Rising
Carlton Carrington
6–5–190 — Guard — Pittsburgh — Freshman
Curiously sufficient, Carrington (pictured) was recognized extra as a wing/taking pictures guard than some extent guard in highschool, however he performed as some extent guard and developed at that place. And he was solely a four-star recruit. That is why it is so particular, whereas the season remains to be younger, to see Carrington trying like an ultra-advanced senior guard, with information, endurance, unbelievable discipline imaginative and prescient and exact passing. At this level, there are few doubts about Carrington’s skill to create his personal shot, arrange teammates and run an elite-level offense. Two weeks in the past, you would not have discovered his title in lots of NBA Draft conversations. Now he is taking pictures up the draft boards. Carrington recorded a triple double in his very first faculty sport. He’ll get an opportunity so as to add to the early hype on Nov. 22, when Pitt faces its first high-level opponent in Florida. The Baltimore native has some Shai Lovely-Alexander qualities and checks in at 4 on our up to date mock.
Isaiah Collier
6–5–210 – Level Guard – USC – Freshman
Collier is not any stranger to basketball scouts. There was a variety of hype for the near-unanimous high 2023 recruit as he entered his freshman season at USC. Hype and expectations are one factor. However really seeing this pit bull of a guard carry out past, if not exceed, expectations is one thing else. Collier is off to a robust begin, exhibiting his trademark velocity, power and ending skill up to now on this younger NCAA season. He routinely overpowers opponents and makes robust finishes on the hoop or earns a visit to the free-throw line. We’ll have to see him get his turnovers down (11 assists and 10 turnovers in two video games) and proceed to transform his outdoors photographs to proceed climbing the checkerboard.
I am Kobe Walter
6–5–180 — Small Ahead — Baylor — Freshman
This smooth-shooting long-range bomber does not have the flashy athleticism of a number of the others on this listing. However the freshmen’s physique management, scoring skill and relative maturity had been on full show. He has the power to get to the free throw line extra typically than the typical taking pictures specialist and converts rapidly. Walter’s finest sport of this younger 2023-2024 season was by far in opposition to formidable opponent Auburn, who scored 28 factors. Price keeping track of: Within the different two video games, each of which had been relative blowouts, Walter wasn’t practically as productive. Additionally notable: Walter has just one help by three video games! However his attacking package deal, maturity and spectacular exhibiting within the opening sport of the season are sufficient to get scouts excited in regards to the prospect.
Adem Bona – I am Not Afraid (Official Music Video)
6–10–245 Energy — Ahead/Heart — UCLA — Sophomore
The sophomore remains to be a bit uncooked. However he reveals nice potential, particularly on the boards and within the air (shot blocking). He places in nice effort and is kind of cellular for his measurement, which is a should within the fashionable NBA the place so many screens result in the bigs turning on defenses. He had a monstrous first sport of the season (28 factors, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks) in opposition to St. Francis (PA)! However he had a relative disappointment within the subsequent sport (taking pictures solely 1-7 from the sector and never blocking a shot) – though UCLA nonetheless beat their opponent (Lafayette) in a blowout. It is also price noting that by two video games, Bona has transformed 12 of 15 free throw makes an attempt, which is a formidable quantity for an enormous participant. Scouts want to see if there may be face-up and outdoors taking pictures in Bona’s offensive arsenal, in addition to constant manufacturing all through the season.
Caleb Foster
6–5–195 – Guard – Duke – Freshman
This is one other high-profile Duke guard (we’re doubtlessly three first-round picks from Duke’s present backfield)! Foster is a nightmare on the quick break, and he likes to leak out in transition. Within the half courtroom he’s as robust as he’s cowl: he’s very slippery and makes use of each guile and velocity to get to his spots. He’s additionally a superb finisher with a comfortable contact and has a floater in his bag. He by some means solely has one help in three video games! However his shuffling skill is tough to disregard. It seems Duke head coach Jon Scheyer remains to be determining his backcourt. And do not be stunned if Duke settles for a small lineup and performs three guards. However for now, Foster deserves extra enjoying time within the Duke rotation and a greater place on NBA Draft boards.
Traps
Candidate Mara
7–3–240 — Heart — UCLA — Freshman
Mara was considered the highest worldwide prospect getting into faculty basketball this season. However there was a little bit of drama surrounding the freshman, because the NCAA solely cleared him for competitors per week earlier than the season began. And that uncertainty in all probability ties into this: Mara solely performed lower than 10 minutes per sport by two video games for UCLA this season. What stands out on the optimistic facet about Mara? Nicely, for instance, he is 7-3. He does not transfer practically as fluidly as one other European you may be considering of, given his top (named Wembanyama). However Mara does have a formidable set of basketball expertise and a excessive IQ. Maybe he’ll earn extra time on the ground with the drama and questions on his eligibility to play this season behind him. Notice that Adem Bona (talked about above) will proceed to learn from prolonged time on the huge man spot for UCLA whereas Mara performs sparingly.
DJ Wagner
6–3–175 — Guard — Kentucky — Freshman
The son of hoops legend Dajuan Wagner (who was one of many sport’s finest scorers earlier than medical points derailed his enjoying profession) was often called the highest recruit in his class for nearly his total highschool profession. He undoubtedly has the blessing and the curse of excessive expectations. You may be stunned to see that he does not have elite sporting skill. However he combines ability, management and fluidity along with his sport to dominate in opposition to his friends. Wagner was superb, however not nice in his first two video games this season (in opposition to lesser competitors). However he actually struggled within the loss to top-ranked Kansas, hitting only one shot in 25 minutes and likewise failing to make a lot of an impression in different sides of the sport (only one help). DJ is a great and savvy man who will possible flip issues round, however for now his early season struggles cut back his draft inventory fairly considerably.
