoring prospect.
13. Dalton Knecht
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Dalton Knecht finished his one season at Tennessee averaging 21.7 points on 57.8 percent true shooting. His numbers weren't that different from 2022-23's at Northern Colorado (20.2 points, 58.6 percent TS), but scouts obviously took him more seriously this year based on the competition he faced.
Knecht put up 37 points against Purdue, 40 against Kentucky, 39 against Auburn, 31 against South Carolina, 39 against Florida and 37 against North Carolina. A 6'6" wing with this level of shotmaking skill and production, plus some toughness attacking the rim and effective leaping ability for transition finishing, comes off as a highly safe bet to fill a supporting scoring role at the NBA.
He'll likely go higher than his B/R ranking to a team that's more interested in a sure thing than an upside gamble. Aside from Cameron Johnson, Malcolm Brogdon and Buddy Hield, there have been very few players drafted at 23 years old who went on to start regularly for years. There is also an extremely small list of NBA players who were taken as seniors and registered a steal percentage under 1.5. Knecht falls into both those categories at 23 with a 1.3 steal percentage, and it's at least worth thinking about age and his quickness for separating and defending at the pro level.
12. Tyler Smith
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Tyler Smith was very productive and useful for Ignite with a simple combination of shotmaking, vertical pop at the rim and motor.
And that combination feels translatable to a catch-and-score role for making spot-up and pick-and-pop jumpers, play-finishing pick-and-rolls and dump downs and running the floor for easy baskets.
He's not the highest-level creator or rim protector, but Smith has the right tools and skill set for a stretch 4.
11. Donovan Clingan
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Donovan Clingan feels like one of the draft's easiest bets to be a positive NBA contributor and valued starter at his position. A 280-pound center who doesn't shoot, handle or operate outside the paint may just need the right roster construction around him. Regardless, for two seasons he showed he could use his enormous frame, feet, length and reactions to block shots, contest in pick-and-roll coverage, own the glass and pick up easy baskets.
His measurements won't be far off from Rudy Gobert's. I wouldn't anticipate that level of impact, but Clingan has the right tools and movement to reach a high-end outcome for that archetype.
There are some questions about his post fluidity or stiffness separating into shots when contested.
Flashes of passing and three-point confidence during warm-ups provide extra reasons to be positively imaginative.
10. Stephon Castle
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Stephon Castle's impact felt magnified during Connecticut's championship run, despite the freshman not showing anything new relative to what we saw during the regular season.
His shot still feels far from trustworthy or even worth betting on reaching positive levels. That's just based on the lack of three-point attempts and bad misses.
Otherwise, at 6'6", his ability to handle, pass, make plays from off the ball and lock down defensively all feel highly translatable.
NBA optimists will want to see a jumbo playmaker who can eventually be a shooting threat that disallows defenders from playing off him. It seems more realistic to picture a Josh Hart type for Castle, who'll play the same Swiss Army knife role he did at Connecticut that called for ball-moving, physical drives, cutting, offensive rebounding and defensive toughness.
9. Zaccharie Risacher
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Zaccharie Risacher was so hot through the first few months that after a late-season slump, he's still at 38.9 percent from three. The eye test on his quick, high release point remains convincing, particularly with Risacher also making 45.5 percent of his shots off screens.
It's the lack of on-ball scoring that's making it difficult to picture upside. He's almost never used in isolation or ball-screen situations, and his handle doesn't appear tight when he's trying to execute a move in a tight window. He's also at 29.1 percent on pull-ups, though he's been more effective with his runner/floater game.
When he does put the ball down, Risacher is at his best pushing in transition or attacking half-court defenses in straight lines. His off-ball scoring profile remains promising, as does his three-and-D projection.
Risacher should have excellent wing measurements. He's shown he can guard the point of attack and cover ground/airspace with speed to get out and contest shots.
In a draft where it's difficult to identify the stars, it's ultimately Risacher's floor that has him top 10 on my board. There is too much guesswork in determining whether he can be more than a Harrison Barnes-like complementary shotmaker.
