Tag: 2024 NBA Draft

Meet Yongxi Cui, the player aiming to be the first Chinese draft pick since 2016

G League Elite Camp attendee Yongxi ‘Jacky’ Cui has followed an interesting development pathway leading up to the 2024 NBA Draft. He aims to become the first Chinese prospect drafted since Zhou Qi and Wang Zhelin in 2016. Cui just completed his …

G League Elite Camp attendee Yongxi ‘Jacky’ Cui has followed an interesting development pathway leading up to the 2024 NBA Draft. He aims to become the first Chinese prospect drafted since Zhou Qi and Wang Zhelin in 2016. Cui just completed his second season in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), where he posted averages of 15.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.5 spg on 46.1 FG% and 36.5 3P%.

Before joining the CBA and becoming one of China’s top prospects, he attended the NBA Global Academy in Australia. Chris Ebersole, the Head of International Basketball Development at the NBA, worked directly with Jacky Cui during his time in Australia. He shared his experience coaching and working with Cui with HoopsHype.

“He was really, truly like cracking jokes,” Ebersole said about Cui’s personality. “I just thought he was so impressive, willing to make mistakes and take risks. Everybody, from our staff to all his teammates, thinks so highly of him because of that.”

Ebersole emphasized that Cui has always prioritized making the right play but now understands his skill level and realizes that to impact winning, he needs to focus on expanding his offensive game.

“He’s got really good feet and plays super hard,” Ebersole said about Cui’s best skill being defense. “Those ingredients, for both on-ball defense and off-ball positioning, serve him well.”

Projected second-round pick KJ Simpson to remain in 2024 NBA draft

Colorado junior KJ Simpson will reportedly forgo his remaining college eligibility and stay in the 2024 NBA draft.

Colorado junior KJ Simpson will reportedly forgo his remaining college eligibility and stay in the 2024 NBA draft, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.

Simpson was named to the All-Pac-12 first team after averaging 19.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.6 steals on 43.4% shooting from 3-point range. He set single-season program records for free-throw percentage (87.6), minutes (1,298) and double-digit-scoring games (35).

The 6-foot-1 guard was the only player in a Power Five conference to average at least 19 points, five rebounds and four assists this past season. He ranked second in the Pac-12 in scoring and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.2) and third in assists.

Simpson has capitalized on a strong predraft process after emerging as one of the standouts at the combine this month in Chicago, Illinois. He played with great control, averaging 13.5 points, five rebounds and two assists in two scrimmage games.

The 21-year-old is considered a potential second-round pick. He is highly touted as a scorer, given his burst and ability to finish at the rim, and he has shown some flashes on defense. He registered the seventh-highest max vertical jump at the combine (40 1/2 inches).

Simpson has worked out with the Denver Nuggets so far in the predraft process. He will continue to schedule other team visits, especially those in his draft range.

The 2024 NBA draft will take place June 26-27 in New York City.

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Woj: USC freshman Bronny James to forgo eligibility, remain in NBA draft

Former USC guard Bronny James will forgo his remaining college eligibility and remain in the 2024 NBA draft.

Former USC guard Bronny James will forgo his remaining college eligibility and remain in the 2024 NBA draft, his agent, Rich Paul, told Adrian Wojnarowski and Jonathan Givony of ESPN.

James announced on April 5 that he would test the draft and enter the NCAA transfer portal after one season with the Trojans. He participated in the draft combine in Chicago, Illinois, and the Klutch Sports Group pro day this month in Los Angeles, California.

He measured in at 6 feet, 1 1/2 inches barefoot with a 6-foot, 7 1/4-inch wingspan at the combine and averaged 8.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, one assist and one steal in two scrimmages. He shot 19-of-25 in the 3-point star drill and registered the sixth-best max vertical (40 1/2 inches).

James was cleared by a fitness-to-play panel this month after he was diagnosed with an “anatomically and functionally significant congenital heart defect” last year. He was sidelined for four months after a cardiac arrest in July and eventually debuted with the Trojans on Dec. 10.

The 19-year-old averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists on 36.6% shooting from the field in 25 games. He scored in double figures three times, including a season-high 15 points and three assists on Dec. 30 in a loss to Oregon State.

