2024 NBA Draft Thread - the hawks might be on the clock

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Spoiler

2024 NBA mock draft: What scouts want to see from these 21 prospects

With Perth's Alex Sarr (currently sidelined with a hip injury) the front-runner at the top of the 2024 NBA draft, scouts still have unanswered questions for several college prospects entering the heart of conference play.

We are two months away from the start of the NCAA tournament and players at schools such as Duke, Kentucky and USC will be under the microscope as NBA teams look closer at how this draft class progresses.

ESPN NBA draft insiders Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo spotlight 21 players who scouts will be monitoring along with our latest mock draft.

2024 NBA mock draft
The 2024 draft order is based on ESPN projections and reflects the current state of picks owed and owned:

FIRST ROUND
1. Detroit Pistons
Alex Sarr | Perth Wildcats | PF/C | Age: 18.7
2. San Antonio Spurs
Zaccharie Risacher | JL Bourg | SF | Age: 18.7
3. Washington Wizards
Cody Williams | Colorado | SF | Age: 19.1
4. Portland Trail Blazers
Ja'Kobe Walter | Baylor | SG | Age: 18.7
5. Charlotte Hornets
Nikola Topic | Mega MIS | PG | Age: 18.4
6. Memphis Grizzlies
Tidjane Salaun | Cholet | PF | Age: 18.4
7. Chicago Bulls
Rob Dillingham | Kentucky | PG | Age: 19.0
8. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Utah Jazz)
Kyle Filipowski | Duke | PF/C | Age: 20.1
9. Houston Rockets (via Brooklyn Nets)
Isaiah Collier | USC | PG | Age: 19.2
10. Atlanta Hawks
Matas Buzelis | G League Ignite | SF | Age: 18.9
11. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Houston Rockets)
Ron Holland | G League Ignite | SF | Age: 18.5
12. San Antonio Spurs (via Toronto Raptors)
Reed Sheppard | Kentucky | PG/SG | Age: 19.5
13. New Orleans Pelicans (via Los Angeles Lakers)*
Donovan Clingan | UConn | C | Age: 19.8
14. Phoenix Suns
Zach Edey | Purdue | C | Age: 21.6
15. New York Knicks (via Dallas Mavericks)
Stephon Castle | UConn | PG/SG | Age: 19.1
16. Portland Trail Blazers (via Golden State Warriors)
Ryan Dunn | Virginia | SF | Age: 21.0
17. Orlando Magic
Kevin McCullar Jr. | Kansas | SF | Age: 22.8
18. Atlanta Hawks (via Sacramento Kings)
Tyler Smith | G League Ignite | SF/PF | Age: 19.1
19. Indiana Pacers
Trevon Brazile | Arkansas | PF | Age: 20.7
20. Miami Heat
Yves Missi | Baylor | C | Age: 19.6
21. New York Knicks
Bobi Klintman | Cairns Taipans | SF/PF | Age: 20.5
22. Cleveland Cavaliers
Juan Nunez | Ratiopharm Ulm | PG | Age: 19.3
23. New Orleans Pelicans
Izan Almansa | G League Ignite | PF/C | Age: 18.5
24. Milwaukee Bucks
Kel'el Ware | Indiana | C | Age: 19.7
25. Philadelphia 76ers
Jared McCain | Duke | PG | Age: 19.8
26. Minnesota Timberwolves
D.J. Wagner | Kentucky | PG/SG | Age: 18.6
27. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LA Clippers)
Oso Ighodaro | Marquette | PF/C | Age: 21.4
28. Denver Nuggets
Tristan da Silva | Colorado | SF/PF | Age: 22.6
29. Indiana Pacers (via Oklahoma City Thunder)
Melvin Ajinca | Saint Quentin | SG/SF | Age: 19.5
30. Boston Celtics
Baba Miller | Florida St. | PF | Age: 19.9
* The Pelicans can defer the Lakers' first-round pick to 2025

