2024 NBA mock draft: Matas Buzelis, Bronny James, G League Ignite should light up board
Familiar themes have emerged for the 2024 NBA draft.
Family ties are prevalent. G League Ignite players are prominent in first-round projections. Big men are enjoying a renaissance. And the No. 1 pick could be a player from France for the second consecutive season following Victor Wembanyama going No. 1 to the San Antonio Spurs in Thursday’s draft.
∎ D.J. Wagner, the son of former NBA player Dejuan Wagner and grandson of former NBA player Milt Wagner, is a projected lottery pick, and Bronny James, LeBron’s son, could be a first-round pick.
∎ There are six players in our 2024 mock draft who are at least 7-feet tall.
∎ Two G League Ignite players are projected top-five picks following up on Scoot Henderson, who was the No. 3 pick to Portland on Thursday.
∎ Zaccharie Risacher, whose dad Stephane was part of France’s 2000 silver medal Olympic team, has played games in the same top-division pro league in France as Wembanyama and has No. 1 pick potential.
Here is USA TODAY’s Sports super early 2024 NBA mock draft:
1. Zaccharie Risacher, France
Forward, 6-foot-9, 200 pounds
2. Matas Buzelis, G League Ignite
Forward-guard, 6-11, 190
3. Ron Holland, G League Ignite
Forward, 6-7, 195
4. Isaiah Collier, Southern California
Guard, 6-3, 190
5. Justin Edwards, Kentucky
Forward, 6-7, 180
6. Cody Williams, Colorado
Forward, 6-8, 180
7. Aaron Bradshaw, Kentucky
Center, 7-2, 210
8. Tyrese Proctor, Duke
Guard, 6-5, 175
9. D.J. Wagner, Kentucky
Guard, 6-4, 165
10. Aday Mara, Spain
Center, 7-2, 240
11. Stephon Castle, UConn
Guard, 6-6, 205
12. Ja'Kobe Walter, Baylor
Guard, 6-5, 180
13. Donovan Clingan, UConn
Center, 7-2, 265
14. Thierry Darlan, G League Ignite
Guard-forward, 6-6, 190
15. Kyle Filipowski, Duke
Center, 7-0, 230
16. Jared McCain, Duke
Guard, 6-4, 195
17. Mackenzie Mgbako, Indiana
Forward, 6-8, 210
18. Omaha Beliew, Iowa State
Forward, 6-8, 210
19. Alexandre Sarr, France
Center, 7-1, 205
20. Bronny James, Southern California
Guard, 6-2, 190
21. Kel'el Ware, Indiana
Center, 7-0, 210
22. Elmarko Jackson, Kansas
Guard, 6-4, 195
23. Adem Bona, UCLA
Forward, 6-10, 235
24. Riley Kugel, Florida
Forward, 6-5, 205
25. Dillon Mitchell, Texas
Forward, 6-8, 195
26. Kwame Evans Jr., Oregon
Forward, 6-9, 200
27. Trey Alexander, Creighton
Guard, 6-4, 185
28. Trevon Brazile, Arkansas
Forward, 6-10, 200
29. Robert Dillingham, Overtime Elite
Guard, 6-2, 165
30. Xavier Booker, Michigan State
Center, 6-10, 205
Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2024 NBA mock draft: Bronny James, Matas Buzelis among potential stars
