By Nick Prevenas

#	TEAM	PLAYER SELECTED	PICK GRADE	INSTANT ANALYSIS
1	Atlanta	Zaccharie Risacher	B+	The idealized version of Risacher is an intriguing offensive talent with shooting range, touch, length, versatility, and skill to spare. He is exactly the kind of two-way wing all 30 teams need, particularly if his playmaking skills progress. The learning curve, however, is expected to be steep, as he has yet to produce big numbers for extended stretches of time against high-level opposition. Will his theoretical upside ever translate to on-court production? He might not win Rookie of the Year, but with hard work and coaching, there is a decent chance we look back on this draft in five years with Risacher as its best all-around player. The problem? Atlanta desperately needs the idealized version of Risacher a few years ahead of schedule. The Hawks arrived at this draft decision late in the game, so there may still be discussions in their front office whether to chase a playoff spot or start a full-scale rebuild by trading one (or both?) of their backcourt stars. A Risacher-led rebuild will be a tough sell, given that the Spurs own many of their picks. Risacher makes sense here, but it is a pick with significant risk attached to it.
2	Washington	Alexandre Sarr	C+	Players with Sarr's physical attributes tend to make a major impact for any NBA defense. Long, fluid 7-footers with rim-protection instincts can usually carve out long NBA careers. Sarr's upside is much more than that, though, as he brings intriguing ball handling/passing skills to the table – especially the way he can pass out of the short roll. He is a willing shooter with solid base fundamentals. He just needs to make more of them if he wants to be considered a "stretch 5." If he develops into a more talkative/aggressive defensive presence, Sarr could turn into a difference maker. The main issue? It's unclear whether he has the drive and the determination to be great. The Wizards don't have a great track record at turning semi-motivated big-man prospects into high-level contributors, and Sarr won't step into a franchise with winning habits or a culture of accountability. Tough landing spot for Sarr, but his upside proved to be too much for the Wizards to turn down.
3	Houston	Reed Sheppard	A	It's not that he is a good shooter. It's not even that he is a great shooter. Reed Shephard might be the best shooter in this (or any other non-Curry) draft. It doesn't matter what kind of shot it is – pull-up, off-the-bounce, catch-and-shoot, contested, off screens, spotting up – Sheppard is at or near the top of every category. It's the kind of shooting ability that scrambles opposing defenses and creates chaos anywhere he goes. An open 3 is a layup for Sheppard. He also has more playmaking/ball-handling ability in his bag than he got to show alongside Rob Dillingham. He is undersized and a likely target for mismatch hunting, but he is a strong-willed, hard-nosed, never-back-down type of player with surprising steals/blocks stats. If the 6-1 Sheppard can finish among the trees and hold his own on defense, he could be a star in the making. He brings much-needed shooting and floor-spacing around Ime Udoka's explosive squad and will be an immediate fan favorite. Fred Van Vleet is an incredible veteran mentor for Sheppard, as well. Great pick.
4	San Antonio	Stephon Castle	A	Every championship team employs at least one player like Stephon Castle. He is a high-IQ, team-first guard who has the length to play three positions on both ends of the court and the passing ability to keep any offense running smoothly. He plays with terrific energy and handles his business like a winner, which will endear himself to coaches and teammates right away. Can he shoot? That's the big question. Right now, "streaky" is the most charitable way to describe his shooting. When the shots fall, Castle looks like a multiple All-Star. When it's not, he plays like a "jack of all trades, master of none" tweener. His floor: High-level role player. His ceiling: Championship contributor. This is precisely the kind of player you want to have around Victor Wembanyama. Castle couldn't have asked for a better situation, and Wembanyama couldn't have asked for a better running mate.
5	Detroit	Ronald Holland	B-	It wasn't that long ago when Holland was considered the best player of his class. He stuffed every column in the stat sheet over two remarkably successful seasons in Duncanville, Texas. But a thumb injury derailed a so-so season for G League Ignite, where he struggled mightily with his shot and never really found the same verve that characterized his rise to the top of the recruiting charts. At his best, Holland is a devastating two-way wing with a phenomenal motor and finishing ability. He can make plays for others and hit the glass on both ends. He has a ton of upside left (won't turn 19 for another couple weeks) and many expect his attacking style to fit well in the NBA. If his shooting improves, he could be a major part of Detroit's endless rebuild. It's a bit of a reach at 5, and Holland is a bit duplicative of Ausar Thompson, but there is a ton of untapped upside here. Detroit at least has a philosophy in place: Surround Cade Cunningham with big-time, high-motor athletes.
6	Charlotte	Tidjane Salaun	B-	Salaun is a raw-as-sushi wing with incredible size (6-10 with a 7-1 wingspan) and youth (still not 19 years old yet) on his side. Defense will be his calling card early in his career, thanks to his positional versatility and physical tools. Coaches will need to be patient as he learns the finer points of NBA offense. He will commit a lot of turnovers – loose dribble, low-percentage passes – and his off-the-dribble shooting is a major work in progress. He has shown flashes as a shooter, but consistency is still a year or two away. He is a project, but one worth investing in. Is he worth the sixth pick in the draft? No. This is a reach, even if you're the most optimistic Salaun fan. But Charlotte is in no hurry to win right away.
