Jaylon Tyson (20e), AJ Johnson (23e), Dillon Jones (26e), even Terrence Shannon Jr (27e) or Pacôme Dadiet (25e)… The few surprises in the first round of this 2024 Draft left behind several players expected above and who will have to wait for the second round this Thursday to hope to be called up.
From 10 p.m. in the ESPN studios in New York, 28 players (Phoenix and Philadelphia having each lost a choice for non-compliance with recruitment rules) will be selected.
Johnny Furphy
Winger | 2m02 | 86kgs | Kansas Jayhawks (NCAA)
9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1 assist in 24.1 minutes
His second part of the season as a starter for the Jayhawks was not enough for the Australian to slip into the first round, for which he was announced almost unanimously. Still quite crude, Furphy is a bet to take this low, even if you will have to be a little patient. His outside shot and his good rebounding skills for a player capable of sliding post 2 should allow him to be called among the first names of the second round.
Tyler Kolek
Leader | 1m86 | 89kgs | Marquette Golden Eagles (NCAA)
15.3 points (at 49.6%), 4.9 rebounds, 7.7 assists in 33 minutes
Unlike Furphy, Kolek comes from a complete university background and seemed to represent a “safety” in the lead for the first round. Best passer in NCAA last season, he is a talent manager, particularly on pick-and-roll, also capable of penalizing near the circle as well as from afar. A team looking for a rotation at position 1 like the Jazz (32e) and the Spurs (35e) would be well advised to bet on the Golden Eagle.
Kyle Filipowski
Interior | 2m10 | 104kgs | Duke Blue Devils (NCAA)
16.4 points at 50.5%, 8.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists in 30.4 minutes
He is perhaps the player we most expected to be among the top 30 players in this vintage. Interior in the era of the time, good shooter, very interesting passer, Filipowski had serious arguments for a team looking for a big man to widen the game as much as possible. His physical limitations penalize him for aiming very high, but his Kelly Olynyk style should open a few doors for him, or even find an honest place in a rotation.
Tyler Smith
Winger – power forward | 2m06 | 101kgs | G-League Ignite
13.7 points at 48%, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists in 22.2 minutes
More of a winger in a more robust body, Tyler Smith is in the archetype of current “forwards”. Without a real designated position and capable of switching, he could be the last product from the Ignite to join the NBA. His athletic qualities associated with his serious outside shooting (36%) should convince a franchise to bet on him in the medium term, even if it would not be surprising if it is again in the G-League that he spends most of his time next season.
Bobi Klintman
Power forward / winger | 2m05 | 96 kgs | Cairns Taipans (NBL)
9.7 points at 44.3%, 4.8 rebounds, 0.7 assists in 21.3 minutes
By moving from Wake Forest to the Australian championship, the Swede hoped to be able to put himself further forward. A failed bet, for a player with a prospect profile, particularly athletic, but still far from being able to contribute significant playing time. In the right environment, he can become an interesting role player, especially behind the arc (35.7%).
Cam Christie
Back | 1m94 | 86kgs | Minnesota Golden Gophers (NCAA)
11.3 points at 40.3%, 3.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists in 30.2 minutes
The brother of Max Christie (Lakers) promises to be a potential role player in the NBA due to the quality of his outside shooting, at 39.1% at 3-points on an interesting volume. A decent passer, credible defender thanks to a good wingspan for his size (2m03), Christie is not one-dimensional. He will have to spend time on bodybuilding to hope to make a mark.
Justin Edwards
Winger | 1m98 | 95kgs | Kentucky Wildcats (NCAA)
8.8 points at 48.6%, 3.4 rebounds, 0.9 assists in 21.4 minutes
A star high school student (ranked third in the country), Edwards frankly disappointed in his first and only season in the NCAA. The winger has long dominated by his physique, which is no longer enough at a better level. A team with no short-term pretensions could give it a shot and give it time to mature in the shadows for a while. The quality of his game without the ball suggests a basketball IQ that now lacks technical work.
Adem Bona
Pivot | 2m04 | 110kgs | UCLA Bruins (NCAA)
12.4 points at 58.8%, 5.9 rebounds, 1.8 blocks in 26.5 minutes
Be careful, physical monster approaching. At one time, the Turk, born in Nigeria, would certainly have folded a few panels. A ball of energy and power, he has the game to win in the NBA, whether offensively after an XXL screen, or to protect the rim. His size, on the other hand, is more that of a contemporary power forward, a role that he is not able to play. In terms of stripping off the bench, no player in this 2e tour – or even the Draft itself – will not be able to compete with it.
Bronny James
Back – leader | 1m87 | 95kgs | Southern California Trojans (NCAA)
4.8 points (at 36.6%), 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists in 19.3 minutes
Some people can't stand hearing his name anymore, but others believe in him a lot. In both cases, it's difficult to miss the son of one of the greatest legends of the game, promised from a young age to possibly play with his father. His tasteless season after the scare of his heart attack would not have allowed any other player to really claim a place in the NBA. But Bronny is not just any player, and it is difficult to see how he could not be called up. It remains to be seen whether another franchise will ruin the Lakers' politeness, with the 55e choice.
Feb 29, 2024; Pullman, Washington, USA; USC Trojans guard Bronny James (6) controls the ball against the Washington State Cougars in the first half at Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Melvin Ajinca
Winger – fullback | 2m01 | 97kgs | Saint-Quentin (Betclic Elite)
10.2 points at 39.9%, 3.5 rebounds, 0.7 assists in 24.8 minutes
And five French people drafted this year? A time mentioned for a possible end of the first round, the teammate of Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr in the French youth team fell in the projections after several injuries in the second part of the season. But his athletic “3&D” profile has enough to appeal to any franchise beyond the 40e place, even if it means leaving him for another year in Europe, while Paris and ASVEL were said to be interested in recruiting him.
