2024 NBA Draft Big Board 2.0; the top 30 following the NBA Draft Combine

The NBA Draft Combine is typically the start of when things really get moving ahead of the NBA Draft. This year is no different, while nothing was too drastic, results from the NBA Draft Combine did bring some movement on the board.

From the last NBA Draft Big Board, two new players entered the top 30, Baylor Scheierman and Johnny Furphy. We also saw two new players enter the top 14 with Tidjane Salaun and Bub Carrington.

The entire NBA Draft process is a fluid one. And things should really start moving now that we have individual and group workouts kicking into high gear.

Let’s go through my latest NBA Draft Big Board for the 2024 cycle.

READ | NBA Draft Big Board 1.0 | 2024 NBA Draft homepage on NBA.com

1. C Alexandre Sarr, Perth (NBL)

6-11.75 | 224.2 pounds | 9-2 standing reach | 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.

It was a solid week for Alexandre Sarr at the NBA Draft Combine. He measured well physically and had solid vertical numbers. The lateral numbers were a bit alarming, but when you turn on the tape, it shows mobility. He has some shooting touch, natural rim protection ability, and is capable of pushing the break. While the totality of the game needs a lot of refinement, the ceiling of Sarr is far greater than any other post-player in this draft. There are some naturally unique traits that he possesses that translate to the highest levels of basketball and even if they do not fully hit, his rim protection and switchability transfer levels.

2. F Stephon Castle, UConn

6-5.5 | 210 pounds | 8-6 standing reach | 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 ended up measuring 6-5.5 in socks. We could all hear a collective sigh of relief from his camp after the NBA initially put out a measurement of 6-2.25. Castle could be the best perimeter defender in this draft class. His measurables at the NBA Draft Combine certainly enhanced that profile. With UConn, Castle played as a connector. He moved the ball, got downhill, and guarded the opposing team’s top perimeter threat. Throughout his life, Castle has been an initiator. While there are questions with the shooting, in an NBA that values size and creation at the point of attack Castle fits in that fluid construct.

3. 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.

While Zach Risacher might not have the highest ceiling, there is a floor to his game that provides familiarity. The 6-foot-8 skilled wing has range, solid athleticism, and defensive instincts that are very attractive at his position. While the self-creation lacks, along with the blow by speed, the three-and-D nature of his game leads to a valuable archetype. He also exploded last week, with perfect timing, in a 28-point Ligue Nationalae de Basket playoff output.

4. C Donovan Clingan, UConn

7-1.75 | 282 pounds | 9-7 standing reach | 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.

By all accounts, Donovan Clingan knocked the NBA Draft Combine out of the park. He measured well physically, tested well athletically, and showcased some shooting touch not previously seen. Clingan’s calling card is on defense. Turn on the tape from the NCAA Tournament and you can see his ability to protect the paint and the rim. He will need to get stronger in the base and core, so as not to get knocked off his position and formalize that jump shot. But he has shown some passing chops from multiple areas on the floor and the athletic fluidity is better than expected.

5. F Ron Holland, G-League Ignite

6-6.5 | 196.8 pounds | 8-8 standing reach | 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.

Save last year, simply put, Ron Holland has won everywhere he has been. Whether it high school state championships, or USA National Team gold medals, winning has followed him. Holland struggled to start this season with the G-League Ignite program. However, he adjusted and finished the season averaging around 20 points as an 18-year-old in the league. He is a high-level functional athlete. Defensively, his upside pops, but so does his ability to get downhill and make something happen in the half-court. The shooting will need to come around, his form retooled. But when you look at the youth, the physical makeup, and the winning pedigree there is a lot of attainable upside still to go.

6. G Nikola Topic, KK Crvena zvezda (Serbia)

6-7 | 200 pounds | August 2005

2023-24 Stats: 16 games. 31.2 minutes. 16.1 points. 3.4 rebounds. 6.4 assists. 0.8 steals. 0.2 blocks. 50.0% FG. 25.7% 3P. 86.2% FT.

