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 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.
Some team may even take a chance on using a first-round pick on Southern California’s Bronny James, son of NBA career scoring leader LeBron James.
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.
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.
The Rockets need shooters and Sheppard is certainly that. The 6-3 guard may be the best shooter in the draft — his 52% mark would have led Division I last season if he had enough attempts to qualify.
The Huskies were loaded with talented players in their title defense last season and Castle had no trouble fitting in as a freshman.
Buzelis bypassed college basketball to play in the G League and improved his draft status by gaining muscle while rounding out his game.
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 inside at both ends of the floor.
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.
At 6-6, Topic is a superb passer with great vision and size to see over defenders.
A knockdown shooter, Knecht could be a great complement to Ja Morant.
Salaun can make it three French players as lottery picks in this year’s draft.
He’s a thin 6-8, but has the size and athleticism to shoot over or get around defenders.
Holland could end up being the best defensive forward in the draft.
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.
The 6-5 guard was not shy in putting it up from 3 for the Bears as a freshman, taking more than four a game while shooting 34%.
While Bronny James got much of the hype in Southern California, Collier was the higher-rated prospect out of high school.
He was Duke’s toughest competitor during his lone season in Durham and is an elite shooter who could fit in on any team.
The 7-footer with a 7-5 wingspan has the length and game to have an immediate impact in the NBA.
The player known as “Bub” gets buckets in bunches and loves the pull-up J.
Even with a lack of mobility and perimeter shooting, Edey was still the first repeat AP national player of the year since Ralph Sampson.
Any team could use a steady, do-it-all type of player and da Silva is just that.
Smith was born in New Orleans, moving to Texas after Hurricane Katrina, and would fit nicely back there now.
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.
Missi knows his game and sticks to it. A high-motor 6-11 forward, he is a rim runner and shot blocker who didn’t even attempt a 3-pointer last season.
New York is loaded with Duke fans and Filipowski could be an instant favorite.
The 6-9 forward is good in the pick-and-roll game and a strong finisher at the rim.
The 6-8 Australian has a smooth shooting stroke and gets his shot off quickly.
At 6-8, George has good size and is a knockdown shooter who hit 41% from 3 in his lone season for the Hurricanes last year.
Denver’s bid to repeat as NBA champions hit a wall in the second round when its top players were stretched to the limit. Tyson could give them a solid boost off the bench.
The back end of the first round is typically filled with potential projects and Klintman is an intriguing one.
The Celtics are in the NBA Finals and already have a loaded roster, so there’s room to take a chance on LeBron’s son.
