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Nah, sorry dude. I would have liked him in '97. I watched him wanting to like him during March Madness but his moves are so mechanical and slow. I think Wemba/Chet will cook him, welcome to NBA moment when matched up against Edey. First big man off the bench, for sure. Use up 5-6 fouls a game if needed. Mocks got him going in the 20's in the first round which is pretty good for him. Boban Marjanovic career trajectory at best which is nothing to sneeze at. 9 years in the league so far for Boban.
Edit: Looked at the latest mock I posted and they have him going #31. Seems like 2nd round territory. Long time until the draft. Maybe he will grade better at the combine and workouts.
Wemba and Chet need to get hot outside because it will be hard for either to back him down. If the coach is smart, they will design a defense where Edey stays in middle waiting for WemChet to drive. On the offense side, Edey showed he can score against 7'2 Clingan. He also has poise to kick out and not force when they double/triple team him...what a luxury to have in the NBA. Spread him with shooters and it's a recipe for success. What a bargain for the team to get him late in the draft.
On Tuesday, two-time Naismith Player of the Year Zach Edey officially declared for the 2024 NBA Draft. The 7-foot-4 big man is not expected to be one of the top picks in this year's selection process, but many mock drafts have him coming off the board late first round. Edey is a Canadian citizen, and many NBA fans seem convinced that he'll have a homecoming with the Toronto Raptors.
Nah, sorry dude. I would have liked him in '97. I watched him wanting to like him during March Madness but his moves are so mechanical and slow. I think Wemba/Chet will cook him, welcome to NBA moment when matched up against Edey. First big man off the bench, for sure. Use up 5-6 fouls a game if needed. Mocks got him going in the 20's in the first round which is pretty good for him. Boban Marjanovic career trajectory at best which is nothing to sneeze at. 9 years in the league so far for Boban.
Edit: Looked at the latest mock I posted and they have him going #31. Seems like 2nd round territory. Long time until the draft. Maybe he will grade better at the combine and workouts.
This. Edey might be effective offensively for spurts if the match-ups are favorable, but he will have no chance defensively on most nights.
Stick to basketball, Zach Edey. The Purdue big man was invited to throw out the first pitch at Tuesday's Chicago Cubs game, and, well, it was not great. Give him credit. The 7 feet, 4 inch star, rocking his No. 15 on the back of the royal blue pinstripes of the Northsiders, went to the rubber to fire off the pitch. Clark the Cub went behind the plate, so it was not like this had much of a chance of being stopped in the dirt. However, not even Johnny Bench, Yadier Molina or Pudge Rodriguez would have done much. Edey came out of the stretch and came set, and his form looked halfway decent. It was just the result that was rough to see. He yanked his pitch well into the left-hander's batters box, and it one-hopped into the brick-wall backstop.
I pasted the first 10. There are 18 including Edy who has climbed the mocks into the 1st round, 20ish pick.
1. Carlton Carrington Carlton Carrington was the highest riser of this HoopsHype aggregate mock draft by vaulting up 25 spots into the late first round. The 18-year-old combo guard earned ACC All-Freshman honors. His 3-point shooting will need work to become more consistent and he must improve as an on-ball defender. Several executives who spoke with HoopsHype believe Carrington could land in the 15-30 range by draft night. “I think he can handle the ball and has good size,” a longtime NBA executive told HoopsHype. “I don’t know if he can guard anybody on our level at his position. He didn’t showcase an ability to create shots for himself. He did a good job of passing the ball.”
2. Justin Edwards Justin Edwards had the second-highest rise among prospects in our latest HoopsHype aggregate mock draft, vaulting up 21 spots on the board, and is now a borderline first-round pick. Edwards entered his freshman season with sky-high expectations as a potential high lottery pick and ended up being a good role player for the Wildcats, shooting 36.5 percent beyond the arc and 48.6 percent overall. “I liked what I saw from him in the summer when he was in EYBL,” an NBA scout told HoopsHype. “He just hasn’t figured it out. Kentucky might not have been the place for him. He’ll probably go in the draft unless he goes somewhere that’s giving him a bunch of NIL money.” As the scout hinted, Edwards only got seven shots per game and averaged 21.4 minutes. Should Edwards remain in the draft, who are some NBA comparisons? “Edwards is a little older for a freshman (20) and isn’t the most in-shape guy,” an NBA scout told HoopsHype. “There’s a Shabazz Muhammad comparison with Edwards that some people may not want to hear. When he’s on, there’s a Rodney Hood comparison to be made. He’s fine. I think you can win basketball games with him as a role player.”
