The NBA season might have simply began, however earlier than lengthy we’re going to be seeing draft consultants hyping up the following class of professional prospects. The faculty basketball season kicks off subsequent week with blue blood colleges getting their warmup video games in opposition to smaller establishments. Heck, some groups have already been enjoying in televised scrimmages weeks earlier than the season.
For those who’re like me, you would possibly root to your alma mater, however primarily you’re watching to see who will make an influence on the subsequent stage. There’s a lengthy methods to go till March, nevertheless it’s by no means too early to test in on a few of the finest gamers within the NCAA. The San Antonio Spurs have doubtlessly three first spherical picks within the 2024 NBA Draft, if picks from the Charlotte Hornets and Toronto Raptors convey. Even when the younger Spurs compete for a playoff spot, they nonetheless have a shot at having a excessive decide in subsequent years draft.
Not like the 2023 draft, there is no such thing as a clear reduce primary participant in 2024. There may be lots of room for a prospect to wow scouts and skyrocket up draft boards. As faculty basketball kicks off, lets check out a few of the gamers Spurs followers ought to control this season.
(NOTE: This listing is solely faculty gamers, so no G League or worldwide prospects like Ron Holland or Alexandre Sarr will likely be featured.)
Donovan Clingan, Heart, College of Connecticut
Let’s begin with an NCAA champion. Donovan Clingan wasn’t a starter for the UConn Huskies, however was a key contributor off the bench of their title run. The freshman was caught behind veteran star Adama Sanogo final yr, however confirmed flashes that make him an intriguing NBA prospect.
Clingan is big at 7-foot-2, 265 kilos. That measurement is a part of what makes him a robust rim protector on the collegiate stage. In simply 13 minutes a recreation, the freshman blocked 1.8 pictures a recreation. He has good instincts and does a great job going vertical and defending with out fouling (averaged 1.9 fouls per recreation final yr.) His body permits him to get nice positioning on the boards. He had a 24.7% rebound charge, that means he grabbed a couple of quarter of the accessible rebounds when he was on the ground.
Because it stands, Clingan is a rim operating, shot blocking large man who received’t house the ground. We have to see him do it persistently in large minutes this yr for the Huskies. With just a few key contributors from the championship workforce gone, Clingan ought to step into an enormous function.
We’ve seen that Victor Wembanyama is sweet at disrupting pictures all around the ground. He’s been nice as a shot blocker on and off of the ball. He’s been enjoying alongside an enormous man, and guarding extra perimeter gamers. Clingan would give the Spurs two robust shot blockers, to discourage opponents from the paint. There can be some questions on how Clingan suits in offensively, however the defensive potential is infinite.
Isaiah Collier, Guard, College of Southern California
All eyes will likely be on Bronny James at USC this season, nevertheless it’s his fellow freshman who might find yourself larger on draft boards. Isaiah Collier was a hyped guard prospect popping out of highschool. He’s a 3 time state champion and McDonald’s All-American. The 6-foot-5 guard has good measurement for the place, and is named a robust passer.
In what appears to be a standard participant archetype today, Collier has good really feel for the sport and excessive stage bodily attributes, however has but to indicate a constant three-point shot. He’s artistic with the ball in his fingers, and is powerful sufficient to complete by contact. He wowed scouts with a 25-point efficiency within the McDonald’s All-American recreation, attending to the rim and ending robust over his friends.
USC goes to be one of many high groups to observe this season. Collier can have the highlight and will rise to the highest of draft boards, if he continues the robust play he’s displayed abroad this summer time. The Spurs don’t have many true level guards on the roster, and will use somebody at that place who can get to the rim off the dribble and discover the open man. Collier could possibly be a match.
Tyrese Proctor, Guard, Duke
Yearly we see somebody enhance their draft inventory on the NCAA Event. Tyrese Proctor did himself wonders together with his play, however selected to remain at Duke for an additional season on a stacked roster. The 6-foot-5 combo-guard got here alive late within the yr for Duke, and scored 16 factors of their elimination recreation in opposition to Tennessee, the place he seemed like the most effective gamers on the ground.
He discovered confidence within the second half of the season, attending to the basket extra and exhibiting the power to shoot off the bounce. He scored 9.4 factors on 44% capturing from the sector and 32% capturing from deep in his freshman season. NBA groups will likely be seeking to see if his capturing continues to enhance in his freshman season, and if he can enhance as a playmaker in an even bigger function. He’ll want to indicate he can defend at a excessive stage this season as properly.
Not the pure level like Collier, however Proctor can fill it up in spurts. He’d present scoring off the bounce on the guard spot for any workforce he’s drafted by.
Justin Edwards, Wing, Kentucky
Justin Edwards has all of the bodily instruments to be an NBA participant. He’s 6-foot-8 and has good athleticism for his body. The freshman has extra to his recreation than simply an NBA-ready physique. He’s acquired a candy leap shot from deep and within the mid-range. On a reasonably good Kentucky roster, he received’t need to do an excessive amount of off the dribble. He’ll be an overqualified three and D wing as a freshman.
The Spurs have lots of wing depth, however within the NBA you’ll be able to by no means have sufficient athletic wings who can shoot and defend. He’s acquired lots of potential to be greater than only a candy capturing athletic wing, and it is going to be enjoyable to observe him develop over the course of the faculty season.
Trey Alexander, Guard, Creighton
Trey Alexander is a guard who might have gotten drafted in 2023, however determined to come back again to highschool and enhance his draft inventory. He was lights out as a shooter final season at Creighton. He shot 48.8% on spot up three pointers, 41% from deep total, and averaged 13.4 factors as a Sophomore.
Going into his Junior yr for the Bluejays, he’s going to be the man offensively. Nonetheless, he profiles extra as a three-point capturing function participant on the subsequent stage. With an elevated offensive function, Alexander has an opportunity to indicate enchancment as a shot creator and playmaker for others. At 6-foot-4, he might want to showcase these expertise to earn a primary spherical grade.
The Spurs can use extra capturing round Wembanyama. Guys like Alexander present it at a excessive stage, and don’t require the basketball of their fingers to be efficient.
