Tag: NBA Mock Draft

Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski to playoff teams in latest USA TODAY Sports NBA mock draft

Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski both went to teams who reached the a recent NBA Finals in a new USA TODAY Sports mock draft.

USA TODAY Sports released a new NBA mock draft on Tuesday morning with Jeff Zillgitt and Scooby Axson pairing prospects with their professional destinations. The duo included both Blue Devils on the draft board and even assigned them both to recently successful playoff teams.

[autotag]Jared McCain[/autotag] went 15th overall to the Miami Heat and [autotag]Kyle Filipowski[/autotag] went 22nd overall to the Phoenix Suns.

McCain, the freshman who shot better than 40% from 3-point range last season, averaged 14.3 points per game in his debut collegiate season. At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, he’s marginally undersized, but his ability with the ball in his hands makes him a potent weapon anyway.

The projection paired him with Miami stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, and the Heat won the Eastern Conference in both 2020 and 2023.

Filipowski, the 7-foot sophomore who made the Second Team All-American squad last season, averaged 16.4 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. He also offers some offensive versatility with 2.8 assists and a 34.8% clip from long range.

“A low-post big who uses his size, strength and athleticism,” Zillgitt and Axson wrote. “He can step outside and hit 3s and go to the bucket for dunks and layups.”

The Suns made the Finals in 2021 and have since added future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant and three-time All-Star Bradley Beal.

Both respective fits were listed as one of Duke Wire’s ideal destinations for the duo. McCain’s five best fits can be found here while Filipowski’s can be read here.

The latest 2024 NBA mock draft from USA TODAY has Zaccherie Risacher to the Hawks at No. 1

USA TODAY has this French prospect going at No. 1 overall.

The Atlanta Hawks have the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft but they are still reportedly in the information-gathering process.

In fact, per The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the Hawks “have been unable to bring in top prospects” for workouts so far. While there is potentially some interest in UConn’s Donovan Clingan, French prospects Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr are considered as the two most likely options for Atlanta.

Risacher and Sarr are widely viewed as the favorites for the No. 1 spot in this class, though in our first 2024 NBA mock draft after the lottery, we had Sarr as the first player off the board.

But in the latest mock draft from USA TODAY, however, Jeff Zillgitt and Scooby Axson predicted Risacher:

“Has the scoring ability, size, length, quickness and athleticism teams are seeking in today’s NBA. Quick release on catch-and-shoots, is able to create off the dribble and runs the court well.”

We still have a few weeks until Atlanta has to make a decision, and perhaps they could even trade the pick before it is all said and done.

Risacher, however, could give the Hawks a new identity if they choose to rebuild their roster or a fun complementary if they opt for building around Trae Young.

Make sure you check out our newest post-lottery mock draft, along with the official full draft order post-lottery.

Warriors add Akron’s Enrique Freeman in second round of latest BR mock draft

The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 18.6 points and 12.9 rebounds per game last season for the Akron Zips.

As the NBA Finals continue and the draft approaches, more mock drafts are beginning to be released with different predictions for the Golden State Warriors’ pick in the second round of the draft.

In the latest mock draft from Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman, the Warriors landed an intriguing and productive prospect out of Akron in the second round. With the No. 52 overall selection in the 2024 draft, Wasserman penciled Akron’s Enrique Freeman to the Warriors. According to Wasserman, Freeman was one of the most productive players during the scrimmage period at the NBA combine.

Via Bleacher Report:

The biggest riser of the predraft process so far, Enrique Freeman turned his Portsmouth Invitational play into a G League Elite Camp invite, where he earned a call-up to the NBA combine.

He wound up being one of the most productive players during scrimmages against projected second-round picks, impressing with his shooting range, post skill, finishing activity and rebounding.

Scouts believe he got himself drafted in Chicago. A second-round team will be willing to bet on his versatility, production at Akron and the story of a former walk-on.

Read Wasserman’s full mock draft here.

Freeman played five seasons at Akron, earning MAC Player of the Year last season with 18.6 points on 58.4% shooting from the field to go along with 12.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game as a senior. During the 2021-22 season as a sophomore, Freeman was also named MAC Defensive Player of the Year.

Freeman helped lead Akron to an NCAA Tournament berth in 2024. However, Akron was eliminated in the first round by the Creighton Blue Jays. Freeman tallied 21 points against Creighton in the round of 64.

The NBA draft is scheduled to begin with round one on June 25 in Brooklyn, New York. The second round will be the next day on June 26.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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Three Wildcats taken in first round of new NBA mock draft by CBS

Gary Parrish of CBS has three Kentucky basketball players in his first round NBA mock draft.

With the NBA draft quickly approaching, NBA mock drafts and prospect rankings are coming just as quickly. The latest one is from CBS writer Gary Parrish, who recently left Kentucky out of his top 25 preseason rankings.

Parrish has three Wildcats being selected in his latest first round projection. It’s the three most commonly mocked in round one, and he didn’t project round two.