7	Portland	Donovan Clingan	B	Clingan is what would happen if a mountain could play defense. The mammoth UConn center is a major reason why the Huskies dominated college basketball the last two seasons. He obliterates would-be shots at the rim, not just with blocks, but with superior positioning and deterrence skills. He is more mobile than one would expect defending on the perimeter, but teams will still test Clingan on high screen attacks. He is a rapidly improving offensive player, but he is not the kind of center any team would run offense through. Most of his points will come on putbacks or drop-offs near the hoop. He has good hands and terrific instincts, but his horrendous foul shooting (sub-60% both seasons) will limit his overall offensive impact. He also needs to show he can maintain his stamina and efficiency with heavier minutes. But the ideal version of Clingan is one who can anchor a top-tier NBA defensive scheme. The Trail Blazers must be thrilled to see Clingan fall here. They were rumored to be moving up in the draft, worried he wouldn't be there at No. 7.
8	Minnesota	Rob Dillingham	B	Dillingham is a one-man highlight reel. The lightning-quick, jitterbug point guard is among this draft's best ball handlers and pull-up shooters. He can get to any spot he wants on the floor and shoot it with little more than an inch of daylight. He is money behind the arc (44% on 4.5 attempts) and is a major catch-and-shoot threat if he's playing alongside a co-creator. He plays his heart out on both ends of the floor – a blessing and a curse, as he can often find himself out of position after trying to make something spectacular happen. At only 6-1, 165, Dillingham's biggest adjustment to the pro game will be finishing near the hoop and matching up with the physicality of the league's punishing point guards. He is also a shoot-first, shoot-second guard, who only recently realized that he can pass the ball in pick-and-roll situations. If he can find a better shoot/pass balance and find ways to finish against NBA length, Dillingham will be a fan favorite. The Spurs sent his draft rights to Minnesota, where he will provide a major speed injection to the bench unit before taking over for Mike Conley full time. Great fit alongside Anthony Edwards.
9	Memphis	Zach Edey	B-	Perhaps you've heard of Zach Edey. He's pretty tall. But what may have gotten lost in the nonstop Edey discourse of the last couple years is the significant ways in which his game has matured beyond "tall guy dunks ball." He turned himself into an automatic bucket if he got the ball in position and he vacuums every rebound within his grasp. 25/12 for an entire season of college basketball is just incredible. And unlike most 7-5 center projects, Edey is remarkably durable and seemingly impervious to fatigue. Edey's critics call him the next Boban, but he has outperformed that comparison in a major way. He has the size (clearly) and the skills on both ends of the floor to be a significant NBA center. His challenge will come in the open floor, as he will never be a fast-break threat. Defensively, he could excel in a Brook Lopez-style drop coverage scheme, but teams will go out of their way to force Edey into high screen coverage, where he will struggle. No. 9 is a reach, but so what. He is a terrific fit in Memphis, who is in desperate need of a center. Imagine driving to the hoop with Edey and Jaren Jackson waiting for you in the paint.
10	Utah	Cody Williams	A	Much like his older brother Jalen, Cody Williams is a versatile, do-it-all wing with a nice handle, tremendous defensive instincts, and incredible open-court skills. He profiles as a strong secondary playmaker and flashed a much-improved 3-point stroke last year for Colorado. If he can prove that the perimeter shooting is real and not just a one-season fluke, Williams has all the makings of a high-level starter on a perennial playoff team. His defensive upside is especially intriguing, provided he can get stronger and add bulk without sacrificing quickness. He is exactly what Utah is missing. Look for Williams to develop into a core piece of what Danny Ainge is building.
11	Chicago	Matas Buzelis	B+	Buzelis is an electrifying – if occasionally sloppy – playmaker with tremendous size and vision for his position. He has terrific feet and hands, giving him the ability to start and stop on a dime and finish in the in-between spaces with good touch. It's the high-efficiency areas (layups and 3s) that need work. He will need to get stronger to finish through contact and he will need to show whether he's a 40%+ 3-point shooter or the 27% shooter he was for G League Ignite. Buzelis brings the general outline of Franz Wagner – the pluses (playmaking and size) and the minuses (shot comes and goes). He represents great value at No. 11 in this draft, but it's a questionable roster fit. Buzelis's skillset is extremely duplicative of Josh Giddey's, who Chicago acquired in exchange for defensive mainstay Alex Caruso. Can you play two playmaking wings with subpar jumpers who both prefer to play with the ball in their hands?
