The 2023 NBA Draft is in the books, and it’s never too early to turn our attention to next year’s class of NBA talent. The college and professional ranks will be loaded with the next generation of impact players, All-Stars, and maybe even league MVPs.
Let’s look at the 14 players we believe are projected lottery picks for the 2024 NBA Draft.
1. Matas Buzelis – SG | 6’9″, 190 lbs. | 18.8 years old | G League Ignite
The buzz around Buzelis comes not from what he is now but from what he could become down the road. The Chicago native is a long point forward with the ability to score at all three levels, handle the basketball, and set up teammates with solid playmaking.
2. Isaiah Collier – PG | 6’3″, 190 lbs. | 18.8 years old | USC
Collier’s shiftiness, explosiveness, and speed make him the best freshman in the country heading into next season. USC head coach Andy Enfield has struck gold yet again on the recruiting trail, and time will tell if Collier can thrive within his system.
3. Ron Holland – PF | 6’8″, 195 lbs. | 18.0 years old | G League Ignite
Holland made a serious statement at the McDonald’s All-American Game, putting up 11 points, six rebounds, and three blocks in 21 minutes. His size, athleticism, and intensity on both sides of the court make him a two-way dream for the next level.
4. Justin Edwards – SF | 6’7″, 180 lbs. | 19.6 years old | Kentucky
In what will be one of the most talented classes the Wildcats have had since 2015, Justin Edwards made his presence known at the GLOBL JAM gold medal game this summer. The incoming freshman scored 23 points against Canada, displaying his versatile skillset and ability to take over a game at a given moment.
5. Zaccharie Risacher – SF | 6’9″, 200 lbs. | 18.3 years old | JL Bourge (France)
At 6’9″, Risacher has one of the smoothest jumpers in the class, with an excellent feel for the game. He’s a strong passer for his size and has excellent instincts on defense. The professional ranks in France should help toughen him up for the next level.
6. Stephon Castle – PG/SG | 6’6″, 205 lbs. | 18.6 years old | UConn
Castle will look to maintain the heightened expectations in Storrs after UConn lost a fair amount of talent from their national championship roster. He won’t amaze you with his athleticism, but his ability to create separation off the dribble and consistently knock down jump shots over defenders should excite Huskies fans.
7. D.J. Wagner – PG/SG | 6’4″, 165 lbs. | 18.2 years old | Kentucky
Previously considered the top prospect in the class, Wagner has slipped a bit since the winter but remains a blue-chip recruit for the Wildcats. He will be crucial to Kentucky’s expected success this season and could return to his perch atop this class.
8. Aaron Bradshaw – C | 7’2″, 210 lbs. | 19.2 years old | Kentucky
Bradshaw will man the paint for the departed Oscar Tshiebwe but remains an unknown after missing out on GLOBL JAM due to injury. He was a beast in the paint throughout high school and will enter the collegiate season as arguably the best freshman big in the country.
9. Trey Alexander – SG | 6’4″, 185 lbs. | 20.2 years old | Creighton
Alexander is so smooth with the ball in his hands. Whether driving the lane or showing off his perimeter shooting, he can impact a game in so many ways and has the goods to make a real impact on an organization at the next level.
10. Kyle Filipowski – C | 7’0″, 230 lbs. | 19.7 years old | Duke
Filipowski should be an All-American in 2023-24 and could become one of the faces of college basketball. As one of the top-performing freshmen in the country a season ago representing Duke, expect to see tons of the seven-footer next season as he displays his vast array of skills.
11. Donovan Clingan – C | 7’2″, 265 lbs. | 19.4 years old | UConn
There may not be a non-starter returning to college basketball with higher expectations than Clingan. The UConn big man sat and learned behind superstar Adama Sanogo last season while showing flashes of his potential in a pivotal role off the bench. It’ll be his starting spot this season, where the bar will be set high for the incoming sophomore.
12. Tyrese Proctor – PG | 6’5″, 175 lbs. | 19.3 years old | Duke
Proctor’s reclassification made him a younger freshman for the Blue Devils last season, but he showed flashes of what he could do if given a second season in Durham. He’ll get the reins to the backcourt in November, and with some experience now under his belt, the sky is the limit for the Australian.
13. Aday Mara – C | 7’2″, 242 lbs. | 18.4 years old | UCLA
A lanky, youthful prospect, Mara has the pick-and-roll and playmaking ability of a 30-year-old. His understanding of the game paired with his solid mobility for a player his size makes him an intriguing pick as the new age of centers continue to dominate the NBA.
