2024 NBA Big Board

Ranking prospects for the 2024 NBA Draft

Last update: 6/24/2024

1.

Alexandre Sarr

Sarr is a massive and mobile big man currently playing for the Perth Wildcats of the NBL. He’s listed at 7’1” with a 7’5” wingspan and moves very fluidly for his height. He’s quick off his feet and knows when to rotate to protect the rim. Given his defensive numbers (1.25 blocks per game in only 19 minutes per game) he should provide value as a rim protector right away in the NBA. Once you account for the fact that he is only 18 and has great measurables, it's easy to imagine Sarr becoming a top defender in the NBA down the road.

On offense, Sarr rolls hard and finishes like he wants to tear the rim off. He’s a lob threat when rolling, cutting, and sitting in the dunker spot. He has shown he can put the ball on the floor for straight line drives to the rim and moves well with the ball for his size. He also looks confident off of short rolls and can get to the rim off the bounce or look for open teammates when the defense collapses. His jump shot has a lot of moving parts, but he has shown the ability to knock down open jumpers on occasion, even extending out to the three point line. I worry about the consistency of his mechanics with how much his upper body moves throughout his shot.

Overall, his ability to serve as a rim protector and roll man should give him value right off the bat in the NBA. His size, athleticism, and flashes of offensive versatility have convinced me he’s the top prospect in this draft as of now. Long term, he will need to develop a consistent jump shot and improve at attacking the rim off the bounce to become an all-star level big man.

6’6” 200 lbs

0.95 spg 0.1 bpg

Topić is a 6’6'' point guard from Serbia who thrives off getting to the bucket. He’s quick with the ball in his hands and is constantly putting pressure on the rim. He will be able to run pick and rolls at high efficiency right away in the NBA given his ability to slash, create in the midrange, and make the right read. He has a Steve Nash-esque dribble style, as he shows confidence probing in traffic and whipping passes to his teammates with either hand. His variety of finishing moves help him find ways to create good looks at the rim. He has exceptional footwork and knows when to initiate contact, specifically when attacking taller rim protectors. His jump shot is a work in progress, as he doesn’t elevate much and his arc is a bit flat. He shot 30.6% from three on the year, but his touch around the rim and excellent free throw shooting (87.8) indicates he has upside as a jump-shooter.

Despite injury concerns, I still have Topić rated highly because of the fact that I believe he has the highest offensive ceiling in this draft. His positional size, ability to create efficient shots for himself, and passing feel gives him star potential as a lead guard. His elite finishing and playmaking should translate well into NBA offense. Questions about his defense and shooting are valid, but I’m willing to take a risk on Topic given his age, production, and offensive talent.

Kel’el Ware checks a lot of boxes when it comes to what NBA teams are looking for in a modern big man. He will be able to protect the rim right away at the NBA level, as he averaged 1.9 blocks per game and is 7’0” with a 7’5” wingspan. On film, he deters a ton of shots at the rim with his length alone and is also quick off the ground when going for contests. He is a very fluid athlete for his height and did a good job using his length to contest jumps shots when guarding in space, specifically in drop coverage. His versatility and movement skills on this end makes me think that he will be an even more valuable defender in the NBA, where he will be asked to guard in space more often. He does a good job of high pointing rebounds, but could be more physical when boxing out.

On offense, Ware will mainly serve as a lob threat in pick and roll scenarios and in the dunker spot early on. He wasn’t great when asked to score in the post, as he can be moved off his spot by stronger defenders. Physical post defense often led to him turning it over or settling for contested jump shots. With that being said, I don’t think he will be relied on to score out of the post early in his NBA career. Ware does have potential as a shooter, as he shot 17/40 (42.5%) from deep last season. His smooth stroke and solid touch in the mid range make me think he can turn into an above average shooter.

Ware has special athleticism for a 7-footer, while also having upside as a center that can stretch the floor. A big man that can shoot 3’s, protect the rim, and finish lobs is one of the most sought after archetypes in todays NBA. Ware’s talent on both ends of the court makes him one of my favorite prospects in this draft.

Clingan was the defensive anchor for one of the more dominant college basketball teams in recent memory. At 7’2” with a 7’7” wingspan, his sheer size intimidates opposing players attacking the rim. Pair this size with his timing when going for blocks (2.5 bpg) and you have a prospect with the potential to be one of the NBA’s better rim protectors.

