Pac-12 basketball: Breaking down the top prospects for the 2024 NBA Draft
The conference generated one first-round pick in the '23 draft but should fare better next year.
As expected, the Pac-12 produced a single first-round pick, UCLA forward Jaime Jaquez Jr., on Thursday in the 2023 NBA Draft — the lowest total since the 2010 draft.
The second round was a tad busier with UCLA’s Amari Bailey and Jaylen Clark joining Washington State’s Mouhamed Gueye on the draft board and pushing the conference’s total number of selections to four. By comparison, the SEC generated 10 picks, followed by the Big Ten with eight and the ACC and Big East with five each.
But the Pac-12 fared much better in another relevant category: Players who declined to make themselves available.
In all, eight all-conference honorees from the 2022-23 season are scheduled to return in the fall — the highest total in more than a decade.
Add several touted recruits and transfer portal acquisitions and the Pac-12 is well positioned for a better showing in the 2024 draft.
Here’s our look at the top prospects:
1. USC G Isaiah Collier: The top-rated recruit in the country (any position) is headed to USC for what we expect to be a one-and-done career. Collier is “by far” the top NBA prospect in the conference next season, according to one longtime talent evaluator. The Georgia native is 6-foot-3 with a sturdy frame, terrific court sense and elite playmaking skills.
2. Colorado F Cody Williams: The Boulder-bound wing is a five-star prospect and the younger brother of Oklahoma City guard Jalen Williams. He’s 6-foot-8 and plays even longer. His perimeter skills are raw, and Williams needs 10-15 pounds of muscle. But the NBA will spot a high ceiling and make him a lottery pick.
3. Arizona G Caleb Love: Admittedly, we could whiff badly with this evaluation of the North Carolina transfer. But the Hotline expects Love to thrive in coach Tommy Lloyd’s system, improve his 3-point efficiency and play to the potential displayed in the 2022 NCAA Tournament, when he carved up UCLA for 30 points and Duke for 28.
4. UCLA F Adem Bona: Back for a second season after withdrawing from the draft, Bona should fortify the weaknesses in his game that NBA scouts identified this spring. He has all the athleticism necessary to climb into the first round — that includes a wingspan of more than seven feet — but must refine his offensive skill set.
5. Oregon F Kwame Evans: The 6-foot-9 freshman is pegged as a lottery pick in several early mock drafts. We’re a tad skeptical of the outlook given recent struggles that five-star prospects have experienced in Eugene (for a variety of reasons). But Evans doesn’t strike us as a bust, either, not with his raw talent.
6. Arizona G Kylan Boswell: The most talented perimeter player on Arizona’s roster last season played just 15 minutes per game after reclassifying academically in order to start his college career one year early. Boswell’s skill set is mature and diverse, and he had the physical maturity of an upperclassman.
7. USC G Bronny James: If hype was an important piece of the evaluation process, James would be a top-five pick next spring. He doesn’t have that talent, but the son of LeBron isn’t merely a creation of the spotlight. His feel for the game is first rate; he impacts the action with his physicality; and he’s a capable defender.
8. USC C Vincent Iwuchukwu: A five-star recruit expected to make a major impact for the Trojans last season, Iwuchukwu suffered cardiac arrest during a summer workout and played in just 14 games. Assuming good health, the 7-foot-1 mega-athlete should climb the draft boards and become a tantalizing prospect for scouts.
9. Colorado F Tristan da Silva: After three seasons with CU, da Silva entered the draft this spring, was pegged as a borderline second-round pick and opted to return to Boulder. He’s 6-foot-9 and shoots well from 3-point range but does not excel in any particular facet. With improvement, da Silva could emerge as a solid second-rounder.
10. Arizona C Oumar Ballo: A baseline level of athleticism is needed to function in the NBA, even for a seven-footer with a purported 7-foot-6 wingspan who weighs 260 pounds. We think Ballo will find a spot in the 2024 draft, although he might need to shed weight to generate more spring in his step.
*** Send suggestions, comments and tips (confidentiality guaranteed) to pac12hotline@bayareanewsgroup.com or call 408-920-5716
*** Follow me on Twitter: @WilnerHotline
*** Pac-12 Hotline is not endorsed or sponsored by the Pac-12 Conference, and the views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Conference.