12	Oklahoma City	Nikola Topic	B-	Topic came into this draft as a possible top-10 selection, due to his incredibly deep bag of floaters and interior passing skills. Topic is one of the draft's better pick-and-roll navigators and causes chaos the instant he gets into the lane. He is a bit of a rigid jump shooter (his 3-point percentages reflect that), so he will need to get those numbers up to unlock his driving potential. He suffered a significant knee injury in the weeks leading up to the draft, cratering his stock and preventing him from participating in workouts. If his knee heals properly and his jumper sorts itself out, Topic could have a Goran Dragic-esque impact for an Oklahoma City squad that puts a premium on playmaking and ball handling. He might take a redshirt year to get his knee in order, so look for Topic to find ways to contribute around this potential championship-caliber core in 2025-2026.
13	Sacramento	Devin Carter	A-	You know how boxing has the unofficial pound-for-pound rankings? If this draft had an inch-for-inch ranking, Devin Carter would be the clear champ. Much like Bruce Brown or Terrance Mann, Carter plays like a giant at 6-3. Providence leaned on Carter for everything – scoring, rebounding, playmaking, defense – and Carter did it all with a fighting spirit. How many guards can knock down 38% of their 3s on high volume while pulling down 8.4 rebounds per game? A team shouldn't ask him to be its lead ball handler or primary playmaker – the handle is a bit loose for that sort of responsibility – but he can do a bit of everything else. If he can replicate his junior season's shooting splits at the NBA level and stretch his funky jumper's range to the deeper line, Carter could be this draft's big sleeper. He's already 22, so expect Carter to make winning contributions right away on a Sacramento squad intent on winning a round or two in the playoffs. Love Carter's fit in a three-guard setup with De'Aaron Fox and Malik Monk.
14	Washington	Carlton Carrington	A	Bub gets buckets – especially in the areas where the Sloan Conference says you shouldn't. Carrington has the nastiest midrange pullup game in the draft. He can break down almost any kind of defender in a one-on-one scenario and stick jumpers all game long. Unlike most players with this skillset, however, Carrington also brings a playmaker's mindset and seems to derive just as much enjoyment setting up teammates as he does scoring on his own. Throw in his size (6-5 with a 6-8 wingspan) and age (just under 19) and Carrington is one of the draft's most intriguing backcourt talents. However, he is streaky-at-best from 3 and has a hard time finishing against NBA-level length. He's a below-the-rim finisher without explosive leaping ability. He isn't a sieve defensively, but he isn't as disruptive as one would assume, given his measurables. But at this stage in the draft, the positives far outweigh the negatives, especially when the ball is in his hands. He steps into Washington on day one as one of the roster's most exciting players.
15	Miami	Kel'el Ware	C+	Ware is equal parts fascinating and frustrating. Few players in this draft possess his unique combination of height (7-feet), skill, hands, shooting ability (42.5% from 3), rim protection (10 boards, 2 blocks per game), and athleticism. He is a freakish above-the-rim athlete who has equal upside as a roll threat or a pop-out shooter. Why isn't he going No. 1 overall then? It's unclear whether Ware loves playing basketball. His effort comes and goes, and it tends to vanish entirely if he's matched up with someone just as athletic but with more physical strength – which will be most NBA players. If Ware puts it all together and someone lights a fire under him, he could be a steal. If anything can get Ware's mind right, it's Heat Culture. They won't let Ware backslide into his bad habits from Oregon.
16	Philadelphia	Jared McCain	A-	McCain arrived at Duke as one of the top shooting prospects in his class. He's a dead-eye marksman from anywhere on the floor and maintains strong efficiency numbers regardless of the style of shot – catch-and-shoot, off-the-bounce, stepbacks, and even drifting to the side. He is a good ball handler and pick-and-roll navigator with exceptional leadership qualities. At 6-2, he is caught between positions, but his defensive tenacity allows him to play a bit bigger than his frame. If McCain can develop his table-setting skills a bit more, he could work his way into any backcourt rotation with his combination of shooting/defense/leadership. He is an odd fit next to Tyrese Maxey – small backcourts tend to struggle in the playoffs. But McCain brings a complementary skillset and tremendous spot-up shooting to create space for Joel Embiid. Plus, much like Maxey, McCain has an infectious smile and winning personality.
17	LA Lakers	Dalton Knecht	A	What a steal for the Lakers. Knecht is ready to contribute on day one. He is a big-time scorer at all three levels who plays with supreme confidence and flair. Knecht is a big-time 3-point shooter on high volume, and an effective driver against closeouts. He can score with either hand, and he has the athleticism and physical strength to finish through/above contact. He plays with an advanced basketball IQ and always seems to find himself in the right spot making the right play. His NBA future will be decided entirely on the defensive end. He will be ruthlessly and frequently targeted. Can he hold up? Plus, at age 23, he is one of the older prospects in this draft. But Knecht brings much-needed shooting and playmaking to surround LeBron James. Terrific fit for both Knecht and the Lakers.
