With the NBA trade deadline now in the rearview mirror, Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman released an updated 2024 NBA mock draft earlier this week, and his forecast featured two Blue Devils taken in the first round.
Kyle Filipowski heard his name called first as the ninth overall pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 7-footer made 44.1% of his attempts last year and 28.2% of his 3-pointers, but he’s improved those respective averages to 49.8% and 34.5% this season. His improved efficiency should catch the eyes of NBA scouts, Wasserman wrote.
Freshman Jared McCain, who recently topped On3’s freshman power rankings with his play this season, went 27th overall to the Utah Jazz. The first-year guard is shooting 38.5% from beyond the arc and averaging 5.0 rebounds per game this season, an alluring combination of precision and effort.
“NBA teams will eye him for a combo-guard shot-making role that gives him some secondary freedom to handle and make plays,” Wasserman wrote about McCain.
A third teammate went in the second round of Wasserman’s extended projections, with the Miami Heat snagging sophomore Tyrese Proctor with the 45th pick. The Australian has struggled from long-range over the past few games, but he’s still averaging 10.0 points and 3.5 assists per game. As a 6-foot-5 guard with defensive potential, he’ll easily draw interest.