Roaring 20's: SEC players in the NBA Mock Drafts

[jbcarol]

2024 NBA Mock Draft 1.0:

Projecting first-round after entry deadline passes

by: James Fletcher III
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3. Charlotte Hornets: Reed Sheppard, Kentucky


The basketball pedigree and lack of off-court stories surrounding him also add value in this circumstance.

7. Memphis Grizzlies: Rob Dillingham, Kentucky
Rob Dillingham fits that mold. His electric offensive upside will immediately translate if used in the right role, while his defense could hold him back.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder*: Dalton Knecht, Tennessee
Dalton Knecht is the type of player who could plug and play in this — or any — offense in the NBA — he promises to fill the role well early on.

17. New Orleans Pelicans*: Kel'el Ware, Indiana
18. Orlando Magic: Ron Holland, G-League

21. New Orleans Pelicans*: Justin Edwards, Kentucky

[jbcarol]

@JonRothstein
Early entry candidates for the 2024 NBA Draft.

https://bit.ly/3WfbhAm
11:30 AM · Apr 30, 2024

[jbcarol]

2024 NBA Draft Big Board: Ranking the Top 40 prospects combine

by: James Fletcher III
•

3. Reed Sheppard, Kentucky


Sheppard is likely the best shooter in the NBA Draft this year, knocking down 52.1% on 4.4 attempts per game. The ability to also contribute as a playmaker and rebounder gives him one of the highest floors.

In addition to the 6-foot-3 guard's established offensive impact, he is an intriguing defensive prospect. He boasts great numbers while often gambling for steals. This approach could look drastically different based on the defenders he plays with in the NBA.

5. Rob Dillingham, Kentucky
Dillingham is an electric scorer and probably the most NBA-ready offensive weapon in the draft class. However, he is also among the least prepared for the nightly challenge of guarding professional guards.

The 6-foot-2 guard came off the bench for Kentucky, shooting 44.4% from 3 and 47.5% overall.

11. Dalton Knecht, Tennessee
Dalton Knecht left no doubt that he can score the basketball at any level. Upping his production while moving from Northern Colorado to Tennessee makes him one of the highest floor players on offense.

The 6-foot-6 wing will now go head-to-head with athletic defenders more often

17. Ron Holland, G-League

Ron Holland was also part of the disastrous G-League Ignite season which saw every player's stock fall.

19. Justin Edwards, Kentucky

Justin Edwards struggled early in the season to make an impact for Kentucky. Despite his high rankings as a recruit, the wing had little offensive impact until turning a corner late.

By the time the season was over, Edwards had raised his shooting percentage to a 48.6, 36.5 split and was able to showcase his defensive ability on the wing.

23. Kel'el Ware, Indiana

Kel'el Ware is a 7-foot center who had a breakout season at Indiana after starting at Oregon as a five-star prospect.

27. Zach Edey, Purdue

28. Mark Sears, Alabama

Mark Sears burst onto the scene as a senior at Alabama, leading his team to the Final Four with clutch plays while averaging 21.1 points

[jbcarol]

SEC sends 7 players to NBA Draft Combine, including 3 players voted as 'top 10 players'
Paul Harvey | 12 minutes ago

SEC is prepared to send a strong group of players to the 2024 NBA Draft Combine later this month, including a group of players from John Calipari's final team at Kentucky.

The NBA revealed a list of 78 players invited to the event that will take place from May 12-19 in Chicago. These players will be joined by a small group of standout players from the NBA's G League Elite Camp.

Kentucky will send 4 players to the combine while Tennessee, Arkansas and Alabama will each send 1. Here is the group of SEC players:

Trevon Brazile, Arkansas
Rob Dillingham, Kentucky
Justin Edwards, Kentucky
Dalton Knecht, Tennessee
Antonio Reeves, Kentucky
Mark Sears, Alabama
Reed Sheppard, Kentucky

Follow @ShamsCharania
·

NBA released a 78-player list for the 2024 Draft Combine in Chicago this month. Teams vote on participants, which include Bronny James.

New "Top 10 Players" ranked for which teams are able to access Combine information:



UConn, fresh off its 2nd straight NCAA Tournament title, is one of the stories of the invites. Dan Hurley's entire starting 5 received invites with star big man Donovan Clingan headlining that group.

[jbcarol]

Alabama Basketball Forward Invited to NBA G League Elite Camp

Joe Gaither

Alabama basketball's Jarin Stevenson is one of 44 prospects invited to the NBA G League Elite Camp in Chicago. The impressive freshman entered his name into the NBA Draft, but did not get invited to the combine.