SECOND ROUND
31. Toronto Raptors (via Detroit Pistons)
Justin Edwards | Kentucky | SG/SF | Age: 20.0
32. San Antonio Spurs
Dalton Knecht | Tennessee | SF | Age: 22.6
33. Detroit Pistons (via Washington Wizards)
Tyler Kolek | Marquette | PG | Age: 22.7
34. Milwaukee Bucks (via Portland Trail Blazers)
Adem Bona | UCLA | C | Age: 20.7
35. Portland Trail Blazers (via Charlotte Hornets)
Pelle Larsson | Arizona | SG | Age: 22.8
36. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Memphis Grizzlies)
Carlton Carrington | Pittsburgh | PG/SG | Age: 18.4
37. Boston Celtics (via Chicago Bulls)
Kylan Boswell | Arizona | PG | Age: 18.4
38. New York Knicks (via Utah Jazz)
Keshad Johnson | Arizona | PF | Age: 22.5
39. Houston Rockets (via Brooklyn Nets)
Ulrich Chomche | NBA Academy Showcase | PF/C | Age: 18.0
40. Portland Trail Blazers (via Atlanta Hawks)
Aaron Bradshaw | Kentucky | C | Age: 19.5
41. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Houston Rockets)
Harrison Ingram | North Carolina | SF/PF | Age: 21.1
42. LA Clippers (via Toronto Raptors)
Dillon Jones | Weber State | SF/PF | Age: 21.1
43. San Antonio Spurs (via Los Angeles Lakers)
Devin Carter | Providence | PG/SG | Age: 21.8
44. Washington Wizards (via Phoenix Suns)
Tyrese Proctor | Duke | PG | Age: 19.7
45. Boston Celtics (via Dallas Mavericks)
Jaxson Robinson | BYU | SF/SG | Age: 21.2
46. Houston Rockets (via Golden State Warriors)
Pacome Dadiet | Ratiopharm Ulm | SG/SF | Age: 18.4
47. Orlando Magic
Trey Alexander | Creighton | PG/SG | Age: 20.6
48. Sacramento Kings
Dillon Mitchell | Texas | SF/PF | Age: 20.2
49. Indiana Pacers
Alex Karaban | UConn | PF | Age: 21.1
50. Miami Heat
PJ Hall | Clemson | PF/C | Age: 21.8
51. Philadelphia 76ers (via New York Knicks)
KJ Simpson | Colorado | PG | Age: 21.4
52. LA Clippers (via Cleveland Cavaliers)
AJ Johnson | Illawarra Hawks | SG | Age: 19.1
53. New Orleans Pelicans
Ajay Mitchell | UC Santa Barbara | PG | Age: 21.5
54. Indiana Pacers (via Milwaukee Bucks)
Ariel Hukporti | Melbourne | C | Age: 21.7
55. Minnesota Timberwolves
Baylor Scheierman | Creighton | SG/SF | Age: 23.2
56. Los Angeles Lakers (via LA Clippers)
Mantas Rubstavicius | NZ Breakers | SF | Age: 21.6
57. Houston Rockets (via Oklahoma City Thunder)
Payton Sandfort | Iowa | SF | Age: 21.4
58. Charlotte Hornets (via Boston Celtics)
Kobe Johnson | USC | SG | Age: 20.9
Note: The Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns forfeited a 2024 second-round draft pick.

What scouts want to see from these 21 college prospects

Cody Williams | 6-8 | SG/SF | Age: 19.1 | Colorado | Mock draft: No. 3

As Williams nears a return from a wrist injury, a huge opportunity lies ahead for him to solidify himself as a top-five pick, and potentially a candidate at No. 1. Teams are eager to see him return based on what he showed in his first seven games, flashing playmaking and scoring ability combined with his size and length. There are still several areas scouts want to learn more about: Williams hasn't been getting up many 3s, his shot-creation has been inconsistent and he can be somewhat predictable playing off the bounce. Showcasing that creation upside, adding value without the ball alongside KJ Simpson and being consistently aggressive in attacking defenses will go a long way in solidifying Williams' place near the top of the draft. There simply aren't many players with his potential mix of skills in this class. -- Jeremy Woo

Rob Dillingham | 6-2 | PG | Age: 19.0 | Kentucky | Mock draft: No. 7

Few players in this class can handle and pass as exquisitely as Dillingham, a jet with the ball who gets anywhere he wants and has equally wowed NBA scouts with his shot-making prowess. Going into conference play, scouts want to see how Dillingham's frame and below-average size and length hold up versus SEC competition, especially on the defensive end where he's had some struggles, despite ramping up his intensity from high school. Coming off the bench and sharing playmaking responsibilities with Reed Sheppard, Dillingham doesn't always have the freedom to play through mistakes the way starting point guard D.J. Wagner does, which may lead to some uneven performances such as this past weekend against Florida, where he struggled with turnovers (four) and shot-selection. -- Jonathan Givony

Kyle Filipowski | 7-0 | PF/C | Age: 20.1 | Duke | Mock draft: No. 8

A 7-footer who can handle, pass and shoot, Filipowski is the most skilled big man in college basketball, especially now that his jumper is starting to fall with more regularity (37% from 3). Filipowski, who doesn't have ideal length or explosiveness for a center, has always been a better defender than he's been given credit, but continuing to play with toughness in the paint and discipline on the perimeter will help solidify his candidacy as a top-10 pick. At times he is prone to slow starts and mental lapses and scouts want to see Filipowski bring consistency in Duke's biggest games while impacting them on both ends of the floor. -- Givony

Isaiah Collier | 6-5 | PG | Age: 19.2 | USC | Mock draft: No. 9

Collier's season has been a roller coaster, which hampered his early candidacy for the No. 1 pick. Coming off his best game against Stanford on Jan. 6, it will be up to Collier to demonstrate consistency, as his volatility -- particularly with turnovers -- will likely be a major detractor for teams in search of a young point guard to build around. The emergence of other viable guard prospects such as Nikola Topic, Dillingham and Sheppard places the onus on Collier. His sheer speed with the basketball and physical profile at his position will always carry appeal, but his inconsistent 3-point shooting could use improvement. But a steady stretch of winning basketball at USC would help assuage some of the concerns surrounding Collier's performance. -- Woo

Reed Sheppard | 6-2 | PG | Age: 19.5 | Kentucky | Mock draft: No. 12

Sheppard has been a revelation for Kentucky, bringing outstanding shot-making, passing, feel, defensive instincts and confidence. No one expects him to shoot 55% from 3 all season as he currently is, but scouts do want to see how he looks as a primary ball handler in high-leverage situations against the toughest competition Kentucky will face in SEC play. His ability to consistently make the right reads out of pick-and-rolls and use his tremendous skill level as a finisher has helped him compete against bigger guards, but can he continue that when SEC defenses are geared to stop him? As much of a playmaker as Sheppard is defensively with his ability to jump passing lanes and fly around for blocks, he'll need to show he can consistently lock up bigger players one-on-one too, something scouts have questioned. The evolution of Sheppard's role will be something to monitor, especially in crunch-time moments when coach John Calipari will have tough decisions to make regarding which of his talented freshmen will handle the ball. -- Givony