3. DaRon Holmes Note: Would be delighted if he was a Knick pick. DaRon Holmes had the third-highest jump of any prospect in our latest HoopsHype aggregate mock draft and now finds himself as a borderline first-round pick on the board, his highest projection all season. Several NBA executives are high on Holmes and believe he could be off the board as a late first-round pick.
It should come as no surprise after Holmes dominated at Dayton after returning for his junior season by winning the A-10 Co-Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards. With the NBA featuring heavy pick-and-roll actions against big men, Holmes can hold his own defensively with his length and foot speed to hold his own on the perimeter and block shots around the rim. During his junior season at Dayton, Holmes became a floor spacer and potential pick-and-pop threat at the NBA level by shooting 38.6 percent on 2.5 3-point attempts.
4. Hunter Sallis Hunter Sallis rose significantly in the latest mock draft from a late second-round pick to No. 41 overall, a personal high for him thus far. Sallis is one of the top breakout players of this draft class who emerged as an All-ACC First Team member with Wake Forest after two seasons as a bench player in limited minutes at Gonzaga. “I think Sallis had confidence at Gonzaga but wasn’t able to showcase it,” a longtime NBA executive told HoopsHype. “Now, he was the man at Wake Forest after being a fourth option at Gonzaga.”
Sallis — a late addition to the early-entry list for the draft — scores off the dribble with his mid-range pull-up jumper and by attacking the rim. He can also nail catch-and-shoot threes when playing away from the ball. Sallis is a disruptive defender and plays with energy despite his slender frame.
5. Tristan Da Silva Tristan Da Silva went from an early second-round pick in the previous two HoopsHype aggregate mock drafts to a Top 20 selection in this edition, his highest projection this season. The former Colorado standout will turn 23 before the draft and is a combo forward who can fill the stat sheet across the board. Over the past two seasons, he’s shot 39.5 percent from 3-point range, giving NBA talent evaluators confidence he can carve out a role as a stretch-four.
6. Trey Alexander Last year, heading into the combine, Trey Alexander was considered a combo guard, with some NBA executives questioning if he could be a playmaker as a primary ball handler to complement his 3-point shooting. After a junior season at Creighton, where Alexander showed improvement as a floor general, leading the team in assists (4.7), he appeared to answer some of those questions.
7. Terrence Shannon Jr. In December, Terrence Shannon Jr. was charged with rape for an alleged incident that took place three months earlier. His attorneys say there is no DNA evidence from him and have motioned for a Daubert Hearing and to exclude expert testimony. This new information could be a reason why he rose 10 spots in the aggregate mock draft, and his stock is the highest it’s been. The case will continue to be closely monitored by NBA executives. As for Shannon’s play on the basketball court, the 23-year-old swingman has an NBA frame and can guard three positions. After talent evaluators questioned his outside shot, Shannon shot 36.2 percent during the season.
8. Baylor Scheierman Baylor Scheierman has crept into the late 30s range, the highest his draft stock has been all season. Scheierman is a versatile 3-point shooter who can stretch the floor coming off screens, finding open space away from the ball for catch-and-shoot jumpers and the occasional step-back jumper. If called upon, Scheierman can finish around the rim and find open teammates off penetration. The 23-year-old became the first Division-I men’s player in NCAA history to surpass 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 500 assists, and 300 three-pointers. Defensively, however, Scheierman is not nearly as accomplished as the other side of the court and is routinely beaten off the dribble by opponents who take advantage of his lack of foot speed and overall athleticism.