18	Orlando	Tristan da Silva	B+	Tristan da Silva is smooth. His game has no rough spots, no sharp edges, no herky-jerk, just buckets and dimes. This should not be confused with a lack of effort. Da Silva gets it done with efficiency of motion and high basketball IQ. He is a terrific spot-up shooter (nearly 40% from 3 on high volume) and a crafty finisher at the rim. He can finish and pass with either hand at any angle. Park him at the elbow – particularly if the 6-8 da Silva finds a smaller defender on him – and he will pick defenses apart. He is a tough, willing defender who knows what to do and where to be. He is not an explosive athlete by any means and at 23, his too-mature-for-college game might go through some NBA-level growing pains. But there is a lot to like about what da Silva brings to the table. Orlando is on the precipice of something special here, and it's easy to see how da Silva's elite spot-up shooting ability fits in alongside Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Good pick, great fit.
19	Toronto	Ja'Kobe Walter	A-	Walter has never met a shot he didn't like. They don't always like him back, but you have to admire his attacking mentality. The Baylor guard can get hot at the drop of a hat and fill it up from all three levels, but his efficiency leaves a lot to be desired. He makes up for it with a ferocious mentality on both ends of the floor. He rebounds well for his size and loves to dig into a defensive stance. If his decision-making and ball-handling in tight spaces improve, Walter could provide a nice scoring punch for a Toronto squad that desperately needs some energy and verve on offense around Scottie Barnes. Very good value at pick 19.
20	Cleveland	Jaylon Tyson	A-	Tyson is not interested in playing at anyone's pace but his own. Much like Kyle Anderson or Joe Ingles, Tyson forces defenses to adjust to his unique pace/rhythm. It served him well during a breakout, high-usage campaign at Cal, where he did a bit of everything. He is the rare kind of wing who is just as effective in catch-and-shoot situations as he is in bully-ball scenarios. He likely won't have the ball as often as he did in Cal, which will cut down on his turnovers (more than 3 per game). Tyson's game doesn't lend itself to viral clips, but it's effective all the same. The Cavs are in desperate need of wing depth and playmaking help alongside Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. Look for Tyson to work his way into the playing rotation and make winning plays for a team with serious playoff aspirations.
21	New Orleans	Yves Missi	C+	The Pelicans got their man. Missi has bounce for days. The 7-foot center is an explosive leaper and goes out of his way to dunk on people. He gets after it on the glass on both ends, and he has the mentality to thrive in any defensive scheme. He can protect the rim in a drop coverage scheme and switch out to the perimeter in a more frantic, pressure-oriented style. He profiles as a prototypical dive man on offense – not just because of his high-flying lob potential, but because of his fundamentally sound screen-setting and his excellent hands. He is a non-shooter and a poor foul shooter, though, so it is hard to see a path for him to become much of an offensive threat beyond lob dunks and putbacks. He also has a tendency to get in foul trouble, due to both his over-eagerness to block everything in sight and to what can best be called "fatigue fouls" (he played only 23 minutes per game for Baylor). Still, Missi projects as a Mitchell Robinson-style project with more than enough upside to justify his selection here. It's a bit of a reach, but the Pelicans hope that Missi brings a different athletic dimension to their big man rotation to complement the punishing Jonas Valanciunas.
22	Denver	DaRon Holmes	A-	The worst-kept secret in the NBA is now public knowledge. Denver locked in on Holmes early and never wavered, trading into this pick to make sure the Nuggets got their man. Holmes is an old-school power forward who has grown into a center's body. During his stellar junior season, he developed into a legitimate shotblocking threat and possible floor-stretching shooter. He turned his subpar perimeter shooting numbers his first two seasons with Dayton into a nearly 40% mark as a junior. If that proves to be more than a one-season fluke, Holmes could be the rare kind of big man who can thrive in either a five-out lineup or as the power forward alongside a more traditional center. He is a bit fast and loose with the ball and his footwork is not as polished as you would like, but there are flashes of Naz Reid's game in what Holmes brings to the table. Holmes is an immediate upgrade from Zeke Nnaji and will learn from the ideal mentor in Aaron Gordon. The Nuggets need proven, reliable front-court depth, and Holmes is the best bet to provide that at this stage of the draft. Great pick.
23	Milwaukee	AJ Johnson	B+	Johnson is one of the fastest guards in this draft. He is a blur with the ball in his hands, and he can reach top speed almost instantly. At 6-5, he is big enough to credibly play both guard spots. The issue? He can't really shoot it – not yet. He is a low-efficiency, low-minutes player with a wispy frame and a wonky jumper. But you can't teach speed. If Johnson can get stronger and a bit more reliable, the Bucks could have a sleeper on their hands in a year or two. Odd that the win-now Bucks use the No. 23 pick on such a long-term project. This is a major reach, even in a down draft. Despite being a head scratcher for a contender, Johnson was the highest upside guy at their pick, for a small market team that can;t get bargains in free agency. With the 33rd pick, they can focus on a immediate need, someone like perhaps Pelle Larson.
24	Washington	KyShawn George	C+	Many scouts didn't expect George to declare for this year's draft, but his playmaking upside is undeniable. He can fire pinpoint passes either off the dribble or from the high post, and at 6-7, he can see passing angles other guards can't. He also flashes a terrific catch-and-shoot game and an emerging off-the-dribble shooting stroke. A lot of this is still in the theoretical stage, however, as George didn't play heavy minutes for Miami as a freshman. And at 20 years old (21 in December) he isn't as young as most upside-heavy prospects. He struggled big time on shots inside the arc, and he likely won't ever be an explosive athlete, but there is an outline of a productive NBA player here. Between George and Bub Carrington, Washington is going all-in with young, playmaking wings. Carrington is a bit further along, but George projects as a nice complementary piece.