Stephon Castle | 6-6 | PG/SG | Age: 19.1 | UConn | Mock draft: No. 15

Castle has fared better in his past two games after returning from a meniscus injury, albeit those performances came against DePaul and Butler. His minutes are up, and there's more offensive opportunity to be had in UConn's offense with center Donovan Clingan currently sidelined, creating a window for Castle to build some momentum. At this point, his decision-making, shooting and overall offensive acumen have been a bit questionable, profiling more of a secondary playmaker than a point guard. He's been able to make an impact defensively with his size and quickness, which helps his case. But if Castle wants to make a one-and-done argument -- which is currently up in the air -- it will begin with producing on a nightly basis against better competition. -- Woo

Ryan Dunn | 6-8 | SF/PF | Age: 21.0 | Virginia | Mock draft: No. 16

Dunn's production is going to wax and wane a bit on a Virginia team that generally struggles to create quality offense. To his credit, Dunn has found ways to score, stringing together double figures in three straight conference games and proving pretty efficient around the basket with the opportunities he gets. But his role in the offense is designed to help mitigate his jump-shooting struggles, which will continue to be the biggest question surrounding his NBA fit. Dunn has made just one 3-pointer since making two against Texas A&M on Nov. 29, and his lack of volume and confidence aren't exactly inspiring as far as his NBA playability is concerned. Dunn's excellent defense will keep him in the first-round mix, but it's very difficult to stick in the league as a non-creative perimeter player when you don't have a demonstrable jumper. It's a concern that may bear itself out better in private workouts, but any semblance of in-season progress would help. -- Woo

Trevon Brazile | 6-10 | PF/C | Age: 21.0 | Arkansas | Mock draft: No. 19

Brazile is going to be a project whenever he lands in the NBA. He has been less of a nightly factor than scouts hoped since breaking out against Duke in November. There are intrinsic qualities to his game that are modern and substantive, as he's a fluid athlete with size who can play on the perimeter and above the rim. But he's also not the caliber of scorer who can weather tons of touches, making him feast or famine at times. His rebounding and struggles getting to the foul line give some pause in terms of how well he might handle his eventual role as a stretch 4. Brazile isn't in a situation where he's going to dominate games all the time, but making the most of his opportunities and proving he can use his gifts to make an impact in the flow of games when not touching the ball or scoring will be pivotal. -- Woo

Kel'el Ware | 7-0 | C | Age: 19.7 | Indiana | Mock draft: No. 24

To Ware's credit, he's been productive this season while playing under a microscope at Indiana, handling significant minutes and showcasing the length and mobility that have always made him interesting. However, he hasn't fared well in his most difficult matchups against some of college basketball's better bigs, including Clingan and Kansas' Hunter Dickinson. The biggest on-court question for Ware will be proving he can handle that level of physicality, a challenge he'll continue to face nightly in the Big Ten, particularly with two regular-season games remaining against Zach Edey and Purdue. Ware's languid motor has been somewhat improved, but finding ways to help drive winning and embracing more of the dirty work would help solidify him as a first-round worthy developmental pick. -- Woo

Jared McCain | 6-3 | PG/SG | Age: 19.8 | Duke | Mock draft: No. 25

McCain started slow, but has been on another level over the past month, hitting 48% of his 3-pointers over the past seven games. He's not only a dynamic shooter with NBA-plus range, but also contributes in other ways with his outstanding feel for the game operating out of pick-and-rolls, pushing the ball in the open court and bringing competitiveness as a rebounder and defender. Standing around 6-3, without elite length or explosiveness, McCain has a high bar to clear to get NBA scouts fully on board with the idea of utilizing a first-round pick on him, something that would be aided by showing more ability as a facilitator and finisher around the basket. Being consistently productive in Duke's biggest games is McCain's best ticket to the NBA, although it might ultimately take two seasons in Durham to maximize his draft outlook. -- Givony

D.J. Wagner | 6-3 | PG | Age: 18.6 | Kentucky | Mock draft: No. 26

Wagner had extreme highs and lows in the first half of the season, leading to significant variance in opinions among scouts for where he might be drafted and how to evaluate his long-term outlook. Finding more consistency with his outside shooting, decision-making, finishing and defensive impact will be important for Wagner to regain his footing as a prospect after entering the season as a projected lottery pick. He's looked too tentative at times attacking out of pick-and-rolls, leading to stagnant moments for Kentucky and questions about his ability to make reads and generate efficient offense for himself and others. With more than a dozen college games, it will be interesting to see how he can build off that experience as opposing scouting reports are geared to stop him and the pressure mounts with plenty of big games. -- Givony

Baba Miller | 7-0 | SF/PF | Age: 19.9 | Florida State | Mock draft: No. 30

Still more of an idea than a fleshed-out player, Miller, who turns 20 in February, has flashed improvement in his sophomore season. Fluid 7-footers with perimeter skill tend to get the benefit of the doubt and receive longer developmental opportunities. There are games where he looks intriguing defensively, but his offense has been a work in progress, shooting a respectable clip from the field (48.4%) while struggling to make free throws (45.9%). While teams aren't going to see Miller expecting perfection -- he'll be a long-term bet no matter what -- his draft position will hinge on how many positive flashes he can string together, and teams will want to see him play more physically and do a better job working in the trenches at his size. -- Woo