9. Kyshawn George Kyshawn George could be a home run swing for an NBA team willing to invest in him long-term and has now moved into the mid-20s, his highest projection. George has deep 3-point range, excelling on catch-and-shoot looks, and is an effective penetrator and lob thrower as a passer. He has the size of a small forward and the handle of a point guard. Defensively, George has all the physical tools to be an above-average on-ball defender. “I think Kyshawn is pretty good,” a veteran NBA scout told HoopsHype. “He’s young and skilled. He’s big at 6-foot-8, can shoot, and can handle it. He’s going to need some years, but you’d invest in him. I’d pick him higher than a lot of other guys because of his age. He’s impressed me.”
10. Alex Karaban Through three straight HoopsHype aggregate mock drafts, Alex Karaban has projected in the 40s.The UConn stretch forward has shot 38.9 percent from downtown in back-to-back championship seasons with the Huskies. Karaban also occasionally posts up smaller defenders. Karaban struggles to create his shot and keep up with quicker perimeter players due to his average athleticism.
Below are the results from 2024 NBA Draft Lottery presented by State Farm:
1. Atlanta
2. Washington
3. Houston
4. San Antonio
5. Detroit
6. Charlotte
7. Portland
8. San Antonio
9. Memphis
10. Utah
11. Chicago
12. Oklahoma City
13. Sacramento
14. Portland
Mocks after the draft lottery. Will paste first ten picks. BTW, I am all for the Hawks taking Sarr although he doesn't deserve to be the first overall, IMO. Maybe, big maybe, he could turn into a Chet or Wemby.
1. Atlanta Hawks - Alex Sarr, C, France
It’s easy to dream on Sarr’s long-term upside with the most impressive physical tools of any player in this draft class. At 7’1 with a nearly 7’5 wingspan, Sarr is a super mobile big man who can blow up plays on switches, erase shots at the rim defensively, and fly in transition with speed and coordination. For all of his talent, Sarr still looks nothing like a typical No. 1 overall pick. He can’t create for himself offensively against a set defense, his jump shot is a bit more theoretical than reliable to this point, and he rarely plays with force around the rim. If Sarr ultimately ends up as a center, he’s going to need to add significant strength and learn how to play through contact. If he becomes a four, he’ll either need to play with a stockier five with shooting ability or work to develop his own three-point shot. While he’s far from a lock to be a future NBA star, it’s easy to see a pathway for the 19-year-old to eventually get there. Athletic play finishers who can defend the perimeter and protect the rim are a rare breed. If Sarr can figure out how to make an offensive impact, he could be the type of versatile big every team covets.
2. Washington Wizards - Nikola Topic, G, Serbia
Topic has been the No. 1 player on our board all season for his blend of scoring and playmaking as an offensive initiator. The 6’5 lead guard showed the ability to dust defenders off the dribble and generate rim pressure at will to set up good looks for himself and his teammates. Despite being one of the youngest players in this draft class (he turns 19 on Aug. 10), Topic was among the most productive offensive players in the Adriatic league for Mega Basket. His long strides and extension finishes help him score over length around the rim, and he has good vision when the defense keys in on his drives. Unfortunately, Topic injured his knee in Jan. after transferring to Crvena zvezda and hasn’t showed the same explosiveness since returning for last month. Scouts will poke holes in his outside shot and his ability to guard, but if he can regain his burst going to the basket, Topic’s ability to collapse opposing defenses makes him a possible blue chip talent in this class.
3. Houston Rockets - Rob Dillingham, G, Kentucky
Dillingham is an impossibly shifty shot creator for himself and others thanks to his deep shooting range, soft touch, and tremendous vision as a passer. The 6’2 guard has the best handle in the class with the ability to link dribble-crossovers, change direction, and get off a good look at the rim against bigger defenders. He’s the rare guard prospect whose shooting ability feels equally dangerous off the dribble and off the catch: Dillingham can punish unders with deep pull-ups, and also has a fantastic feel for relocating around the three-point line to knock down spot-ups. Dillingham’s scoring is so dangerous that it often lulls defenders into forgetting about his excellent playmaking ability. He can throw a well-placed lob for a big man or whip a pass to a corner shooter when defenses key in on stopping him. So what’s the catch? The NBA doesn’t have much love for smaller guards these days, and Dillingham’s thin frame will make him a target on the defensive end and cause problems for him as a finisher. He can also get a little wild with his shot selection, though he played much more under control than originally anticipated when he arrived at Kentucky. If a guard like Darius Garland can succeed in the NBA, Dillingham can, too.
