The 2024 NBA Draft Combine officially began on Monday, with almost every single prospect in this year's draft being put through various agility and shooting tests. From measurements to speed analysis to seeing the prospects up close, this was the first real time that scouts and executives have seen some of these players since they finished their respective seasons in college or overseas. While these measurements and numbers always tend to create a bigger deal than they are, the main focus of the combine now shifts to Day 2 of the NBA Draft Combine on Tuesday, when the scrimmages take place and winners are established.
The first day of the combine saw Bronny James, Zach Edey, and Alex Sarr impressing the most due to their speed and agility testing. For Edey, he impressed everyone with his shooting display from the perimeter, a trait not many knew he had in him. Reed Sheppard, Dalton Knecht, and some others ended up being the biggest winners from Day 1 at the NBA Draft Combine.
Every year, draft prospects make a name for themselves in the scrimmages at the combine. In 2022, Jalen Williams ended up solidifying his status as a lottery pick because of what he did in live-game situations. Brandin Podziemski and Ben Sheppard locked themselves in as first-round prospects with their performances last year. The fact of the matter is that playing in the scrimmages can absolutely change a player's projection heading into June's draft.
Although Bronny didn't take advantage of his opportunities during the scrimmages on Tuesday, the following players did.
G/F Baylor Scheierman – Creighton – Senior
There is no doubt that Baylor Scheierman was the best player on the floor in the first scrimmage played on Tuesday. The Creighton product finished with 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting, 3-of-6 from three-point range, and he added eight rebounds to his name in 26 minutes of play. Scheierman also had three steals in what turned out to be a fast-paced game with a handful of turnovers.
What is special about these scrimmages is that guys like Scheierman, who entered the NBA Draft Combine as a projected second-round pick, can work their way up into first-round consideration. Scheierman is one of those prospects that everyone is going to want to see more of heading into the second day of scrimmages, and he certainly has an opportunity to prove that he is a first-round prospect.
Between his shooting abilities on the wing and his shot-making ability, Scheierman was the biggest winner of Day 2 at the NBA Draft Combine.
*Baylor Scheierman is projected to go 40th overall to the Portland Trail Blazers in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Mock Draft 1.0; He is ranked 43rd overall in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Big Board 1.0.
C Adem Bona – UCLA – Sophomore
One big man that has flown under the radar in this draft class is Adem Bona from UCLA. Although he may be smaller than the likes of Donovan Clingan and Alex Sarr at the top of the draft board, Bona is a very strong defender who has a knack for being in the right spot, especially on defense. In just under 20 minutes of play, Bona had six points, five rebounds, and two assists. However, he did have six fouls as a result of his aggressive style of play on defense.
Right now, Bona projects to be a second-round pick who could go anywhere from the early 30s to later in the 40s. He has definitely helped his draft stock by displaying defensive intensity, a trait teams often look for in rotational big men on their bench. Bona also measured in with a 7-foot-3.75 wingspan on Monday, which has scouts taking a closer look at his overall production.
*Adem Bona is projected to go 46th overall to the Los Angeles Clippers in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Mock Draft 1.0; He is ranked 53rd overall in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Big Board 1.0.
G Jamal Shead – Houston – Senior
Known for his leadership at Houston, Jamal Shead was the standout performer in the second scrimmage at the NBA Draft Combine on Tuesday. Not only did he score 14 points and four assists in 25 minutes, but he also displayed fantastic two-way abilities as his team's lead guard. Shead can play with or without the ball in his hands, and he's going to be viewed as a spark of energy that teams can utilize on their bench.
Just because he is 6'0.25″ doesn't mean he can't make an impact in the NBA. Jose Alvarado stood out and made a name for himself during the 2021 NBA Draft Combine, despite being undersized. Shead is following in Alvarado's footsteps.
*Jamal Shead is projected to go undrafted in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Mock Draft 1.0; He is ranked 45th overall in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Big Board 1.0.
F Jonathan Mogbo – San Francisco – Junior
Not many are going to know about Jonathan Mogbo simply because nobody really watches the West Coast Conference unless St. Mary's and Gonzaga are playing. Mogbo is a workhorse on both ends of the floor that displayed great abilities to act as a point forward in a sense. He finished the first scrimmage of the day with four points, six rebounds, and four assists off the bench.
With a quick first step against other forwards and centers, Mogbo was able to get in the lane and break down the opposing defense on Tuesday. His passing is what really stood out, as did his 7'2″ wingspan when snatching rebounds. Keep an eye on Mogbo as he works his way into second-round consideration.
*Jonathan Mogbo is projected to go undrafted in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Mock Draft 1.0; He is ranked 72nd overall in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Big Board 1.0.
