USC Men's Basketball: 2 Trojan Guards Make Top 20 In 2024 Pre-Draft Rankings

The 2024 NBA draft is one that has a legitimate shot of featuring multiple first-round USC Trojans, which would be the first time since 2009 when both wing DeMar DeRozan (9th) and power forward Taj Gibson (26th) were chosen. Both players are still active in the NBA today, on the cusp of kicking off their 15th seasons with the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards, respectively.

The two players to watch ahead of this upcoming draft are, to nobody's surprise, top-ranked recruit Isaiah Collier, and Bronny James.

In his September edition of a 2024 mock NBA draft, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype has both Collier and James being selected in the top 20, with Collier being slotted in at No. 5, and James being slotted in at No. 20.

Two scouts offered up mixed reviews of the new Trojan's skillset from an NBA perspective.

“Collier has good size for a point guard and is probably the best passer in this year’s draft class,” the scout told Scott. "After that, there’s a lot left to be desired."

“Collier is a good penetrator who wants to attack the paint at all times,” another NBA scout told HoopsHype. “He doesn’t shoot well, but he’s strong and really fast in transition.”

Collier clearly has a skillset and flaws akin to Portland Trail Blazers rookie point guard Scoot Henderson, who was recently selected 3rd overall by the Blazers. Point guards having a combo of athleticism and elite pick-and-roll operating ability is enough to carve out a role in the league, making Collier a high-floor prospect.

Scotto has Bronny going 20th, which would imply that he likely goes to a playoff team.

"James has a strong frame and athleticism with the ability to hit deep three-pointers," Scott writes. "There’s intrigue from NBA executives if he can become more of a point guard looking ahead to the next level, thanks to his fundamentally sound IQ and continuous improvement each season. Defensively, he’s engaged throughout the game and is a physical on-ball defender and creates steals as an off-ball defender."

A league scout informed Scotto that he believes James will declare for the draft after his freshman season, despite remaining out as he recuperates from his cardiac arrest as of this writing.

“I think Bronny will go in the draft because of who he is, and some team will really think LeBron will come if they draft him,” the scout said. “If the Lakers get a pick, they won’t pass on him. He’s a decent player. He’s better than some guys who may get picked ahead of him. He’s solid, not spectacular. He knows how to play. He can handle the ball well enough. If you leave him alone, he’ll drill a three. He reminds me of Austin Rivers as a player, and he’s stayed in the league for over a decade.

The Austin Rivers comparison is a solid worst-case scenario for Bronny, as the notion that he may get drafted on name recognition alone (akin to Austin having been drafted because of his father, Doc), could be true, but his undeniable skillset as Scotto mentions, would be valuable for any NBA team.

James' status this season remains uncertain, but if he's out there, he'll likely end up a first-round pick. Given his health, and being LeBron's son, however, he's going to be one of the most important storylines to follow this season.

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