4. San Antonio Spurs - Ron Holland, F, G League Ignite
The G League Ignite had such a miserable season that the NBA shut down the entire program. The nightmare context of the team’s season makes evaluating their top prospects even more challenging, and no one is more representative of that than Ron Holland. Holland entered this draft cycle last summer as the potential No. 1 overall pick in the class, but his turnover issues, inefficient scoring, and outsized role now have some wondering if he’s even a top-10 pick. I think that’s overthinking it: Holland is still a big 6’8 wing with high-level speed and leaping, a motor that never stops running, and some untapped playmaking potential. Holland is at his best offensively by getting downhill and attacking the basket with force. He can jump higher and hang in the air longer than his opponents, and also has no issues playing through contact. His jump shot remains a major work in progress (23.7 percent from three on 97 attempts), and his decision-making off the dribble can be problematic, too (93 turnovers to 90 assists). Holland should have an easier transition defensively. He’s quick enough on his feet getting around screens to handle wing stopper duties, he’s strong enough to provide resistance as the low man, and he has a knack for grabbing 50/50 balls. Holland will need to fix his jump shot to warrant a pick this early in the draft, but his physical gifts, relentless mentality, and youth (he doesn’t turn 19 until July 7) still makes him a top prospect.
5. Detroit Pistons - Zaccharie Risacher, F, France
Risacher is a 6’10 forward out of France who can space the floor, defend at the point of attack, and provide some slashing ability to the basket. His hot start as a three-point shooter for JL Bourg in the top French pro league helped him skyrocket up draft boards, with ESPN still sticking with him as the No. 1 player in the class. This part of the draft feels more appropriate for someone with his skill set in our view, especially with his shooting tailing off over the last two months. Risacher mostly plays off the ball, and ideally projects as a high-volume, highly accurate three-point shooter. Given that he’s only a 71.9 percent free throw shooter, there’s reason to be skeptical that his touch is really that elite. Where Risacher is really impressive is as a wing stopper: he’s able to smother smaller players with his length, and he’s impressive at getting around screens to stay attached to his man. There’s definitely an avenue for Risacher to be a very good 3-and-D style wing, but the lack of creation ability makes him feel more like a top-10 pick than a top-3 pick to me.
6. Charlotte Hornets - Matas Buzelis, F, G League Ignite
Like his teammate Holland, Buzelis fell short of his lofty early season expectations partially as a byproduct of the Ignite’s dysfunction. Peel back the layers and there’s still an interesting prospect here even after a rough campaign. At 6’10, Buzelis shows flashes of a dribble/pass/shoot skill set. He has real creativity as a driver, showing the ability to change directions with crossovers and step-throughs when he puts the ball on the floor. He’s better at attacking tilted defenses, meaning he profiles more as a secondary handler who will need to prove his jump shot is legitimate to earn close outs from opposing defenses. Buzelis only shot 26 percent on 115 three-point attempts with Ignite and only made 69.6 percent of his free throws. Buzelis reportedly shot better than 40 percent from deep as a senior at prep powerhouse Sunrise Christian, and having him this high is a bet on his shot bouncing back in a better team context. While his offense underwhelmed, Buzelis’ defense looked a little better than expected. He’s a good rotational defender who knows how to use his length to block shots (he had 64 blocks in 34 games). Buzelis will greatly benefit from adding strength to his frame and learning to play through contact. If he can rediscover his shooting stroke, he looks like a nice secondary scorer with plus size who can handle and space the floor.
