15), Tari Eason (No. All eyes are on 7-foot-5 French prospect Victor Wembanyama, the 2023 projected top pick. Teams contending for Wembanyama Givony credits James' physical maturation, explosiveness, and aggressiveness on the defensive end as to why he has "earned his spot in lottery conversations.". Philadelphia 76ers (via New York Knicks), Trevon Brazile | Arkansas | PF | Age: 20.1, 54. Meanwhile Florida State freshman forward Baba Miller is off the top 60 list after struggling to make much of an impact so far. When is Bronny James NBA Draft eligible? LeBron has a player option in his contract so he can team up with Bronny wherever his son is drafted. He started out as a lottery pick but has fallen down the draft boards as a disappointing year goes on. Despite lacking serious burst or strength, he makes things happen off the dribble with enough shiftiness, footwork and live-dribble vision. Memphis Grizzles (via Timberwolves): Jaylen Clark (UCLA, SF, Junior). 10 overall to the Orlando Magic. Some of the same can be said about 18-year-old internationals Nikola Djurisic, Ousmane Ndiaye and Juan Nunez -- all currently projected as first-round picks next year despite being technically eligible for the 2023 draft. LA Clippers (via Cleveland Cavaliers), Mantas Rubstavicius | Lietkabelis | SF | Age: 20.7, 55. Stock watch: Wemby's development 10 pick in the 2024 NBA mock draft. The top 2 His draft position could be pushed higher Bronny James and Oregon commit Kwame Evans projected lottery picks in 2024 NBA mock draft Share this article 279 shares Zachary Neel February 22, 2023 8:25 Full 2024 mock draft on ESPN: https://t.co/Cw5AcgxiKy pic.twitter.com/4DNo1TOtDx, Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) February 22, 2023. Bronny, who is listed at 6 feet, 4 inches, is the No. James showed his feelings after the game on social media: Bronny you were SPECIAL tonight kid!! Filling out his thin frame, finding ways to play lower to the ground as a playmaker and improving as a decision-maker and one-on-one defender will be major keys to his development. Bronny James isnt the only name that Oregon Duck fans should be focused on, though. Could 'Next LeBron James' End Up Going Undrafted? - nesn.com Bronny, who was on hand to witness his father break the NBAs all-time scoring record earlier this month, is a senior in high school at Sierra Canyon in Southern California. 43. 2024 NBA Mock Draft - NBA Draft Room Any signs of shooting potential could help scouts talk themselves into further improvement. Please check your email for a confirmation. James looked impressive when we scouted him in person last year. The eye test loves George, whose frame, handle and burst for attacking, self-creation moves and shooting confidence/range scream NBA scoring guard. After only five weeks, Dick looks capable of immediately providing an NBA rotation with shooting, floor spacing and ball-moving. Time will tell. 23) and Wendell Moore Jr. (No. Teams intrigued by the idea of adding another half-court scoring threat could detect value in Jackson-Davis post game, pick-and-roll finishing and passing. We charge advertisers instead of our readers. B/R's Jonathan Wasserman finds parallels between potential top Draft prospects and current NBA players. Another offseason to fill out his frame, smooth out his jumper and develop his ballhandling and passing would benefit him, as he has made strides this season in limiting mistakes and holding his own defensively but just hasn't been all that productive relative to his peers. This year? Hes been absolutely special this season. Bronny James He still has plenty of room to improve his ballhandling and pull-up jumper to become a more prolific and efficient shot creator, but he has already caught the eyes of NBA decision-makers with the way he contributes to winning and likely will continue to grow and fill out his game.. Bronny James While some talent evaluators believe he may still be a few years away from playing in the NBA, his latest draft projection is fairly favorable (via ESPN): Some might be surprised to see James, ranked anywhere from 28 to 43 by the major recruiting services, as a potential top-10 pick. Already whitelisted us? Brooklyn Nets (via 76ers):Brice Sensabaugh (Ohio State, SG, Freshman). Elite 25 - The top 25 high school basketball prospects regardless of class. 21. Memphis Grizzlies:Matthew Murrell (Ole Miss, SG, Junior). Minnesota Timberwolves (via Knicks):Caleb Love (North Carolina, PG/SG, Junior). The second round is full of flyers high upside, unpolished players, some of whom will bust, along with a slew of solid upperclassmen who could very well outplay their draft position. His lack of passing and defensive upside hurts his perceived ceiling, but his shot-making, tools and energy should still create a high floor to fall back on. This far out, it's difficult to know which projected second-round juniors -- Virginia's Reece Beekman, UConn's Andre Jackson Jr., Illinois' Coleman Hawkins, Arkansas' Ricky Council IV or Creighton's Ryan Kalkbrenner -- could elect to return for their senior season. 