Reed Sheppard – Pick #2, Washington Wizards

Maybe the best shooter in the entire draft, Sheppard is also a terrific passer and help defender. Parrish calls him his favorite prospect in the draft, and points out his diverse skill-set. He has become the favorite to be the first former Wildcat selected on draft night.

Rob Dillingham – Pick #13, Sacramento Kings

Dillingham might be the most exciting player in the draft, and one of the more exciting players in recent years. He can put up points in bunches, and has shown an ability to hit clutch shots. His lack of size and defensive struggles could cause him to fall a little bit.

Justin Edwards – Pick #25, New York Knicks

It was mostly a disappointing Freshman season at Kentucky for Edwards, but he did flash the potential he has from time to time. His upside is the draw for teams picking at the back half of round one. He could slip into round two if teams put more weight on his performance last season.

Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski each get new NBA locations in new Bleacher Report mock draft

Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman released a new two-round mock draft with pro comparisons on Friday. See where he put Duke’s two prospects here.

Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman released a two-round NBA mock draft on Friday, giving a professional comparison for each prospect in the process.

The longtime draft analyst paired both Duke prospects, sharpshooting guard [autotag]Jared McCain[/autotag] and sophomore 7-footer [autotag]Kyle Filipowski[/autotag], with NBA teams in the process. McCain went 15th overall to the Miami Heat, a popular draft destination for him, and Filipowski went 22nd to the Phoenix Suns.

McCain, whom Wasserman compared to Immanuel Quickley, lit the NBA Draft Combine on fire with a 3-point shooting showcase. He shot 41.4% from distance as a freshman.

“Shotmaking has and will always be what powers his offense and value,” Wasserman wrote. “But McCain’s effectiveness this year in ball-screen situations, using change of speed, footwork, crafty finishing and vision, point to more on-ball upside with his creativity and feel.”

The longtime writer compared Filipowski to Moritz Wagner and praised him as a potential depth for the team with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker after he averaged 2.8 assists per season as an All-American last year.

“His shooting range, post skill, improved finishing and passing and defensive mobility create versatility that should lock Filipowski into the late lottery/mid-first round,” Wasserman wrote.

Both players went to one of Duke Wire’s five best fits for them. McCain’s top five potential homes can be found here while Filipowski’s can be found here.

The latest 2024 NBA mock draft from The Ringer has Devin Carter with a reported promise

The Ringer reported that Devin Carter may have a first-round guarantee.

Providence Friars guard Devin Carter is one of the players who has improved his reputation the most during the pre-draft process so far.

Carter is one of the most NBA-ready, versatile prospects in this class and he is potentially ready to make a positive impact right away once he turns pro. Although he is already one of the older players among those projected in the first round, Carter would fit in very well on a team looking to win sooner than later.

In our first 2024 NBA mock draft after the lottery, we had Carter heading to the New York Knicks because we felt that he was an ideal fit with head coach Tom Thibodeau. But in the latest mock draft from The Ringer, NBA writer Kevin O’Connor had the Big East Player of the Year going much higher.

Here is what he wrote about Carter, who may have received a “promise” from a team selecting in the lottery of the 2024 NBA Draft:

“League sources say that Devin Carter has received a promise somewhere in the lottery. Could that team be the Bulls? Carter would be a great fit next to Coby White as a lockdown defender who can thrive with or without the ball on offense. Plus, DeMar DeRozan could leave in free agency, where he would fit with the Clippers if Paul George were to sign elsewhere, so there’d be an immediate minutes void that Carter could fill.”

His max vertical leap (42″) and standing vertical leap (35″) were both among the best among all participants at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine.

Not only was his lane agility elite but the junior also recorded the fastest three-quarter sprint (2.87 seconds) in the history of the NBA Draft Combine. Carter is able to use that speed and bounciness while playing on both ends of the floor, which will help his game translate to the next level even if he is a bit undersized.

He also measured with a wingspan six and a half inches longer than his height, which adds context to how he was able to become such a productive player on defense.

Perhaps he may be a bit redundant for Chicago with Alex Caruso already on the roster, but no team could ever have too many stellar defenders.

Make sure you check out our newest post-lottery mock draft, along with the official full draft order post-lottery. You can also read or watch our new interview with Carter.

Warriors select UCLA’s Adem Bona in latest NBA mock draft from The Ringer

On the way to earning All-Pac-12 honors, UCLA’s Adem Bona averaged 12.4 points on 58.8% shooting from the field with 5.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.

With only one pick in the second round, there’s been a flurry of different prospects projected to land with the Golden State Warriors in mock drafts. In the latest mock draft from Kevin O’Connell with The Ringer, Mike Dunleavy Jr., Steve Kerr and the Warriors landed a standout defensive big man from the Pac-12.

With the No. 52 overall selection, the Warriors added UCLA’s Adem Bona in the second round. According to O’Connell, Bona is similar to Warriors veteran big man and fellow UCLA alum Kevon Looney.