The playmaking, that is what pops when watching the Nikola Topic film. His passes are a step ahead of everyone else, and he distributes off a live dribble, left-hand/right-hand, to every level of the floor. Topic is excellent in the pick-and-roll, utilizing pace and an ability to keep his man in jail as he proves through the defense. The jump shot is a question, can he get it to a point where defenses have to chase him over the screen, and the overall athletic burst? Can he beat his man without the screen? With that said, so much of the NBA game is played with the primary initiator playing through the pick-and-roll, his abilities are eye-opening.

7. F Dalton Knecht, Tennessee

6-5.25 | 212.2 pounds | 8-7.5 standing reach | 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.

Dalton Knecht proved to be one of college basketball’s premier shotmakers last season. The SEC Player of the Year averaged over 21 points while shooting 39.7 percent from three. Knecht showed capable of self-creation off the bounce, looking very comfortable from multiple levels with his pull-up jump shot. He also shot the ball well as a spot shooter, which will be a lot of what he is asked to do in the NBA. Knecht measured well physically at the NBA Draft Combine and he tested well athletically. The defensive questions will continue, but he has the athletic and physical tools to continue trending in a positive way on that end.

8. F Cody Williams, Colorado

6-6.5 | 178.4 pounds | 8-7 standing reach | November 2004

2023-24 Stats: 24 games. 28.4 minutes. 11.9 points. 3.0 rebounds. 1.6 assists. 0.6 steals. 0.7 blocks. 55.2% FG. 41.5% 3P. 71.4% FT.

While Cody Williams might not have the ceiling of others in this draft, his floor remains pretty high. At his baseline, Williams brings on-ball processing, multi-positional defense, and good size/length for the position. Williams also showed very well this season, as a connecting piece at Colorado. The swing skill for him is the jump shooting, where he shot 41.5 percent from three on low volume. To this point in his career, that number is an anomaly. While the ceiling might be capped here, there is value in knowing what you can get. His brother, Oklahoma City Thunder wing Jalen Williams, was a late bloomer. There is hope that there could be some of that with Cody as well.

9. G Reed Sheppard, Kentucky

6-1.75 | 181.6 pounds | 7-9.5 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.

Reed Sheppard measured as one of the ten shortest players in the NBA Draft Combine, as a non-point guard, that height and wing span (one of the five shortest at the Combine) make the margins quite thin for Sheppard. With that said, he was one of the top shooters in all of college basketball last season, knocking down a staggering 52.1 percent of his three-point attempts on the year. Sheppard also tied for the highest max vertical jump at the Combine, going for 42 inches. A look across the current NBA, players of his measurements are typically ball-dominant, and players of his skill set are typically two to three inches taller. When he gets a clean look, the shooting is high level and his instincts are unquestioned.

10. G Isaiah Collier, USC

6-2.5 | 204.6 pounds | 8-1.5 standing reach | October 2004

2023-24 Stats: 27 games. 30.0 minutes. 16.3 points. 2.9 rebounds. 4.3 assists. 1.5 steals. 0.2 blocks. 49.0% FG. 33.8% 3P. 67.3% FT.

No domestic point guard put as much pressure on the rim as Isaiah Collier. The strong-framed lead guard lived in the paint at USC, decisively playing north/south. The season could be split in half for Collier, pre- and post-injury. Before his January wrist injury, Collier played wreckless and with questionable decision-making. When coming back from his injury, through the last 11 games, Collier shot almost 38 percent from three and he got to the free-throw line at a high rate. Dating back to high school, Collier was a very good player in the pick-and-roll. He made very good reads and was able to deliver various passes, in traffic, off a live dribble. Based on the totality of what I have seen from Collier, I am buying his ability as a passer and processor. The swing skill for him will be the jump shot. Is the almost 38 percent a sign of things to come?

11. F Tidjane Salaun, Cholet Basket (France)

6-9 | 205 pounds | August 2005

2023-24 Stats: 33 games. 22.7 minutes. 9.0 points. 4.0 rebounds. 1.0 assists. 1.2 steals. 0.2 blocks. 37.3% FG. 32.9% 3P. 76.7% FT.