12. Launching in a shiny Core Black colorway. Filipowski has been Dukes best player early on. James' father could also impact his draft position, as the Lakers forward desires to play alongside his son. But it seems the younger James has made strides this season at Sierra Canyon School in the San Fernando Valley, and there is growing belief he could be a first-round pick in 2024, the earliest he would be eligible to declare for the draft. Bronny is REALLY good https://t.co/0vqJlBm7nc, TALK to em bronny https://t.co/MFvoQwEDCi, Bronny got that killer instinct https://t.co/8SSiyE92LC, Y'all see Bronny out there, he looking elite. Henderson figures be a target for the Rockets, but they could also see Thompson as an exciting playmaker to pair with Jalen Green. It definitely helps that his father is NBA legend LeBron James. Detroit Pistons:Victor Wembanyama (Metropolitans 92, PF/C, 2004). James has earned his spot in lottery conversations with the significant jump he has made at Sierra Canyon in Chatsworth, California, this season, developing into arguably the best perimeter defender in his high school class while making strides in his perimeter shooting and playmaking ability. Every preseason we put out a mock draft with very few (if any) collegiate juniors or seniors projected in the first round, and every year several emerge to hear their names called by NBA commissioner Adam Silver. Clowney is one of the youngest players currently projected to be picked in 2023, not turning 19 until July, and still has considerable room to improve his frame and find more consistency with his perimeter shooting. The draft's top international prospect is 6-9 French wing Zaccharie Risacher, who is currently seeing minutes in both the EuroLeague and French first division at ASVEL, where Wembanyama played last season. All Rights Reserved. He has generated significant attention from NBA personnel when combined with his lockdown defensive prowess and youth (19.4 years old), making him younger than several freshmen projected to be one-and-done lottery picks. Sasser could be an option for a playoff team looking for immediate second-unit firepower with his ball-screen play and shooting versatility. 12) and Ochai Agbaji (No. Bronny James: Stats, top colleges and NBA Draft stock for Despite possessing significant long-term upside, Bufkin has room to grow with ballhandling, playmaking, decision-making, shooting consistency and his thin frame, things he could elect to address either in college or the NBA depending on his priorities. Sacramento Kings:Reece Beekman (Virginia, PG, Junior). Debuted our 2024 mock draft on ESPN today with a look at some of the top prospects and how the class is shaping up as a whole. Bleacher Report: Updated 2023 NBA Mock Draft for picks 1-60 The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 33 player in the 2023 class, per 247Sports' composite rankings. Thompsons athletic abilities are so unique and functional that NBA teams will show extra patience when it comes to his skill development. Some might be surprised to see James, ranked anywhere from 28 to 43 by the major recruiting services, as a potential top-10 pick. This past month, hes also started to show signs of improved shooting. We continue to see lottery teams fall for jumbo playmakers. Boston Celtics (via Rockets):Jalen Wilson (Kansas, SF, Junior). He's shooting just 40% from 2-point range and 30% for 3 in his past 10 games while not scoring with much regularity (9.7 PPG). He turns 18 years old on Oct. 6. ESPN Draft Analyst Thinks Bronny James Will Be Top-10 Pick Matt Hladik Feb 22, 2023 PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 11: Bronny James #0 of the Sierra Canyon Kobe Bufkin gets up for the beautiful flush. The film releases in theaters later this year. Heres what we know about Bronny right now: Hes listed at 63, 190 lbs. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Houston Rockets), Jordan Walsh | Arkansas | SF/PF | Age: 18.9, 35. WebNick Wright, Chris Broussard, and Kevin Wildes discuss the latest news in the NBA. So far, hes a bit behind in those areas, starting 6-of-22 from three with two assists in four games. 22. Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. Hes blocking shots at an excellent rate (4.6 per 40 minutes). Bronny James - NBADraft.net ESPNs mock draft seems to think otherwise, placing Bronny at the No. Taking a look at the numbers behind Nikola Jokic's historic season for the Nuggets. New Orleans Pelicans (via Los Angeles Lakers), Bronny James | Uncommitted | PG/SG | Age: 18.3, Bronny James is now a projected top-10 pick thanks to the significant jump he's made at Sierra Canyon, developing into arguably the best perimeter defender in his class while making strides with his shooting and playmaking . Sacramento Kings (via Dallas Mavericks), Teafale Lenard | Middle Tennessee | SF/PF | Age: 20.5, Trey Alexander | Creighton | PG/SG | Age: 19.8, Olivier-Maxence Prosper | Marquette | PF | Age: 20.6, Tucker DeVries | Drake | SG/SF | Age: 21.2, 52. He is an 18-year-old senior at Sierra Canyon this season in 2022-23. Get your favorite live sports, stories and originals with ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu. He boasts an interesting mix of positional strength, shooting and scoring instincts. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Several collegiate freshmen are projected first-round picks in next year's mock draft as well, such as Michigan combo guard Kobe Bufkin, Tennessee wing Julian Phillips, Washington State big man Mouhamed Gueye, Duke guard Tyrese Proctor, Syracuse guard Judah Mintz, Houston wing Terrance Arceneaux, Arizona guard Kylan Boswell and Santa Clara wing Brandin Podziemski. Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams. Though Strawther hasnt developed into a more threatening creator, his shooting mechanics/rhythm and touch shots are going to make teams see an off-ball scoring fit. Charlotte Hornets:Scoot Henderson (G League Ignite, PG, 2004). Howard figures to be a popular late-lottery target. Like his father, James is an excellent decision-maker with a high IQ. However, that's unlikely to happen if Orlando drafts the current high schooler. More than half of next year's first-round selections are already slated to be in another team's hands depending on how pick protections unfold, with more likely to change hands this summer and at next year's trade deadline. In other sports news, Chicago Bulls recently ruled out Lonzo Ball for the remainder of the NBA season. The Sierra Canyon star scored 21 points against Etiwanda a the CIF State regional quarterfinal game, producing some highlight-reel moments: Bronny was huge tonight putting up 21 to lead Sierra Canyon to another tough state playoff win @0BronnyJames pic.twitter.com/TyFSXr7E0w. Bronny James Has Dropped Significantly in NBA Mock Drafts. Bronny James Has Dropped Significantly in NBA Mock Drafts Oklahoma City Thunder (via LA Clippers), Judah Mintz | Syracuse | PG/SG | Age: 19.6, Babacar Sane | G League Ignite | SF/PF | Age: 19.4, Brandin Podziemski | Santa Clara | SG/SF | Age: 19.9, Juan Nunez | Ratiopharm Ulm | PG | Age: 18.7, Aaron Bradshaw | Kentucky | C | Age: 18.7, Reece Beekman | Virginia | PG/SG | Age: 21.3, Robert Dillingham | Kentucky | PG | Age: 18.1. There are plenty of other freshmen -- Texas' Dillon Mitchell, Alabama's Noah Clowney, Duke's Dereck Lively II or South Carolina's Gregory Jackson II -- who could benefit from more seasoning at the college level to prepare for an immediate role in the NBA. James has earned his spot in lottery conversations with the significant jump he has made at Sierra Canyon in Chatsworth, California, this season, developing into arguably the best perimeter defender in his high school class while making strides in his perimeter shooting and playmaking ability. 1-3 18 months prior. Executives have faith that James can majorly impact a team's success. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue. James has not said if he will be a one-and-done player in college. James has earned his spot in lottery conversations with the significant jump he has made at Sierra Canyon in Chatsworth, California, this season, developing into arguably the best perimeter defender in his high school class while making strides in his perimeter shooting and playmaking ability. Taylor Hendricks has been gaining a lot of traction throughout the season and I see him as a lottery level talent with top 10 potential. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. With Cade Cunningham lost for the season, the Pistons focus moves to Killian Hayes and Jaden Iveys on-ball developmentand Wembanyama. Loves three-point shooting is coming back after a slow start, though his improved two-point efficiency and play-finishing is what makes him a more believable pro prospect. According to ESPNs latest 2024 mock, Evans is projected to go to the New Orleans Pelicans with the No. The draft's top international prospect is 6'9 French wing Zaccharie Risacher, who brings dynamic shot-making ability, long strides attacking the rim, the ability to pass in a variety of ways and outstanding defensive instincts. While the Spurs should prioritize drafting the best player available, their need for a shot-creator and lead guard could give Smith an edge if there isnt an obvious answer on the board.