Via The Ringer:

Bona, who’s similar to Kevon Looney, could provide some support behind him; he’s also, coincidentally, another UCLA player.

Read the full mock draft from The Ringer here.

In two seasons with the Bruins, the 6-foot-10 center built a decorated resume that includes Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and Pac-12 Rookie of the Year.

On this way to earning All-Pac-12 and All-Defense honors, Bona averaged 12.9 points on 58.8% shooting from the field to go along with 5.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game.

The second round of the NBA draft is scheduled for Thursday, June 27 at 1 p.m. PT from Brooklyn, New York.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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Jared McCain, Kyle Filipowski go to Eastern Conference playoff teams in new NBA mock draft

Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski won’t be teammates next year, but if the new Yahoo Sports mock draft is true, they might meet in the playoffs.

Yahoo Sports NBA draft analyst Krysten Peek paired former Duke basketball stars [autotag]Jared McCain[/autotag] and [autotag]Kyle Filipowski[/autotag] with two Eastern Conference powerhouses in her latest mock draft on Tuesday.

Peek slotted McCain to the Philadelphia 76ers with the 16th pick before giving Filipowski to the New York Knicks at 24th overall.

Both teams made the playoffs this year, actually facing off in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The 76ers, led by 2022-23 MVP Joel Embiid, fell to Jalen Brunson and the Knicks in six games.

Peek praised McCain for his 3-point prowess (41.4% 3-point shooter as a freshman last season), and the pairing with the 7-foot Embiid would create nightmarish floor-spacing problems for Sixers opponents.

Filipowski, the All-American 7-footer who averaged 2.8 assists and shot 34.8% from three last year, would help the Knicks replace center Isaiah Hartenstein, who hits free agency this offseason. Hartenstein may yet stick with the Knicks, but his defensive play and rebounding presence make him one of the top options on the market.

Jared McCain to the Lakers, Filipowksi drops to second round in The Ringer NBA mock draft

Only one of Duke basketball’s two stars went in the top 30 of The Ringer’s latest mock draft, but the one who did went to the biggest stage.

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor released an updated NBA mock draft on Tuesday, and the longtime NBA writer only paired one Duke basketball star with a first-round pick.

[autotag]Jared McCain[/autotag], the sharpshooting freshman, went 17th overall to the Los Angeles Lakers in the projection. The team of four-time NBA champion LeBron James often gets paired with his son, LeBron James Jr., but O’Connor thinks McCain is too great a talent for them to ignore.

McCain shot better than 41% from 3-point range and put together three 30-point games during his one season with the Blue Devils. He’s the seventh-ranked player in the class on O’Connor’s big board, and the writer compares McCain to fellow Duke alum Seth Curry.

“McCain’s shooting prowess and secondary playmaking would make him a great fit with Anthony Davis in the long term,” O’Connor wrote.

[autotag]Kyle Filipowski[/autotag], the sophomore 7-footer who made the Second Team All-American squad last season, has spent much of the pre-draft process as a presumed first-rounder. In this new hypothetical, however, he went to the Toronto Raptors with the first pick of the second round.

With more than 16 points and eight rebounds per game, Filipowski really makes his statement with a 35% 3-point rate and 2.8 assists per game. However, The Ringer writer thinks his rim presence and turnover rate leave something to be desired.

The NBA draft begins on June 26 and the first round will be broadcast on ESPN and ABC.

Kyle Filipowski goes to NBA Finals team in latest NBA mock draft from CBS Sports

Kyle Filipowski and Jared McCain both went in the first round of CBS Sports’ latest NBA mock draft, with the 7-footer teaming with another former Blue Devil getting ready for the NBA Finals.

CBS Sports’ Colin Ward-Henninger released a new NBA mock draft on Tuesday, and he included two former Duke stars in his first 30 picks.

[autotag]Jared McCain[/autotag], the sharpshooting freshman who put together two 30-point performances in the NCAA Tournament this spring, went 13th overall to the Sacramento Kings.

The Kings have been a popular pre-draft pairing for McCain, who is from Sacramento. Ward-Henninger said the 41% 3-point shooter would be an easy fit alongside Domantas Sabonis, the Kings’ All-NBA Third Team forward who finished last season with 19.4 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 8.2 assists this past season.

The fit for [autotag]Kyle Filipowski[/autotag] will likely intrigue Duke basketball fans more. The sophomore 7-footer nearly slid out of the first round after Ward-Henninger questioned his ability as a rim protector and a perimeter weapon.

However, the CBS Sports writer still fit him into the first round with the Boston Celtics at 30th overall.

“He does have good touch around the basket and can move his feet defensively,” Ward-Henninger wrote about Filipowski. “So getting into a system like Boston’s would likely do wonders for his development.”

The selection would put the All-American on the same team as former Duke basketball star Jayson Tatum, who just made his third consecutive All-NBA First Team squad while leading the Celtics to their second Finals appearance in three years.