8. Isaiah Collier
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I was tough on Isaiah Collier earlier in the season due to frustrating decision-making in USC losses and problematic shooting. But instead of thinking of him as a top pick and high-usage NBA starter, he sounds a lot more realistic, appealing and valuable for a high-level bench spark.
In that role, he could play more to his strengths, particularly his ability to self-create scoring chances with shifty and physical driving. And that strength feels like it will translate based on his burst, frame and ball-handling.
I'm buying the creativity and elusiveness, which means he should also offer playmaking, as he's clearly a skilled passer. As more of a role player than starting NBA point guard, the rim pressure, creation and setup ability outweigh the turnovers.
While I don't anticipate a plus NBA shooter, he's demonstrated enough shotmaking to suggest he can reach a useful level of shotmaking capability. Still, assuming he hangs around the 30.0 three-point percentage on low volume, it's difficult to picture star-level upside.
7. Jared McCain
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Jared McCain was one of the biggest movers on my board over the second half of the season.
Convincing shooting obviously drives the appeal. He was one of the top shotmakers in high school basketball and college. McCain went out at Duke with eight threes in the Sweet 16 and five in the Blue Devils' Elite 8 loss to North Carolina State, giving him 87 for the year.
But McCain checks in at top 10 due to the adjustments he made as a pick-and-roll creator and finisher. I didn't expect him to be as effective as he was manipulating in ball-screens, getting to spots and converting around the basket, where he shot 61.7 percent despite picking up only one dunk on the year.
He shows excellent poise and feel for when to slow down and accelerate when attacking a defense. And he has effective touch shots and counters for his drives.
McCain still profiles as more of a combo, and he's very comfortable off the ball, shooting off spot-ups (40.7 percent), movement (40.0 percent) and transition (30 3PTM).
The lack of size and explosion may limit his upside, but reaching an Immanuel Quickley level of scoring firepower and secondary playmaking feels very attainable.
6. Matas Buzelis
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Matas Buzelis' final highlight tape showed enticing flashes of shotmaking diversity, athletic finishing and defensive playmaking. The lowlights showed a player who wasn't reliable from three, struggled to create with a level of sharpness and had trouble finishing after contact.
His 6'8" size, open-floor ball-handling, ability to hit various jump shots and soar above the rim form a coveted big-wing archetype. He should be able to improve his shooting based on his accuracy last year in high school and three-level shotmaking.
It's hard to be as optimistic in his half-court handle, which looks too shaky when pressured.
The Franz Wagner comparisons from earlier in the season sound farfetched. But he should be a lesser version based on his measurements and scoring versatility.
5. Rob Dillingham
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Rob Dillingham's 2-of-9 showing in Kentucky's loss to Oakland has already been forgotten. It was impressive that he didn't have more off games like that one, given his shot selection and fluctuating role sharing the ball with DJ Wagner, Reed Sheppard and Antonio Reeves.
Dillingham's efficiency and consistency—while demonstrating high-level creation and shotmaking skill—are what's behind his believability as a dangerous NBA scoring threat.
His defense at times was bad enough to the point where it downgrades his overall evaluation and value. And at 176 pounds, it's difficult to be optimistic looking forward.
But between his ball-handling and quickness for getting to spots and separating, and his pull-up game (39.3 percent) and floater (52.8 percent), his scoring and takeover ability feel translatable.
Dillingham also showed encouraging passing throughout the season, though there is no mistaking his core strengths, mentality and what drives his value. Ideally, he's paired with a bigger playmaker who could take pressure off him to set up others. Dillingham's 47.8 catch-and-shoot percentage also highlights his comfort level for playing off the ball.
4. Alex Sarr
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Alex Sarr figures to be No. 1 on some teams' boards behind the idea that his defense is a lock and his open-floor ball-handling and shotmaking development will continue. Theoretically, no other top prospect has the potential to impact games at both ends like Sarr, a 7'1" shot-blocker who can slide with guards, hit threes, knock down pull-ups and fallaways, attack closeouts and occasionally initiate fast breaks.
He finished the year with 16 made threes, 14 dribble jumpers and an impressive 8-of-14 mark on runners/floaters, unique numbers for an 19-year-old his size. The fluidity at which he can put the ball down and separate into a balanced, makable shot is where the offensive upside really shines.
