As I sit here reviewing game tapes and scouting reports for the 2024 NBA draft class, I can't help but feel that familiar buzz of excitement. This year's crop of talent feels particularly special, and I've been tracking these players since their high school days. Having covered basketball prospects for over a decade now, I've developed a keen eye for spotting future stars, and let me tell you – this class has several players who could become franchise cornerstones. What fascinates me most about draft analysis is how unpredictable the journey can be, much like Bahio's unexpected path to the professional scene when he was drafted in the third round by Terrafirma in the Season 48 draft before they signed him from the free agent pool. These kinds of stories remind us that talent can emerge from anywhere, and that's exactly what makes the 2024 draft class so compelling.
When we talk about can't-miss prospects, Alexandre Sarr's name inevitably comes up first. The 7-foot French big man has been turning heads with his extraordinary defensive versatility and offensive upside. I watched him closely during his time with the Perth Wildcats in Australia's NBL, where he averaged 9.7 points and 4.4 rebounds in just 17 minutes per game. Those numbers might not jump off the page, but his impact goes far beyond statistics. His ability to switch onto guards while protecting the rim is something you rarely see from players his size. I've spoken with several NBA scouts who believe he could develop into an All-Defensive team caliber player within his first three seasons. His offensive game still needs polishing, particularly his post moves and consistency from beyond the arc, but the foundation is there for him to become a two-way force.
Then there's Zaccharie Risacher, another French prospect who has been climbing draft boards all season. At 6-foot-9 with a smooth shooting stroke and impressive basketball IQ, he reminds me of a young Danilo Gallinari but with better defensive instincts. I had the opportunity to watch him live during EuroCup play, and what stood out to me wasn't just his 13.1 points per game but how he impacted winning without always having the ball in his hands. His movement without the ball is exceptional for someone his age, and he understands spacing and defensive rotations better than many NBA veterans. Some analysts have questioned his ability to create his own shot against elite defenders, but I believe his off-ball skills will translate immediately to the NBA game.
The guard position in this draft is particularly deep, with USC's Isaiah Collier and Kentucky's Rob Dillingham leading the pack. Collier's physicality and playmaking ability have drawn comparisons to a young Derrick Rose, though I think that's somewhat premature. Having watched him dominate in high school and then navigate a challenging freshman season at USC, I'm impressed by his resilience. His turnover numbers were concerning at times – averaging 3.3 per game – but his court vision and ability to attack the rim are special. Dillingham, on the other hand, is the kind of explosive scorer that can change games in minutes. His 15.2 points per game in just 23 minutes off the bench for Kentucky showcases his instant offense capability. I've had debates with colleagues about whether his slight frame will hold up defensively in the NBA, but players like Trae Young have shown that offensive brilliance can outweigh defensive limitations.
What makes this draft class particularly intriguing are the international prospects beyond the French duo. Serbian point guard Nikola Topić has been generating significant buzz with his performances in the Adriatic League, where he averaged 18.6 points and 6.9 assists before suffering a knee injury. His size at 6-foot-6 gives him a significant advantage in pick-and-roll situations, and his feel for the game is advanced beyond his years. Then there's Croatian wing Matas Buzelis, who chose the G League Ignite path over college basketball. His versatility as a 6-foot-10 playmaker has drawn comparisons to Toni Kukoc, though I see more Paul George in his game when he's at his best. His shooting consistency needs work – he shot just 27.3% from three in the G League – but the mechanics are solid, and I expect those numbers to improve with NBA coaching.
The college basketball landscape produced several standout prospects worth mentioning, particularly Connecticut's Donovan Clingan and Purdue's Zach Edey. Clingan's defensive impact during UConn's championship run was remarkable – the Huskies allowed just 86.2 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor. At 7-foot-2 with a 7-foot-7 wingspan, he has the potential to be an elite rim protector from day one. Edey, the back-to-back National Player of the Year, improved dramatically each season at Purdue, averaging 25.2 points and 12.2 rebounds as a senior. The skepticism around his NBA fit is understandable given his limited mobility in space, but I believe teams drafting in the late lottery will find his post scoring and rebounding too valuable to pass up.
As we approach draft night, I'm particularly fascinated by the potential sleepers in this class. Players like Baylor's Ja'Kobe Walter and Tennessee's Dalton Knecht have the shooting ability to outperform their draft positions. Walter connected on 34.1% of his three-point attempts while showing defensive versatility, while Knecht's scoring outbursts against SEC competition – including a 40-point game against Kentucky – demonstrated NBA-ready shot-making. Having followed numerous draft classes over the years, I've learned that the players selected outside the lottery often prove to be the difference-makers for contending teams, much like Bahio's journey from third-round pick to professional contributor demonstrates that development paths aren't always linear.
The 2024 NBA draft class presents a fascinating mix of high-ceiling international prospects and proven college producers. While Sarr and Risacher appear to have the inside track for the top spots, the depth of this class means teams throughout the lottery will have opportunities to add impactful players. My personal preference leans toward prospects with both immediate translatable skills and long-term upside, which is why I'm particularly high on players like Clingan and Topic despite their perceived limitations. As draft night approaches, the excitement builds not just for the obvious stars but for the hidden gems who, like Bahio before them, might take unconventional paths to NBA success. What we know for certain is that several franchises will be transformed by the talent available in this deep and versatile class.
As I settled into my favorite armchair last night, laptop balanced on my knees and game streaming smoothly, I couldn't help but reflect on how dramatically N