Justin Edwards | 6-7 | SF | Age: 20.0 | Kentucky | Mock draft: No. 31

Edwards has shown flashes of the two-way ability and shot-making prowess that made him a projected top-five pick entering the season, not having any real signature moments to point to. He's struggled to consistently make wide-open 3s, generate offense for himself or others, or be any kind of defensive stopper, looking sped up and limited on both ends. Considering he's already 20 years old and older than many sophomores, scouts will want to see considerably more in the second half of the season to feel comfortable with him as a first-round pick, let alone where we had him to start the season. Playing time might not be that easy to come by if Edwards doesn't pick things up. Adou Thiero will be returning from injury and Kentucky's frontcourt has gotten considerably more crowded over the past few weeks, as Calipari will be under significant pressure to take Kentucky on a deep NCAA tournament run after an extended drought. -- Givony

Carlton Carrington | 6-5 | PG | Age: 18.4 | Pitt | Mock draft: No. 36

Carrington has been a polarizing prospect among NBA scouts, making him difficult to peg in terms of draft range. He's one of the youngest players in college basketball at 18 years old and shows terrific size, playmaking creativity and shot-making prowess, while making clear strides defensively as the season moves on. However, he's rail thin, very green and has struggled to score efficiently against the better teams he's faced, shooting 42% from 2 and 27% from 3 with a high turnover rate against top-100 opponents on a Pitt team that is 1-4 in ACC play. Some NBA teams view him as a clear first-round talent, nevertheless, citing his youth, feel for the game and off-the-dribble shooting, as well as this being his first year playing point guard full-time. If he enters the draft, there's little doubt he would draw considerable interest, but it wouldn't be surprising if he returned to Pitt and made a run at being a top-20 pick next season. -- Givony

Kylan Boswell | 6-2 | PG | Age: 18.7 | Arizona | Mock draft: No. 37

Boswell doesn't turn 19 until April, making him arguably the most intriguing long-term player at Arizona, where he's settled in as their starting point guard. He's still young enough as a sophomore that he shouldn't need to rush into the draft, but he's begun to make a better case of late, making seven 3s over his past two games and showcasing the shot-making ability that will play a big determinant in his professional ceiling. Boswell is an excellent passer and sturdy defender who plays hard consistently, while still growing into his own as a leader and learning how to control the flow of a game. Proving he can lead a team with conference title expectations and Final Four potential will help build his profile and should position him to hear his name called if he does turn pro. -- Woo

Aaron Bradshaw | 7-0 | PF/C | Age: 19.6 | Kentucky | Mock draft: No. 40

Bradshaw missed the first seven games with a foot injury, so we likely still haven't seen the best of what the 7-footer has to offer. He's been inconsistent in what he has shown, struggling to make a consistent impact as a rebounder, defender, passer or finisher, looking physically weak dealing with older, stronger opponents and sped up on both ends. Showing he can consistently stretch the floor as an outside shooter -- the most appealing element of Bradshaw's NBA intrigue -- is likely the best thing he can do over the second half of the season to prove he's worthy of being a first-round pick, as well as making a bigger impact as a rim-protector and pick-and-roll defender. -- Givony

Devin Carter | 6-3 | PG/SG | Age: 21.8 | Providence | Mock draft: No. 43

A tenacious defender and great positional rebounder who has earned himself fans around the league, Carter has taken a step forward in the scoring department as the leader of a solid Providence team. The onus to generate points will likely fall even more on him with Bryce Hopkins out for the season, and his recent 25-point showing against Creighton bodes well. While not a true point guard nor an excellent jump shooter -- a combo role at best -- Carter has the right type of makeup to succeed as a glue guy in the long run, as long as he can find ways to add a little value on offense. It helps that teams will be envisioning him in a scaled-down role, so continuing to shoot well from 3 (39% on 6.6 attempts per game) and better at limiting turnovers (3.1 per game to 3.2 assists) will help. -- Woo

Tyrese Proctor | 6-5 | PG | Age: 19.7 | Duke | Mock draft: No. 44

Proctor missed four weeks with an ankle injury and is still working his way back, coming off the bench for the past four games. It hasn't been the breakout sophomore season scouts were hoping, but there's still time as Duke enters the heart of its schedule. While Proctor has been Duke's best defender and shows vivid flashes of his excellent vision and feel for the game when he's not playing passively, scouts want to see him be more aggressive beating defenders off the dribble and finishing in the paint, while finding more consistency with his streaky outside shot (32% from 3). Still only 19, Proctor could make a jump with his play and return to the lofty draft projections he entered the season with, but it's also possible another season at Duke and offseason to build up his thin frame could be advantageous. -- Givony
Dillon Mitchell | 6-8 | SF/PF | Age: 20.2 | Texas | Mock draft: No. 48

Mitchell has looked much more comfortable in his second season at Texas, where he's found consistent playing time and more patience to play through mistakes. His improved production is a step in the right direction, although there are still very salient concerns about his feel and his ability to read the floor and make decisions at the pace required to succeed in the NBA, where the power forward spot has become more skill-driven than ever. Still a hesitant jump shooter, Mitchell hasn't exhibited real floor spacing ability, which further narrows the types of roles he can play at the next level. He's the type of athlete most likely to help his draft stock in private workouts, but exhibiting consistency as a rebounder and finisher against higher level competition in the Big 12 will help raise interest. -- Woo

