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Bronny James a top 10 2024 NBA Draft pick, according to ESPN's new projections

Uncommitted 6-3 point guard reportedly interested in Oregon, Ohio State, USC; Sunrise Christian Academy 6-foot-9 shooting guard Matas Buzelis is projected top 2024 pick

Andy Buhler, SBLive Sports

A new 2024 NBA mock draft released Wednesday morning by ESPN projects Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, California) senior Bronny James as the No. 10 overall pick. 

James, an uncommitted four-star point guard and the oldest son of LeBron James, was one of many current high school seniors projected to be drafted in the first or second round in the first draft they are eligible.

He's in a draft class that NBA teams have said "they've been disappointed with," according to ESPN NBA Draft analyst Jonathan Givony, and major recruiting services don't view any of the top prospects as "sure-fire, elite NBA prospects you'd expect to see atop their rankings."

A top 10 projection evaluates the 18-year-old James higher than he's been slotted as a prospect in the 2023 recruiting class. He's rated anywhere from the No. 28 to 33 prospect in the country. He's reportedly interested in attending either Oregon, Ohio State or USC next season. 

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Givony cited buzz among NBA front offices around Bronny James' development as an elite perimeter defender and his progression in explosiveness and athleticism in a growing 6-foot-3 frame.

Matas Buzelis, a 6-foot-9 shooting guard at Sunrise Christian Academy (Kansas), is the projected first overall pick. The five-star prospect is the No. 5 prospect in the country committed to the G League Ignite.

Perry (Arizona) guard Cody Williams is projected as the No. 2 pick, Imhotep Charter (Pennsylvania) forward Justin Edwards is No. 3, Wheeler (Georgia) forward Isaiah Collier is No. 5, Duncanville (Texas) forward Ron Holland is No. 6, Camden (N.J.) guard DJ Wagner No. 7 and Montverde (Florida) power forward Kwame Evans No. 9.

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Lead photo by Naji Saker

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Andy Buhler, SBLive Sports
ANDY BUHLER, SBLIVE SPORTS

Andy Buhler is a Regional Editor of Texas and the national breaking news desk. He brings more than five years of experience covering high school sports across the state of Washington and beyond, where he covered the likes of Paolo Banchero and Tari Eason served on state tournament seeding committees. He works on the SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 national boys basketball rankings. He has covered everything from the Final Four, MLS in Atlanta to local velodrome before diving into the world of preps. His bylines can be found in The News Tribune (Tacoma, Washington), The Associated Press, The Columbian (Vancouver, Washington), The Oregonian and more. He holds a degree from Gonzaga and is based out of Portland, Oregon.

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