Tidjane Salaun is an upside play. He has impressive physical tools with flashes of skill that continue to pop when watching film. Salaun shows shooting touch along with defensive versatility. He has a good motor with a 7-foot-1 wing span. He does not process well at this point, which leads to either head-scratching decisions or long droughts with not much production. With that said, the skill flashes and the physical traits do lead to a high floor. And as the season has worn on this year he has become more productive and more confident. Salaun is also young, not a ready now type prospect, but one that over time could play out in an intriguing way

12. F Matas Buzelis, G-League Ignite

6-8.75 | 197 pounds | 8-9.5 standing reach | 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 an interesting prospect to scout. The early intrigue with him was his ball skills at his size. As he played through the G-League Ignite, it became clear that he was not a perimeter-based player. The handle is not tight enough and the jump shooting is not consistent enough. However, both of these are questions that were discussed coming out of high school. What Buzelis did show in the G-League was some interesting defensive upside along with some ball skills that would work as a four/five, especially when pushing in transition. The shooting will be key, can he clean up the mechanics that have been questioned since travel ball? There is a framework of intriguing flashes here.

13. G Bub Carrington, Pittsburgh

6-3.75 | 194.8 pounds | 8-3 standing reach | July 2005

2023-24 Stats: 33 games. 33.2 minutes. 13.8 points. 5.2 rebounds. 4.1 assists. 0.6 steals. 0.2 blocks. 41.2% FG. 32.2% 3P. 78.5% FT.

Bub Carrington simply has the ability to play basketball. He started his college career off with a triple-double and finished the season as strong as any guard in the ACC. Carrington has the ability to play on the ball and he showed at the NBA Draft Combine that he has shooting touch. While he measured fine at the Combine, there are some athletic questions, with his burst and explosion. But Carrington brings a toughness. As he continues to grow as he adds strength, he is one of the youngest players in the draft, his game should continue to do the same. The mentality paired with the positional size and skill versatility are very intriguing long-term.

14. G Robert Dillingham, Kentucky

6-1 | 164.2 pounds | 7-11 standing reach | 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.

The NBA Draft Combine was not very nice to Robert Dillingham. He measured as one of the five shortest players, having one of the five shortest wingspans, and the lightest player in the event. Despite that, Dillingham was one of the most electric scorers in college basketball this season. Not only did he show an ability to self-create, but he also proved capable of knocking down jump shots at a high rate. There are clear defensive shortcomings for Dillingham, but the interesting question is, with his limitations do teams perceive him as an eventual starter in the NBA? He has never been afraid of the moment.

NBA Draft Big Board Players 15-30

15. C Kyle Filipowski, Duke

Profile | 6-10.75 | 229.8 pounds | 8-11 standing reach | November 2003

2023-24 Stats: 36 games. 30.4 minutes. 16.4 points. 8.3 rebounds. 2.8 assists. 1.1 steals. 1.5 blocks. 50.5% FG. 34.8% 3P. 67.1% FT.

16. G Devin Carter, Providence

Profile | 6-2.25 | 193 pounds | 8-2 standing reach | March 2002

2023-24 Stats: 33 games. 35.3 minutes. 19.7 points. 8.7 rebounds. 3.6 assists. 1.8 steals. 1.0 blocks. 47.3% FG. 37.7% 3P. 74.9% FT.

17. C Zach Edey, Purdue

Profile | 7-3.75 | 299 pounds | 9-7 standing reach | May 2002

2023-24 Stats: 39 games. 32.0 minutes. 25.2 points. 12.2 rebounds. 2.0 assists. 0.3 steals. 2.2 blocks. 62.3% FG. 50.0% 3P. 71.1% FT.

18. C Kel’el Ware, Indiana

Profile | 6-11.75 | 230 pounds | 9-4.5 standing reach | 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.

19. F Johnny Furphy, Kansas

Profile | 6-7.5 | 188.8 pounds | 8-8.5 standing reach | December 2004

2023-24 Stats: 33 games. 24.1 minutes. 9.0 points. 4.9 rebounds. 1.0 assists. 0.9 steals. 0.3 blocs. 46.6% FG. 35.2% 3P. 76.5% FT.

