2024 NBA Draft: Top Ten Prospects in the Pac-12
The 2024 NBA Draft is as wide open as any draft class has been in recent history. However, that shouldn't be mistaken for meaning that there's a lack of talent. Surely, there are multiple players in this class that will likely become All-Stars, starters, and other valuable role players.
Let's take a look at some of the top prospects in the Pac-12 for the upcoming season.
List Sorted Alphabetically by Last Name
Adem Bona, UCLA (#3)
Bona is a 6-foot-10, 235-pound sophomore known for his defensive activity. As a freshman last season, he recorded a 9.1 block percentage -- a number that is up to 11.5% through UCLA's two games played this season. He's also valuable on the offensive end, both as a screener, roller, finisher at the rim (75% at the rim on 129 attempts), and he's even shown potential as a passer off of DHO sets. It should also be noted that he created 34% of his own finishes at the rim last season. Additionally, Bona is already off to a hot start this season -- averaging 17 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 0.5 steals through two games. Bona has a chance to be a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Berke Buyuktuncel, UCLA (#9)
The 6-foot-9 freshman and Turkey native offers versatility on both ends of the floor. Offensively, the freshman forward has shown potential spacing the floor and can be utilized in pick-and-pop situations. Additionally, he can dominate mismatches in the post and is also a capable passer from that area of the floor. Defensively, Buyuktuncel is fairly mobile and uses his length well to block shots. Overall, he has the potential to play himself into first-round pick or early second-round pick conversations this season.
Isaiah Collier, USC (#1)
The No. 2 overall player in the 2023 high school class, Collier has the positional size and playmaking ability to be a primary ball-handler in the NBA. The 6-foot-4 guard is also known for his ability to create rim pressure using a combination of downhill speed and strength, giving him a conveyer in which to make the most out of his passing ability. He's also capable of slowing down his game to manipulate defenses out of pick-and-rolls. Scouts will be watching to see how his shooting progresses as well as his consistency on the defensive end as a potential point-of-attack defender. Collier is widely considered a lottery talent.
Tristan da Silva, Colorado (#23)
The Colorado senior is a 6-foot-9 wing who averaged 15.9 points per game last season while converting 39.4% of his three-point attempts (3.9 attempts per game). He's a capable driver that created 50% of his makes at the rim last season and also shot 46% from the midrange (140 attempts). The defense of da Silva is a question mark, as he'll need need to answer the question of who he guards at the next level. He's projected as a late first-round pick currently, but should best be viewed as somewhere in the 25-45 pick range.
Kwame Evans Jr., Oregon (#10)
Evans Jr. is a freshman for the Ducks and was the No. 18 overall recruit in the 2023 high school class. The 6-foot-9 wing projects more as a play-finisher and threat in transition currently, both due to his off-ball movement, mobility for his size, and his finishing ability at the rim. He's shown potential in other areas offensively and has the tools to be productive defensively, but has yet to put it all together. Perhaps the player with the highest range of possible outcomes of the players listed thus far, the Montverde product could play himself into draft consideration as the season progresses.
Bronny James, USC (#6)
First of all, it's important to highlight how incredible it is that Bronny James is not only healthy but already planning to continue pursuing his goal of playing in the NBA. Basketball aside, I wish him the speediest recovery and I, along with millions of others, are happy to see him doing well. For anyone not aware, James suffered cardiac arrest in late July which was reportedly likely due to an underlying congenital heart defect.
James is an excellent player and will have an immediate impact for USC as a freshman once he gets back on the court. The 6-foot-4 combo guard hits catch-and-shoot threes with consistency and is a savvy playmaker (like his father LeBron JAmes). Additionally, he brings that same feel for the game on the defensive end -- oftentimes getting steals in passing lanes while also providing sound point-of-attack defense.
Kobe Johnson, USC (#0)
Johnson is a 6-foot-6, 200 pound junior for the Trojans. In his sophomore season, he shot 36% from the three-point line on 2.6 attempts per game while converting 84% of his attempts at the free-throw line (82 total attempts). He also recorded a 5.6 offensive-rebounding percentage, 4.4 steal percentage, and a 1.6 block percentage. Johnson is also the brother of Jalen Johnson, an emerging wing on the Atlanta Hawks. Kobe Johnson is definitely a name to watch for the 2024 NBA Draft.
Aday Mara, UCLA (#15)
Mara is a 7-foot-2 big man with an approximate 7-foot-7 wingspan. He's a threat in the dunker spot at all times, has enough mobility to be effective setting and rolling off of screens, and has shown excellent touch around the rim. Additionally, he's shown passing chops that could add another layer of versatility to his offensive game. Defensively his length makes him effective as a rim protector, but he's not elite in this area due to a lack of verticality. He also can improve his foot speed and his ability to defend in space. Overall, Mara is a projected first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Jackson Shelstad, Oregon (#3)
Shelstad, the 6-foot freshman guard, was the No. 26 overall recruit in the 2023 high school class. He's quick with the ball in his hands and is known for his ability to shoot it consistently from beyond the arc, both off the catch and off the dribble. In his senior season of high school, Shelstad shot 41.7% from three (187 attempts) while also averaging 28 points and almost 2 steals per game. The two-time Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year is a name to watch for the 2024 NBA Draft.
Cody Williams, Colorado (#10)
Brother of the Oklahoma City Thunder's Jalen Williams, Cody Williams is a 6-foot-8 wing. The freshman is considered the No. 4 overall recruit in the 2023 high school recruiting class. Williams is comfortable with the ball in his hands and has shown potential as a driver. It will be important to show scouts he can consistently hit catch-and-shoot threes at Colorado, as this will be an important area of his game he can work off of. Defensively, his fluidity and length gives him the potential to guard multiple positions at the next level -- assuming he continues to fill out his frame. Similar to Kwame Evans Jr, Williams has one of the wider range of outcomes out of the Pac-12 prospects but he's currently a projected first-round pick.
Honorable Mention: Andrej Stojakovic, Stanford (#2)
Son of Peja Stojakovic, a career 40% three-point shooter (through 5.5 three-point attempts per game across 804 games played), Andrej is a 6-foot-7 wing known for having potential to be of similar shooting prowess. Improving his strength would help both his offensive game and ability to defend as well. Offensively, the No. 19 overall recruit in the 2023 high school class is already off to a hot start, converting 40% of his three-point attempts (5 attempts per game) through three games played.
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