2024 NBA Draft: Top 10 Seniors

The NBA Draft is mostly about developing the top prospects, but every once in a while, a seasoned college basketball player gets his chance.

10. PJ Hall, Clemson

I’m not sure Hall will get drafted, but the beefy big man will certainly get an NBA look. Hall worked on his outside shot, knocking down 31.5% of his threes as a senior. While that will need to get drastically better in the NBA, it’s a solid starting point for a 6-foot-10 forward with size. Hall’s potential is far from limitless, but he should get a shot in the NBA Summer League.

9. Oso Ighodaro, Marquette

Another big man, Ighodaro has a bit more of an NBA-ready game than Hall. While he has virtually no three-point game, he’s one of the top passers among big men in the 2024 NBA Draft, which makes him an interesting candidate to be a late second-round pick or a marquee undrafted free agent.

8. Tristen Newton, UConn

One of a few Big East seniors on this list, Newton will need to improve his three-point shot, but possesses scoring, playmaking, and above all else, winning. You should never underestimate a two-time NCAA Tournament champion, especially someone like Newton, who had a major hand in both runs.

If a team needs a veteran guard, regardless of skillset, they can’t go wrong with the UConn point guard. He wasn’t even considered a serious threat to be a point guard when he got to Storrs, and look how that ended up.

7. Tristan da Silva, Colorado

When you look at modern stretch forwards, Tristan da Silva is a prime example. He can drill shots from deep, collects rebounds, and affects the game enough defensively to where he can make some impact from day one.

The biggest thing to like about Da Silva is his offensive efficiency and basketball IQ. He hits from the field at a great percentage (49.3% for his career) and rarely turns the ball over. Da Silva is an NBA coach’s dream.

6. Baylor Scheierman, Creighton

There are so many great shooters in the 2024 NBA Draft, but Scheierman can be one of the best because he is more than just a spot-up shooter. The Creighton product can connect off the dribble, on the move, and plays with a lot of flare. And for someone who was forced to take so many contested shots in college, he could be even more effective with a lighter load in the Association.

5. Jamal Shead, Houston

Speaking about a coach’s dream, Jamal Shead is the embodiment of that. The 6-1 guard plays with heart and can wreak havoc on defense while leading a team on offense. Think Jose Alvarado or Jevon Carter. Someone who doesn’t need to score or to control the ball to have an impact on the game. Shead should have a long career at the next level.

4. Antonio Reeves, Kentucky

Reeves has the potential to be a steal for any team that needs scoring off the bench. At 6-4, he can play shooting guard from the jump and learn how to slide in to being a backup point guard.

More importantly, Reeves can drill shots from deep. He nailed almost 45% of his threes last year, which should translate directly to the NBA. I’m confident Reeves will get drafted, it’s just a matter of where and to which team.

3. Terrence Shannon Jr., Illinois

The biggest thing to note about Shannon is a rape charge with a trial set for June 10 in Kansas. That’s of most importance when it comes to Shannon’s draft stock. Will an NBA team want to draft a rookie with a serious criminal charge?

If a team does take a chance on Shannon in the 2024 NBA Draft, they would be getting a prolific scorer with the chance to develop into an important bench piece virtually right away. Shannon is a three-level scorer and at 6-6, 225 pounds, has the mold of an NBA shooting guard. Shannon can offer a lot to a team in need of scoring right away off the bench, but it all depends on which team is willing to put up with his off-the-court accusations.

2. Zach Edey, Purdue

A matchup nightmare in college basketball, Edey is one of the biggest question marks as far as how he will be able to translate to the NBA. He’s a back-to-the-basket big man, which is far outdated in the NBA. However, at 7-foot-4-inches, Edey would be one of the tallest players in the league. His size is nearly unmatched, which could still be of use in the Association, albeit in smaller doses.

If Edey can add a consistent-enough three-point shot to his game, it’s all over for the competition. Edey showed off his potential in the NBA Draft Combine and has reportedly become a favorite among NBA scouts. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo said Edey “impressed” teams with his “serious-minded approach in interviews.”

Sometimes it’s the little things that go a long ways, even for a giant.

1. Dalton Knecht, Tennessee

There might not be a smoother scorer in the 2024 NBA Draft than Dalton Knecht. The Tennessee product became one of the few faces of college basketball last season, thanks to his ability to have some high-scoring outings against some of the best competition in the SEC.

The 6-foot-6 Knecht lives up to his name. He connected on nearly 40% of his threes last year and throughout his four-year career. He needs to work on his defense, but for how offensively gifted Knecht is, there’s no doubt he could and should be the first senior off the board come June 26.