Stevenson will have an opportunity to compete in Chicago in front of scouts, general managers and more. Those who stand out at the G League Elite Camp can earn a combine invitation.

Other SEC players invited to the G League Elite Camp include Florida's Walter Clayton Jr., Missouri's Sean East, Ole Miss's Allen Flanigan and Kentucky's Ugonna Onyenso.

[jbcarol]

@DraftExpress
G League Elite Camp participant list. 44 players will scrimmage for two days in Chicago starting May 11. At least a half dozen will move on to the NBA Draft Combine.

[jbcarol]

Tre Mitchell snubbed from G League Elite Camp invite list

by: Adam Stratton
•

According to Jonathan Givony, Kentucky's Tre Mitchell was one of just nine players in the ESPN Top 100 NBA prospect list to not receive an invite to the G League's Elite Camp. He joined Armel Traore, Zaccharie Perrin, Andrija Jelavic, Yannick Kraag, Ilias Kamardine, Dylan Disu, Riley Minix, and Tennessee Volunteer-turned-Arkansas Razorback, Jonas Aidoo on this list of disappointment.

Mitchell was a godsend for the Wildcats last season, coming over from West Virginia thanks to Bob Huggins' not-so-subtle firing. He was averaging 13 points per game through the first 20 games of the season, before, unfortunately, a shoulder injury derailed him and he was never the same.

It seems the injury and subsequent plummet in production also cost him a shot at the G League Elite Camp, a sort of feeder session into the NBA Combine. The only Kentucky player to receive an invite was Ugo Onyenso, although, the most likely scenario is a return to college. Where, exactly, is still up in the air, but it most certainly will not be back in Lexington.

[jbcarol]

@jeffborzello
BREAKING: Kentucky transfer Adou Thiero, a projected first-round pick in the 2025 NBA draft, has committed to Arkansas, he told me and @DraftExpress. Started 19 games this past season for the Wildcats and becomes the fifth player to follow John Calipari from UK to Arkansas.

[jbcarol]

New CBS Sports mock draft

by: Drew Franklin
•

Reed Sheppard's draft stock appears to still be in good standing ahead of the upcoming NBA Combine. Today, Gary Parrish over at CBSSports.com released his updated mock draft for the 2024 class. In it, Sheppard is the projected No. 2 overall pick

"Sheppard was among the biggest surprises this season as it pertains to prospects launching themselves into the lottery conversation," writes Parrish. "Nobody had him projected as a one-and-done top-10 pick — but that's what he'll be after shooting 52.1% from 3-point range in his one season at Kentucky while earning CBS Sports National Freshman of the Year honors. Simply put, Sheppard is a plus-athlete who can guard his position, and an elite shooter who can also dribble and pass. The floor here is very, very high. So is the ceiling."

Behind Sheppard, Rob Dillingham doesn't wait long to hear his name called in the green room, according to Parrish's projection. He has Dillingham going fifth overall.

"Dillingham was one of two projected top-five picks coming off of Kentucky's bench this season for reasons that will never make sense," Parrish says. "Either way, most NBA evaluators now believe he'll be the latest guard to flourish in the NBA after not really doing it as much as his talent suggested he should've in one year at Kentucky. I agree with them, for what it's worth."

Pick 7 Dalton Knecht Arguably no player helped his NBA Draft stock this past season more than Knecht. The former JUCO player who then spent two years at Northern Colorado was fabulous in his fifth year of college basketball at Tennessee — averaging 21.7 points while shooting 39.7% from 3-point range on 6.5 attempts per game while earning SEC Player of the Year honors and leading the Vols to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. Knecht should be one of the most impactful rookies in the NBA next season.

Pick 12  Ron Holland


Justin Edwards also gets picked in the CBS Sports mock draft. The third Kentucky freshman drafted goes to the Knicks at No. 25.

Edwards was the highest-ranked prospect in Kentucky's top-ranked recruiting class


NBA Combine
May 12-19: NBA Draft Combine (Chicago, IL)

NBA Draft 2024
June 26-27: First and Second Rounds

[jbcarol]

NBA Draft Lottery: Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. CT on ABC

By Thomas Lagrone |

The four NBA teams that finished the regular season with the worst records will have the highest odds to receive the first overall pick. The four worst records in the 2024 regular season belonged to the Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, and Portland Trail Blazers. The Trail Blazers and Hornets received a top four pick during the 2023 NBA draft, and they have some of the highest probabilities at obtaining those picks again this year.

