Table of Contents
The first round of the 2024 NBA Draft is already in the books, with Frenchman Zaccharie Risacher going number one against the Atlanta Hawks.
Which teams landed? Which one isn’t? Here are the complete first-round draft grades from Yahoo Sports.
1. Atlanta Hawks: Zaccharie Risacher, SF
Grade A
Risacher’s combination of length and defensive versatility on the wing makes him a player who can take on any situation and contribute immediately. He is more than just a catch-and-shoot threat and has shown to improve as a facilitator when his shot isn’t falling.
Grade A
This was Sarr’s preferred landing spot and he can come in right away and provide some relief on defense with how well he protects the rim. On offense, he has a fluid pick-and-pop jumper with the potential to extend beyond the 3-point line.
Grade A
Sheppard shot over 52% from 3-point range on 3.5 attempts per game and will be more of a combo guard at the NBA level. He’s a bit undersized at 6-foot-2, but has a high IQ and a solid floor when it comes to a skilled young guard coming into the NBA.
Grade A
Castle was one of the best defensive guards in college basketball during his year at UConn and showed off a much better three-point shot during the pre-draft process. He has potential as an elite two-way player in the NBA and can help anchor the defense alongside Victor Wembanyama.
Grade B
Holland averaged 19.5 points and 6.7 rebounds in the G League this season for the Ignite. Although he can be prone to turnovers at times, his size at 6-foot-8 and his explosion off the dribble and in transition still give him room to grow in the NBA at just 18 years old. His off-ball movement needs some work and at times he clogs up the lane with his attempts to get to the rim.
Grade: B+
Salaun has solid size at the wing position at 6-foot-9 and has really become more than just a catch-and-shoot threat along the perimeter. He worked last season to add muscle to his frame and his physicality in lane improved while playing for Cholet in the LNB Pro A league.
Grade A
Clingan has all the tools to be a long-term starting center in the NBA and moves well for his 7-foot-2 size. He is more than just a great rim runner and can throw many different options in the pick-and-roll, whether it be sliding, rolling to the basket, pinning his man, or jumping for a jumper.
Grade B
Dillingham is one of the best defenders with the ball in his hands and can get down and pressure the rim. There’s no doubt he’ll be electric in Minnesota, but his size at 6-foot-2, 164 pounds is concerning for a top shooting guard in the NBA.
Grade: D
Edey can come in right away as a backup center and has the best post game of any center in the draft, averaging 25.2 points and 12.2 rebounds per game last season. His limitations are in the pick-and-roll, where only 8% of his successful baskets came in that set, and defensively he does not have the foot speed to protect the change, which forces him to be more of a center of fall coverage.
Grade A
Williams is one of the best defensive ends in this class because of how well he can guard the 1-4 positions and has great drop coverage on the switch. He needs to get stronger with the ball, but at 19 he is further along in his development than his brother, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams, was at his age.
Grade A-
Buzelis shot under 30% from 3-point range during his lone season with the Ignite, but he has great size (6-foot-9) and the ability to space the floor. He’s comfortable taking players off the dribble and has good footwork and ball skills on dribble handoffs on the wing.
Grade B
Topic suffered a partial tear of his ACL and will have to be patient with his recovery. He is one of the best passers in this draft class, averaging 5.5 assists per game in Serbia and has good size at the point guard position at 6-foot-6.
Grade A-
Carter skyrocketed draft boards during the pre-draft process for his strong performance during the combine (42 inches max vertical and broke the combined record for the 3/4 court sprint). He is a tough point guard who is excellent at turning defense into offense and is one of the best rebounding point guards.
14. Washington Wizards (via Blazers): Carlton Carrington, G
Grade A-
Carrington experienced a late growth spurt and is now closer to 6-foot-5 as a point guard, making him a late draft pick. He still has tremendous upside at 18 years old and can slot in right away with his quick pace and decent shot creation in the pick-and-roll.