25	New York	Pacome Dadiet	B+	Dadiet is a young (turns 19 in July), intriguing shooter with enough size and length to credibly play small forward in the NBA. He has a slick array of ball skills and can even make defenses pay without the ball, due to his advanced cutting/movement game. There is a lot to like about his game, but it needs time to mature. He is sloppy and at times careless with the ball – both with his handle and his passing. If his game progresses the way most scouts hope it does, Dadiet could be yet another in a long line of fascinating French prospects to make an impact in the NBA. It's hard to expect Dadiet to crack the rotation right away for a Tom Thibodeau squad, but the upside is undeniable. Dadiet should do everything he can to soak up what Mikal Bridges has to teach him.
26	Oklahoma City	Dillon Jones	B	I have no idea what to make of Jones. Frankly, nobody does. You would have to go back to the days of Anthony Mason to find a 6-6, 230-pound lead ball handler/shot creator. While most point guards dance and dart through the pick-and-roll game, Jones mashes and smashes. Smaller defenders have no chance against him, thanks to a post-up game that few lead ball handlers possess. He also gets after it on the glass and plays with an unteachable intensity. His 3-point stroke is streaky as best – he'll need to prove he can at least convert spot-up 3s to secure a roster spot. And his defense needs a ton of work – he struggles on the perimeter and offers next to no rim protection. But fans are going to love Jones' approach to running an offense. He brings a completely different dimension to Oklahoma City's five-out, dribble-drive offense. Most of Oklahoma City's primary ball handlers are lanky and lean. Not Jones. He is a tank on a roster of Tour de France cyclists. He would be a major reach for any other team, but Sam Presti and Mark Daigenault are in complete lockstep with their philosophy. OKC traded into this pick specifically to take Jones.
27	Minnesota	Terrence Shannon	A	Shannon plays like a bowling ball released at the top of a very big hill. When he has the ball, his first, second, and third idea is to take it to the rack. It worked wonders for him during his senior year at Illinois, where he tallied 23 points per game on good efficiency. His 3-point stroke is much improved. He is still a bit streaky as a shooter, but it is enough of a threat to keep defenses honest. He is a terrific off-ball defender who can even offer a bit of rim protection. He is nearly 24 years old, though, so there is a likely cap on how much better Shannon is going to get. His draft stock has been all over the map due to some extremely troubling off-the-court legal issues, but was found not guilty. The Timberwolves are making a bet on his playmaking upside.
28	Phoenix	Ryan Dunn	B	Dunn is the best defensive wing in this draft. It's not even close. Dunn excels as both a lock-down one-on-one menace and a team defender. He plays like a future All-NBA Defense mainstay. He's nearly 6-7 with a 7-1 wingspan and could play any wing position and credibly defend anyone outside of Jokic/Embiid/Giannis types. He is a winning player who knows his role and does whatever it takes to win. Offensively, it's exclusively backcuts, fast-breaks, dunks, and putbacks for the ultra-athletic Dunn. His shooting is a work in progress. That's being generous. Forwards can't post free-throw percentages in the 50s. He takes "non-shooter" to new, unexplored territory. If he miraculously learns to shoot, Dunn could be Herb Jones. If not, his exemplary defense won't be enough to outweigh his team having to play 4-on-5. This is precisely the type of defense-first glue guy the Suns desperately need to fill out their roster.
29	Utah	Isaiah Collier	A	When Collier has it going, he is a thrilling penetrator who can bulldoze his way to the rim or spray the ball at any angle to open shooters. His top-tier physical strength allows him into areas most 6-3 guards can't access. His ambition sometimes exceeds his grasp, however. He prefers to go for the "wow" play when the solid play will do. He is turnover prone and occasionally reckless. His perimeter shooting comes and goes, as does his focus/intensity if the game is not going his way. But Utah is the ideal place for Collier to develop his high-upside game. There is a very real chance we look back on this draft and wonder how Collier fell to No. 29.
30	Boston	Baylor Scheierman	A-	Scheierman is a statistical anomaly. Usually, a player that averages nine rebounds per game doesn't average the same number of 3-point attempts (and make 38% of them), but that's what Sheierman brings to the table. He projects to be an even better 3-point shooter in the NBA, where he won't be asked to take nearly as many high degree-of-difficulty shots. He is a potentially devastating movement shooter who can also attack closeouts and navigate plays as the pick-and-roll instigator. He is a high-energy player who brings it every night. He's big – nearly 6-7 with a 6-9 wingspan – so his defensive limitations will be mitigated somewhat by sheer size. If the nearly 24-year-old Scheierman can hang with NBA athletes, he will find ways to contribute in any offensive scheme. He joins the NBA champion Celtics as an ideal role player who will endear himself to that fanbase immediately. He's like a bouncier, flashier Sam Hauser.
