This time final 12 months, Victor Wembanyama was the unquestioned, no-doubt-about-it No. 1 prospect in a deep 2023 NBA rookie class that on the prime fell largely chalk with Wembanyama, Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson – all projected top-three picks – filling out the highest three of the draft. However as we look forward to the lottery subsequent month and the 2024 draft in two months, there stays actual questions on which draft prospects will wind up chosen with the highest picks this 12 months, a lot much less at No. 1.
In our newest prospect rankings for CBS Sports activities, we as soon as once more have one other No. 1 atop our board with France’s Alex Sarr – an thrilling 7-foot prospect – supplanting fellow Frenchman Zaccharie Risacher within the prime spot. Sarr has proven the bodily instruments and athleticism to see his inventory soar within the NBL, and he might repay the highest decide with high quality manufacturing within the NBA due to the mixture of his upside and youth.
There may be by no means a positive factor within the draft, after all, however in rating prospects, my credo has at all times been to take the largest swings the earliest. For an analyst that is simple to abide by; if I miss on rating a participant I’ve solely my observe document on-line to reply to. But for an NBA GM whose job could also be on the road pending the manufacturing of a decide, that may be a a lot completely different calculation. Maintain that in thoughts. In a wide-open class, opinions might fluctuate considerably dependent upon numerous elements, and this cycle particularly leaves loads of room for interpretation based mostly upon the way you have a look at it.
So under is my newest learn on the room within the class with my up to date prospect rankings.
Rising: Alex Sarr
Present rank: 1 | Earlier rank: 3
Sarr makes a two-spot leap within the newest rankings that qualifies because the smallest, however most important, soar, taking up the No. 1 spot. The leap is available in half attributable to a troubling stretch from fellow Frenchman Zaccharie Risacher (extra on him under) and partially because of the hiding-in-plain-sight nature of his prospects. We are inclined to overthink evaluating generally, however his case on paper is fairly simple to purchase into: he is 7-foot-1, he is an elite shot-blocker, he is an explosive athlete, and there is encouraging growth in his shot which will foretell future progress for him as a much bigger taking pictures risk. He makes wild highlight-reel performs look routine regularly, and has grown leaps and bounds as a extra assured shooter this season at a still-young age of simply 18.
Falling: Yves Missi
Present rank: 24 | Earlier rank: 16
In a draft quick on expertise amongst bigs, Missi may draw some curiosity after flashing some wow at Baylor as a real freshman. There’s most likely a bit extra growth wanted right here for him to repay lottery costs, although. He did not shoot 3-pointers in faculty and hit simply 61.6% of his free throws, whereas committing 3 times as many turnovers as assists. Whereas he matches the profile of somebody I need to wager on – he is 7-foot with wild athleticism and defensive upside on the middle spot that might be game-altering – there are a selection of wings and guards who I might want to him in the intervening time.
Rising: Tristan da Silva
Present rank: 23 | Earlier rank: NR
The Colorado ahead will likely be 23 years previous by the point the draft rolls round however da Silva appears to be like like a late riser worthy of watching as this cycle involves an finish. He had an awesome displaying for the Buffs within the NCAA Match the place he averaged 18.0 factors, 4.0 rebounds and shot 56.3% from 3-point vary on 16 makes an attempt. Dimension, talent and taking pictures are all in his bag and needs to be in excessive demand for groups within the 20s or 30s given his projectable sport.
Falling: Bobi Klintman
Present rank: 30 | Earlier rank: 27
I preferred the profile of Klintman popping out of Wake Forest final season and he has carried out sufficient to hold round within the prime 30 after a high-quality season within the NBL with Cairns. Nonetheless, there’s some holes to poke in his sport; he struggled ending on the rim and lacks power, which exhibits up on tape particularly when he works his manner into the painted space. His contact on layups and floaters nonetheless leaves a bit to be desired. At his dimension I believe there’s fairly a little bit of promise right here with the best way he can play in transition and put the ball on the ground. Taking him within the prime 20, although, the place I beforehand had him, appears a steep worth at current for a uncooked mission.
Rising: Dillon Jones
Present rank: 18 | Earlier rank: 19
The extra I examine this class, the extra I believe Jones – a product of Weber State – is a top-20 expertise. He was a serious riser through the NBA Draft Mix final summer season earlier than returning to high school, and as a junior with the Wildcats, all he did was
- Enhance his shot
- Enhance his passing
- Lower down on turnovers, and
- Rating it extra effectively on a much bigger quantity.
We’d like not overthink it. He could make performs out of the decide and roll, rating out of isolation along with his huge 6-6 body and has a sophisticated IQ to impression successful with passing imaginative and prescient and hustle. There is a ton of traits however tangible and intangible to love right here.
Falling: Zaccharie Risacher
Present rank: 5 | Earlier rank: 2
Risacher’s inventory has been up and down the final 12 months yo-yoing someplace between No. 1 and No. 10 in our ranks, and the newest replace within the ranks has him sq. within the center. He is made simply seven of his final 33 3-point makes an attempt and struggled for J.L. Bourg the final month. His sport relies on stretching the ground as a shooter and projecting him to be an impactful defender as an enormous wing, nevertheless it’s laborious to purchase into him as the highest prospect proper now in his current kind.
Prime 10 prospect rankings
Take a look at Kyle Boone’s total Prime 50 Huge Board of 2024 NBA Draft prospects