Still, he remains raw offensively, showing some lack of polish converting off his creation. Despite athleticism and length for finishing, he doesn't have strong hands and struggled at times converting rolls to the basket and layups in traffic.
Defensively, he popped the most on switches, moving in space. He'll always remain a threat in rim protection, but at his size, his lateral mobility is what separates him.
An 18.3 defensive rebounding percentage is underwhelming for a player his size, though it also came against NBL pros as an 18-year-old.
It still feels like the worst-case outcome for Sarr can still be valuable for a team that would get a super versatile defender and lob-catcher who'd be able to hit the occasional three. Best-case, he replicates Jonathan Isaac defensively while collecting easy baskets, regularly spacing the floor, capitalizing on drives and flashing to the middle for catch-and-shoot makes.
3. Nikola Topić
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Just two games into Nikola Topić's return from a three-month layoff, his position on my board remains fluid. In his first 34 combined minutes back, he's made four of five threes, stepping into jumpers with confidence, getting good rotation on the ball and ultimately looking like a capable shotmaker.
His timing as a finisher has looked off, though he was highly effective around the basket playing with Mega MIS before transferring. With 6'6" size, ball-handling speed, vision and strong use of adjustments, his body and touch, Topić should continue to thrive in transition and in ball-screen situations in the NBA.
His positional tools and comfort level/production in quality pro leagues at 18 years old (turns 19 in August) feels worth betting on, even if there are some questions about his three-point percentages, athleticism and defense.
2. Reed Sheppard
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There shouldn't be more weight attached to Reed Sheppard's uncharacteristic poor last game against Oakland, which garnered negative attention due to the stakes. It had already become evident that Sheppard was a special shotmaker, and while he made some bad decisions in an off NCAA tournament game, there had been plenty of evidence of high IQ and hidden creativity with burst off change of speed that I expect to see more of in the NBA.
He was highly efficient in pick-and-roll situations (1.07 PPP), showing command with his pacing, handle and reads. His isolation results were mixed—I watched all 25 possessions and saw both space creation with his pull-up and step-back, some ability to blow by and also some trouble finishing drives or getting past bigger defenders.
Still, self-creation can be overrated for players who shoot 52.1 percent on pull-ups and have elite touch, as evidenced by his 9-of-15 clip on floaters and 83.1 free-throw percentage.
Aside from off-the-charts percentages, a strong assist-to-turnover ratio and elite defensive playmaking numbers, which highlight unteachable instincts and anticipation, the analytics show a BPM that ranks tied for 12th all-time among freshmen behind 11 top-six picks.
Sheppard doesn't have the typical usage, measurements or athleticism of a top pick. But I'm choosing to bet on elite shotmaking, intangibles, untapped on-ball juice and a history of Kentucky guards showing more in bigger NBA roles.
1. Ron Holland
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Despite G League Ignite's rough record, Ron Holland averaging 19.5 points at 18 years old still took a high level of athleticism, developing creation and shotmaking capability.
Being a No. 1 option on a team lacking high-gravity scorers and playmakers played an obvious role in Holland's high turnover rate and three-point inefficiency.
Even without consistent shooting early at the next level, he should continue to be an offensive threat off his open-floor speed, first step in the half court, improving ball-handling, capable jumper and finishing tools.
The ball-handling flashes are the biggest reason to remain optimistic about his potential trajectory as a scorer. He pulled off some impressive moves changing direction and getting to spots despite not being known for a creator. And as the season moved along, Holland learned how to slow down and change pace more effectively.
Shooting does remain an important swing skill for his potential to reach stardom as a wing. His 24.0 three-point percentage is obviously scary, particularly for a player who won't offer much playmaking on nights when his jumper is off.
But Holland has still shown he can make tough dribble jumpers and catch fire in certain games when his confidence is up. For a prospect whose explosion and foot speed should translate to easy baskets, rim pressure and defense, and whose creation is getting sharper and expanding, just reaching a Jaylen Brown level of shooting could be enough for Holland to become one of the class' top scorers and players.