Bronny James | 6-3 | SG | Age: 19.3 | USC | Mock draft: Not ranked

A month into his college career, James is still finding his footing at USC, having some strong offensive performances (15 points in 20 minutes at Oregon State) and some lackluster ones (two points vs. Stanford, zero points vs. Washington State), as he is not the type of player who will consistently carry a team with his scoring. He's been excellent defensively, though, locking up in one-on-ones with his quick feet and strong frame, and flying around off the ball generating turnovers in bunches. Mostly a spot-up shooter and transition finisher, James has plenty of room to grow as a ball handler to become more of a true combo guard than an undersized 3-and-D wing like he currently appears. Finding another notch with his aggressiveness and scoring proficiency would make James a more clear-cut candidate for this year's draft, and it's not clear what his outlook will be if he doesn't break out in the coming months. -- Givony

Jonathan Mogbo | 6-8 | PF/C | Age: 22.2 | San Francisco | Top 100: No. 81

Mogbo is one of the more unique stories in college basketball. He told ESPN he was a 5-9, 125-pound combo guard entering high school with zero Division I offers when he graduated, sending him to the junior college route at 6-foot-7, 180 pounds. He transferred from Independence Community College in Kansas to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M to Missouri State before eventually landing at the University of San Francisco in the WCC this summer, where he now stands 6-8 and 225 pounds. Mogbo has been lighting up NBA teams' analytics models, filling up the stat sheet averaging 21.3 points, 15.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.7 steals and 1.6 blocks per 40 minutes. He is shooting 67.5% from the field (No. 2 in Div. I) with 47 dunks (No. 1 in Div. I) through 16 games. Mogbo's combination of mobility, explosiveness and intensity gives him a great framework to build off, but he's also had some impressive moments as a passer, thanks to the guard skills he has retained from high school. USF runs a good amount of offense through him on the perimeter where he shows intriguing ability out of dribble handoffs and short rolls. Not blessed with elite size or bulk for a big man, and not showing much shooting range at this stage (but improving his free throw percentage from 43% last season to 72%), scouts will want to see how Mogbo looks against some of the better competition his team faces in the WCC, especially Gonzaga and Saint Mary's. While Mogbo plays with great energy, his technique and discipline defensively have looked questionable at times, especially on the perimeter. He has another year of eligibility at his disposal and a little more upside than your average 22-year-old. -- Givony

 

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That kid is exciting to watch

 

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Spoiler: Prospect of the Week: Dalton Knecht, 6-6 senior SG/SF, Tennessee

Prospect of the Week: Dalton Knecht, 6-6 senior SG/SF, Tennessee

I went to Athens, Ga., on Saturday to see No. 5 Tennessee take on Georgia and get an in-person look at Dalton Knecht, and let’s just say he did not disappoint. The fifth-year senior scored 36 points as the Vols rallied to beat the Bulldogs 85-79.

Knecht has a lot to recommend him as a role player at the next level. He’s listed at 6-6 and looked every bit of it when I went courtside to see him work before the game, plus he has a solid frame with square shoulders and is able to play through contact. However, the real attraction is his shooting. He gets into his motion very quickly, either off the catch or off the dribble. He’s very comfortable going into pull-ups and has a clean, repeatable stroke.

A nitpicker would say he shoots through his guide hand a bit and could use a bit more arc on his shot, but he’s clearly a plus shooter at 39.7 percent from 3 this season on high volume – though you’d like to see his 79.8 percent mark at the free-throw line notch up a bit.

More notable, perhaps, is how good Knecht looked playing on the ball and making decisions. Tennessee was facing an upset loss in the final minutes until the Vols disbanded their previous attempts at offense and put the ball in Knecht’s hands up top with a ball screen. He spent the final minutes repeatedly carving up Georgia during a 15-1 game-closing run.

The above clip shows a left-handed drive and finish, but Knecht also had three assists, including an elite no-look dime where he jumped and stared at the corner and drew two defenders with his eyes before flipping a lefty pass to a wide open Jonas Aidoo under the basket. He also pulled up off a screen to hit a go-ahead 3 with just under two minutes left, and Tennessee never trailed again.

Bigger picture, the two biggest questions scouts will have are about Knecht’s age and defense. He has taken the long way to this point, starting at junior college and transferring up from Northern Colorado before this season. He will be 23 on draft night. This isn’t unprecedented — Boston’s Derrick White took a similar pathway, for instance — but Knecht will be stacking up against players three and four years younger on draft night. Additionally, while Knecht has positional size, his lateral mobility will be tested more severely at the next level; his low rates of steals don’t hint at a disruptive defender, and those numbers were similar even in the Big Sky Conference.

Nonetheless, it’s a skill league, and Knecht can both make catch-and-shoot jumpers and snag some of his own food. His age knocks him out of the lottery, even in this year’s weak draft, but his skill level at his size probably lands him somewhere between picks No. 15 and No. 45 this June.

 

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Spoiler

The biggest NBA draft takeaways from the 2024 Hoophall Classic

The Hoophall Classic has established itself annually as the most prestigious high school event on the calendar -- a rite of passage pitting elite NBA prospects against each other in front of the watchful eyes of NBA decision-makers and national media. Played at Springfield College, where James Naismith invented basketball in 1891, this year's schedule was perhaps its best ever, in no small part due to a banner crop of American prospects coming through the ranks in the next few recruiting classes.

