The first official day of the 2024 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago was on Monday. With scouts, agents, league executives, and media members all in attendance, a closer, in-depth look at many of the biggest names looking to hear their name called during June's draft took place. The draft combine is always the best time for prospects who may not be a lock to be one of the first players selected to showcase what they can do. There were several standout performers on Monday during the testing portion of the combine.
While some measurements do not necessarily matter in the grand scheme of things, like the straight sprint up the court league representatives have players do, teams do want to gauge how certain prospects stack up against one another. More importantly, they want to evaluate how they handle the spotlight and pressure with all eyes on them.
Several players helped themselves during the first day of the NBA Draft Combine on Monday, including the likes of Bronny James and Zach Edey.
G Bronny James – USC – Freshman
Everyone who is a fan of basketball is following Bronny James and what is going to happen to him throughout the pre-draft process. The number one thing scouts and NBA personnel wanted to know entering the combine was if Bronny would be medically cleared to play given that he collapsed during a workout at USC last summer. Not only has Bronny been cleared by NBA doctors, but various reports suggest that he intends on remaining in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Measurements for the NBA Combine have been all over the place after someone messed up putting all of the numbers into the computer system. However, Bronny officially measured in at just under 6-foot-2 without shoes, and he has a 6'7.25″ wingspan. The talk between people at the combine is that there is a real interest in seeing James perform. It is certainly possible that Bronny works his way into first-round discussion, and he could even receive a promise by the end of the week. If the Los Angeles Lakers want him, another team could wind up pressuring them to take Bronny 17th overall.
Bronny finds himself as one of the biggest winners after Day 1 of the combine simply because executives and scouts are talking about him. Any publicity is good publicity for him this week.
*Bronny James is projected to go 55th overall to the Los Angeles Lakers in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Mock Draft 1.0; He is ranked 90th overall in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Big Board 1.0.
F/C Alexandre Sarr – France
Alexandre Sarr is currently expected to be the first pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks. He only improved this theory during the first day of on-court activities at the NBA Draft Combine on Monday. The French big man looked agile, and he looked really fit throughout Monday's activities. Sarr displayed quick footwork in the agility drills, and he registered a 37-inch max vertical leap. Donovan Clingan from UConn came in at 29 inches, and Purdue star Zach Edey recorded a 31.5-inch max vertical leap. The next closest center to Sarr's 37-inch mark was Indiana's Kel’el Ware at 36 inches.
Where Sarr really drew the attention of everyone in the audience was during his three-point shooting drills. His jumper looks smooth, and Sarr's confidence is what should really stand out. While he did not knock down every shot, Sarr's perimeter jumper appeared to be very thorough.
Everything about Sarr looks like the top pick in the NBA Draft. He will obviously need to put more muscle on between now and his first official game, but the projected first overall selection had himself a great first day at the combine.
*Alexandre Sarr is projected to go 1st overall to the Atlanta Hawks in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Mock Draft 1.0; He is ranked 1st overall in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Big Board 1.0.
C Zach Edey – Purdue – Senior
Where will the two-time National Player of the Year end up? Edey has been mocked to be drafted in the lottery all the way to the second round of this year's draft due to concerns about his motor and effectiveness outside the paint. Well, Edey certainly stood out when shooting on the court with one of the first groups on Monday. Next to Sarr and other big men, Edey was burying triples with a somewhat unorthodox shooting form, but it worked for him. There can't be any complaints or mishaps with his size either, as the Purdue product came in at 7'3.5″ without shoes.
In total, Edey went 18-of-30 on shooting off the dribble, looking confident and collected with his jumper. He also looked really good in his movement when shooting from the three-point line.
It is not expected that Edey will scrimmage during the combine. However, he may not need to anymore, as Edey proved to be somewhat of a weapon outside of the paint during his shooting drills on Monday. Stock in the Boilermaker is certainly increasing after what he showcased.
*Zach Edey is projected to go 31st overall to the Toronto Raptors in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Mock Draft 1.0; He is ranked 30th overall in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Big Board 1.0.
G Reed Sheppard – Kentucky – Freshman
Two things can really help a guard during the pre-draft process at the NBA Draft Combine — Shooting and a great vertical leap. Well, Reed Sheppard blew expectations out of the water on Monday when he measured a 42-inch max vertical leap, the best out of all prospects in attendance. The show didn't stop here for Shepard.
The Kentucky product then went on to light the hoop on fire with his three-point shooting. Already known for his perimeter scoring abilities, Sheppard may have drawn the attention of the San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons, two teams at No. 4 and No. 5 overall that will be considering a sharpshooter like himself.
*Reed Sheppard is projected to go 5th overall to the Detroit Pistons in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Mock Draft 1.0; He is ranked 9th overall in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Big Board 1.0.
G Jared McCain – Duke – Freshman
Duke players are always put under the microscope because of the history that program brings to the NBA. This year, Jared McCain is the unexpected top-rated prospect for the Blue Devils after a stellar rookie campaign. Aside from being a solid playmaker at the point guard position, McCain is out to prove that he is the best perimeter shooter in this class.
When you go 19-of-25 from deep, you are going to draw the attention of scouts in attendance at the NBA Draft Combine! McCain, like Sheppard, was on fire from the perimeter, and he may have locked himself in to be a top-five guard in this draft class. There are several teams that could use a poised shooter like McCain right now.
*Jared McCain is projected to go 15th overall to the Miami Heat in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Mock Draft 1.0; He is ranked 13th overall in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Big Board 1.0.
F Dalton Knecht – Tennessee – Senior
The top-rated senior in this year's draft class is Dalton Knecht from Tennessee. While there have been some discrepancies with where Knecht should end up in the draft, scouts and executives were caught off guard by his measurements and speed.
In addition to having a 39-inch max vertical leap, one of the best at this year's combine, Knecht was able to display his quickness during the Pro Lane agility test, according to ESPN's Jonathan Givony. There is a lot to like about Knecht after his Day 1 performance at the NBA Draft Combine.
*Dalton Knecht is projected to go 12th overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Mock Draft 1.0; He is ranked 12th overall in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Big Board 1.0.
F Alex Karaban – Sophomore – UConn
Perhaps my favorite player from Day 1 at the NBA Draft Combine and a prospect that is flying under the radar is Alex Karaban from UConn. If he goes back to college, Karaban will be a sure-thing first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. However, his shooting display and athleticism from the NBA Draft Combine may have some teams at the end of the first round raising some eyebrows.
Karaban made 21-of-25 three-point shots in spot-shooting drills, as well as hitting 14 straight at one point, according to Givony.
Although Donovan Clingan and Stephon Castle are the UConn Huskies attracting the most attention in the lottery, Karaban has definitely showcased that he can be a stretch forward that can light things up from three-point range. Keep an eye on his status heading into the scrimmages on Tuesday, as Karaban can make a lot of money for himself this week.
*Alex Karaban is projected to go 47th overall to the Orlando Magic in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Mock Draft 1.0; He is ranked 51st overall in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Big Board 1.0.
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