James is expected to be selective with his predraft workouts and is only scheduled to visit the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns. Paul told ESPN they are open to landing with any team, depending on the development plan, opportunity and other factors.

The 2024 NBA draft will take place June 26-27 in New York City.

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Trey Alexander: NBA draft scouting report

2003 | 6’3 | 6’10 WS | 187 LBS Team: Creighton Agency: Wasserman Best aggregate mock draft rank : 32 / Worst rank: NR 2023-24 stats: In 2023-24, Alexander averaged 17.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 0.4 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game. He shot …

2003 | 6’3 | 6’10 WS | 187 LBS

Team: Creighton

Agency: Wasserman

Best aggregate mock draft rank: 32 / Worst rank: NR

2023-24 stats:

In 2023-24, Alexander averaged 17.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 0.4 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game. He shot 44.6 percent from the field, 33.9 percent from three, and 82.4 percent from the foul line.

Ariel Hukporti: NBA draft scouting report

2002 | 7’0 | 7’2.5 WS | 249 LBS Team: Riesen Ludwigsburg (Germany) Agency: Wasserman Best aggregate mock draft rank : 50 / Worst rank: NR 2023-24 stats: In 2023-24, Hukporti averaged 8.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 0.8 assists, and 0.5 steals …

2002 | 7’0 | 7’2.5 WS | 249 LBS

Team: Riesen Ludwigsburg (Germany)

Agency: Wasserman

Best aggregate mock draft rank: 50 / Worst rank: NR

2023-24 stats:

In 2023-24, Hukporti averaged 8.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 0.8 assists, and 0.5 steals per game. He shot 57.1 percent from the field and 62.5 percent from the foul line.

Sion James transfers to Duke after withdrawing from 2024 NBA draft

Former Tulane guard Sion James has reportedly withdrawn from the 2024 NBA draft and will transfer to Duke.

Former Tulane guard Sion James has reportedly withdrawn from the 2024 NBA draft and will transfer to Duke, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.

James declared for the draft on April 9 while maintaining his final year of college eligibility. He participated in predraft workouts with the Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies before pulling his name from consideration.

The four-star prospect also entered the transfer portal last month after four years with the Green Wave. He was the No. 65 overall player and 11th-ranked shooting guard on the market, according to 247Sports. He signed with the Blue Devils on May 13.

James averaged 14 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.6 steals on 38.1% shooting from 3-point range. He registered six 20-point games, including a season-high 28 points and 10 rebounds on March 14 in a loss to North Texas in the American Athletic Conference Tournament.

The 21-year-old emerged as a vocal leader and a workhorse on the court, ranking 13th in the country in minutes per game (36.7). He will provide the Blue Devils with veteran experience and leadership, traits that were commended by head coach Jon Scheyer.

The Blue Devils have the top-ranked class in 2024, led by top-25 prospects Cooper Flagg (No. 1), Khaman Maluach (No. 4) and Isaiah Evans (No. 13). They also add Cameron Sheffield (Rice), Mason Gillis (Purdue) and Maliq Brown (Syracuse) via the transfer portal.

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Will Ron Holland be available to be drafted when the Chicago Bulls select at No. 11 overall?

Should Chicago fans look to other, more attainable talents to draft at No. 11?

Will Ron Holland be available to be drafted when the Chicago Bulls select at No. 11 overall in the 2024 NBA draft? For some time, the Duncanville High School graduate and G League forward was projected to go roughly in the Bulls’ late lottery range.

But a solid end to his season and a good showing at the NBA’s 2024 Draft combine has seen Holland’s stock soar, with the 18-year-old swingman flirting with a top five selection in his more optimistic believers. Could this interest fade as time goes on and scouts get to know the other prospects better? Or should Chicago fans look to other, more attainable talents to draft at No. 11?

The hosts of the “CHGO Bulls” podcast took a closer look on a recent episode of their show.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say about the odds of Holland on the Bulls.

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Former San Diego State star Lamont Butler to withdraw from draft, transfer to Kentucky

Former San Diego State guard Lamont Butler has reportedly withdrawn from the 2024 NBA draft and will transfer to Kentucky.