On offense, Clingan mainly serves as a screener, roller, and post threat deep in the paint. His screening was key to UConns offensive scheme as he routinely took defenders out of the mix with hard picks. He scores most of his points from dump offs and lobs when his teammates drive. In his sophomore season, he became a better back-to-basket player. His presence down low on offense makes it so that opposing teams cant play “small ball”, as he does a great job of sealing smaller players deep in the paint, leading to easy looks at the rim. His post game is mainly made up of dropsteps and baby hooks, which he can shoot over each shoulder. Many have said he has untapped potential as a floor stretcher (only 2-7 on threes for the year), but the shooting is a project at the moment, as he only shoots 57.4% from the free throw line.

Clingan will provide value as a rim protector and play-finisher right away in the league. He can take his game to the next level by expanding his offensive game and becoming a bit more mobile. It will be interesting to see how many minutes per game he will play early on in the NBA, as he has only played 22.1 minutes per game this season. His defensive impact and quality advanced stats (14.1 BPM and 11.4 BLK%) make him a top 6 prospect. I’m lower that consensus on Clingan because of concerns with his offensive game translating to the NBA and his lack of mobility.

Devin Carter is a physical combo guard that has a well-rounded skill set on both ends. The Big East player of the year took a massive jump in every statistical category in his junior season. His most translatable skill is his defense, as he knows how to use his elite positional strength and long arms (6’9” wingspan) to make a huge impact on this end. His imposing frame and physicality makes life extremely hard for opposing guards on the perimeter and his shot blocking ability (1.0 bpg) is rare for prospects at his position. He has great instincts when it comes to grabbing steals, specifically when jumping passing lanes. Carter is also an exceptional rebounder from the guard position. His frame and ability to make splash plays on defense give him an extremely high ceiling on this end.

Carters uses his body well when getting to the rim and finishing. Despite inconsistent shooting form and a low release, he showcases deep range and good arc on his jumper. Its hard to fully buy-in to the shot considering he shot under 30% from three his first two years in college and the mechanics are a bit unconventional with lots of moving parts. Given his improvements as a shooter this season (37.7% from three), I’m willing to believe he can make the necessary adjustments to his shot in the NBA given the right coaching.

Despite not having the flashiest style of play, Carters defensive upside, slashing ability, and IQ on both ends make me believe he has one of the higher floors in this class. I’m confident he’s a top 10 propsect given his well-rounded game and skillset to play right away in the NBA.

McCain was one of the best shooters in the country as a true freshman. He ranked second in three points makes among all D-1 freshman while shooting 41.4% from beyond the arc. His shooting numbers are made even more impressive once you watch his film. On top of being a knockdown catch and shoot player, he was efficient shooting on the move, in transition, off pull ups, and even step backs. He has excellent shooting form with very little wasted movement. He does a great job of staying lined up to the rim and keeping his shot pocket high, which helps him get his shot off quickly. His shooting touch is also evident at the free throw line, where he shot 88.5%.

McCain isn’t the quickest player when attacking the rim, but he does a good job of using his positional strength to carve out driving lanes. He combats his lack of vertical burst by playing really well off of two feet when slashing. His basketball IQ is evident, as he does a good job picking his spots when deciding when to drive. Despite the lack of large assist numbers (1.9 apg), McCain displays above average passing vision, specifically when hitting the roll man. This compliments his ability to shoot off pin down screens, as he does a good job finding the screener for open dunks when the defense is worried about his jumper.

McCain also provides value on the defensive end. He’s an excellent rebounder (5.0 rpg) for his size and uses his strength well when guarding the ball. I’m not worried by his lack of elite length or athleticism on this end, as he makes up for it with his IQ and effort. I slot McCain in the lottery because of his elite shooting profile, feel for the game, and willingness to do the “little things” to impact winning.

Tyler Smith is a true stretch big who flashed great potential on the offensive end for the G-League Ignite this season. He’s got a high release and straight up-and-down mechanics with great arc on his shot. He shot 36.4% from three on 4 attempts per game. Smith didn’t just shoot spot up jumpers, as he showcased the ability to hit 3’s on the moves and even mixed in some stepbacks. The rest of Smiths offensive game is mainly made up of straight line drives to the rim and pick and roll lob finishes. He’s very athletic for his size and is capable of some highlight finishes at the rim. His fluid movement for his size make me think he has some untapped potential on this end.