Grade: B+
Ware really made a leap of improvement from his freshman year at Oregon to his sophomore season at Indiana, showing more potential as a big pick-and-roll player while putting pressure on the rim. His athleticism helps him protect the perimeter on the switch and he has improved his ball handling, starting the break with missed shots.
Grade A
McCain is one of the best shooters in this draft, shooting 41.8% from 3-point range and shooting brilliantly at the combine against all NBA executives and scouts. Even though he’s undersized (6-foot-3, 197 pounds), Philadelphia knows exactly what it’s getting out of him as a reliable shooter who competes at a high level.
Grade: A+
Knecht was the SEC’s leading scorer, averaging 21.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game at Tennessee. He’s one of the older players in the first round at 23 years old, but he can be a plug-and-play guy right away, contributing with his size and three-level scoring.
Grade A-
The senior forward shot 40% from 3-point range and has the potential to be that hybrid four in the NBA with his solid inside-outside game and how well he gets to his spots off the pick-and option. -roll.
Grade: B+
Walter has solid size for a 6-foot-5 guard and showed more promise off the rebound during his year at Baylor. His three-point shot was a bit inconsistent during his first season at Baylor, but the spacing in the NBA will allow him to pursue better, higher-percentage shots.
Grade A-
Tyson was one of the Pac-12’s best scorers and can do a little bit of everything very well. He is strong on the ball, cuts well and finishes through contact, but his mobility in defense and his ability to keep players in front still needs some work.
Grade: B+
Missi still has plenty of room to grow after his year at Baylor, but the flashes he showed defending the block and running the floor well in transition scream upside as a top rim rusher in the NBA at 7 feet.
Grade: B+
Holmes could potentially be that big hybrid with his polished interior scoring and improving his shot selection from behind the arc, averaging 38.6% from 3-point range.
Grade: B+
Johnson’s upside as a 6-foot-5 combo guard is very intriguing, and he’s a player who’s been in the gym working out with Rockets guard Jalen Green since eighth grade. They have similar mannerisms as playmakers, and Johnson is still just as raw a prospect, but he could end up being one of the best players in this draft two or three years from now.
24. Washington Wizards (via Knicks): Kyshawn George, SG
Grade A
George experienced a late growth spurt two years ago and ballooned from 6ft 3in to 6-8in. He still passes as a point guard but plays more on the perimeter. His three-point shooting is most intriguing, shooting 41% from three off the bench during his year in Miami.
Grade: B+
Dadiet is one of the youngest players in the draft, he is still 18 years old and will be a draft development project and reserve for the Knicks. His 6-foot-8 size and strength along the perimeter is what first stands out when he plays, and he’s showing more signs as a balanced playmaker from the wing, ending his season in Germany for Ratiopharm Ulm on a high note. .
26. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Wizards): Dillon Jones, PF
Grade B-
Jones does a lot of little things very well, which is why the Thunder made moves to land him. Jones reads the game carefully, dictates the pace and plays to his advantage.
Grade A
Shannon is a three-level scorer who has improved his 3-point shot throughout his college career, finishing his senior season at Illinois shooting 36.2% from deep. He is an older, experienced 23-year-old guard who can come in right away and contribute for Minnesota.
28. Phoenix Suns (via Nuggets): Ryan Dunn
Grade B
Dunn was the best perimeter defender in college basketball this season at 6-foot-8 and averaging 2.3 blocks and just under two steals per game during his sophomore season at Virginia. The biggest hole in his game is his 3-point shot, where he only hit 20% of his attempts from deep last season.
Grade A-
The fact that Collier fell so far in the draft after entering this past college season as the No. 1 recruit out of high school is shocking. The biggest gap in his game is his outside jump shot and his turnovers during his year at USC. Where he does stand out is in the open court and he has great body control around the rim. With the spacing and pace of the NBA game, he could be a bargain for the Jazz.
Grade A
Scheierman’s shot creation and size as a perimeter player is what skyrocketed him in the first round. He is a four-year player out of Creighton and averaged 18.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game as a senior.