During a down year for top-shelf prospects approaching the 2024 NBA draft, it was refreshing to see some truly elite talent confirm we're looking at just a temporary drought. Both Duke commit Cooper Flagg and Rutgers commit Airious Bailey -- the clear-cut No. 1 and No. 2 prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft -- showcased extraordinary ability suggesting NBA teams have much to look forward to with two potential game-changing, franchise-type players battling it out for the top spots next June.
NBA draft insider Jonathan Givony spent four days in Springfield and is here to recap what we learned at Hoophall.

Cooper Flagg | 6-foot-9 | SF/PF
Montverde Academy | 2024 | Duke
Flagg and Montverde packed the arena three times in Springfield -- all wins to remain undefeated this season -- giving a bevy of NBA executives ample opportunity to get eyes on the most-hyped prospect in high school basketball, many for the first time live.

Weeks removed from turning 17 years old, Flagg did not disappoint, showing significant improvement in several facets of his game while providing the trademark whirlwind defensive intensity and versatility that have long characterized his profile.

His first game Friday -- a 30-point blowout of nationally ranked Oak Hill Academy, was possibly the best performance of his high school career: 25 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 blocks, and 2 steals in 26 minutes.

Flagg has put considerable work into his outside shot and is reaping the results, shooting 6-for-13 from beyond the arc at Hoophall and 42% from 3 in 16 games this season, per the DraftExpress database. It's not just spot-up jumpers, but also running off screens, picking and popping, and rising up for difficult pull-ups out of isolation, an encouraging sign considering he's also an 84% career free throw shooter. While Flagg is an outstanding passer, his ballhandling and shot creation in the half court are the next steps in the equation to becoming the type of go-to wing scorer teams covet at the top of the draft. He has made strides in this area too, playing pick-and-rolls -- mostly to his left hand -- and using his size, explosiveness, and aggressiveness to draw fouls or find teammates on the move. Continuing to improve as a one-on-one scorer, foul-drawer, and pull-up shooter will make Flagg a truly devastating two-way force, something he has plenty of time to continue to work on, considering how young he is and the myriad of other ways in which he makes an impact on the game.

Playing on the No. 1 team in high school basketball, Flagg has significant firepower surrounding him and looks more than happy to share the wealth, rarely forcing the issue, committing just one turnover in 78 minutes this past weekend (23 turnovers in 16 games this season).

Defense has long been Flagg's calling card, and this weekend was no different. It's hard to remember another player universally considered the No. 1 prospect in high school basketball who legitimately plays harder than any player in the country. But his insatiable motor and competitiveness are a big part of what makes Flagg special. He plays just as hard in a tied game as he does up 25 points, covering ground seamlessly on the perimeter, putting a lid on the rim as a weakside shot-blocker, and rejecting 3-pointers with his tremendous instincts and quickness getting off his feet. He's a devastating force off the ball, but is just as good on it, often guarding the other team's best player, switching between guards, wings and big men.

Flagg will likely be the youngest player in college basketball next season, not turning 18 until the end of December, making him barely eligible for the 2025 NBA draft. Bailey has improved rapidly and will make his case for why he should be the No. 1 pick, but Flagg is clearly not ready to cede that mantle anytime soon with the way he has performed thus far this season.

Airious Bailey | 6-foot-9 | SG/SF
McEachern | 2024 | Rutgers
Dinged up and exhausted coming off three games in three days at the Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions just prior to Hoophall, Bailey wasn't at his best in an overtime loss relative to other settings we've seen (for example, an incredible 40-point, 21-rebound performance at Rutgers a few weeks ago). But he still posted 23 points (on 24 shots) with 14 rebounds, 3 blocks and 4 turnovers. He showed extraordinary talent that would make him a strong No. 1-pick candidate in most draft classes, with one NBA executive in attendance calling it a "coin flip" currently for who he'd select between Bailey and Flagg.

In many ways, Bailey is exactly what every NBA team is looking for. He's a 6-foot-9 guard with NBA range, who can pull up on a dime. He has quick acceleration, changing gears out of hesitation moves. He shows elite body control, highlight-reel-caliber explosiveness, live-dribble passing, and physicality and competitiveness as a rebounder and defender. Player comparisons range from Tracy McGrady to Paul George to Jayson Tatum, but he has plenty of room to grow as a decision-maker with his shot selection and ability to take care of the ball. He plays off his instincts and talent on both ends of the floor like many 17-year-olds in this mold often do, especially ones who have grown and improved as much as Bailey in the past year.

Heading to Rutgers to play alongside fellow top-5 recruit Dylan Harper for no-nonsense coach Steve Pikiell, Bailey will be pushed hard to clean up the looser parts of his game on both ends and find more consistency with his approach. Like Flagg, Bailey will be among the younger players in college basketball next season -- not turning 18 until mid-August. Bailey has unexpectedly made the conversation around the No. 1 pick a real debate with his play this season, one we expect will continue for the next 18 months if he continues along the same trajectory we've seen.

Cam Boozer | 6-foot-10 | PF/C
Christopher Columbus | 2026 | Undecided
Still only 16 years old, Boozer wowed onlookers with his versatility and feel for the game, posting 40 points, 20 rebounds, 9 assists and 9 blocks over two wins against two of the best teams in high school basketball (Paul VI and Long Island Lutheran).
He continues to grow in stature and frame, en route to standing 6-foot-10 if he's not there already, after measuring under 6-foot-8 less than two years ago.

