So far these are the rookies I like. Not necessarily at 3: Risacher - Brandon Miller JR. My no 1 prospect in this class Castle - Amen Thompson JR. Can't shoot but can do everything else esp on defense Ron Holland - Tari JR. Shooting is bad AF but he is a DAWG just like Tari. Takes defense personally. With Tari's playstyle always being injured or foul trouble a Tari clone might be a good pickup. Edey - Will def surprise people the same way Sengun surprise people IMO. I think he is better than Clingan. Would take a chance on him after the lottery if we had picks or traded down Devin Carter - Derrick White JR. Not as good at shooting as Sheppard but guess what he is 6'2 barefoot and has 6'9 wingspan just like Derrick White so will def be a great disrupter on defense. Has the highest floor in the draft IMO alongside Sheppard. Sheppard - FVV JR. Personally don't see the Steph Curry ceiling but he will prob be a starting caliber guard just like Aaron Holiday or Grayson Allen. IMO too high to take at 3 but maybe he grows an inch or 2 since he is only 19.
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/...orst-case-projections-for-five-top-prospects/ Alex Sarr Ceiling scenario: Jaren Jackson Jr. Floor scenario: Nic Claxton Zaccharie Risacher Ceiling scenario: More dynamic Michael Porter Jr. Floor scenario: Torrey Craig In an ideal world, Risacher in the NBA becomes a more functional version of Porter Jr. -- an excellent shooter who thrives off catch-and-shoot opportunities and consistently makes shots from beyond the arc. This ideal world would involve Risacher also adding to his bag more dynamism off the bounce and adding strength to allow him to be a threat off the dribble and finishing around the bucket. In a floor scenario, Risacher never develops that part of his game and the shooting -- which right now appears to be one of his biggest selling points long-term given the way he's grown in that area -- never fully materializes. Stephon Castle Ceiling scenario: Supercharged Jrue Holiday Floor scenario: Pat Beverley Castle was the lead attack dog on the perimeter for a UConn team that finished fourth in defensive efficiency last season and finished 37-3. Everyone knows he played for the Huskies but no one truly appreciates the dog in him as a tireless defensive energizer who can cover the length of the floor and clamp down. His game reminds me of Holiday -- who, by the way, is on the cusp of winning another title -- and there's some projection in that comp, too, with the hope that he grows into a dynamic playmaker. A floor outcome for Castle might be like a Beverley circa 2015 range -- a good NBA player with a long career who can hold up defensively and develops a shot to become a threat, but is never quite a primary playmaker entrusted with running the show. Reed Sheppard Ceiling scenario: Jeff Teague Floor scenario: Sharper shooting Davion Mitchell This feels like a very narrow window of outcomes for Sheppard and reflects the confidence level I have in him and his NBA career. He's a dynamic defensive playmaker and a very underrated passer and offensive playmaker. Jeff Teague feels like a great potential outcome for his career -- a former All-Star who averaged 5.6 assists over his career and developed into an ultra reliable 3-point shooter. Sheppard has the tools to piece together a Teague-like career and on paper he's a much more dynamic shooter to boot. Donovan Clingan Ceiling scenario: Rudy Gobert Floor scenario: Mo Bamba There might not be any players in this class more NBA-ready defensively than Clingan, who served as the anchor each of the last two seasons for UConn in its run to back to back titles. His size and anticipation should move up and project at the next level nicely to make him one of the highest floor players in the class with a ceiling of Gobert -- a multi-time Defensive Player of the Year. The floor would be a player like Bamba, whose size is tantalizing but skill is evasive. Clingan's much more reliable as a finisher around the rim and much more of a threat as a shot-blocker, so I feel more confident in the ceiling here than the floor, which is an excellent case for him to be viewed as a top-three talent in this class.
