Four Potential 2024 NBA Draft Risers in the ACC
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a storied basketball conference littered with NBA caliber talent from top to bottom. The 2023-2024 season shouldn't be any different as several prospects within the conference have the tools and skill set to rise up draft boards. Who could be amongst that group?
Rodney Rice (Virginia Tech)
Ancillary Guard | Sophomore | 6’4" | 205 pounds
‘22-23 Stats: 8 G | 20.1 minutes | 7.4 points | 3.3 rebounds | 0.9 assists | 1.1 stocks
If it wasn't for an injury-filled freshman campaign, Rice would be receiving national buzz as a top 60 prospect heading into his sophomore season. Limited to just eight games, the former four-star recruit still showcased glimpses of his NBA appeal as 3-point shooter (two or more made 3-pointers in three games) and multi-level shotmaker with a projectable frame.
Considering his beautiful mechanics and shooting reputation throughout his grassroots career, there shouldn't be concern about the 33% 3-point mark (4.9 attempts) last season. A healthy Rice should result in his 3-point numbers reflecting his reputation while furthering his strides as a lead guard and defender. Once we get into conference play, don't be surprised to hear Rice’s name firmly in the draft conversation.
Mark Mitchell (Duke)
Big Wing | Sophomore | 6’9" | 232 pounds
‘22-23 Stats: 35 G | 27.1 minutes | 9.1 points | 4.5 rebounds | 1.2 assists | 1.1 stocks
Mitchell returns to Duke after a productive freshman season that saw him shoot better than expected from beyond the arc (35.2% on 54 attempts) and offer encouraging moments of skilled shotmaking to pair with his downhill slashing, NBA physical tools and ball skills.
With another year under his belt and Duke expected to play smaller, Mitchell is poised to take a sophomore leap playing his more ideal position as a big wing four man alongside Filipowski at the five. He’s a natural 3-and-D role fit because of his NBA positional size, switchability and capable 3-point shooting.
Sustaining/increasing his 3-point numbers on more volume, becoming a more disruptive defender and evolving as a shot creator are all significant aspects of Mitchell’s game that evaluators will be watching. Largely considered a late first to early second round pick, the right developments in those aspects could have Mitchell in the top 20 mix.
Wooga Poplar (Miami)
Ancillary Guard/Small Wing | Junior | 6’5" | 192 pounds
‘22-’23 Stats: 37 G | 23.5 minutes | 8.4 points | 3.3 rebounds | 1.5 assists | 1.3 steals
Poplar enjoyed a breakout season for the Hurricanes, emerging as a must watch prospec and a crucial member of Miami’s final four run. He’s generally considered a second-round pick, but his blend of explosive and quick twitch athleticism, shotmaking, projectable shooting and defensive upside screams first round.
Evaluators certainly want to see if his 37% clip from deep (104 total attempts) is real and if he can take another progressive step across the board with more minutes and responsibility. Keep in mind that Poplar started playing basketball as a high school sophomore, signifying both how room he has to grow and his tremendous development thus far.
Ryan Dunn (Virginia)
Big Wing | Sophomore | 6’8" | 208 pounds
‘22-’23 Stats: 31 G | 12.9 minutes | 2.6 points | 2.9 rebounds | 0.3 assists | 1.5 stocks
Dunn possesses many of the ingredients NBA teams covet when scouting wings: long, rangy, switchable and disruptive defensively both on and off the ball. Expected to be in a larger role this year, he’ll have an opportunity to emerge as one of the top defensive wing prospects and expand his offensive game a bit.
Showing development as a shooter is the most crucial aspect of Dunn’s game to monitor. On small sample sizes, he shot 31% on 16 attempts from three and 50% from the free-throw line on 22 attempts.
Like many similar sophomore prospects hoping to take the leap after limited freshman minutes, there is a wide preseason draft range for Dunn from the late first to undrafted. If he proves to be a projectable shooter to pair with his plus defense, he should be a lock first rounder.
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