The only certainty in the NBA draft used to be a college freshman at the top of it. From John Wall in 2010 to Paolo Banchero in 2022, 13 straight drafts began with a one-and-done college player. That streak ended last year, when San Antonio selected Victor Wembanyama with the No. 1 pick.Another Frenchman, Alexandre Sarr or Zaccharie Risacher, could be the top pick in the June 26 draft. If so, it would be the first time that the No. 1 pick in consecutive drafts was someone who didn’t play at a U.S. college.Then the one-and-dones will have the chance to make their mark. Reed Sheppard, a sharpshooter from Kentucky, and Big East freshman of the year Stephon Castle from national champion UConn could be top-five picks after their lone seasons.1. Hawks: Alexandre Sarr, C, France. Sarr doesn’t have the all-around skills of Wembanyama, but then no one really does. He’s still extremely talented, an athletic 7-footer who can wreck rims and the hopes of opposing shooters.2. Wizards: Zaccharie Risacher, F, France. Many NBA mock drafts have Risacher going No. 1 — and for good reason. The 6-foot-9 forward has the skills of a guard and should be a perfect fit for today’s NBA.3. Rockets: Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky. The Rockets need shooters and Sheppard is certainly that. The 6-3 guard may be the best shooter in the draft.UConn’s Donovan Clingan , left, and Stephon Castle, center, team up to defend a Stetson player in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament at Barclays Center on March 22, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)4. Spurs: Stephon Castle, G, UConn. The Huskies were loaded with talented players in their title defense last season and Castle had no trouble fitting in as a freshman. The 6-6 guard is a solid playmaker who can get his own shot and is a hard-nosed defender.5. Pistons: Matas Buzelis, F, G League Ignite. Buzelis bypassed college basketball to play in the G League and improved his draft status by gaining muscle while rounding out his game. The 6-8 forward is an excellent playmaker who can see over defenders and finishes strong at the rim in transition.6. Hornets: Donovan Clingan, C, UConn. Clingan’s a proven winner as the massive anchor to UConn’s back-to-back NCAA titles. Though he doesn’t fit the NBA mold of a perimeter-shooting big man, the 7-2, 280-pounder is a load for opponents.7. Trail Blazers: Rob Dillingham, G, Kentucky. Portland was last in the NBA in 3-point percentage last season and Dillingham’s 44% mark in his lone season at Kentucky was nearly 10 points higher than the Blazers’ percentage.8. Spurs: Nikola Topic, G, Serbia. At 6-6, Topic is a superb passer with great vision and size to see over defenders. He also has the strength to get into the lane and can finish strong at the rim.9. Grizzlies: Dalton Knecht, G, Tennessee. A knockdown shooter, Knecht could be a great complement to Ja Morant. The 6-6 shooting guard is superb at shooting off screens.10. Jazz: Tidjane Salaun, F, France. Salaun can make it three French players as lottery picks in this year’s draft. The 6-9 forward fits the NBA style of play.11. Bulls: Cody Williams, G, Colorado. He’s a thin 6-8, but has the size and athleticism to shoot over or get around defenders.12. Thunder: Ron Holland, F, G League Unite. Holland could end up being the best defensive forward in the draft. At 6-7 he has a nose for the ball defensively — he averaged more than two steals a game in the G League.13. Kings: Devin Carter, G, Providence. The 6-3 guard has a massive wingspan and vertical leap, which helped allow him make a big jump from 13 points to 19.7 last season.14. Trail Blazers: Ja’Kobe Walter, G, Baylor. At 6-5 he’s not shy in putting it up from 3 for the Bears as a freshman, taking more than four a game while shooting 34%.15. Heat: Isaiah Collier, G, USC. While Bronny James got much of the hype in Southern California, Collier was the higher-rated prospect out of high school. Once projected as a lottery pick, his draft stock took a bit of a hit during an inconsistent lone season with the Trojans.16. 76ers: Jared McCain, G, Duke. He was Duke’s toughest competitor during his lone season in Durham and is an elite shooter who could fit in on any team.17. Lakers: Kel’el Ware, C, Indiana. The 7-footer with a 7-5 wingspan has the length and game to have an immediate impact in the NBA.18. Magic: Carlton Carrington, G, Pittsburgh. The player known as “Bub” gets buckets in bunches and loves the pull-up J. The 6-4 guard has good size to play point guard.19. Raptors: Zach Edey, C, Purdue. Even with a lack of mobility and perimeter shooting, Edey was still the first repeat AP national player of the year since Ralph Sampson.20: Cavaliers: Tristan da Silva, F, Colorado. Any team could use a steady, do-it-all type of player and da Silva is just that.21. Pelicans: Tyler Smith, F, G League Ignite. Smith has a long reach and ability to stretch the defense, shooting 36% from 3-point range last season.22. Suns: Tyler Kolek, G, Marquette. The Suns have plenty of firepower led by Kevin Durant and Devin Booker but could use a true point guard to help get them organized.23. Bucks: Yves Missi, C, Baylor. A high-motor 6-11 forward, he is a rim runner and shot blocker who didn’t even attempt a 3-pointer last season.24: Knicks: Kyle Filipowski, C, Duke. The sturdy 6-11 center may not be an elite rim protector or a consistent 3-point shooter, but he has good footwork and plays hard.25. Knicks: DaRon Holmes II, F, Dayton: The 6-9 forward is good in the pick-and-roll game and a strong finisher at the rim. Holmes has improved his outside shooting.26. Wizards: Johnny Furphy, G, Kansas. The 6-8 Australian has a smooth shooting stroke and gets his shot off quickly.27. Timberwolves: Kyshawn George, G, Miami. At 6-8, George has good size and is a knockdown shooter who hit 41% from 3 in his lone season for the Hurricanes.28. Nuggets: Jaylon Tyson, F, California. The 6-6 guard has good size, finishes strong at the rim and is a decent perimeter shooter.29. Jazz: Bobi Klintman, F, Wake Forest. 6-9 stretch forward from Sweden has good length, both physically and shooting ability. Klintman moves more like a guard and is a good passer for a big man.30. Celtics: Bronny James, G, USC. Bronny James has an incredible feel for the game after learning from his father and has a solid 6-4 frame. He had a so-so freshman season at USC, but has the potential to be a solid pro.This NBA Mock Draft was compiled by Associated Press NBA writers Brian Mahoney and John Marshall.
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