The Boston Celtics are your 2024 NBA champions and, just like that, we’re getting ready for the NBA draft. This year’s NBA draft will begin on Wednesday, June 26, and will end on Thursday, June 27. The Atlanta Hawks won the first pick in the draft lottery despite having just a 3 percent chance of doing so.
This year, there isn’t a generational prospect like Victor Wembanyama, who went No. 1 to the San Antonio Spurs last year. It’s a bit unclear who might go No. 1, though most sportsbooks give Zaccharie Risacher the nod as the favorite. More on him in a moment.
Who could challenge Risacher for the first pick? What players are the top prospects that could go in the Top 5 or 10 selections? Here are the best prospects to keep an eye on when the draft starts next week.
Alex Sarr, F, France/Perth (NBL) (Pictured Above)
For the most part, experts and scouts disagree about exactly who the best prospect is. There are several that like Sarr over Risacher. That’s because Sarr is 7-foot-1 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan and can play like Wembenyana. He moves well laterally, can handle the ball, initiate plays and protect the rim.
Sarr is only 19 years old and has a lot of room for improvement. With some work on his long-range shot and some added bulk, Sarr could be a unique talent. Sarr is given +145 odds to go No. 1 at these sportsbooks.
Zaccharie Risacher, F, France/JL Bourg (LNB Elite)
NBA teams love a talented 3-and-D player. That’s a guy who can shoot the lights out from three-point range as well as play lockdown defense. These players are hard to come by and that’s why many scouts and experts believe Risacher is the best talent available in this year’s draft.
He’s a 6-8 wing who shoots around 35 percent from behind the arc. He’s got great ball skills and his defense is outstanding. Risacher can improve his dribble-drive moves and his burst isn’t all that quick, but this is a talented player that should make an immediate impact wherever he goes. That’s why he’s the overall favorite at -125 to be selected first.
Stephon Castle, G, UConn
Castle is one of UConn’s two possible lottery selections in this draft. Castle, a combo guard with a 6-foot-9 wingspan and a 6-foot-5 height when barefoot, has the ability to play the game at his own speed, whether it be by making passes or accelerating to the basket.
One of Castle’s main problems is shooting. He has a terrible three-point shooting percentage and can be ineffective at times. He only shot 26.7 percent on 2.2 attempts from three-point range last season.
He will turn 20 in November, and as a long point guard with the ability to guard several positions and make long shots, he has a high ceiling. Still, he’s probably not the first guy off the board. Castle is given +3000 odds to go No. 1. He’s +200 to be the fourth pick at many sportsbooks.
Ron Holland, F, G League
Holland played for the G League Ignite last season and averaged 20.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. He is another potential elite 3-and-D player. He’s only 18, which makes him one of the youngest players in this draft class, but he is loaded with potential.
Holland is listed at 6-8 and has a 6-11 wingspan which allows him to defend point guards as well as bigs. He’s got quick lateral movement and is physical enough to hold his own in the paint. He’ll need to improve his shooting, but Holland is a solid prospect that should be gone among the first 5 to 10 picks in this year’s draft.
Dalton Knecht, G/F, Tennessee
Knecht is one of the older players in this draft class at age 23. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. TCU senior Desmond Bane, who went No. 30 overall in 2020, became a unique two-way guard.
Knecht shares some similarities with Bane. He is a multi-level scorer who converts at 39.7% from three-point range. He is able to make quick adjustments and perform spot up or off the dribble. Although he’s not the greatest shot creator, he could develop into a strong two-guard who can play the three in small-ball lineups.
Knecht is 6-foot-5 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan and needs to work on his lateral movement in order to play better defense. He’s a player that could plug and play into just about any system in the league.
Donovan Clingan, C, UConn
Don’t believe the hype about teams not wanting traditional centers. They still have value, particularly the athletic ones. Clingan is 7-1 and has a wingspan of 7-7. He can do anything NBA teams desire – set screens, block shots, rebound, and score.
One thing he is not is a floor spacer. He’s not a guy who can get out on the perimeter on either side of the ball. Still, he’s a 7-footer that can run and is a solid presence in the paint as a rim protector. Clingan is one of the big reasons why UConn won a second straight NCAA title.
Clingan is actually second on many betting boards in the first pick category. He’s listed at +450 to go No. 1 overall at BetUS sportsbook.