14. Reed Sheppard – PG/SG | 6’3″, 170 lbs. | 18.1 years old | Kentucky
A four-star recruit ranked outside the top 50 heading into this season, Sheppard showed out in a big way at GLOBL JAM last week for the Wildcats. He showed off shooting, athleticism, and defense, which may have proven him an undervalued commodity in high school.
15. Trentyn Flowers – SG | 6’9″, 180 lbs. | 18.4 years old | Adelaide 36ers (Australia)
Flowers has one of the best attributes you would want out of a guard: conviction. Whether he chooses to pull up from three, drive to the lane, or find an open teammate, he fully commits to the decision which shows strong game sense and confidence. After de-committing from Louisville, he will head to Australia and join the Adelaide 36ers as he prepares for the next level.
16. Kel’El Ware – C | 7’0, 210 lbs. | 19.3 years old | Indiana
Ware’s time at Oregon didn’t go as planned, but a fresh start at Indiana may help him showcase his wide array of talent. The Hoosiers are desperate for a big man replacement following the departure of Trayce Jackson-Davis, and we believe Ware should be able to thrive in Mike Woodson’s offense.
17. JaKobe Walter – SG | 6’5″, 180 lbs. | 18.9 years old | Baylor
Walter’s fundamentals are what standout. While he has the athleticism desired to play at the NBA level, he always looks like he is playing within himself and never rushes a fake or a crossover. His jumper release needs a bit of work, but he could really shine at Baylor in 2023-24.
18. Elmarko Jackson – PG | 6’3″, 195 lbs. | 19.3 years old | Kansas
The Jayhawks have yet again brought in some elite backcourt talent. Jackson loves to slow the game down by setting up within the halfcourt on-ball and outsmarting his defenders with elite finishing at the rim and a reliable jump shot.
19. Trevon Brazile – PF | 6’10”, 200 lbs. | 20.6 years old | Arkansas
There’s no better way to get yourself on an NBA mock draft than to be a pure athlete with a solid perimeter jumper. That’s exactly what Brazile possesses as he was one of Arkansas’s more steady presences last season. He’ll be coming off an ACL tear, and how he looks next season will heavily influence his draft stock.
20. Bobi Klintman – PF/C | 6’10”, 225 lbs. | 20.4 years old | Cairns Taipans (Australia)
After spending one season at Wake Forest, Klintman has opted to go the professional route in Australia, joining Cairn Taipans for next season. He’s got a buttery jumper, elusive movement for his size, and can explode at the rim when given the lane.
21. Adem Bona – C | 6’9″, 245 lbs. | 20.4 years old | UCLA
Bona’s paint presence helped him bring home Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2022-23, and he’s back for more for his sophomore campaign. We project a serious second-year leap out of Bona as he’ll further assert his dominance down low for a UCLA team that lost a lot this offseason.
22. Alexandre Sarr – C | 7’1″, 205 lbs. | 18.3 years old | Perth Wildcats (Australia)
Sarr loves to utilize his size and mobility to get to the rim with ease, where he does the majority of his scoring. He’s a lanky body that can explode when he gets around the basket, as well as put it on the deck once in awhile.
23. Tyler Burton – SG/PF | 6’7″, 215 lbs. | 23.5 years old | Villanova
Burton’s size and determination to slash to the rim helped him become one of Richmond’s best players of the 21st century. After averaging nearly 20 points per game a season ago, he’ll now join Villanova, where his scoring prowess will be on full display for NBA scouts.
24. Terrence Shannon – SG | 6’7″, 220 lbs. | 23.0 years old | Illinois
Shannon is certainly on the older side, entering his fifth season in college hoops. But after really showing out in his first season with the Fighting Illini last year, he deservedly put his name on NBA radars ahead of this season. If he can replicate or even improve on last year’s averages, he could shoot up this board in a hurry.
25. Bronny James – PG/SG | 6’2″, 190 lbs. | 18.8 years old | USC
We have kept James on this list in hopes that he will play again fairly soon and make a comeback similar to Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin to reach his dream of the NBA. James used the McDonald’s All-American Game to show the world that his game is nothing like his father’s. Bronny is a lethal shooter when left alone and has continued to improve his handles and build towards the end of his high school career. One thing he does possess, along with his pop, is a tremendous feel for the game.
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