It’s that time of year again. The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is over and done with, and now we turn our attention to the next batch of young talent that will be entering the NBA draft. In this article, we will take a look at the 2024 NBA mock draft and projections for who the best player from each school will be. From big-time programs like Duke and Kentucky to small schools like St. Bonaventure, we break down who has the most potential to make an impact at the next level. So if you’re wondering which players to keep an eye on in the 2024 NBA draft, look no further. This article has you covered.
2024 NBA Mock Draft: Zion Williamson, Duke
Zion Williamson is the best player from Duke. He is a 6’7″ forward who can play both inside and out. He is an incredible athlete with a unique combination of size, strength, and speed. He is a very good rebounder and shot blocker. His offensive game is still developing, but he has the potential to be a great scorer. He is currently projected to be the number one pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Ja Morant, Murray State
At 6’3” and 200 pounds, Ja Morant is an athletic point guard who averaged 24.5 points, 10.0 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game during his sophomore season at Murray State. He is the clear-cut best player in this year’s NBA draft class and should be a lottery pick.
2024 NBA Mock Draft: RJ Barrett, Duke
RJ Barrett is the best player from Duke University. He is a 6’7” small forward that can score from anywhere on the floor. He is an excellent shooter with a quick release and has the ability to put the ball on the floor and finish at the rim. Barrett is also a very good rebounder for his size.
Barrett was named the AP Player of the Year and the consensus National Player of the Year after averaging 22.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game as a freshman. He was also named First Team All-ACC and to the ACC All-Tournament Team.
2024 NBA Mock Draft: De’Andre Hunter, Virginia
De’Andre Hunter is one of the top prospects in the country and is coming off a National Championship with Virginia. He is a 6’7″ small forward that can shoot the lights out from deep and is a very good defender.
Hunter averaged 15.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game as a sophomore while shooting an efficient 52.0% from the field and 45.7% from three-point range. He really stepped up his play in the NCAA Tournament, averaging 19.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game while shooting an incredible 58.5% from the field and 47.4% from three-point range en route to being named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.
There are some concerns about Hunter’s ability to create his own shot off the dribble, but he has shown flashes of being able to do that and should continue to improve in that area as he matures as a player. Overall, Hunter is a very complete player that does a little bit of everything well on both ends of the court and should be a high lottery pick in this year’s NBA Draft.
Coby White, North Carolina
Coby White is one of the top prospects in the 2019 NBA Draft. He is a 6-foot-5 guard from North Carolina who averaged 16.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game as a freshman last season. White is an excellent shooter and has the ability to score from anywhere on the court. He is also a good defender and has the potential to be a very good two-way player at the next level.
Cam Reddish, Duke
1. Cam Reddish, Duke
Cam Reddish is one of the top small forwards in the country and has the potential to be a star at the next level. He’s a 6’8″ wing with a 7’0″ wingspan and has elite level athleticism. He’s a very good shooter, especially from deep, and has shown the ability to create his own shot. He needs to improve his decision making and become more consistent, but there’s no doubt that he has the talent to be a top player in the league.
Nassir Little, North Carolina
Nassir Little is one of the top prospects in the 2019 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-6 wing from North Carolina averaged 9.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game as a freshman last season. He has the potential to be a great two-way player at the next level with his athleticism and length. Little is still raw offensively, but he has shown the ability to knock down perimeter shots and get to the rim. Defensively, he has the potential to be a very good defender with his lateral quickness and length.
Keldon Johnson, Kentucky
1. Keldon Johnson, Kentucky
There’s a lot to like about Keldon Johnson’s game. He’s a big, strong wing with a well-rounded skillset. He can shoot from the outside, attack the basket, and is a good rebounder. He also has the length and athleticism to be a good defender at the next level.
The biggest knock on Johnson is his lack of elite athleticism. He’s not a bad athlete, but he doesn’t have the elite explosiveness that some other wings possess. This could limit his upside as a player.
Overall, Johnson is a solid prospect who should be able to contribute at the next level. He doesn’t have star potential, but he could develop into a nice role player for a good team.
Romeo Langford, Indiana
Romeo Langford is the best player from Indiana. He is a 6’6″ shooting guard who can score from anywhere on the court. He is a great shooter, especially from three-point range, and can create his own shot. He is also a good rebounder and defender.
