Potential Top Picks in 2024 NBA Draft

It’s never too early to look into the future draft classes, especially with the McDonald's All-American game this week. Who are the prize possessions for the 2024 NBA Draft?

Everyone knows that Victor Wembanyama will be the top pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, but who could be the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s class? There’s more of a debate with the top pick next year as a variety of different players come to mind when talking about the premier prospect. Let’s dive into five players that have a chance at hearing their name called first on draft night next summer.

Isaiah Collier (USC | Point Guard)

Collier is the top lead guard in the senior class. His standout playmaking ability is what separates him most from the rest of the class. He has top tier court vision paired with great decision-making. He’s one of the few young players I’ve ever seen that legitimately makes his teammates around him better.

At 6-foot-3 he has a strong frame with quickness. He’s not super crafty as a finisher around the rim but he does possess good touch in the paint with the ability to utilize his strength to finish through contact.

Typically, whenever he gets a paint touch it results in an open shot for a teammate or a layup for himself. He has the defensive tools to be a strong point of attack defender. Collier wingspan is unknown at the moment but it looks like he has solid length. There’s a chance he can be a top tier point guard in the NBA which is why he’s so highly touted.

Ron Holland (Texas | Forward)

Holland is one of the most impactful two-way players eligible for the draft next year. His defensive versatility really sets him apart from some of the other players in the class. He’s a fluid mover and athlete that has a great feel for the game on both ends of the floor.

You can always count on him to play with a high motor and a ton of intensity. Holland’s slashing ability is the best attribute of his offensive game but he’s rapidly improving as a shot-maker and shooter. He can finish well above the rim and uses his long strides and handle to get there.

His frame is still filling out but he has the shoulders to really add strength while also maintaining his impressive athleticism. Holland is in a great college situation as he’ll be staying in his home state while also coming in when a ton of seniors at his position are leaving. You should expect him to be the most popular pick to be the top overall prospect.

Matas Buzelis (G League Ignite | Forward)

Buzelis is a super skilled 6-foot-10 forward that’s heading to the G League after he wraps up his high school career. He’s a talented scorer with tough shot-making ability. He can score over smaller defenders and take big men off the dribble.

For someone at his height, he has a good handle with a variety of different moves in his bag. He can handle in transition and operate as a ball-handler in the pick and roll. Buzelis has point forward upside as he’s already a talented passer with a good feel for the game. He’s an exciting offensive prospect that still needs to get more consistent from three.

Going to the G League is a great move as it will allow him to work on his body frame while helping clean some things up on the defensive end as he already has the instincts, feel, and tools to work with. He may have the highest ceiling in the class.

DJ Wagner (Kentucky | Guard)

Wagner is one of the most skilled scorers in the entire draft class next year. His dynamic shot-making ability mixed in with his advanced shot-creation skills and shifty handle makes him one of the toughest players to guard. He’s wired to score as he has a smooth pull-up jumper with great footwork getting into his jumpers.

His shiftiness with the ball allows him to create a ton of space off the dribble to create for himself and occasionally others. Wagner is such a crafty finisher around the rim as he can make difficult layups look easy and has a really good touch inside the painted area.

He’ll need to improve as a finisher through contact but that’ll hopefully come as he continues to fill out his frame. With him being at Kentucky next year, he should be the top option which’ll allow him to be in number one pick conversations.

Justin Edwards (Kentucky | Wing)

Edwards has great size for a wing at 6-foot-7 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan. He’s an explosive slasher that can finish well above the rim, through contact, and around traffic. He has versatility as a scorer as he’s a capable pull-up shooter with good instincts on knowing when to seek his own bucket.

He could end up being a three level scorer years down the line with proper development. Edwards is a solid spot-up shooter that has a high, fluid release. Can be used as a floor spacer that shoots when he’s open and attacks closeouts when he’s ran off the line.

He still needs to improve his consistency as a defender but with him being at Kentucky, John Calipari has the ability to fix that. Edwards is kind of the dark horse pick to be in top overall pick conversations as we move along in the year.

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