31	Toronto	Jonathan Mogbo	A-	Mogbo is a triple-double threat with incredible rebounding instincts (particularly on the offensive glass) and stellar ball-handling skills for someone with his physical profile (6-7, 6-11 wingspan, 225 pounds of brute strength). He projects as a high-level, versatile defender who would thrive in a switch-heavy scheme, as he has the quickness/athleticism to defend smaller players and the wingspan/strength to credibly hang with bigger players. He is a self-made prospect who was not on anyone's radar until recently. Perimeter shooting is non-existent and likely never to develop. He missed the only two 3-pointers he attempted last year. His free-throw shooting has improved significantly, though (up from 43% to 69%), so there is hope that he can at least become a passable shooter. Mogbo's role on an NBA team will likely be floor-wrecking defensive/rebounding presence with surprising playmaking skills. Look for Mogbo to pattern his game after new teammate Scottie Barnes.
32	Utah	Kyle Filipowski	B+	Filipowski is an offensive connector stretched into a center's body. He is one of the draft's best dribble-handoff distributors and a quick-thinking passer out of the high post. His shooting touch should translate into "stretch big" territory, but he might struggle to finish near the hoop against NBA length. Defensively, he makes up for his lack of footspeed with smart positioning and quick hands. He's a fiery competitor, but a bit sloppier with the ball than you would like to see from a center. Filipowski is like a less bulky Jusuf Nurkic – a worthwhile comp at this stage of the draft. His game fits beautifully into the Jazz's talented front court. He slid due to some bad workouts, odd interviews, and a surprisingly small wingspan, but this still represents tremendous value at pick 32 for Utah.
33	Milwaukee	Tyler Smith	B-	Smith looks the part of a star NBA power forward. At 6-10, 225 with a silky-smooth jumper and terrific athleticism, there is hope that Smith can become the rare type of player who can excel as both the screener and the initiator in the pick and roll. Smith's issues come on defense, where he seems to have little to no interest in participating in that facet of the game. He also struggles to finish near the rim if he isn't dunking it – a major concern for someone at this size.
34	New York	Tyler Kolek	A-	Kolek is one of the draft's best pure playmakers. He posted an incredible 7.7/2.9 assist/turnover ratio as a senior and commanded the floor with the confidence of a seasoned veteran. He is also an accurate 3-point shooter who can play alongside another ball-dominant guard. He rebounds exceptionally well for his size and gets after it on defense. He is undersized with mediocre length (6-1 with a 6-3 wingspan), so defense will be an issue for him, no matter how hard he plays. At 23, his upside is limited. But Kolek is a true coach on the floor with a winning mentality. Hard to imagine a better mentor than Jalen Brunson. Great pick, great fit.
35	Indiana	Johnny Furphy	B+	Furphy is a big-time shooter with deep range and a lightning-quick release. The percentages were a bit down from where you would expect them to be, but Furphy was competing against a lot of other high-usage players on that Kansas roster. His best skill is using his off-ball movement skills to create opportunities. He is never planted in one spot. Furphy is constantly relocating and hustling. There is a maturity to his game that outpaces his age, as well – he's never trying to do more than what he's capable of. Defense will be a struggle, however. Despite his high motor/effort, he is going to struggle against quicker/stronger NBA players. But he competes hard and clearly cares about improving. His shooting ability should keep him in the NBA long enough for him to work on the other facets of his game. Terrific value early in round two for the Pacers.
36	San Antonio	Juan Nunez	B-	Nunez is a tremendous playmaker who is always looking to share the ball. He is a good finisher at the rim and good ball handler, but the passing is his calling card. He sees angles other point guards don't even think to consider. The shooting needs major work, but the Spurs have had success smoothing out wonky jumpers. If Nunez's game continues to mature, he could be a pick-and-roll magician with Victor Wembanyama.
37	Detroit	Bobi Klintman	B	There is a lot to love with Bobi's game. He has the ideal build and skillset for a two-way wing – height, length, switchability, ball-handling, playmaking, and shooting. Klintman projects to be a Swiss Army Knife type of wing that every team needs on its roster. He is very thin for a 6-9 wing, so if he can add bulk/strength without sacrificing quickness/bounce (which is already a bit average by NBA standards), he could be a much more significant contributor. And at 21, he is already a bit further along than the other upside-driven draft prospects. But his well-rounded arsenal of skills is a worthwhile addition at this point in the draft.
38	Oklahoma City	Ajay Mitchell	B	Mitchell is a highly productive combo guard with a wicked floater and terrific feel for the game. He isn't the quickest or most athletic guard in the draft, but he knows how to get teammates involved and how to oil the gears of any offense. He's a solid defensive player – won't wow you with huge blocks/steals, but he knows where to position himself and how to help a team concept. He hasn't played the stiffest competition, and his 3-point stroke was essentially nonexistent until last season (just under 40% on low-for-a-guard volume). Mitchell fits right into what OKC sets out to do.
