NBA Draft winners, losers (college edition)

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1. Winners & losers from the 2024 NBA Draft

I’m torn on the two-day NBA Draft. Finishing earlier on Wednesday night was nice, but holding over for two+ hours of coverage on Thursday? I dunno. If it was two additional rounds, I could see it being worthwhile.

But adding another day for 28 picks? Let’s get it back to one day.

ANYWAY, there’s a video breakdown from Rob Dauster and Jeff Goodman on the biggest winner and losers from Round 1, but it’s mostly about the NBA teams.

Let’s focus on what this means for college hoops.

WINNERS

UConn’s continued dominance

Dan Hurley’s program is living DJ Khalid’s life. Two lottery picks (Steph Castle at No. 4 overall and Donovan Clingan and No. 7), and three lottery picks in the last two NBA Drafts. And with Tristen Newton (49th) and Cam Spencer (53rd) being taken yesterday, that’s six total selections in 2023 and 2024, the most in a two-year span in school history. For you visual learners, everyone in this image was drafted this year.

Throw those on top of two nattys in the last two years — not to mention Hurley giving the Lakers the stiff arm — and it’s good to be a Husky right now. And given Alex Karaban and Liam McNeeley are both seen as 2025 first-rounders, it’s not ending anytime soon.

Big men

Zach Edey and Donovan Clingan are two 7-footers who aren’t floor stretchers and both play drop coverage. They’re not the new NBA big man. But they were two dominant college centers, which might mean good things going forward for the big guys who stay in school, work on their game, and dominate. There’s always a place for really good player.

Nepotism

Did Bronny James deserve to get drafted? Probably not. Is it gonna be cool to see LeBron play with his son? Hell yeah. It’s not the same scenario for lottery pick Devin Carter, whose dad was a longtime NBA player, but hey, having basketball genes sure seems to help. Ask Reed Sheppard.

Colorado (for now)

The Buffs had three players drafted: Cody Williams (10th), Tristan da Silva (18th) and KJ Simpson (42nd), the most they’ve ever had in the first 60 picks. It’s also the first time they’ve had two first-rounders. So enjoy it. Because next season’s Colorado roster might not have any pros…

San Francisco’s player development

Last year at this time, Jonathan Mogbo was coming off a middling season at Missouri State where he showed physical gifts, but not much else. But after his stellar season with the Dons where he logged a double-double (14.2 ppg, 10.1 rpg) and did it all uber-efficiently, it’s a credit to him and Chris Gerlufsen’s staff to have a guy go No. 31 overall.

LOSERS

John Calipari

This isn’t about Kentucky, which had a couple of lottery picks in Reed Sheppard (No. 3 overall) and Rob Dillingham (No. 8). It’s the seventh time in program history that two players were taken in the first 10 picks, the last being 2015. That’s a W for BBN. But for John Calipari? It’s a big fat L. Justin Edwards — once touted as a possible No. 1 overall pick — didn’t get drafted. And Cal’s choice to have Sheppard and Dillingham make a combined six (6!) starts this season is a bad, bad, look. I’m sure Coach Cal will spin it as a win for producing pros, but c’mon man.

The top 2023 prospects

Check out the top of the 2023 recruits. Four were top 15 picks, and three went in the first round. One was undrafted. Meanwhile, seven are still in school, three of whom hit the portal. That’s a reflection of the overall 2024 NBA Draft.

Kyle Filipowski’s private life

It’d be one thing for the Duke sophomore to deal with dropping into the second round. It’s another to get dragged on social media for his dating life. If you’re curious, this video breaks it all down pretty well. I just hope Filipowski finds happiness and success in Utah.

Kansas’ success as a wing factory

The Jayhawks had been doing well the last three years, with four total draft picks. Three of those were wings: Ochai Agbaji (14th in 2022), Christian Braun (21st in 2022) and Gradey Dick (13th in 2023). Freshman Johnny Furphy had been projected as a first-rounder, which would’ve continued KU’s hot streak, but he fell to 35th overall. Coach Bill Self didn’t sound pleased in regards to the feedback Furphy got. Meanwhile, Kevin McCullar was drafted 56th. If he doesn’t get injured, maybe he goes in the first round.

Dreamers

I already mentioned Justin Edwards. He wasn’t the only underclassman who had draft dreams but didn’t hear their name called on Wednesday or Thursday. Other really good players include: Jalen Bridges (Baylor), Trey Alexander (Creighton), David Jones (Memphis) and Judah Mintz (Syracuse).

2. Arthur Kaluma heads to the SEC

Of the top 100 players in Evan Miya’s transfer rankings, only K-State forward Arthur Kaluma had yet to pick a team.

He’s headed to SEC country.

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