Despite not having eye popping numbers, his size and bounce make me think he can provide some rim protection in the NBA. The main question will be whether he guards 4’s or 5’s in the league. He currently doesn’t have the strength to guard true centers and would have a hard time guarding quicker forwards.

Overall, I think Smith has one of the higher offensive ceilings in this draft. His size and shooting gives him an easy path to having a role on offense in the NBA.

DaRon Holmes ll was one of the most productive stars in college basketball this past season. After testing the NBA draft waters in 2023, Holmes returned for his junior season and improved his draft stock by becoming a better shooter and expanding his offensive game. Holmes is a rare center prospect that is a legit scorer from all three levels. His athleticism is on full display when rolling to the basket, as his quickness and burst around the rim make it hard for opposing big men to keep up with him. In the pick and pop game, Holmes can spot up above the arc and knock down straight-away threes (38.6% from three) and attack closeouts for straight line-drives to the rim. He keeps the ball high and has little wasted movement when shooting jumpers. He has an advanced handle for his size, which is on full display when he faces up versus bigger defenders. Despite being a bit undersized (6’8.75” barefoot) Holmes uses his strength, footwork, and touch to score in the post. He did a good job of finding open shooters when the defense was focused on stopping him down low (2.6 assists per game), even showing the ability to throw skip passes when double teamed.

Holmes is a great rim protector, averaging 2.1 blocks per game for his college career. His 7’1” wingspan and timing make up for his lack of height when going for blocks. He also had impressive defensive possessions when switched on to guards, doing a good job of moving his feet and using his length to get stops.

Holmes' offensive game fits very well in NBA schemes, as he can stretch the floor, straight line-drive, and finish plays at the rim. Although teams may be concerned with his height for a big man, I think his rim protection and potential as a switchable defender makes him a sure-fire first round pick.

Shannon was one of the best players in college basketball last season. He ranked 3rd in the nation in points per game while also playing exceptional defense. His most translatable skill is his transition scoring, where his ability to get downhill and use his straight-line speed to attack the rim is up there with the best in this draft. He’s also a great slasher in the half-court, where he has an explosive first step and ability to finish above the rim, play through contact, and get to the free throw line. He made strides as a jump shooter this past season, improving his percentages from three and the free throw line, while increasing the volume in both categories. He has a fairly low release and does not elevate much on his shot. He gets open looks by shooting from deep range and shifting defenders with his handle. 

Shannons athleticism is on full display on the defensive end. His ability to put pressure on the ball as a point-of-attack defender will be a valuable asset right away in the NBA. He does a great job of using his positional size and lateral quickness to make opposing guards uncomfortable. He also has good instincts in passing lanes and can make some highlight-worthy blocks. 

Shannons growth as a two-way player and translatable play-style make him a sure-fire first round pick. The main knock against him will be that he turns 24 in late July.

Tristan Da Silva is a smooth-shooting forward with a versatile offensive game. He’s got great shot mechanics, staying squared to the basket and keeping his elbow tucked throughout his motion. His high release paired with his size makes his shot hard to contest. He improved as a shooter from three, mid-range, and the free throw line every year of his college career. His senior season, he shot 39.5% from three, 83.5% from the free throw line, and 49.5% on “far two’s” (per barttorvik.com). Da Silva is a steady ball handler as he rarely lets defenses speed him up when putting the ball on the floor. His patient style helps him get to his spots in the mid-range and post, where he is very efficient. He does a good job of playing off two feet in these scenarios. He also has impressive touch on floaters and runners with both hands. On top of his scoring game, he has impressive vision for a wing, often finding cutting teammates for easy layups.

On defense, Da Silva does a good job of using his positional size and length to make an impact. He provides most his value off the ball, where he does a good job of being in the right spot to protect the rim in help-defense. He doesn’t have the quickest feet when guarding the ball, but his length helps him recover in scenarios where he gets beat off the dribble. His lateral quickness will be tested in the NBA, so it will be vital to see how well he can stop dribble penetration. His rim protection and high effort on the defensive end should help him make an impact on defense.

Da Silvas’s versatile offensive game ad defensive IQ should translate well to the NBA. His ability to guard in one-on-one scenarios versus quicker players will determine if he’s a starting caliber wing early on.