20. G Jared McCain, Duke

Profile | 6-2 | 203 pounds | 8-2 standing reach | February 2004

2023-24 Stats: 36 games. 31.6 minutes. 14.3 points. 5.0 rebounds. 1.9 assists. 1.1 steals. 0.1 blocks. 46.2% FG. 41.4% 3P. 88.5% FT.

21. G Ja’Kobe Walter, Baylor

Profile | 6-4.25 | 197.6 pounds | 8-6.5 standing reach | September 2004

2023-24 Stats: 35 games. 32.3 minutes. 14.5 points. 4.4 rebounds. 1.4 assists. 1.1 steals. 0.2 blocks. 37.6% FG. 34.1% 3P. 79.2% FT.

22. F Jaylon Tyson, Cal

Profile | 6-5.5 | 218.2 pounds | 8-6.5 standing reach | December 2002

2023-24 Stats: 31 games. 34.3 minutes. 19.6 points. 6.8 rebounds. 3.5 assists. 1.2 steals. 0.5 blocks. 46.5% FG. 36.0% 3P. 79.6% FT.

23. F Kyshawn George, Miami

Profile | 6-7 | 208.8 pounds | 8-9 standing reach December 2003 

2023-24 Stats: 31 games. 23.0 minutes. 7.6 points. 3.0 rebounds. 2.2 assists. 0.9 steals. 0.4 blocks. 42.6% FG. 40.8% 3P. 77.8% FT.

24. C Yves Missi, Baylor

Profile | 6-10.75 | 229.4 pounds | 9-1.5 sth | May 2004

2023-24 Stats: 34 games. 23.0 minutes. 10.7 points. 5.6 rebounds. 0.4 assists. 0.6 steals. 1.5 blocks. 61.4% FG. 0.0% 3P. 61.6% FT.

25. G Tyler Kolek, Marquette

Profile | 6-1.25 | 196.6 pounds | 7-11 standing reach | March 2001

2023-24 Stats: 31 games. 33.0 minutes. 15.3 points. 4.9 rebounds. 7.7 assists. 1.6 steals. 0.2 blocks. 49.6% FG. 38.8% 3P/ 85.1% FT.

26. F Baylor Scheierman, Creighton

Profile | 6-6.25 | 201.6 pounds | 8-6.5 standing reach | September 2000

2023-24 Stats: 35 games. 36.8 minutes. 18.5 points. 9.0 rebounds. 3.9 assists. 0.9 steals. 0.1 blocks. 44.8% FG. 38.1% 3P. 87.6% FT.

27. F Tyer Smith, G-League Ignite

Profile | 6-9 | 233.8 pounds | 8-9 standing reach | November 2004

2023-24 Stats: 27 games. 22 minutes. 13.4 points. 5.0 rebounds. 1.2 assist. 0.7 steals. 1.0 blocks. 47.6% FG. 36.4% 3P. 72.5% FT.

28. F Bobi Klintman, Cairns (NBL)

Profile | 6-10 | 225 pounds | March 2003

2023-24 Stats: 23 games. 21.3 minutes. 9.7 points. 4.8 rebounds. 0.7 assists. 0.8 steals. 0.5 blocks. 44% FG. 35.7% 3P. 79.3% FT.

29. F Tristan da Silva, Colorado

Profile | 6-8.25 | 216.8 pounds | 8-8.5 standing reach | May 2001

2023-24 Stats: 34 games. 34.0 minutes. 16.0 points. 5.1 rebounds. 2.4 assists. 1.1 steals. 0.6 blocks. 49.3% FG. 39.5% 3P. 83.5% FT.

30. F Dillon Jones, Weber State

Profile | 6-4.5 | 236.8 pounds | 8-4.5 standing reach | October 2001

2023-24 Stats: 31 games. 37.0 minutes. 20.8 points. 9.8 rebounds. 5.2 assists. 2.0 steals. 0.1 blocks. 48.9% FG. 32.4% 3P. 85.7% FT.