You don't find many 16-year-old bigs who can push the ball off the glass, create their own shots from the perimeter, make live-dribble passes with either hand or touch passes out of short rolls, and show polish, body control and footwork as a pick-and-roll finisher.
Boozer continues expanding his game while showing real confidence handling the pick-and-roll, finding teammates on the move, pulling up versus unders, and confidently stepping into open shots, even off movement. He's also shooting 40% from 3 this season over 4.5 attempts per game (and 85% from the free throw line) and isn't afraid to use his size inside the paint.

As impressive as his offense is, he's even further ahead on defense due to his elite timing and feel for the game. He shows great technique closing out on the perimeter, never bites on fakes inside, rotates seamlessly to block jumpers or protect the rim, and brings outstanding timing and energy crashing the glass.

Not NBA draft-eligible until 2026, Boozer's maturity, approach and instincts on both ends of the floor are as good as you'll find from a recruit his age, but his lack of elite-level explosiveness means he'll have to continue expanding his game as the level of competition rises, which he seems to be doing successfully.

Jalil Bethea | 6-foot-5 | PG/SG
Archbishop Wood | 2024 | Miami
We highlighted Bethea as a candidate to rise even further up recruiting rankings after watching him in October at USA Basketball's minicamp, and that looks all but certain to happen after the incredible show he put on at Hoophall -- scoring 40 points on just 23 field goal attempts in a win over Corona Centennial (CA).

Bethea put on an impressive shot-making display -- coming off screens, ducking behind handoffs, rising up off jab-steps, side-steps, step-backs, pulling up sharply in mid-range spots, or spotting up from NBA range with perfect mechanics. Shouldering significant ballhandling responsibility, it was impressive to see him play turnover-free while showing some real creativity driving, kicking and moving the ball ahead unselfishly in transition. Scouts will want to see if Bethea can continue to evolve as a playmaker at Miami next year -- his decision-making and body language can look questionable at times.

Still coming into his own physically -- he appears to have grown and filled out even from last October -- it will be interesting to see how Bethea's explosiveness while operating in traffic evolves as his body continues to fill out. He's smooth, but not all that powerful when changing gears to beat opponents off the dribble. He lacks a degree of strength as a finisher, which makes it difficult for him to be efficient on nights when his shots aren't falling. His intensity wavers at times defensively, especially off the ball, but he has a competitive streak that allows him to get in a stance and make things difficult one-on-one. Bethea should play an important role for an up-tempo, offensive-minded Miami coaching staff that isn't afraid to empower guards in Bethea's mold. He should have a significant platform for the 2025 NBA draft.

Liam McNeeley | 6-foot-7 | SG/SF
Montverde Academy | 2024 | Indiana
In a Prolific Prep-Montverde game featuring two of the most talented teams in high school basketball, including three prospects ranked No. 1 in their class -- it was McNeeley who stole the show and looked like the best player on the floor. Pull-up 3s in transition, the ability to shoot running off screens, getting downhill and going left or right for emphatic dunks or off-hand scoop finishes, and making smart passes out of the pick-and-roll, McNeeley showed a complete offensive arsenal while also locking down defensively.

NBA teams love McNeeley's ability to make shots dynamically while also keeping defenses honest when attacking closeouts. They also appreciate how he makes the extra pass and keeps mistakes to a minimum. He's shooting an incredible 47-for-92 (52%) from 3 through 16 games with a sparkling 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, while bringing toughness, versatility and awareness defensively within Montverde's switching schemes.

Joining one of the worst outside shooting teams in college basketball in Indiana next season, McNeeley should have a tailor-made role for the Hoosiers with his ability to stretch the floor, but he's showing he can do more than that for Montverde, making a strong case as a top-10 prospect in the 2024 class.

A.J. Dybantsa | 6-foot-9 | SG/SF
Prolific Prep | 2025 | Undecided
The 16-year-old No. 1-ranked prospect in 2025 showed what makes him so highly regarded in a narrow loss to Montverde, posting 21 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. He attacked Flagg fearlessly all game, showing long strides and tremendous pace when getting to his spots one-on-one or out of pick-and-roll. He initiated contact, drawing fouls and finishing with supreme creativity in the lane. He also made some strong reads finding teammates on the move, and showed his shot-making prowess by hitting tough jumpers with a hand in his face.

At 6-foot-9, Dybantsa is a complete offensive player with the confidence and shot-creation ability to potentially carry an NBA team with his scoring down the road. He plays with an edge, bringing toughness on both ends of the floor, but he's still learning to harness his talent and become a more consistently impactful decision-maker and defender. The game moves a little fast for him at times, resulting in turnovers and missed assignments off the ball.

V.J. Edgecombe | 6-foot-5 | SG/SF
Long Island Lutheran | 2024 | Baylor
Fresh off announcing his commitment to Baylor, Edgecombe had two underwhelming performances by his high standards, shooting 10-for-28 from the field at Hoophall with three assists and five turnovers in a pair of losses.
The 6-foot-5 wing doesn't have elite length or bulk, but is arguably the most explosive athlete in this class, moving at a different speed from most players in high school. He's a blur in the open floor, getting downhill to his left hand and finishing above the rim in highlight-reel fashion while looking like a candidate to win an NBA slam dunk contest at some point in his career.