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/...no-2-nikola-topic-plummets-after-knee-injury/ 1. Hawks: Alex Sarr (I've gone back and forth on whether Atlanta will select Sarr or Risacher in recent weeks, which I believe is an appropriate reflection of some of the indecision happening in Atlanta. Sources also say Clingan not only worked out, but made an impression while doing so, fueling rumors of a potential trade down where they could target the big man and add another draft asset.) 2. Wizards: Donovan Clingan (If Atlanta does not take Sarr, the expectation is that Washington will. If not, this pick likely comes down to Clingan and Risacher. Given that Washington selected a developmental wing in last year's lottery, Bilal Coulibaly, saw 23-year-old Deni Avdija make a notable jump last year and have to allocate a significant amount of minutes to Kyle Kuzma – Clingan may make the most sense here.) 3. Rockets: Zaccharie Risacher (Here's where the dominoes matter, because if Sarr and Risacher are both off the board, Clingan is not expected to be the pick. Houston reportedly likes Reed Sheppard, but they're also very open to moving this pick. If Risacher is still on the board, the trade market could heat up and so while Houston already has a collection of young wings – Cam Whitmore, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith, Tari Eason – this pick could be made by someone else.) 4. Spurs: Reed Sheppard 5. Pistons: Matas Buzelis 6. Hornets: Stephon Castle 7. Blazers: Dalton Knecht 8. Spurs: Tidjane Salaun 9. Grizzlies: Ron Holland 10. Jazz: Cody Williams 11. Bulls: Devin Carter 12. Thunder: Nikola Topic 13. Kings: Rob Dillingham
I’m satisfied with any of those five. My empathy goes out to the Stoner, who has to be satisfied with only three of them. it’s tough when there are five but there are only three
2019 Draft YODA 2020 YODA 2021 YODA 2022 YODA 2023 YODA 2024 YODA Forwards When it comes to this year’s forward prospects, YODA is thoroughly unimpressed. Just two have first round grades, and one other was close. Another five are worth looking at in the second round. Let’s start at the top: •DaRon Holmes II, Dayton •Tyler Smith, G League Ignite Now to the guys who are close to first round grades: •Keshad Johnson, Arizona And the prospects who YODA thinks are second round picks or undrafted free agents: •PJ Hall, Clemson •Tidjane Salaun, Cholet Basket — He’s currently the 12th pick in the Tankathon consensus mock draft, and there’s basically nothing in the numbers to see why. Maybe he’ll move up if he tests well athletically. In terms of production, he was inefficient on offense with subpar shooting on twos and threes, his rebounding was below average, he wasn’t a playmaker, and his steals and blocks were low. Despite averaging just 2.2 turnovers per 40 minutes, he had more turnovers than assists. •Oso Ighodaro, Marquette •Tristan Da Silva, Colorado 2024 YODA Bigs YODA has three bigs with draftable grades, all of whom rank high overall in this draft class. All three appear to be good prospects, though each would likely land 4-5 slots lower in a “normal” draft than they do in this one. •Alex Sarr — Teenaged French big who played professionally in Australia last season. Long, skinny, athletic. Good defender who blocks shots (3.4 per 40 minutes last season) and has a raw-but-promising offensive game. This is an archetype that feels familiar, even in the numbers. Top comps in YODA include Jaren Jackson Jr. and Evan Mobley. •Zach Edey — A massive, gigantic, hulking slab of a human being. The guy measured 7-4 (almost) in his socks, and his wingspan was somehow +7 inches (tied for sixth at the combine for biggest differential between wingspan and height). He was also productive at Purdue and scored okay in the agility drills that are at least somewhat predictive of future NBA success. The knocks: he can’t jump and…something? •Donovan Clingan — Most of the concern targeted at Edey — too slow, can’t jump — applies to Clingan. He was The Slowest player at the NBA Combine. He tied for the fifth worst vertical score. And yet, he was insanely productive and anchored the defense of a back-to-back NCAA champion. That’s it for centers with a first-round score. Guys who are close: •Izan Almansa •Yves Missi •Kel’el Ware •Ariel Hukporti YODA doesn’t “get” the love for Kyle Filipowski (consensus first round pick). The production was okay at Duke last season, but he’s short-armed (relative to height) and had a terrible vertical score at the combine. 