[jbcarol]

Matt Jones
@KySportsRadio
The post-NBA Draft Lottery Mock Draft has 2 Cats in the Top 4

[jbcarol]

2024 NBA Draft Big Board 1.0; my top 30 ahead of the NBA Draft Combine

by: Jamie Shaw
•

It is NBA Draft Combine week, which means it is a perfect time to debut my 2024 NBA Draft Big Board:

3. F Ron Holland, G-League Ignite
6-7 | 200 pounds | July 2005

2023-24 Stats: 14 games. 33.6 minutes. 20.6 points. 6.6 rebounds. 3.2 assists, 0.7 blocks. 2.5 steals. 44.3% FG. 24.0% 3P. 75.7% FT.

Ron Holland holds the positional size, length, and fluidity that you look for in a wing

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2024 NBA Draft Big Board 1.0; my top 30 ahead of the NBA Draft Combine
On3 image
by:
Jamie Shaw
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about 1 hour
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JamieShaw5

NBA Draft (Adam Silver)
NBA Draft, Adam Silver (Tayfun Coskun | Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
It is NBA Draft Combine week, which means it is a perfect time to debut my 2024 NBA Draft Big Board.

Sunday was a big day for teams that did not make the NBA Playoffs as they held the NBA Draft Lottery. The 14 teams who will be selecting first in the upcoming NBA Draft were selected for which order they would pick. The Atlanta Hawks won the night, earning the No. 1 overall pick. They were followed, in order, by the Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and the Detroit Pistons to round out the top five.

In total, 78 players were invited to the 2024 NBA Draft Combine. The combine takes place from May 12-19 in Chicago. Throughout the week the players will take part in various drills, testing, medical exams, scrimmages, measurements, and team interviews. This is a big week for all players involved and it signifies that the June 26-27 NBA Draft is just over six weeks away.


2024 NBA Draft homepage on NBA.com

Let's start with the debut of my 2024 NBA Draft big board.

1. C Alexandre Sarr, Perth (NBL)
7-1 | 215 pounds | April 2005

2023-24 Stats: 27 games. 17.3 minutes. 9.4 points. 4.3 rebounds. 0.9 assists. 1.5 blocks. 0.4 steals. 52% FG. 71% FT.

In an NBA Draft that lacks high-end talent, Alexandre Sarr's upside puts him in a tier of his own. With a look at his fluid athleticism, positional size, and the offensive flashes, his two-way potential is intriguing. The defense you see plays out now, with his ability to move his feet and slide and the natural rim protection (1.5 blocks in 17.3 minutes). The offense is raw, but he shows flashes of touch with some undeveloped comfort dribbling the ball in space. The totality of his game is still unrefined, and there is a lot of room between Sarr's current production and his high ceiling, but as things continue to develop for him, there are a lot of positives to work through.


2. F Stephon Castle, UConn
6-6 | 215 pounds | November 2004

2023-24 Stats: 34 games. 27.0 minutes. 11.1 points. 4.7 rebounds. 2.9 assists. 0.8 steals. 0.5 blocks. 47.2% FG. 26.7% 3P. 75.5% FT.

Stephon Castle is a gamer. The 6-foot-6 guard is at his best when the ball is tipped and the bright lights are on. After a prep career that saw Castle playing exclusively on-ball. He proved to be an excellent connector and secondary ball-handler for UConn this season. As a big-framed guard, Castle is able to touch the paint consistently off the bounce and he makes good reads in traffic. The jump shot is the swing skill. He has never been a knockdown shooter, but this season he was consistently below average from three. On the positive side, the form looks ok and he shot over 75 percent from the free throw line on the season. There are positive markers. Where Castle shined was on defense. He used his big frame, instincts, and toughness to guard up and down a lineup. A secondary ball-handler, who is a quick processor, and perhaps the best perimeter defender in this draft has a lot of upside...if the jump shot can come around.


3. F Ron Holland, G-League Ignite
6-7 | 200 pounds | July 2005

2023-24 Stats: 14 games. 33.6 minutes. 20.6 points. 6.6 rebounds. 3.2 assists, 0.7 blocks. 2.5 steals. 44.3% FG. 24.0% 3P. 75.7% FT.

Ron Holland holds the positional size, length, and fluidity that you look for in a wing at the highest levels. He entered the season as a two-way-type that intrigues on-lookers as they evaluate his position. Holland is capable of defending guards, wings, and forwards, fluidly switching up and down a lineup throughout the course of a possession. He has natural instincts off the ball and slides his feet well on the ball. The lengthy 6-foot-7 Holland saw some struggles as an 18-year-old playing in the G-League, namely his shooting and decision-making. Things tightened up as the season wore on for Holland, but it was still a smaller sample size. Holland puts relentless pressure on the rim as he applies pressure off the bounce. He has a history of winning, having both a high school state title and a gold medal with USA Basketball. He has no problem being an alpha and he competes. There may be some question marks with Holland, certainly some things he needs to iron out, but in a draft filled with question marks, the consistent production, at his age, stands out.


