Top 2024 College Basketball Prospects To Watch
With football season on the downswing, it is nearly time for casual college basketball fans to start tuning into games. If you are playing catchup and trying to figure out which players to watch, consider this an introduction to the players who currently appear to be serious NBA prospects.
If you are tuning into college basketball games make sure to check out FanDuel’s college basketball odds.
Isaiah Collier, G, USC:
USC point guard Isaiah Collier is the top college basketball prospect in the lead-up to the 2024 NBA Draft. Collier, the No. 1 recruit in the 2023 247 Sports Composite Rankings, is a highly intriguing player with the potential to be a lead guard in the NBA.
Collier has a lot of pros and cons at this stage of the season. On the positive side of things, he is highly athletic and has a great first step and he’s a great playmaker. That is the skill that moves him up draft boards. That combination of athleticism and playmaking makes him a serious threat in transition.
The problem is Collier has faced serious turnover and 3-point shooting struggles, which seriously cap his potential as a lead playmaker. If he can not overcome those struggles, he will fall toward the bottom of the lottery. In the NBA, he would have a hard time getting opportunities to lead an offense.
Collier is a must-watch prospect as he attempts to prevent his draft stock from slipping. On a positive note, his two most recent outings against Cal and Stanford were steps in the right direction. Now, it is time to see if those games occur more consistently.
If you are watching Collier at USC, keep your eyes peeled for Bronny James and Kobe Johnson. James, the son of Lebron James, has received a ton of hype, but he is a legitimate NBA prospect. Johnson has played well and is playing toward a draft selection.
Ja’Kobe Walter, G, Baylor
Baylor shooting guard Ja’Kobe Walter is one of the top prospects in college basketball. At 6-foot-6, he is shooting 40 percent from three and could be an ideal off-ball guard in the NBA.
Walter, the No. 9 recruit in the 2023 247 Sports Composite Rankings, has been an impactful freshman at Baylor. On the offensive end, he has shot the three well. It should be noted that he has movement shooting ability as well as being a strong catch-and-shooter. Walter is not elite off the dribble, but he can get to the hoop on occasion.
The real questions for Walter will come on the defensive end of the floor. Despite playing with a high motor, he has not been a great on-ball defender. That is not ideal considering he projects as an off-ball shooter that would be best paired with an elite playmaker. It would be far more beneficial if Walter could become an above-average defender.
Walter will be a fun player to watch throughout the remainder of the 2024 college basketball season. In the immediate future, he is worth watching because he can put on a clinic if he gets hot. If you are watching with the 2024 NBA Draft in mind, you want to watch the defensive end closely.
Baylor center Yves Missi has had an impressive freshman year and has become an NBA prospect worth keeping an eye on.
Cody Williams, F, Colorado
Colorado wing Cody Williams has put NBA scouts on notice throughout his freshman year. Williams, the younger brother of Oklahoma City wing Jalen Williams, has been a quick riser through the initial portion of his freshman season.
Williams is currently 6-foot-8–great size for a wing. In the NBA, he will need to add muscle to his 195-pound frame. Thankfully, he is only 19-years-old and should be able to grow into his body.
If Williams can add to his frame, he should be a strong defensive asset on the perimeter. The length is obvious and he is a solid on-ball defender. That said, additional strength will help him against bigger forwards.
On the offensive end of the court, Williams has done a great job of using his handle to get to the rim. Once he gets into the paint, he has proven to be an impressive finisher. Despite not being an elite playmaker, he is a capable passer who makes smart decisions.
Williams will need to build off his hot start to remain near the top of the 2024 NBA Draft. The freshman has missed time with a wrist injury. In his return, he will need to continue to demonstrate NBA-level traits against conference competition.
Lastly, Williams has gone six of ten from deep to start his college career. If he finishes the year with an impressive three-point percentage, he will be a tough player to pass.
Despite not being a factor of NBA-level talent, Colorado also features Tristan da Silva and K.J. Simpson, who are currently on draft radars.
Kentucky Prospects:
If you are looking to watch 2024 NBA Draft prospects, Kentucky is the best team to watch. The Wildcats are packed with some of the best prospects playing college basketball.
Currently, Kentucky’s best prospects are Reed Sheppard, Robert Dillingham, Aaron Bradshaw, D.J. Wagner, Justin Edwards and Antonio Reeves. Let’s quickly preview each player.
Sheppard is a very unique prospect. The four-star freshman has worked his way into Kentucky’s rotation by racking up blocks and steals. Plus, he is shooting 54.7 percent from behind the arch; the 6-foot-2 guard will be an interesting prospect as he is likely not an ideal starting point guard, but his 3-and-D capability is tough to ignore in a weak draft class.
Dillingham feels like the prototypical Kentucky guard who goes on to have a successful NBA career. In his freshman year, he has been an eclectic scorer who has shown nice dribble moves, impressive finishing and a strong pull-up. Not to mention, he is very quick. If he can keep scoring efficiently, he will fly up NBA Draft Boards. Regardless, he is one of the most fun college basketball prospects to watch.
Aaron Bradshaw has not played much. The five-star freshman has only played six games since returning from a foot injury. At 7-foot-1, Bradshaw is an interesting prospect. In theory, he is the modern NBA big man. Bradshaw’s shot has looked good in a minimal sample size, which includes looks from midrange and behind the arc. Plus, he has managed to keep up in Kentucky’s fast-paced offense.
Wagner is the Kentucky prospect with the widest draft range. The five-star freshman was a highly touted recruit, but he has disappointed early in his career. Nonetheless, he remains one of the best college basketball prospects. His talent is clear and he has gotten to the paint well. The problem is that he has been inefficient and his playmaking is not strong enough to push him up the draft board. On a positive note, he is coming off a solid performance against Florida, and if he continues to trend upward, his stock could be revived.
Edwards was one of the top recruits in the county, but his freshman season has been a struggle. At this point, he needs vast improvements to get drafted. At a minimum, he is a name worth watching, but he is likely heading back to Kentucky.
Reeves is likely a second-round player. The Illinois State transfer does not have a ton of NBA upside, but he has played good basketball. If you watch Kentucky, he stands out amongst elite recruits and prospects.
Long story short, Kentucky is stacked with elite college prospects. If you are just starting to turn into college basketball games, you should start with Kentucky.
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