2024 YODA Wings YODA has first round grades on two wings, and two others who are close. None of them is the guy who allegedly will be selected first or second overall, Zaccharie Risacher. Yeah, the guy who’s apparently one of the very best prospects in the draft has a borderline second round grade in YODA. Is YODA wrong? Very possibly. Maybe probably. But my evaluation process is an attempt to use statistical data in an objective way, and...sometimes the numbers don’t match perceptions. Risacher’s low grade is not due to age or competition level. He’s just 19 years old, and he played in a good professional league. What YODA doesn’t like — subpar offensive efficiency, low two-point percentage, below average free throw shooting, meh rebounding, paltry steals and blocks, elevated fouls, and almost twice as many turnovers as assists. The statistical markers for athleticism (two-point percentage, steals, blocks) are subpar. That unfortunately matches his performance at the combine the NBA recently held in Treviso, Italy. The updated YODA-driven statistical doppelganger comps are...well...you decide what the right word is. Here are some of the more recognizable names: Sir’Jabari Rice, Keon Johnson, Hamidou Diallo, Isaiah Todd, Patrick Williams, Chris Singleton, Perry Jones III. The previous “most similar” (Kevin Knox) is further down the updated list, in large part because Knox graded as a slightly better prospect in YODA. Now, YODA could be wrong. It could be that it’s missing what the scouts are seeing on the court. I hope so for the sake of him and whoever drafts him. Moving on, here are the wings YODA has with first round grades: •Dalton Knecht, Tennessee •Ron Holland, G League Ignite Those who are close: •Terrence Shannon Jr., Illinois •Harrison Ingram, North Carolina And the guys with second round grades: •Cam Spencer, Connecticut •Dillon Jones, Weber State •Johnny Furphy, Kansas •Cody Williams, Colorado — Expected to go in the top 15, he can really shoot. Unfortunately, he didn’t rebound, play-make, or produce steals or blocks. Another prospect with more turnovers than assists. Draft him for the shooting and hope he can learn the rest. •Melvin Ajinca, Saint-Quentin (France) •Kevin McCullar, Kansas •Jalen Bridges, Baylor •Zaccharie Risacher, JL Bourg (France) — Young. Shot 38.7% from three-point range. That’s about it on the positives. Average or worse pretty much across the board otherwise. Not yet released?: 2024 YODA Guards ________________________________ 16% on above the break threes? Forreal?! https://3stepsbasket.com/player/zaccharie-risacher/shooting?season=lnb24
https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/20...icks-of-2024-nba-draft-remain-very-uncertain/ Regarding consensus media draft boards, Russillo said: There’s this growing momentum of a lot of teams being like, “Man, the buzz is that the mocks are assuming Sarr-Risacher… in this way that’s not even close to the [draft] boards. … You guys are assuming way too much in the media.” Should Clingan go in the top-two picks, that would leave at least one of Sarr and Risacher available to the Rockets at No. 3 overall.
Russillo may end up being right that Sarr and Risacher don't go one-two, but it doesn't matter at all whether there is a growing momentum of a lot of teams on what happens one-two. Right now, all that matters is what two teams think.
I know 2020 was the COVID year that threw everything into flux, but yikes, YODA that year was "Attack of the Clones"-level bad. Overall seems like an interesting rater that reminds me a lot of John Hollinger's work; very willing to go way off consensus and put "non-prospect" grades on projected lottery picks, which can make them look like a genius, or like the following: Nate Hinton #6, Malachi Flynn, #7, Anthony Edwards #10... Potential first rounders with “don’t draft” scores in YODA: Tyrese Maxey, SG, Kentucky — Bad shooting and poor non-scoring stats. Players like this usually don’t become good pros. Jaden McDaniels, F, Washington — Atrocious finishing, meh rebounding and low numbers across the board except for turnovers and fouls. Cole Anthony, PG, UNC — His 40% shooting from two-point range combined with low steals and blocks may be indicators that he lacks the athleticism necessary to be a good NBA player. He does rebound well for a PG. Desmond Bane, G/F, TCU — Good shooter whose numbers don’t look bad. The problem: he’s a senior going against younger players so his production should be better.