He doesn't sport the most fluid mechanics, but he's a consistent spot-up shooter who shows no hesitation stepping into open 3-pointers.
Edgecombe also plays with an outstanding motor, crashing the glass, jumping passing lanes and rotating for blocks incessantly. He uses his strong instincts, ability to cover ground and quickness off his feet to wreak havoc. The player from the Bahamas looks like a great teammate who is more than willing to do the little things, which partially helps explain his rapid rise from an off-the-radar recruit a year ago to one of the top prospects in the high school game.
The evolution of Edgecombe's floor game will help determine how highly regarded a prospect he is when his time at Baylor comes to an end. His ball skills are a work in progress, as he's not much of a shot-creator and he has plenty of work to do on his pull-up jumper. With that said, he plays under control and is very unselfish moving the ball from static positions, posting strong assist numbers at every stop. Edgecombe didn't have his best weekend at Hoophall but has built a strong résumé up to this point, indicating exactly why he's considered a top-5-caliber prospect in this class.

Dylan Harper | 6-foot-5 | SG
Don Bosco Prep | 2024 | Rutgers
Coming off a knee injury, Harper didn't have his best performance by his own lofty standards, scoring 22 points (on 18 shots) with three assists and five turnovers in a loss.

The 6-foot-5 guard showed NBA scouts in attendance flashes of the versatility, skill level and feel for the game that makes him a top-5 recruit. He finished a lob above the rim, hit a tough jumper running off a screen, pulled up for a 3-pointer in transition, and showed his dynamic passing ability in a variety of ways.

Harper plays a bully-ball style that will likely need to evolve at the college level. He struggles to get by defenders at times and is heavily reliant on jump-stops and driving into contact for fouls, which might not translate seamlessly. Playing with a knee injury likely exacerbated this, and the fact that he can shoot, pass, cut and is highly competitive gives him a great framework to build on with his excellent size, strength, length and intelligence.

Isaiah Evans | 6-foot-7 | SF
North Mecklenburg | 2024 | Duke
Evans had a difficult showing at Hoophall, needing 22 field goal attempts to score his 21 points, and not contributing much in other areas while being outplayed by Kentucky commit Billy Richmond in a loss.

Evans has excellent size for a wing at around 6-foot-7 with long arms, a rail-thin, 167-pound frame and long legs that will take some time to put bulk on. Most of his immediate appeal revolves around his dynamic shot-making prowess, as he has excellent mechanics and footwork and is dynamic getting his shot off, running off screens and ducking behind handoffs. He's a career 37% 3-point shooter on a high volume of attempts, and should become more efficient in a more compact role than the one he currently plays with his high school team.

Evans plays a fairly inefficient style heavily predicated on difficult pull-up and stepback jumpers inside and outside the arc with mixed results. He doesn't have much explosiveness attacking closeouts or getting himself downhill, and lacks the strength to finish in traffic. He's also not much of a passer and doesn't always appear to know his limitations, shooting under 50% inside the arc almost everywhere he's played. Evans' defensive intensity has a ways to go, as he puts in inconsistent effort on this end of the floor and struggles to bend his knees due to his extremely upright stance.

Evans is a long-term prospect who will have obvious appeal to NBA teams with his size and dynamic shot-making prowess, although he has to work to fill out the rest of his game, like most players his age. He's slated to join a star-studded class of freshmen at Duke next year, headlined by Cooper Flagg.

Nikolas Khamenia | 6-foot-7 | SF/PF
Harvard-Westlake | 2025 | Uncommitted
Khamenia isn't the most highly regarded prospect, currently unranked by ESPN in the class of 2025, but he left a strong impression in a star-studded matchup with potential No. 1-pick Bailey, making things difficult for the uber-talented wing while dropping 21 points and eight rebounds.

Khamenia, whose parents hail from Belarus, ticks several boxes scouts look for, boasting good size for a wing (at least 6-foot-7) with a solid build, real offensive versatility and confidence. He makes shots in a variety of ways, is aggressive looking for his pull-up and shows a soft touch inside the arc. He has the ability to play pick-and-roll, attack closeouts and find teammates unselfishly.

He did a good job of following the scouting report and limiting Bailey as much as possible, not giving him anything easy and forcing him to shoot over length consistently. He has done similar things in other high-profile matchups this season versus the likes of Koa Peat and Cam Boozer.
Khamenia has plenty of work ahead of him to develop his body, find more consistency as a shooter and make the transition from being a high school big man to a collegiate wing, but he has an interesting framework already with his ability to handle, pass, shoot and compete and is someone to monitor long-term.

 

[Vincent Van Goat]

Got Damb didn’t even realize boozed played too

The new wave of talent is quite promising

 

[pmatic]

 

[pmatic]

 

[OrangeBlueGarden]

I can see a lot of people riding Caleb Love

 

[アミーゴ]

I can see a lot of people riding Caleb Love

He may well not get drafted

 

[pums]

can someone explain the new ncaa rules with regards to transfers? No red shirts now?

 

[Arthur Shelby]

 

[Vincent Van Goat]

Grizzlies gotta hit on one of these forwards

 

[OrangeBlueGarden]

He may well not get drafted

Dang he’s not that good just at the college level so you saying ja morant would be all over him in the league

 

[addict4sneakers]

 

[B Sox]

Not sure I trust that James guy.

 

[Vincent Van Goat]

The 2025 class looks special. addict4sneakers what you and your bro initial feelings on it