March Madness 2024: Ranking top 10 NBA Draft prospects to keep an eye on during the Sweet 16

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The 2024 NBA Draft is less than three months away, so it’s time to get familiarized with some of the upcoming prospects playing in the Sweet 16 this week. A handful of players projected to go in the first round are in action this week while their respective teams look to take one step closer to cutting down the nets in Phoenix on April 8.

In CBS Sports’ latest NBA mock draft by Kyle Boone, Kentucky stars Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham, Baylor’s Ja’Kobe Walter, and Colorado’s Cody Williams are all projected to go in the top 10. All four of those players saw their college career come to a close with a loss in the NCAA Tournament last week.

UConn freshman wing Stephon Castle is the top-ranked college player still playing on Boone’s big board. The former blue-chip prospect has been a key piece on the reigning national champions and projects to go No. 11 in Boone’s mock draft. Castle’s teammate, Donovan Clingan, comes in at No. 12 in the latest mock.

Tennessee star Dalton Knecht also could go early in the draft. The SEC Player of the Year could become the first college upperclassman drafted this summer due to his breakout season. Knecht checks in at No. 14 on Boone’s Big Board.

Here are 10 draft prospects to keep an eye on this week

1. Stephon Castle, SG, UConn

Big Board ranking: 10

The skinny: The 6-foot-6 guard should be coveted come draft time. Castle ranked as the No. 9 overall recruit in the 2023 recruiting cycle by 247Sports. Castle has lived up to his five-star billing despite missing a handful of games this season due to injury. Castle is averaging 10.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists in 26.7 minutes per game. A knock on Castle’s game is his 3-point shooting, as he’s averaging 27.9% on 2.0 attempts per game.

2. Donovan Clingan, C, UConn

Big Board ranking: 11

The skinny: Clingan was a key reserve on last season’s NCAA title team. His role increased drastically in his second year with the…

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Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/march-madness-2024-ranking-top-10-nba-draft-prospects-to-keep-an-eye-on-during-the-sweet-16/

Author : Cameron Salerno

Publish date : 2024-03-28 17:20:29

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