2024 NBA Draft: Top Prospect For Each Position
Unlike the previous years in the NBA Draft, the race for which prospect becomes the number one overall pick is still wide open. Last year it was clear Victor Wembanyama was landing number one overall regardless of the team but this year it’s a little different. The number one overall pick could ultimately come down to team fit rather than the best player available.
Let’s dive into the top prospects at each position.
Point Guard | Nikola Topic
FIBA.com
Nikola Topic is a 6-foot-7 Serbian lead guard who has elite positional size, the ability to put pressure on the rim and playmaking chops. The gifted lead guard is a walking paint touch that’s so creative at creating angles to finish at the rim at an efficient rate. Topic wasn’t ranked this high on draft boards or mock drafts a year ago today, but since then he has been on the rise due to how productive he has been in a professional league. If a team needs a true lead guard at the number one overall pick, the jumbo lead guard could be that guy.
Shooting Guard | Ja’Kobe Walter
© John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
Ja’Kobe Walter is a talented scoring guard who has the ability to light it up at all three levels. He can really shoot it as he’s an effective shooter off the catch and shows some legit shot versatility. He’s a tough shot-maker from all over the perimeter and even has some touch inside the painted area. Efficiency has been a bit of an issue for Walter, which could limit his chances of being a top pick in the draft, but nonetheless the scoring upside is evident.
Small Forward | Matas Buzelis
David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images
Matas Buzelis is a 6-foot-10 small forward who has guard-like skills. The G League Ignite prospect has had an up-and-down season but has showcased tough shot-making ability, great defensive versatility and some secondary ball-handling chops. Buzelis has received comparisons to Franz Wagner of the Orlando Magic due to their similar style of play, but Buzelis has the tools and upside to be a better player than Wagner if he’s able to reach his ceiling. Consistency will be key for the talented forward.
Power Forward | Ron Holland
Jeff Bottari/NBAE via Getty Images
Ron Holland is a two-way power forward who makes a massive impact on both ends of the floor in the G League. Holland is 6-foot-8 and is arguably the best defensive prospect in the entire draft. He has super quick hands and plays with a ton of tenacity and has great awareness. Slashing is his best offensive trait while he also has underrated creation skills that will allow him to be a third scoring option for a contending NBA team in the future. Holland is very much in the running to be the number one overall pick.
Center | Alexandre Sarr
Graham Denholm/Getty Images
Alexandre Sarr is arguably the favorite to be the first overall pick if the draft was to be held today. The 7-foot-1 mobile big man is arguably the best rim protector in the entire draft. He has great length, mobility, timing and defensive instincts. Sarr has also shown flashes of being able to step out and defend in space effectively. Offensively he’s very efficient inside the paint, can make jumpers off the catch or dribble and is slowly progressing as a passer. The upside is very high for Sarr and he’s a player that can impact winning immediately.
Want to join the discussion? Like Draft Digest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest NBA Draft news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.