39	Memphis	Jaylen Wells	A-	Wells is a lanky wing with terrific shooting stats (nearly 42% on 5 attempts per game) and a wily dribble-drive game to attack closeouts. He bounced around a bit before finding his game at Washington State, developing into a much stronger shot creator by the end of his junior season. He has the measurables and tools to be a much better defender than he shows on tape, and his defensive progress will determine his NBA future. He will fit in seamlessly in Memphis.
40	Phoenix	Oso Ighodaro	B+	Ighodaro is one of the best passing big men in this draft. He can work magic from the elbows with an array of dribble handoffs or slick interior bounce passes. He is one of the rare players who brings flair to his game while limiting turnovers. He is also a versatile, switchable defensive player. He will be challenged if he has to play heavy center minutes – slightly undersized, not a huge rebounder/rim protector – but his exceptional offensive skills will give him a chance to play right away. Look for Ighodaro to be an immediate contributor to a Suns squad in desperate need of frontcourt depth.
41	Philadelphia	Adem Bona	A-	Bona is a rough-and-tumble center whose 7-4 wingspan allows him to play much bigger than his height suggests. He was the linchpin of UCLA's entire defensive philosophy. He set the tone with his imposing physicality and impressive athleticism. He sets bone-crushing screens and dives to the hoop with reckless abandon. His offense, however? It's primarily putbacks and dunks. He has no shooting range to speak of and his free-throw shooting (although much improved) still leaves much to be desired. His aggressiveness can also lead to foul trouble, limiting his minutes/effectiveness. But if the Sixers can harness his insatiable energy, Bona can provide some potentially momentum-swinging minutes off the bench when Joel Embiid needs a breather.
42	Charlotte	KJ Simpson	B	Simpson is a feisty, quick-trigger guard who never backs down from a challenge. Even though he's only 6-1, Simpson found a way to rip down 5.8 rebounds per game to along with his 4.9/2.2 assist/turnover ratio. He saw major improvement in his 3-point shot, as well, hitting 43% of his deep shots after struggling from 3 his first two seasons. If the shooting is real and he can hold up on defense, Simpson could be enjoy a long career as a change-of-pace backup point guard.
43	Atlanta	Nikola Djurisic	B-	Djurisic plays with supreme confidence and likely honestly believes he should be the No. 1 pick in this draft. If his shots went in more often, we might be having a different conversation. When he's at his best, he's a catch-fire scorer and electrifying playmaker who loves to carve up defenses and make highlight-reel plays for himself and others. But he commits a lot of turnovers and misses a lot of contested 3s that should have been extra passes. If the 6-7 Djurisic can find a way to harness his confidence and skills into a more mature basketball presence, he might find his way onto a roster.
44	Miami	Pelle Larsson	B+	Larson is a hard-nosed 3-and-D wing with who plays with fire and bounce. He is a solid perimeter shooter off the catch and fills the box score in every column. He even flashed some secondary playmaking skills in his four-year college career. He cuts with purpose and loves to dunk on people. Sometimes his emotions can get the best of him and he can try too hard to make the home-run play when a single or double will suffice. But if he can play within himself, Larson should have a long and prosperous NBA career. His work ethic and tenacity will fit right in with Miami.
45	Toronto	Jamal Shead	B+	Shead is a hard-nosed guard who wiggles and wedges his way into the teeth of defenses. He is a terrific passer who runs an offense like an adult and goes out of his way to annoy opposing ball handlers. Shead is a winning player who brings toughness and leadership to any roster. He's small (6-1) and he struggles to shoot it, especially in catch-and-shoot scenarios, but it is easy to envision Shead replicating Jose Alvarado's career in Toronto.
46	Los Angeles Clippers	Cam Christie	A-	Max Christie's little brother is a walking instructional tape on how to shoot 3-pointers. His release and his footwork are exquisite, and he can shoot it equally effectively off screens or off the dribble. At nearly 6-6, he is the prototypical 3-and-D wing prospect, with enough youth on his size (turns 19 in July) to develop additional skills. He needs to get much stronger and show that he can provide more than 3-point shooting. His inside-the-arc stats are alarming, and he can get pushed off his spots. But the shooting stroke is a work of art.
47	New Orleans	Antonio Reeves	B	Reeves is blessed with exceptional touch. It seems to drop wherever he wants it to. Nobody attempts and converts more floaters. Reeves makes the hardest shot in basketball look easy, regardless of who is closing out on him. He is also a knockdown 3-point shooter, converting nearly 45% of his 5.7 attempts per game. Defensively, his thin frame struggles to stand up against more physical players. He is on the older side, so he might not add much more weight/strength. He is also not a natural playmaker – when he gets the ball, his plan is to put it in the hoop. But Reeves could provide a strong scoring punch off the bench, thanks to his diverse offensive skillset.
48	San Antonio	Harrison Ingram	B	Ingram is a methodical, cerebral forward who thrives in the halfcourt. He is a much-improved shooter and a versatile defensive option who can switch between quicker guards and stronger frontcourt players. He is precisely the kind of elbow-passing hub that will make life easier for Victor Wembanyama. He will need to prove that his shooting improvement is real and that his methodical approach doesn't slow things down.
