The 2024 NBA Draft is underway at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and all eyes are on the Atlanta Hawks, who own the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft.
Leading up to the draft, French basketball phenom Alexandre Sarr was the favorite to go No. 1 overall, but Zaccharie Risacher — another French countryman — emerged as the betting favorite in recent days.
FOX Sports basketball analyst John Fanta will provide instant analysis on the biggest names in the draft throughout the night. Stay tuned for updates:
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1. Atlanta Hawks: Zaccharie Risacher, F, JL Bourg
The 2024 EuroCup Rising Star award winner — an honor that’s also been previously given to Kristaps Porziņģis and Jonas Valančiūnas – averaged 11.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per game while shooting 39% from 3-point range this past season for JL Bourg. Risacher’s length is seen on the defensive end of the floor, where he disrupts passing lanes and has shown an ability to be a consistent shot blocker.
At one point this past season, he had a top-3 defensive rating differential in all of EuroCup. Where you fall on Risacher is based on what you make of his offensive toolbox. He started this past season strong from 3-point territory, shooting close to 50% from downtown in the first 34 games but then dropping to under 30% from deep in the final stretch of the season. He’s a good ball handler and willing passer, but not a particularly great attacker at the rim. That’s why the jump shot consistency is so key if he’s going to be worth it.
2. Washington Wizards: Alex Sarr, C, Perth Wildcats
The 6-foot-11 big man with a wingspan over 7-foot-4 carries the most upside in this class, in my opinion, with the length and feel for the game defensively that would make him an invaluable asset on that end of the floor. He switches at a high level and can stay in front of speedy ball handlers and good shooters. The question: his offense. At just over 29% from 3-point territory and 61% on free throws, his scoring prowess needs work.
The positives: he handles the basketball like a wing in transition and has shown great passing ability, making him a connective big in a pick-and-roll offense. If a team can mold what his scoring presence looks like, he could carve out a really unique road in the NBA because of his length and athleticism.
3. Houston Rockets: Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky
Reed Sheppard is one of the best pure shooters that I’ve seen at the top of a draft in recent memory. The 19-year-old Sheppard was electrifying in his one season in Lexington, averaging 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 54% from the floor and 52% from 3-point range. Sheppard has the ability to get hot, quickly serve as a playmaker in an offense and be a solid enough defender with great feel for the game that lends itself to him carving out a nice role in the league.
4. San Antonio Spurs: Stephon Castle, G, UConn
While the shooting piece for Stephon Castle still needs to evolve, the one-and-done national champion out of UConn is a 6-foot-6 physical guard who plays with a bulldog mentality on both ends, serving as a special NBA-ready defender for a 19-year-old. Dan Hurley was confident enough in his freshman to assign him to the other team’s primary scoring option, and Castle handled that with ease and an unlimited motor. On offense, he can finish through contact with his size and great strength, and he recognizes defenses by making the right pass more times than not. He may not be a great scorer, but could become a better one by being alongside a player as extraordinary as Wembanyama. Because Castle isn’t a liability on defense and does possess maturity beyond his years with a real willingness to work, there’s a lot to like about what he can be at the next level.
Mock draft pick: Matas Buzelis, SF/PF, G League Ignite
Mock draft pick: Cody Williams, F, Colorado
Mock draft pick: Donovan Clingan, C, UConn
Mock draft pick: Dalton Knecht, G, Tennessee
Mock draft pick: Devin Carter, G, Providence
10. Utah Jazz
Mock draft pick: Tidjane Salaun, F, Cholet Basket
11. Chicago Bulls
Mock draft pick: Rob Dillingham, G, Kentucky
Mock draft pick: Nikola Topić, G, Mega MIS
13. Sacramento Kings
Mock draft pick: Carlton Carrington, G, Pittsburgh
Mock draft pick: Jared McCain, G, Duke
15. Miami Heat
Mock draft pick: Ron Holland, SF, G League Ignite
Mock draft pick: Tristan Da Silva, F, Colorado
Mock draft pick: Ja’Kobe Walter, G, Baylor
18. Orlando Magic
Mock draft pick: Kel’el Ware, C, Indiana
19. Toronto Raptors
Mock draft pick: Zach Edey, C, Purdue
Mock draft pick: Kyshawn George, G, Miami
Mock draft pick: Yves Missi, C, Baylor
22. Phoenix Suns
Mock draft pick: Tyler Kolek, G, Marquette
23. Milwaukee Bucks
Mock draft pick: Terrence Shannon Jr., G, Illinois
24. New York Knicks
Mock draft pick: Bobi Klintman, F, Cairns Taipans
25. New York Knicks
Mock draft pick: Baylor Scheierman, F, Creighton
Mock draft pick: Isaiah Collier, G, USC
Mock draft pick: Ryan Dunn, F, Virginia
28. Denver Nuggets
Mock draft pick: DaRon Holmes II, F, Dayton
29. Utah Jazz
Mock draft pick: Johnny Furphy, SF/SF, Kansas
30. Boston Celtics
Mock draft pick: Tyler Smith, F, G League Ignite
John Fanta is a national college basketball broadcaster and writer for FOX Sports. He covers the sport in a variety of capacities, from calling games on FS1 to serving as lead host on the BIG EAST Digital Network to providing commentary on The Field of 68 Media Network. Follow him on Twitter @John_Fanta.
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