The first round of the 2024 NBA Draft wrapped up on Wednesday. It was a pretty surprising evening in Brooklyn, with several projected first-round picks finding themselves still on the board.
That includes former Duke standout Kyle Filipowski and other players who were top recruits coming out of high school. Here, we look at the 10-best prospects remaining heading into the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft on Thursday.
1. Kyle Filipowski, center, Duke
Kyle Filipowski was one of two players invited to the 2024 NBA Draft that did not go in the first round. It’s a crying shame, as he would’ve been a top-20 pick last year. Struggles with consistency impacted the big man. Even then, we’re talking about a former top-five recruit who averaged 15.8 points and 8.6 rebounds on 47% shooting at Duke throughout his career. He can even extend the floor (35% 3-point in 2023-24).
2. Adem Bona, center, UCLA
Adem Bona is a bit undersized for your traditional five (6-foot-10). He’s a tweener between power forward and center. Hence, why the former UCLA star fell out of the first round. He upped his game as a sophomore for the Bruins, averaging 12.4 points and 5.9 rebounds on 59% shooting from the field. His 7-foot-4 wingspan and explosiveness are two more positives heading into the second round of the NBA Draft.
Related: Grading each first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft
3. Johnny Furphy, wing, Kansas
Furphy joins Filipowski in not being selected Wednesday night after being invited to the NBA Draft. The Australia native flashed for Kansas last season, averaging 9.0 points and 4.9 rebounds on 47% shooting in just over 24 minutes per game. His 6-foot-8 frame and shooting ability will be attractive to teams at the top of Round 2.
4. Cameron Christie, guard, Minnesota
Yet another player who would have been better served staying in college for another season, Christie did display flashes for Minnesota as a freshman. The 6-foot-5 guard displayed his shooting ability last season (39% from 3-point range). He also has an ability to create his own shot, which is big in today’s NBA.
5. Bobi Klintman, forward, Sweden
Klintman played the 2022-23 season at Wake Forest, averaging 5.3 points and 4.5 rebounds. He flashed much more promise after going pro in Australia. He’s a versatile wing who can stretch the court with plus-level perimeter shooting. Consistency was one of the knocks on him heading into the NBA Draft.
Related: Ideal fits for Bronny James in second round of the NBA Draft
6. Kevin McCullar Jr., wing, Kansas
McCullar Jr. really picked it up as a senior for Kansas this past season. In fact, he was one of the better all-around players in the nation. The Texas Tech transfer averaged 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists on 45% shooting. Upside is the biggest question mark here.
7. Cam Spencer, guard, UConn
After coming over from Rutgers as a transfer ahead of last season, Spencer played a vital role in UConn repeating as champs. More than anything, his 44% mark from three-point range is what stands out. While Spencer won’t be able to create his own shot at the next level, teams need three-point specialists like this.
8. Harrison Ingram, wing, North Carolina
Yet another transfer on this list, Ingram made his way from Stanford to North Carolina last season. The former top-16 recruit responded by averaging 12.2 points and 8.8 rebound while shooting 39% from three-point range. He is your typical rotational three-and-D wing.
9. Tyler Kolek, guard, Marquette
One of a few seniors that could be selected in the second round of the NBA Draft, Kolek is an intriguing prospect. Primarily, the 6-foot-3 guard has an ability to shoot from outside (39% 3-point mark last season). While the upside isn’t really there, he could be a bench option at the next level.
10. Justin Edwards, wing, Kentucky
The 6-foot-8 Edwards did not live up to expectations as a freshman for Kentucky after finding himself as a top-three recruit. He scored 8.8 points per game, adding 3.4 rebounds. It is not what the Wildcats had expected. Even then, the talent and upside is here for a team to take a chance on Edwards.