The Top NBA Draft Prospects in the Big East 1.0

As we start the ever-popular Feast Week in college basketball, it feels like a good time to start discussing the NBA Draft. Yes, we are still seven months away from the NBA Draft and the college basketball season is not even a month old, but we need a good starting point. I wanted to go through each of the Power Six conferences and talk NBA Draft prospects.

Let’s look to the Big East. The format of this exercise starts with the top five projected players for the 2024 NBA Draft. Then it goes through four superlative-like quick-hitters. I then finish with a list of players who could rise into the conversation in the future, maybe this year, or maybe over the next couple of years.

Let’s discuss the top NBA Draft prospects in the Big East.

1. G Trey Alexander, Creighton

The Buzz: There is a smooth nature to Creighton junior Trey Alexander’s game. The 6-foot-4 guard is comfortable both on and off the ball and he has consistently found his way around the play. Through the Bluejay’s first four games, Alexander is averaging 21.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and shooting 38.1 percent from three. His team is 4-0 and Creighton is ranked No. 8 in the current A.P. poll.

2. G Stephon Castle, UConn

The Buzz: There seem to be some mixed feelings at this point with UConn freshman Stephon Castle. On the one hand, everyone can see the sturdy 6-foot-6 frame with his ability to play on the ball. On the other hand, now that games have started, we are getting a close look at his ability to make reads and his shooting. Castle is playing beside fifth-year guard Tristan Newton, a starter on last year’s National Championship team. That grouping should help mask some of Castle’s shortcomings as he continues to grow his game. He came in with a lot of hype, he is one whose stock could go up or down as the season continues. Castle is currently shooting for an early December return from a knee injury, in time for Big East play.

3. C Donovan Clingan, UConn

The Buzz: Maybe no player in college basketball has as much pre-season hype as UConn sophomore Donovan Clingan. The 7-foot-2 center averaged 6.9 points in 13.1 minutes played last season. He has entered this season putting up 11.8 points per contest with 6.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 19.2 minutes. Clingan has a big frame and he will have to continue improving his stamina and his fouling. He has touch on the block and some passing acumen but will need to improve the shooting and show he can slide his feet on defense. He c be one to move up or down this list, let’s check back in January once we are into Big East play.

4. F Oso Ighodaro, Marquette

The Buzz: Marquette senior Oso Ighodaro is a unique player. He has excellent size and length. He is not afraid to use that length to get into the passing lanes or make plays around the boards. Ighodaro is an extremely efficient player. Where the most intrigue comes, for me, with him, is his ability to pass and make reads with the ball in his hands. Shaka Smart has proven comfortable putting the ball in Ighodaro’s hands in the half-court and letting make a play. There is also some interesting defensive stuff, with his size and his anticipation. Through Marquette’s 4-0 record, Ighodaro is averaging 13.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.5 steals per contest. 

5. G Desmond Claude, Xavier

The Buzz: This one is an interesting one for me. But there is something about Desmond Claude’s positional size, calming demeanor, and ability to play on or off the ball that intrigues me. In a year when the Big East might not have four first-round picks, I’m interested in exploring that intrigue for Claude. Dating back to high school, Claude has been comfortable with his own skin. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds, he can get a team into sets or act as the primary scoring option. All the while, Claude is never rushed and never looks panicked. Through five games, Claude is averaging 16.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. His three-point percentage (31.3) and free-throw percentage (72.2) are up through a small sample size. Both numbers will need to continue to rise and show that Claude can be a threat as a shooter. 

Next Up:

Upperclassman to Watch: 

C Ryan Kalkbrenner (Creighton) – Ryan Kalkbrenner has earned back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year honors in the Big East. He tested the NBA Draft waters, ultimately deciding to return. He is a very good rim protector and needs to continue working on his offensive game and show he can cover space laterally. 

Player to Watch After Year Two:

F Jayden Ross (UConn) – Jayden Ross has a lot of the tools that check boxes as he moves forward. Positional size, fluid athleticism, good length, ability to shoot with range, feel, and activity on the defensive end. Now he just has to get on the floor and put it all together.

Freshman Who Could Climb Into the Top Five:

G Garwey Dual (Providence) – There is some upside with Garwey Dual, as questions have arisen after an in-game punching incident. Leading up to the incident, he was up and down. He has always been a player whose tools outweighed his consistency and production. At a lengthy 6-foot-5, he is averaging 6.8 points and 2.0 assists on 40.0 percent shooting in four games. You want to see him come back strong and find consistency in his production, tapping into his ceiling.

Second-Year Player Who Took a Step:

F Alex Karaban (UConn) – The redshirt sophomore is in his second season of a player, and showing a high basketball IQ. Alex Karaban is a connective piece who can pass and shoot. 

Other Players to Watch

Freshman G Solomon Ball (UConn), Freshman F Jaylin Stewart (UConn), Senior F Baylor Scheierman (Creighton), Sophomore F Isaac Traudt (Creighton), Freshman C Churchill Abass (DePaul), Sophomore F Elijah Fisher (DePaul), Junior F Dontrez Styles (Georgetown), Senior G Tyler Kolek (Marquette), Junior G Kam Jones (Marquette), Sophomore G Chase Ross (Marquette), Junior G Devin Carter (Providence), Junior F Bryce Hopkins (Providence), Senior G Daniss Jenkins (St. John’s), Senior C Joel Soriano (St. John’s), Sophomore G RJ Luis (St. John’s), Senior G Kadary Richmond (Seton Hall), Senior G TJ Bamba (Villanova), Senior G Justin Moore (Villanova), Senior F Tyler Burton (Villanova)