The 2023 NBA draft, and the hype associated with its top prospects, like Victor Wembanyama, is officially in the rearview mirror. Now NBA teams can begin shifting their focus toward the 2024 class. Expanded scouting opportunities at events like Nike’s Peach Jam tournament and the spring all-star circuit means teams have already begun their scouting work on the top prospects for next year. This year’s high school graduating class is regarded as one of the weaker in recent years, so early on there appears to be more parity and room for upward movement than there has been in past drafts.
Here’s a look at 10 names worth tracking for 2024.
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Matas Buzelis, G League Ignite
Buzelis is off to G League Ignite after an illustrious prep career and has a chance to be the first No. 1 draft choice to come from the Ignite program. He is a big wing at 6’10” with major upside as a shooter, knocking down 43% from deep at prep power Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kans., last season. He may not have quite the scoring arsenal to carry an offense in the NBA, but his combination of shooting and ability to play off the dribble gives him as high an upside as anyone in this weaker-than-usual class. Teams will be tracking how his body develops in a professional setting and how he deals with the increased physicality playing against older players.
Donovan Clingan, UConn
The weaker nature of the 2023 high school class gives room for returning college stars to climb higher than usual on draft boards, and Clingan could be the biggest beneficiary. Blocked at center a season ago by Final Four Most Outstanding Player Adama Sanogo, Clingan still showed off his enormous potential in limited minutes. Games like the 20-point, 10-rebound, five-block outburst he had in just 21 minutes against Marquette in January are the types of performances we could see more regularly in big minutes. Clingan has a chance to anchor an NBA defense with his ability to protect the rim, and there’s early buzz about him expanding his shooting range out to the three-point arc. Expect a huge year from the 7’2″ Connecticut native.
Isaiah Collier, USC
The No. 1 player in the 247Sports composite rankings, Collier is arguably the most game-ready prospect in this class. He is a physical point guard whose competitiveness has popped and raised the level of the game in every setting I’ve evaluated him in. The Georgia native is arguably the best ball-screen playmaker in the class, consistently making the right reads and using his strength to get to the rim and finish through bigger defenders. If he can prove to teams he can be a primary ballhandler worth building an NBA offense around, he will be in the top-pick conversation next June.
Justin Edwards, Kentucky
The highest-rated player in a loaded incoming group for John Calipari at Kentucky, Edwards is a projectable wing prospect who can score at all three levels. At his most engaged, Edwards is capable of taking over a game with his two-way impact, attacking the rim on one end and locking down opposing guards and wings on the other. Scouts will be looking for consistency during what is likely to be his only year at Kentucky, but the highs are very high with Edwards.
Ron Holland, G League Ignite
The Gatorade Player of the Year in Texas, Holland’s productivity in essentially every competition gives him a path to the top choice. The one-time Texas commit pops with his activity level on both ends, impacting the game as a slasher, rebounder and defender capable of playing either forward spot. His jump shot is improving, but he will have to prove he can be consistent from beyond the arc while with Ignite, especially given it will be harder to overpower pros athletically.
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Bronny James, USC
James will undoubtedly be the most talked-about prospect in this class by virtue of his last name. While he doesn’t necessarily profile as a top-10 pick, James is certainly in the early conversation as a first-rounder thanks to his feel for the game, defense and shooting ability. Those expecting huge scoring numbers as a freshman at USC will likely be disappointed, given James will be sharing backcourt duties with Collier and veteran Boogie Ellis. That doesn’t mean James can’t move the needle with NBA teams: If he can show off his ability to contribute to winning as a role player, he will boost his stock in what is likely to be his one year at USC. The allure of landing with his father’s team for at least one season will also likely impact his draft stock.
Tyrese Proctor, Duke
After a slow start to his freshman season, Proctor finished strong, averaging 10.4 points and 4.3 assists while shooting nearly 40% from three in his final 18 games. The tape from that stretch was highly impressive, especially considering Proctor played the entire season as an 18-year-old. As a sophomore, the Australia native has a chance to be one of the better guards in college basketball. He’s a mature decision-maker with the size to play either on or off the ball and is a big reason Duke is a consensus top-three preseason team in 2023–24.
DJ Wagner, Kentucky
Wagner led the highest-stakes recruiting battle of the 2023 cycle, pitting Calipari against in-state rival Louisville and Kenny Payne before eventually selecting the Wildcats. While not the transcendent prospect he once appeared to be earlier in high school, Wagner’s proven ability to score makes him a potential top-10 selection in next year’s draft. Expect him to be a very productive college scorer, with the long-term upside determined by whether he can effectively run a team and make good reads in ball screens.
Ja’Kobe Walter, Baylor
There may not be a more gifted scorer in this class than Walter, a high-volume offensive weapon on the wing who should get plenty of shots up in Baylor’s free-flowing system. Walter confidently can take and make tough shots and is comfortable playing with the ball in his hands despite being more of a traditional wing. He helped lead Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) to the championship at the prestigious GEICO Nationals earlier this year and will have a big hand in whatever success Baylor has in 2023–24.
Cody Williams, Colorado
The brother of top Oklahoma City rookie Jalen Williams, Cody seems likely to become the second lottery pick in the family. His stock rose as much as anyone during last summer’s EYBL circuit, climbing into a consensus top-10 recruit thanks to his fluidity and slashing ability as a big wing. He made the USA U19 team, which is playing at the FIBA World Cup in Hungary this summer and will get to play a featured role this college season at Colorado, alongside another potential draft choice in Tristan da Silva.
