With the NBA Draft under a week away, On3’s James Fletcher III revealed his latest 2024 NBA Mock Draft, and he predicted that five players from Big 12 programs will be drafted in the first round.
Colorado features two prospects going off the board early with Cody Williams getting drafted No. 7 to the Portland Trail Blazers, as well as the having the Cleveland Cavaliers select Tristan Da Silva with the 20th pick.
Former Baylor guard Ja’Kobe Walter is projected to be drafted No. 18 overall to the Orlando Magic, after leading the Bears in scoring last season with 14.5 points per game.
Fletcher noted that Orlando needs a “scoring guard,” and Walter can fit that exact role. The 6-foot-4 point guard dropped 20 or more points in eight games in 2023-24, including a career-high 28 points in a win over Auburn.
Walter’s former teammate, center Yves Missi is predicted to be drafted with the 25th pick to the New York Knicks. The 6-foot-11 big man averaged 10.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per contest for BU, while shooting 61.4% from the field.
“Rotational depth” is something the Knicks are lacking according to Fletcher, and Missi can fill that role as he is one of the best rim protectors in this year’s draft class.
Former Kansas guard Johnny Furphy had a strong freshman campaign with the Jayhawks, as he had season averages of nine points and 4.9 rebounds per game and is slated to go No. 29 overall to the Utah Jazz.
The 2024 NBA Draft begins on Wednesday, June 26 at 8 p.m. on ABC and ESPN.