7. Portland Trail Blazers - Donovan Clingan, C, UConn
Clingan tied together UConn’s back-to-back national championship teams with his monster combination of size and rim protection. At 7’2 with a reported 7’7 wingspan, Clingan will be among the biggest players in the NBA from the day he’s drafted. He has an easy translation as a shot-blocking center in drop coverage who will put a lid on the rim. Clingan showed a bit more quickness and coverage versatility defensively as a sophomore, and his starring role against Zach Edey in the national championship game now has some thinking he could be a candidate for No. 1 overall. We still have a few concerns. Clingan only played 49 percent of available minutes for UConn all season, and topped 30 minutes in a game just four times as a sophomore. How often can he stay on the floor? Clingan is also only a 55.8 percent free throw shooter and a total non-threat from three. His interior finishing is good-not-great because he isn’t an explosive leaper. His best offensive skill set is his passing, where he can used as a hub for dribble-handoffs, and has an ability to hit cutters. Mostly, a team would be drafting Clingan for his defense and shot-blocking, and it could still return top value in a weaker draft.
8. San Antonio Spurs - Stephon Castle, G, UConn
Castle is a big, physical guard who can lockdown defensively while playing a connective role on offense. At 6’6, 220 pounds with a 6’9 wingspan, Castle has a tremendous combination of quickness and power that allows him to handle tough defensive assignments at the point of attack. He’s very good at sliding his feet, getting over screens, and keeping his chest in front of ball handlers. He has strong hands to rip the ball away on digs, and he shows good instincts as a help defender. Offensively is where the question marks lie for Castle, and it starts with his jump shot. He only hit 26.7 percent of 75 attempts from three-point range this year, and his tenancy to turn down open looks was even more discouraging than his percentages. He did shoot 75 percent on free throws, though, so it’s not like his touch is totally broken. If the shot comes along, Castle has some other offensive skills to work with. While he doesn’t have the greatest burst as a driver, Castle is still a load going downhill and uses his strength well to create space and finish at the basket (54.4 percent on two-pointers). He’s also a good offensive rebounder who can get putbacks and keep possessions alive. It isn’t hard to imagine Castle playing a similar role to Marcus Smart or maybe Jrue Holiday, but the shot must come around for him to hit his potential.
9. Memphis Grizzlies - Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky
No one saw Sheppard as a one-and-done coming into the season, but his early emergence as Kentucky’s best player quickly changed that. The 6’2 guard was a blistering shooter from three-point range and a turnover-forcing machine until an underwhelming performance in the first round of the NCAA tournament ended the Wildcats’ season. Sheppard’s ability to overcome his tiny frame in the NBA will have to start with elite shooting ability. He knocked down 52.1 percent of his threes on 144 attempts this year, an incredible number that stacks up with any prospect to hit the draft over the last decade. Sheppard was also a major defensive playmaker, using his razor sharp hands to record an impressive 4.6 percent steal rate and 2.5 percent block rate. Sheppard’s advanced metrics were so good that he posted a top-15 box score plus-minus for any freshman since 2009, and the rest of the list is littered with good NBA players. Sheppard doesn’t feel like he has enough juice to play on-ball in the NBA, and his lack of size will make it easy to shoot over the top of his closeouts regardless of how good his hands are. As long as he keeps shooting it at an elite level, he should make a positive NBA impact regardless.
10. Utah Jazz - Cody Williams, F, Colorado
The younger brother of ascendant Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams, Cody Williams is a toolsy but raw wing prospect who could pay off big down the line with proper development. At 6’8 with a 7’1 wingspan, Williams is a long and rangey athlete with real speed and coordination in the open floor. He was an excellent finisher around the basket as a freshman, converting nearly 59 percent of his looks from two-point range. He also hit 41.5 percent of his threes, but only took 41 attempts all season due to nagging injuries and a reluctance to shoot over contests. Williams’ lack of three-point volume is scary for his projection given that he doesn’t have great burst as a ball-handler, either. He does have real defensive tools, though, and could emerge as a wing stopper as he adds strength. Williams certainly passes the eye test with his open floor passing and attacking, but his handle in tight spaces limits him significantly against a set defense. As long as Williams goes to a patient team with a clear developmental plan, he should have a high enough skill level to turn into a good NBA wing eventually.
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What a bargain for the team to get him late in the draft.