Former San Diego State senior Lamont Butler has reportedly withdrawn from the 2024 NBA draft and will transfer to Kentucky, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.

Butler declared for the draft on April 5 while maintaining his remaining college eligibility. He also opted to enter the transfer portal after four years with San Diego State and announced on April 27 that he had committed to head coach Mark Pope at Kentucky.

The 21-year-old was the second player since 1997 with at least 1,000 career points, 330 assists, 300 rebounds and 175 steals for the program. He finished ranked fifth in steals (183), 10th in assists (338) and 12th in games (131).

Butler was named the 2024 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year after averaging 9.3 points, three assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals on 42.1% shooting from the field in 37 games. He also left the program as a three-time all-defensive team selection.

The 6-foot-2 guard will join the inaugural class at Kentucky under Pope. The team also added Ansley Almonor (Fairleigh Dickinson), Kerr Kriisa (West Virginia), Koby Brea (Dayton) and Brandon Garrison (Oklahoma State), among others, via the transfer portal.

Pope signed a five-year contract last month to succeed John Calipari as the Wildcats’ head coach. The contract is reportedly worth $27.5 million, starting at $5 million next season.

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Report: San Francisco junior Jonathan Mogbo to remain in 2024 NBA draft

Mogbo was named to the All-ACC first team this past season after averaging 14.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals.

San Francisco junior Jonathan Mogbo will reportedly remain in the 2024 NBA draft after one season with the Dons, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN.

Mogbo was named to the All-WCC first team after averaging 14.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals on 63.6% shooting from the field. He ranked 10th in the country in field-goal percentage and was one of 16 players to average a double-double.

The 6-foot-7 forward was named the West Coast Conference Newcomer of the Year. He registered five 20-point games, including a season-high 30 points, 18 rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block on Jan. 4 in a win over Pacific.

Mogbo is rising up draft boards and is projected to be a second-round pick after impressing at the combine in Chicago, Illinois. He averaged 3.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and two steals in two scrimmage games, and had the fifth-fastest three-quarter sprint (3.02 seconds).

The 22-year-old is highly touted as a scorer, given his ability to handle the ball and finish at the rim. He is athletic and projects to be a good rim-roller and lob threat. His size and 7-foot, 2-inch wingspan allow him to rebound and defend multiple positions.

Mogbo has participated in several predraft workouts with teams, including the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans. He will likely continue to visit teams, especially those in his draft range.

The 2024 NBA draft will take place June 26-27 in New York City.

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Report: With No. 3 pick, Rockets to remain active in trade talks until NBA draft night

Michael Scotto on the Rockets: “The No. 3 pick will be discussed in trade talks leading up to draft night, league sources told HoopsHype.”

After some great lottery luck, the Rockets own the No. 3 selection in the 2024 NBA draft. However, Houston already has a roster filled with young talent, including a pair of rotation players selected in each of the previous three first-round classes.

And after a 41-41 campaign with year-on-year growth of 19 wins (most of any NBA team), general manager Rafael Stone and head coach Ime Udoka want to be in the postseason mix come 2025.

So, does Houston want to add another young player that could take time to develop? Or, might that No. 3 pick be used as part of a deal to acquire a veteran that could help win more games now?

Michael Scotto, who covers the NBA for HoopsHype, writes in his latest aggregate mock draft that trade talks involving the Rockets will remain active leading up to the June 26 draft.

Scotto reports:

The Houston Rockets are transitioning to a win-now mode and looking to take the next step to become a playoff team after significant progress from their young core under coach Ime Udoka.

The No. 3 pick — one of five potential first-round picks the Rockets can trade this offseason in a package to land a star player — will be discussed in trade talks leading up to draft night, league sources told HoopsHype.

Should a deal not materialize, Scotto says the Rockets could select from several guards, including former Kentucky teammates Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham, Nikola Topic and Stephon Castle. Or, Houston could select Matas Buzelis, who can play both forward spots.

Scotto is less bullish on the potential of the Rockets drafting Connecticut center Donovan Clingan, saying “it’s hard to imagine a world where (Alperen) Sengun and Clingan play together when they occupy the same position.” Sengun is Houston’s starting center.

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