Edey is only the third player to be named the Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year in multiple seasons, after leading the nation in total points and rebounds this past year. His sheer size and go-to hook shot make him nearly unstoppable in one-on-one situations down low, often forcing teams to send help into the paint. Edey did a good job of spraying the ball out to open shooters when the defense collapsed hard on him. His inside scoring should translate well to the NBA, as I was impressed with the touch he displayed when posting up fellow 7 footers Donovan Clingan and Ryan Kalkbrenner in the NCAA tournament. His jump-shot was not a factor in college, but he does display good touch from the free-throw line, where he shot 70.6% for his career. He will also bring value as a screener, as he often freed up his guards for open jump shots in pick and roll situations by wiping opposing guards out of the play. Edey also played an impressive 32 minutes per game last season, which displays stamina that is not very common for big men his size.

On defense, Edey is a dominant rebounder and solid rim protector when he's able to roam near the rim. He will have to prove that he is mobile enough to play defense in the NBA, as teams will surely test his foot speed by putting him in actions that bring him out of the paint and force him to guard in space. Edey should bring value on offense with his screening, post-ups, and offensive rebounding, but his lack of defensive versatility leads me to rank him outside of the lottery. 

Bona was the defensive player of the year in the PAC-12. He’s an extremely explosive athlete on tape and it was further proven at the combine, as he had the highest standing vertical (35 inches) of any player and the highest max vertical for any big man (40 inches). On offense, Bona is a terrific finisher when given space to jump, routinely dunking on opposing defenders. He can put the ball on the floor and attack the basket as well as being a lob-threat. He flashed some skills in the post, mainly using his brute strength to bully other big men. He has good footwork on drop-steps and showcased a hook shot at times. Bona was also able to hit the occasional mid-range jumper when given room, but shot an uninspiring 30/88 (34.1%) on mid-range shots.

Bona has big time upside on the defensive end. He is very quick off the ground for blocks, and uses his vertical and massive wingspan (7’3.75”) to erase shots. He moves his feet well for his size when asked to guard in space. On top of being a gifted athlete, Bona plays harder than anyone in this class, which leads to some jaw-dropping highlights.

I’m higher than consensus on Bona because of his impressive physical tools, high-level athleticism , and second-to-none effort on both ends. He’s worth a pick late in the first round.

Jaylon Tyson is one of the best shot-creators in this draft. After a solid sophomore season at Texas Tech, Tyson exploded offensively in his junior season at Cal. His usage went 18.6% to 30.0%, which led to him going from 10.7 points per game to 19.6. He showcased a much more versatile offensive game this past season, showing he had upside as a ball-handling wing that can create shots at all three levels. His handle and strength help him get past his defenders and finish at the rim despite not being an extremely bouncy athlete. His most enticing skill is his ability to hit jump shots off the dribble. He uses his handle to shake defenders and get his shot off, despite not having the highest release. He showcased the ability to leverage his scoring threat to create opportunities for teammates, as he was commonly used in a “point forward role” at Cal.

On defense, Tyson brings value with his rebounding from the wing position. He’s got the frame to guard 3’s and 4’s in the NBA as he measured at 6’5.5” barefoot with a 6’8” wingspan. I’m interested to see if Tyson can make more plays on defense in the NBA, as he won’t be asked to do as much on offense.

Tyson’s skills on the offensive end and solid size for a wing make him a sure-fire first round pick. I’m interested to see how well he can adjust his play-style in the NBA, as he will need to get used to more of an off-ball role.

Isaiah Crawford is one of the top wing defenders in this draft class. In all 5 of his seasons at Louisiana Tech he averaged over a steal per game, including 2.1 steals per game this past season. He’s rarely out of position and uses his length to create havoc in passing lanes and pressure ball handlers. His strength helps him hold his own when switched onto big men. He has good awareness off the ball on the defensive end, and can provide some help side rim protection (1.7 blocks per game last season). He also provides help in the rebounding department, averaging 5.4 rebounds per game for his college career.

Crawford improved his offensive game every year of his college career. He was consistently around the 40% mark from three on around 3 attempts per game. Smooth shooting mechanics with good arc. Crawford made big strides in terms of creating his own offense off the dribble, flashing some impressive isolation scoring , specifically in the mid range. He lacks elite burst when getting to the rim, so it will be important to see how well he gets to the rim at the next level.