4. C Donovan Clingan, UConn
7-2 | 280 pounds | February 2004

2023-24 Stats: 35 games. 22.5 minutes. 13.0 points. 7.4 rebounds. 1.5 assists. 0.5 steals. 2.5 blocks. 63.9% FG. 25.0% 3P. 58.3% FT.

You do not get a true feel for how big Donovan Clingan is until you stand in his vicinity. It is at that point you get the full understanding of what 7-foot-2, 280 pounds with a 7-foot-7 wing span truly looks like. Why he has jumped so high in this draft largely because of what he showed he is capable of during UConn's NCAA Tournament run. Clingan protects the rim with his size, but he also showed that he could move his feet in an effective way, namely in drop coverage making it difficult for guards to attack him with any type of clear path to the basket. Clingan will need to improve the shooting and he lacks base strength which allows him to get knocked off his spots on the block. However, Clingan showed intriguing flashes with his feel as a passer. He passed away from the help as UConn gave him the freedom to make reads in post-up and elbow situations. Clingan is not a finished product, but there has been a recent success with rim-protecting bigs who can process with the ball in their hands.


5. G Zach Risacher, JL Bourg (France)
6-8 | 210 pounds | April 2005

2023-24 Stats: 32 games. 22.0 minutes. 10.1 points. 3.8 rebounds. 0.9 assists. 0.8 steals. 0.5 blocks. 43.9% FG. 35.2% 3P. 74.0% FT.

Zach Risacher has a smooth shooting stroke, defensive upside, and some processing ability as a 6-foot-8 wing. He carries very valuable traits in today's NBA. The questions arise when it comes to his average athleticism and self-creation from the wing. While he has ball skills in the open floor, he does not put much pressure on the rim off the bounce and shows an uncertain handle at times in the half-court. Risacher had an up-and-down season, even as an 18-year-old playing EuroLeague basketball, his season was good enough to earn EuroCup Rising Star honors. With necessary growth, the defensive upside and shot-making open eyes with the positional size.


6. F Matas Buzelis, G-League Ignite
6-10 | 195 pounds | October 2004

2023-24 Stats: 26 gmes. 32.0 minutes. 14.3 points. 6.9 rebounds. 1.9 assists. 0.9 steals. 2.1 blocks. 44.5% FG. 27.3% 3P. 67.9% FT.

Matas Buzelis is a prospect I go back and forth on, and have since high school. On one hand, there is no denying his unique blend of size, fluidity, skill, and touch. On the other hand, his personal production has never translated to winning, on any level. In high school, he went through a 'big guard' phase, and in watching him play, his handle was not tight enough, his foot speed quick enough, or his shot efficient enough to be an effective perimeter player. One year in the G-Leauge has caused me to adjust the lens of my evaluation a little. Buzelis is 6-foot-10, why not look at him as a potential post-player, a spot where he can use his unique blend of touch, fluidity, skill, and size to gain an advantage over his defender? He will need to add weight and continue developing on defense, but as I continued to jump into film study, there is a clear pathway for Buzelis to find success as he continues to develop. Maybe this is a shot in the dark here, but in a draft with so many questions and capped player ceilings, this one has me intrigued.


7. F Dalton Knecht, Tennessee
6-6 | 215 pounds | April 2001

2023-24: 36 games. 30.6 minutes. 21.7 points. 4.9 rebounds. 1.8 assists. 0.7 steals. 0.6 blocks. 45.8% FG. 39.7% 3P. 77.2% FT.

Players like Max Strus and Jaime Jacquez walked so that Dalton Knecht could run. The 6-foot-6 wing was one of college basketball's most consistently big scorers this season. He averaged 24.9 points during SEC play while shooting 41.1 percent from three on 7.4 attempts per game. Questions arise on the defensive end and with his passing. While he gives effort guarding the ball and is a lengthy and explosive athlete, he would lose interest at times leading to easy buckets for opponents. While he scored at such an easy clip, he did average 1.8 assists to 1.7 turnovers per game. Even with that, there should be very few questions concerning Knecht's offensive game translating to the NBA. He has the look of a plug-and-play guy ready to contribute early.

9. G Robert Dillingham, Kentucky
6-2 | 170 pounds | January 2005

2023-24 Stats: 32 games. 23.3 minutes. 15.2 points. 2.9 rebounds. 3.9 assists. 1.0 steals. 0.1 blocks. 47.5% FG. 44.4% 3P. 79.6% FT.

