NBA Draft Roundup: Meet the Top 7 Rookies of 2024!
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The 2024 NBA Draft wrapped up with 58 players realizing their lifelong dream of making it to the NBA. Over two thrilling days, we witnessed some unexpected picks and surprising trades. Is this draft ranking logical? Let's find out!
1. Zaccharie Risacher | Small Forward | Bourg (France)
Height: 6'8½" | Age: 19.2
Strengths:
Risacher excels as a versatile wing, known for his ability to shoot on the move, competitiveness, defensive versatility, and strong game sense. He has performed well against top-tier opponents in both the EuroCup and French league.
Weaknesses:
He needs to improve his length and strength. While he shows promise as a passer and in transition, he is still early in his development as a shot creator and has had a limited role, leading to questions about his ability to handle more responsibility in the future.
The Verdict:
Even during a midseason shooting slump, Risacher found ways to contribute and finished the season with impressive playoff performances. His skill set makes him a strong candidate to be picked early in the draft, as his style of play is highly valued in the NBA.
2. Alex Sarr | Power Forward/Center | Perth (Australia)
Height: 6'11¾" | Age: 19.1
Strengths:
Sarr boasts a 9'2" standing reach and exceptional mobility, quickness, and explosiveness. This combination gives him significant potential as both a rim protector and a switch defender on the perimeter.
Weaknesses:
While Sarr has shown glimpses of ball handling, passing, and shooting ability, he is still working on consistency in these areas. He needs to enhance his toughness and game sense to complement his skills as a rim-runner, pick-and-roll finisher, and versatile defender.
The Verdict:
Sarr exceeded expectations during his lone season in the NBL, anchoring Perth's defense and making significant contributions as an 18-year-old. While he needs to get stronger and improve offensively, he has the potential to be a difference-maker on both ends of the floor.
3. Reed Sheppard | Point Guard/Shooting Guard | Kentucky
Height: 6'1¾" | Age: 19.9
Strengths:
Sheppard is an excellent 3-point shooter with exceptional basketball instincts. He had one of the most efficient offensive seasons in recent college basketball history as a freshman at Kentucky.
Weaknesses:
Despite being a good athlete, Sheppard's limited wingspan affects his finishing in traffic and one-on-one defense. His low usage rate and occasional over-unselfishness are also concerns.
The Verdict:
Sheppard's remarkable shooting performance and impressive defensive stats, despite his limited length, make him a fascinating prospect. His unique blend of skill, feel, and instincts will be interesting to watch at the NBA level.
4. Stephon Castle | Point Guard/Shooting Guard | UConn
Height: 6'5½" | Age: 19.6
Strengths:
Castle boasts excellent size and length, displaying versatility on both ends of the floor. His competitiveness and unselfishness were pivotal in UConn's NCAA championship run, giving him a solid foundation for the next level.
Weaknesses:
Castle's shooting from beyond the arc is a concern, with only 27% accuracy last season. His shooting mechanics, particularly off the dribble, need improvement. His ability to space the floor will be crucial for his NBA success.
The Verdict:
Castle often guarded the opposing team's best scorer and showed improved decision-making as the season progressed. While he has many strengths, his development as a shooter and overall scorer will significantly impact his long-term evaluation.
5. Ron Holland | Small Forward | G League Ignite
Height: 6'6½" | Age: 18.9
Strengths:
Holland is a physical, aggressive, and versatile wing who scored prolifically in a challenging season for G League Ignite. Weaknesses:
His poor decision-making and streaky shooting were concerns, especially given his significant role last season. His season ended prematurely due to a ruptured tendon in his right thumb, causing him to miss the Ignite's final 19 games. However, at just 18, he has plenty of room for improvement.
The Verdict:
Holland earned a reputation for competitiveness and unselfishness at the prep level, but his performance was inconsistent as a first option in the G League. His success in the NBA will depend on his ability to improve his shooting and decision-making while contributing in a smaller role.
6. Tidjane Salaun | Power Forward | Cholet
Height: 6'8¾" | Age: 18.8
Strengths:
Salaun is a physically gifted power forward known for his length, frame, budding versatility as a shooter, and defensive intensity, which stood out in his first professional season in France.
Weaknesses:
While he shows potential as a shot-maker, his ball-handling is limited, and his decision-making can be inconsistent. This is expected from a late-blooming 18-year-old at this level of competition.
The Verdict:
Salaun's best days are ahead of him. He finished last season stronger than he started, carving out a significant role. His combination of size, shooting, and defensive competitiveness is intriguing, even as he continues to acclimate to the highest levels of play.
7. Donovan Clingan | Center | UConn
Height: 7'1¾" | Age: 20.3
Strengths:
Clingan was a key player in UConn's championship run, using his 7'7" wingspan and excellent timing to protect the rim and cover ground effectively.
Weaknesses:
Although he is a reliable finisher and offensive rebounder with good passing instincts, Clingan is still developing as a scorer. He struggles with free throws and lacks explosiveness in traffic.
The Verdict:
Clingan's defensive impact was clear last season, even after missing five games due to a foot injury. His size and activity level pose challenges for opposing finishers, and his skill set and youth provide optimism for his offensive development, especially with his ability to shoot from the perimeter.