G KJ Simpson – Colorado – Junior
Another player that stood out in the first scrimmage on Tuesday was KJ Simpson. A lead guard from Colorado, Simpson was patient and really did a nice job leading his offense. There was one play in particular where he let his teammates clear out space on one end of the floor for him to attack his defender in a one-on-one situation, scoring with ease on an and-one layup.
During the opening day of the NBA Draft Combine, Simpson registered a 40.5″ max vertical leap. There is now discussion being had about Simpson potentially working his way into the 25-30 range at the end of the first round. Another solid performance in the scrimmages could see Simpson lock in this status.
*KJ Simpson is projected to go 56th overall to the Denver Nuggets in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Mock Draft 1.0; He is ranked 41st overall in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Big Board 1.0.
G Boogie Ellis – USC – Senior
After putting on a show at the G League Elite Camp and earning a call-up to the NBA Draft Combine, Boogie Ellie has turned some heads. All of the attention for USC guys is on Bronny James and Isaiah Collier, but Ellis stood out in the second scrimmage on Tuesday with 11 points, three made triples, and five rebounds in 19 minutes.
“I was the last person called in for the G League. I take every experience and everything as an opportunity. I've just been learning from my losses and treating them as lessons,” Ellis said during ESPN's broadcast of the NBA Draft Combine on Tuesday. “So you know, I am playing with a chip on my shoulder from here on out. I'm not supposed to be here. I was the last person called into the G League Elite Camp, so I am just going to continue to work, continue to get better, and stick to my routine… I'm willing to kick down any doors I have to kick down. I'm just grateful for the opportunity.”
Ellis is a really strong scorer who plays to his strengths. Most importantly, he has a really good head on his shoulders, which is a trait many teams take notice of.
*Boogie Ellis is projected to go undrafted in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Mock Draft 1.0; He is ranked 97th overall in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Big Board 1.0.
F Enrique Freeman – Akron – Senior
The scrimmage portion of the NBA Draft Combine is great for kids who don't go to high-major schools in college because they finally get their chance to be recognized by real NBA personnel. Enrique Freeman is another player who earned his NBA Draft Combine invite from the G League Elite camp, and he made the most of his opportunities by dropping 17 points, four rebounds, two triples, and two steals in the second scrimmage on Tuesday.
Freeman displayed excellent patience when setting screens, and his roll to the rim was extremely smooth. It was no coincidence that he ended up with 17 points in his scrimmage.
*Enrique Freeman is projected to go undrafted in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Mock Draft 1.0; He is not ranked in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Big Board 1.0.
G Ajay Mitchell – UC Santa Barbara – Junior
Ajay Mitchell looks like the perfect backup point guard for any NBA team needing some extra backcourt depth. The junior from UC Santa Barbara looked sound, he didn't rush his decisions, and he simply looked very mature with the ball in his hands compared to other guards who were clearly nervous during the scrimmage.
As a second-round prospect right now, Mitchell's stock is certainly rising due to his IQ and playmaking abilities as a primary ball handler.
*Ajay Mitchell is projected to go 49th overall to the Indiana Pacers in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Mock Draft 1.0; He is ranked 36th overall in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Big Board 1.0.
F Dillon Jones – Weber State – Senior
Several years ago, a guy by the name of Damian Lillard put Weber State Basketball on the map after being selected sixth overall in the 2012 NBA Draft. Dillon Jones is by no means Lillard, but he has the intangible traits to be the next-best thing to come from Weber State. At the NBA Draft Combine on Tuesday, Jones finished with 10 points, nine rebounds, and three assists in roughly 23 minutes off the bench.
Jones is a solid shooter, and he is very aggressive when hunting rebounds. His versatility at the forward position is what really stood out.
*Dillon Jones is projected to go 43rd overall to the Miami Heat in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Mock Draft 1.0; He is ranked 50th overall in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Big Board 1.0.
G Trentyn Flowers – USA (Adelaide 36ers – NBL)
Trentyn Flowers is a great athlete. That was on display when he soared high for an alley-oop during the second scrimmage on Tuesday. Once a top recruit coming out of high school, Flowers elected to play overseas in the NBL for the Adelaide 36ers. There, he displayed great instincts as a cutter on offense and a shooting guard who could develop terrific two-way tendencies.
At the NBA Draft Combine, Flowers continued to display these same traits by moving well off the ball and disrupting passing lanes with his quickness and length. Flowers measured in at 6'6.5″ with a 6'8.25″ wingspan. He has suddenly become a prospect moving up draft boards, and it wouldn't be surprising to hear chatter about Flowers being a first-round or early second-round prospect as the draft approaches.
*Trentyn Flowers is projected to go undrafted in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Mock Draft 1.0; He is ranked 76th overall in ClutchPoints' 2024 NBA Big Board 1.0.
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