There might not have been a player who brought more electricity to the floor than Robert Dillingham. He was assured to go on an exclusive scoring stint at some point throughout the course of every game. He is a dynamic shooter with a confident release and excellent balance once he steps within 35 feet of the rim. Dillingham also has a crafty handle and footwork and his bag possesses counters upon counters off the bounce. He would also have a tendency to get tunnel vision toward the rim and, while making good reads, the accuracy of his passing – at times – was too late or off-target. Then there is the defense. While John Calipari was able to put up with some offensive miscues, there were games when Dillingham was unplayable because of his defense. He has a very thin frame which could lead to concerns as well. But Dillingham thrived in Kentucky with limited minutes, and there is a lot of league value in a player who can consistently bring juice off the bench. While he may be a polarizing player in the eyes of some, there is no denying his offensive capabilities among his peers in this draft class.

12. G Reed Sheppard, Kentucky
6-2 | 180 pounds | June 2004

2023-24 Stats: 33 games. 28.9 minutes. 12.5 points. 4.1 rebounds. 4.5 assists. 2.5 steals. 0.7 blocks. 53.6% FG. 52.1% 3P. 83.1% FT.

There is no denying two things that Reed Sheppard does as well as anyone in this draft class. At 6-foot-2 he has incredible basketball instincts, and he can shoot the lights out of the basketball. Past that there are some questions. He does not put much pressure on the rim in the half-court and had a lot of turnovers when asked to be a primary ball handler or make a play for others going north/south. His defensive instincts as a ball-hawk in space created a lot of wow plays, but he struggled at times to guard the ball against the more athletic guards in the SEC, and his off-ball defense and positioning, in the half-court, led to some easy looks for the opposing team. Sheppard is a high-level connector, taking what he is given and not forcing plays. The shooting pulls gravity from day one, and NBA spacing could help as he tightens his game. Will he be able to get to carve out his spots and develop the handle to get to them? His height, weight, and length measurements will be interesting as well. Sheppard was one of the very best shooters in college basketball this season. By all accounts, he is also a competitor.

17. C Kel'el Ware, Indiana

Profile | 7-0 | 235 pounds | April 2004

2023-24 Stats: 30 games. 32.2 minutes. 15.9 points. 9.9 rebounds. 1.5 assists. 0.6 steals. 1.9 blocks. 58.6% FG. 42.5% 3P. 63.4% FT.

[jbcarol]

@AdamZagoria
The following five players have been invited to participate in the NBA Combine after having played in the NBA G League Elite Camp:

Jesse Edwards
Boogie Ellis
Enrique Freeman
Isaac Jones
Nae'Quan Tomlin
10:06 AM · May 13, 2024
·

[jbcarol]

@AdamZagoria
Bronny James medically cleared to play in NBA, will compete in 5-on-5 at NBA Combine

[jbcarol]

Official measurements finally revealed for Duke players at 2024 NBA Draft Combine: Kyle Filipowski, Jared McCain

by: Grant Grubbs
•

NBA reported "Trip" Filipowski was 6′ 10.75" without shoes. Duke's school website lists Filipowski at 7-foot. Additionally, the NBA reported Filipowski's weight (229.8 pounds), wingspan (6′ 10.5"), standing reach (8′ 11"), hand length (8.75 inches) and hand width (9.5 inches).

McCain's height came in at a perfect 6-foot-2 without shoes. Duke listed McCain as 6-foot-3 on its website. Like Filipowski, the NBA also reported McCain's wingspan (6′ 3.5"), standing reach (8′ 2"), hand length (8.25 inches) and hand width (9.5 inches).

[jbcarol]

@AdamZagoria
5-on-5 rosters for the NBA Combine, including Bronny James on Team St. Andrew's

[jbcarol]

Official measurements for Reed Sheppard, Kentucky stars revealed at 2024 NBA Draft

by: Steve Samra
•

Rob Dillingham: Hand Length (Inches): 8.00; Hand Width (Inches): 8.25; Height W/O Shoes: 6′ 1.00″; Standing Reach: 7′ 11.00″; Weight (LBS): 164.2; Wingspan: 6′ 3.00″

Reed Sheppard: Hand Length (Inches): 7.75; Hand Width (Inches): 9.00; Height W/O Shoes: 6′ 1.75″; Standing Reach: 7′ 9.50″; Weight (LBS): N/A; Wingspan: 6′ 3.25″

Justin Edwards: Hand Length (Inches): 8.75; Hand Width (Inches): 8.75; Height W/O Shoes: 6′ 6.00″; Standing Reach: 8′ 6.50″; Weight (LBS): 209.4; Wingspan: 6′ 10.00″