-	Philadelphia	Pick Forfeited
49	Indiana	Tristen Newton	A-	Newton was one of the emotional leaders of the back-to-back national champions from UConn. After transferring from East Carolina, Newton found ways to do all the little things and stuffed the stat sheet in several categories. He boasts an impressive 6.2/2.5 assist/turnover ratio and rebounds exceptionally well for his size. His NBA ceiling is limited by his below-average 3-point shooting and lack of explosion/bounce. If he can get his spot-up 3-point numbers closer to 40% (he shot 32% last year) Newton brings more than enough intangible/glue guy/leadership skills to the table.
50	Indiana	Enrique Freeman	B	Freeman is a double-double machine who went from "just another student on campus" to one of the best rebounders in college basketball. He's a good scorer with great touch with either hand and emerging passing skills. Freeman won't be out-worked or out-hustled. He even flashed a confident 3-point stroke after struggling as a shooter for much of his college career. He is almost 24 and he will have to adjust from being the focal point to a hustle player, but Freeman's rebounding instincts and work ethic will endear him to the Pacers.
51	Dallas	Melvin Ajinca	B	Ajinca burst onto the international scene last summer with his tremendous shotmaking skills and his off-ball movement. He never stops moving on either end of the floor. His ball handling needs work and he doesn't have much court vision/playmaking ability, but Ajinca's aggression and upside are a worthwhile investment for the Mavericks. We likely won't see Ajinca for at least a year, where he will join a championship-contending core around Luka Doncic.
52	Golden State	Quinten Post	B+	Post is an enormous floor-stretching shooter who came on strong for the Boston College Eagles. The burly 7-footer knocked in 43% of his 3s and projects as a terrific pick-and-pop threat for the Warriors. He struggles with lateral quickness, especially on defense, and he has a tendency to bring the ball down to his waist when he has the ball inside. But Post's combination of interior defense and 3-point marksmanship make him a worthwhile gamble at this point.
53	Memphis	Cam Spencer	A-	UConn's 3-point assassin has the deep range and quick release to translate that skill to the pros. It's no small feat to convert on 42% of your 3s over four seasons and 667 attempts. He plays as hard as anyone in this draft and makes the most of his (somewhat limited) athletic abilities. He is already 24, however, and he battled a very serious hip issue early in his college career that threatened to derail his NBA plans. Spencer has fought through a lot to get to this point, and his outrageous shooting ability might be enough to keep him in the NBA.
54	Boston	Anton Watson	B-	Watson is a mature, versatile, high-IQ forward with a wealth of big-game experience. He projects as an ideal 3-and-D wing with terrific size. The 3-point part of that equation, however, is a late addition to Watson's game. He converted 41% of his 3s as a fifth-year senior after struggling mightily from deep. His foul shooting is subpar, as well, leading many to believe that his jumper might not translate. But the rest of his game will be a nice fit on the world-champion Celtics roster.
55	LA Lakers	Bronny James	B	No second-round pick in NBA history enters the league with a brighter spotlight shining on him. As James attempts to navigate the family business, he will likely have more cameras and reporters in his face than the entire second round combined. On the court, relentless full-court defense will be his best bet to carve out a niche and endear himself to his teammates that aren't his father. He is undersized, but he plays bigger than 6-1 thanks to top-tier athleticism and a 6-7 wingspan. He is a tough, hard-nosed guard with real upside, but his offensive game will take time to mature. Regardless of all the noise, it is undeniably cool to see a father/son duo on an NBA court.
56	New York	Kevin McCullar	A-	McCullar is an intense, emotional do-it-all wing with superior defensive skills with an intensity that can't be taught. He would likely have gone higher had a bone bruise not kept him out of the NCAA Tournament. McCullar is the kind of hard-nosed defender every team needs on the wing. He will never back down from a challenge. He made significant improvements to his offensive game the last couple years, showing his desire to get better and his work ethic. He likely won't be a team's primary (or secondary, or tertiary) offensive option, but he does a lot of role-player things at a very high level. Perfect Thibs guy.
57	Toronto	Ulrich Chomche	B	Chomche is all upside. As the youngest player in this draft class, Chomche could be among its most intriguing. He already brings top-level shotblocking and athleticism to the table, and he has an emerging 3-point stroke and a good, hardworking attitude. He is just extremely raw. The finer points of NBA basketball are still at least a two-year project for Chomche, but the Raptors could be rewarded with a big-time big man.
-	Phoenix	Pick Forfeited
58	Dallas	Ariel Hukporti	B-	Hukporti is a throwback center prospect with a huge frame and nonstop motor. He gets after it on the glass and does a nice job using his strength to box people out. He sets hard screens and does all the dirty work. His offense is a work in progress – limited shooting touch and limited as a passer. And at age 22, it's unclear whether those skills will ever get to an NBA level. But he is a worthwhile draft-and-stash project with the final pick.