Crawfords impressive defensive impact and versatility make him worthy of a first round selection. His steady improvement on the offensive end and potential as a 3 and D wing is very enticing. Teams may be scared of his injury history and older age (turns 24 in November).

Bub Carrington was one of the most productive freshman in the country. He’s got a great handle and thrives off creating his own offense off the dribble. He showed the ability to hit highly contested shots and elevates well on his shot. Very comfortable in the mid-range, shot 66/132 on far 2’s (50.0%). Can leverage his scoring threat and use his handle to shift defense and create opportunities for teammates. Relied a lot on tough shot-making, which can explain his sub-par true shooting percentage of 53.0%. This mark is lower than other guard prospects in this draft. He lacks great bounce and finishing ability, as he shot 53.8% on close 2s.

Carrington isn’t a high impact defender at thus stage of his development, though he does have big frame for a guard prospect. He is 6’4” barefoot and has a 6’8” wingspan. Carrington was a late bloomer physically, so it will be interesting to see if he packs on more muscle early on in his NBA career. Carrington is one of the younger players in this draft, so his production in the ACC as an 18 year old was very impressive. I’m interested to see how he creates most of his offense in the NBA, considering he shot a heavy diet of shots from the mid range and didn’t create many opportunities at the rim. His young age and all-around production make him an intriguing pick in the first round.

Baylor Scheierman is one of the best shooters in this draft. Looking only at last season, he lead the class in 3PM per 100 possessions (13.3) and total three pointers made (110) while shooting 38.1% from three. He gets great arc on his shot and can shoot on the move. He improved as an off the dribble shooter every year in college and did a great job showcasing the ability to create his own offense this past season. He’s a great passer for a wing and knows how to make the right decision with the ball in his hands. Was comfortable handling the ball in PNR scenarios. He has great touch in the mid range on floaters.

Scheierman is an excellent rebounder (9.0 rpg last season) and is consistently in the right position on defense. He’s big enough to guard opposing wings, standing at 6’6.25” barefoot with a 6’8.25” wingspan. He uses his strength well on defense when guarding opposing forwards and crashing the board. His foot speed and athleticism will be tested in the NBA, but he faired well in agility drills at the combine. Teams may be scared off because of his age (turns 24 in September) and lack of upside on defense, but I think his well-rounded offensive game and rebounding fits very well in the NBA.

Strengths: Extremely efficient scorer with pure jumper mechanics. Explosive getting to the rim with a quick first step. Great off-ball mover, doesn’t constantly need the ball in his hands on offense. Knockdown spot-up shooter. Athletic finisher with bounce, 40.5” max vertical at the combine. Can score from all three levels, has a smooth pull-up and in-between game. Quick hands and has a knack for grabbing steals. Impacts the game beyond scoring, great rebounder for his position and improved playmaker. Consistently hit clutch shots, wasn’t rattled in big moments.

Weaknesses: Measured at 6’0".25” without shoes. Will have to fight hard on defense to stay on the floor, as mismatch hunting is at an all time high in the NBA.

Overall: I think Simpson can carve out a Payton Pritchard like role in the NBA. His shooting and shot-creating skills should translate to the league. He fights hard on defense and has good hands along with excellent rebounding ability for a player his size.

Tyler Kolek is top 2 passer in this draft. He led college basketball in assists per game in his senior season at Marquette after finishing top 3 last season. He is deadly as a pick and roll ball-handler, playing at his own pace and seeing the whole floor. He can pocket pass or lob to a rolling big man, make the skip pass to an open shooter, or get all the way to the rim and finish himself. Kolek is extremely skilled around the basket as he does a good job of using his strength and footwork to create good looks for himself. His ability to play off two feet in the paint should translate well to the NBA. Kolek improved as a jump shooter every year in college, ultimately ending up shooting an impressive 38.8% from three and 85.1% from the free throw line in his senior season. He gets great arc on his shot and has very simple mechanics. His shooting touch from all around the floor makes me believe his jumper should translate to the next level. He could benefit from speeding up his release, given he dips the ball a good amount and doesn’t elevate much when shooting.

On the defensive end, Kolek rebounds well for his size and position (4.9 rpg last season). Teams may be worried by his combine measurements (6’1.25” barefoot, 6’2.75” wingspan), but he could make up for his lack of elite measurables with good hands, strength, and court awareness. He averaged over a steal a game in every season of his college career.