Oldies but goodies: Seniors to keep an eye on ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft

NBA general managers tend to favor picking younger prospects with upside, at the cost of bringing in a more seasoned player who can contribute right away. We’ll pivot from that reality, and shine a light on several seniors who can make their mark in the NBA, who have a chance to become names fans will be familiar with in the coming years. All statistics are sourced from Sports Reference.

Knecht is the highest-rated senior in the 2024 NBA Draft. He averaged over 21 points per game for the Volunteers this season, and put defenses in a bind with his long-range shooting ability. According to some research Sports Illustrated conducted, NBA teams seem to think that Knecht could be taken anywhere from picks 7 through 10.

Shannon is another bucket getter who dominated the Big 10 in the last couple of seasons. He has some off the court issues that might scare teams away, but could step into an NBA rotation right away. Bleacher Report wrote that Shannon actually maximized his NBA Draft stock by returning to school, which doesn’t always happen for prospects.

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There’s a bit of a drop off with regards to senior prospects after Shannon and Knecht, but da Silva is going to be an interesting developmental project. He’s a 6’8” forward who shot nearly 40 percent from distance as a senior. Last Word on Sports believes da Silva is skilled at moving without the ball, and is adept at finishing at the rim.

Kolek was a valuable table setter in college, averaging 7.7 assists in his senior season. He also showed he had good defensive instincts, averaging 1.5 steals during his college career. The Ringer believes Kolek is a fringe first round selection, and that could be a good thing for Kolek’s development. He profiles as someone who might fit in better with a stronger NBA team.

One of the biggest injury storylines heading into the 2024 NCAA Tournament was McCullar’s health status. The senior ended up not being able to play for Kansas during March Madness due to a knee injury. It’s an interesting development, as Sports Illustrated believes that McCullar could have been selected in the late lottery had he been healthy.

Fox Sports has commented on Edey’s surging draft stock. Unlike McCullar, Edey used the 2024 NCAA Tournament as a springboard to elevate his reputation. He led Purdue all the way to a national title game appearance, and has somewhat mitigated concerns about his massive frame at the next level.

NBA Draft Room called Hall an under the radar prospect, but believes that he is finally getting some attention that he deserves. They think he fits in as a rotational big man off the bench, who can impact the game with his physicality. Hall’s three point shooting dipped as a senior though, which might be concerning at the next level.

Robinson is keeping all of his options open, and it makes a lot of sense. He’s entered his name in the NBA Draft, but also the college basketball transfer portal. His production hasn’t really jumped off the page, except for his solid senior campaign. With one more year of eligibility, Robinson could continue to get better in college before making the NBA leap.

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He won’t get as much love as younger Kentucky teammates Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard in the 2024 NBA Draft, but Reeves isn’t someone that should be slept on. He’s a proven commodity, having averaged 18.2 points per game in his last three college seasons. Sports Illustrated calling him an elite shooter, highlighted by his nearly 45 percent proficiency from deep range this season.

If Johnson is going to make a name for himself in the NBA, it’s going to come at the defensive end of the court. Sports Illustrated believes that he has the chance to be a solid perimeter defender due to his length and ability to move his feet. He’s not much of an offensive player right now, so that will be an area he’ll have to work on.

USA Today feels like Newton isn’t going to wow NBA teams with his athleticism in the backcourt. However, the publication does laud his intangible skills, which include playing determined defense and filling in the blanks when a team needs ball movement or rebounding. He’s a two-time NCAA champion with a winning mentality, which may earn him a look in the second round of the draft.

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Like his Huskies teammate, Spencer doesn’t boast elite physical traits, but he does have many games on tape where he contributed to a winning environment. Unlike Newton, Spencer is a reliable outside shooter, whose jumper will need to carry the day for him at the next level. USA Today also lists his floater as a positive in his arsenal.

Dante has a chance to be a steal later in the draft. NBA Draft Room highlighted his massive wingspan, and solid coordination and strength. They believe he has the potential to be a special defensive player. Dante consistently challenges shots at the rim, and could be a great addition to a team looking for frontcourt depth. The New York Knicks might come to mind if Isaiah Hartenstein leaves in free agency.

Nelson might be best classified as a jack of all trades, but a master of none. He’s nearly seven feet tall, and has the ability to bring the ball up the floor, set up his teammates, and get hot as a shooter. He’s another player who had a standout month of March in the NCAA Tournament, as he was a main reason why Alabama reached the Final Four.

There’s a change that Hawkins might be a more coveted asset in the NBA than he was in college. He has a smooth shooting touch at 6’10”, making him a prototypical stretch forward. NBA Draft Net believes that he can make his mark on pick and rolls or as a floor spacer, and it’s easy to see how that could materialize for Hawkins.

Ighodaro profiles as a bit of an in-betweener at 6’9”. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel mentioned his ability to play make for his teammates at that size, but it’ll be interesting to see if that translates to the next level. He’s not a capable shooter or scorer, which might make life a bit more challenging in the NBA.

The Augusta Free Press noted that Beekman might have been a first round prospect had he come out in 2023, but his stock has fallen a year later. Still, the guard figures to be a player that spends a lot of time in the G League, honing his skill set to be an attractive prospect at the next level.

HoopsHype believes that Scheierman’s perception is rising ahead of the NBA Draft combine. He had an impressive college career at Creighton and at South Dakota State before that. He has great shooting ability and proved he wasn’t afraid to crash the glass and get rebounds at 6’6”. The main question for Scheierman will be whether he can free himself for open looks in the pros.

The Pittsburgh Post Gazette wrote an insightful story on Hinson’s evolving approach in college. He admitted that he had “extreme, stupid confidence,” early on in his career, but has matured into a more savvy player. The Pitt News believes that NBA front offices are sleeping on Hinson’s potential to contribute.

Murrell’s track record indicates that he’s a player who gets better year after year. His scoring, efficiency and rebounding all have increased, and it’s a promising trend for a player who is looking to make a name for himself in the NBA. The Daily Mississippian believes that his quick three point shot release will get him noticed at the next level.

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