2024 NBA Draft: Top Ten Prospects in the SEC
The 2024 NBA Draft is as wide open as any 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 SEC for the upcoming season.
List Sorted Alphabetically by Last Name
Aaron Bradshaw, Kentucky (#2)
While Bradshaw is still nursing a foot injury, he reportedly returned to practice this past week. He's a 7-foot big man and 5-star recruit that's impactful on the boards and projects as a Roll & Cut big. Bradshaw has shown versatility defensively as well, capable of playing in both show and drop coverage at Camden. It will be important to watch his progression as a rim protector, shooter, and passer as the season goes on, since he's shown potential in all three areas as well.
Trevon Brazile, Arkansas (#2)
Brazile is a 6-foot-10 sophomore who redshirted last season after unfortunately suffering an ACL tear nine games into the season. The Arkansas forward is a fluid mover for his size and has been extremely impactful thus far this season, shooting 42% on catch-and-shoot threes (19 attempts) while recording an impressive block-percentage of 6.5 to go along with a steal percentage of 1.9. He's also active on the offensive boards, garnering an 11.5 offensive rebounding percentage through seven games thus far.
Cameron Carr, Tennessee (#43)
The 6-foot-5 wing was a senior at Link Academy last season, where he played alongside Ja'Kobe Walter and Elliot Cadeau. While the college freshman has only played limited minutes so far this season, Carr has the potential to be an NBA prospect down the line. He is known for his prolific shooting ability, as he has a quick release, fluid energy transfer, and is consistent from shot to shot. Carr converted 33% of his catch-and-shoot attempts last season at Link, but this was on a notable 159 attempts. He also shot 87% from the free throw line, another indicator of potential efficiency as a shooter. Lastly, Carr can provide value defensively as well due to his 7-foot-1 wingspan and work ethic on that end of the floor.
Robert Dillingham, Kentucky (#0)
Dillingham is a 6-foot-2 freshman guard for the Wildcats who's averaging 15 points, 5.7 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game and has been productive enough to a garner a Box Plus/Minus of 12.5 so far this season. Offensively, the former Overtime Elite guard is shooting 52% on catch-and-shoot threes (21 attempts) and 75% from the free throw line (16 attempts). Additionally, he's recorded a 41 assist percentage so far, meaning he's assisting almost 41% of his teammate's field goals when he's on the floor. Dillingham is also creating 1.67 points per possession as the pick-and-roll ball handler (18 total possessions), which puts him in the 100th percentile in pick-and-roll ball handler possessions. Defensively, he is also recording a 3.7 steal percentage, proving he can provide a level of value on both ends of the floor.
Justin Edwards, Kentucky (#1)
Already the third Wildcat on this list, Edwards is another 5-star freshman for John Calipari's team. The 6-foot-8 wing offers positional size and has shown potential as a playmaker off of drives. His immediate playing time in the NBA hinges on his ability to hit catch-and-shoot threes consistently, an area he is only shooting 32% from to start the year (22 attempts). The rest of his game will fall into place once he develops a consistent jumper. It will allow for more opportunities to attack closeouts leading to him showcasing his slashing and playmaking ability. Lastly, his offensive rebounding has translated to the college game already, as he's recorded a 5.6 offensive rebounding percentage so far this season.
Dalton Knecht, Tennessee (#3)
A graduate transfer from the University of Northern Colorado and former junior college graduate, Knecht has progressed year after year and is now firmly on NBA radars. This season at Tennessee, he's averaging an impressive 17.5 points while shooting 81.5% from the free throw line (27 total attempts). The 6-foot-6 wing also has been able to create for himself at the college level, as only 35% of his makes at the rim and 20% of his makes from the midrange have been assisted.
Riley Kugel, Florida (#2)
Kugel is a 6-foot-5 sophomore guard for the Gators. He's most efficient shooting off the dribble, shooting 38% (21 attempts) in this area so far this season (83rd percentile). Additionally, Kugel is capable of creating for himself, as a significant 60.4% of his makes this season are unassisted. The sophomore guard will likely need to increase his efficiency both at the rim and in catch-and-shoot situations to show NBA teams that he can be consistently productive at the next level.
Grant Nelson, Alabama (#2)
Nelson is a 6-foot-11 forward for the Crimson Tide and played his last three years of college basketball at North Dakota State. The senior is averaging 14 points, seven rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game through seven games so far this season. Offensively, Nelson has a fluid handle as a driver and has shown potential spacing the floor -- two things that are rare for someone listed at 6-foot-11. Defensively, Nelson fits best as a big in drop coverage, and he's still developing other aspects of his defensive game.
Reed Sheppard, Kentucky (#15)
Sheppard is a 6-foot-3 freshman guard for the Wildcats who is the most productive freshman in college basketball at the moment. He's shooting 87.5% at the rim (8 attempts), 50% from the midrange (8 attempts), 64% on catch-and-shoot threes (25 attempts), and 100% from the free throw line (7 attempts). While all of the sample sizes are limited, his feel for the game on both ends of the floor, his elite efficiency, 12 points per game, and advanced playmaking ability cannot be ignored. Additionally, he's been very impactful defensively, garnering a 6.9 steal percentage and 4.6 block percentage so far this season, while also making smart rotations and playing quality on-ball defense that doesn't always see the stat sheet. All of this is good enough for an off-the-charts 17.3 Box Plus/Minus. Sheppard should be taken seriously as a prospect in the 2024 NBA Draft.
DJ Wagner, Kentucky (#21)
Wagner is a 6-foot-4 freshman guard for the Wildcats who is now the fifth Kentucky player on this list. Wagner entered Kentucky as a combo guard, a talented player who's capable of creating rim pressure fairly consistently but may not be an advanced enough of a playmaker to be a primary ball handler while also not having the catch-and-shoot touch yet to play more of an off-ball role. This lack of an elite ability to be either an advanced playmaker or consistent shooter have continued through the first month of the season, as Wagner has been inefficient in the pick-and-roll (0.55 points per possession) and in catch-and-shoot situations (27.3%). Regarding the latter, he's converted 76% of his free throw attempts (25 attempts), a positive sign towards potential progression. Additionally, it's worth monitoring how Wagner's ability to create rim pressure progresses throughout the season, as this aspect of his game is an X-factor for him and crucial for him to be effective.
Lastly, Wagner has made an impact defensively -- recording a 3.0 steal percentage and 3.1 block percentage so far this season. The former Camden guard is also averaging 18.3 points and 4 assists over his last three games. Assuming Wagner continues to progress throughout the season, he still has the potential to be a first round pick.
All unspecified data from Synergy*
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