1. Hawks: Casting a wide net. Risacher has the edge at #1. ... Reading tea leaves, doesn't seem like they love Sarr. 2. Wizards: Told if Sarr doesn't go #1, he'll go #2. 3. Rockets: Everyone I talk to think this pick is up for sale and don't want to make this pick. Ideally Houston trades out for a win now veteran or future pick. If they stick here, Reed Sheppard. High IQ passing, defensive instincts, worst case a connector, a Donte DiVincenzo type if there's no improvement at all. Can put the ball on the floor and make things happen. 2nd best prospect in this draft and sneaky overall #1 potential. Safe top 3 pick. 4. Spurs: Matas Buzelis. Someone I moved up after talking to people. He has that coveted archetype. ... They want positional size. Dillingham/Topic you can get at 8. 5. Pistons: Donovan Clingan. Not sold he's Gobert, more Jakob Poeltl. Had a scout say Roy Hibbert. ... Clingan a popular trade-up target. Heard Buzelis won't slip out of the top 5. His camp is confident where he's going. 6. Hornets: Stephon Castle. Hearing from rival teams they don't think he's a point guard. 7. Blazers: Dalton Knecht 8. Spurs: Nikola Topic 9. Grizzlies: Ron Holland. Teams very disappointed the way he shot during pro day, didn't alleviate those concerns. 10. Jazz: Rob Dillingham 11. Bulls: Tidjane Salaun. Bulls want to move up. Salaun helping himself in workouts. 12. Thunder: Cody Williams. I compare him to Jaden McDaniels. 13. Kings: Devin Carter. Has interest as high as #8. 14. Blazers: Kel'el Ware. Garnering top 10 interest. 15. Heat: Jared McCain. He'll get earlier looks. Reminds me of Immanuel Quickley. 16. Sixers: Bub Carrington. Impressing teams earlier than 16. Reminds me of Jalen Hood-Schifino. 17. Lakers: Zach Edey 18. Magic: Ja'Kobe Walter 19. Raptors: Kyshawn George. His camp is not working out for teams after 20. 20. Cavs: Tristan da Silva 21. Pelicans: Yves Missi. Generating positive buzz in workouts, could go earlier. 22. Suns: Kyle Filipowski 23. Bucks: Isaiah Collier 24. Knicks: Ryan Dunn. More athletic Matisse Thybulle. 25. Knicks: Tyler Kolek 26. Wizards: Jaylon Tyson 27. Timberwolves: Tyler Smith 28. Nuggets: Johnny Furphy 29. Jazz: Pacôme Dadiet 30. Celtics: DaRon Holmes. His camp confident he'll be a first rounder.
3. Rockets: Everyone I talk to think this pick is up for sale and don't want to make this pick. Ideally Houston trades out for a win now veteran or future pick. If they stick here, Reed Sheppard. High IQ passing, defensive instincts, worst case a connector, a Donte DiVincenzo type if there's no improvement at all. Can put the ball on the floor and make things happen. 2nd best prospect in this draft and sneaky overall #1 potential. Safe top 3 pick. Reed Sheppard please! If we draft Buzelis I will slam my junk in a drawer.
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id...024-nba-draft-green-room-invitations-sent-out Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, Donovan Clingan, Reed Sheppard, Matas Buzelis, Stephon Castle, Dalton Knecht, Ron Holland, Cody Williams, Devin Carter, Ja'Kobe Walter, Tidjane Salaun have received green room invites to attend the NBA Draft a source told ESPN.
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/...ld-end-up-being-the-best-player-in-the-class/ Very very intriguing. I love this kid. Not saying he should be taken at 3 but would not surprise me at all if we look back 5 years from now and he’s the best player from the draft.
This franchise has tried to sabotage itself so many times and will continue to try to do that it appears here. Let's hope the powers that be continue to save Stone from himself.
I think this tells us Dillingham and Topic are dropping. Also Buzelis is going high in this draft (reconfirmed last month with the nba big board for player medicals). Also Salaun and Carter are legit top 10 candidates now. Also Ron Holland is not falling out of the lotto.
