5 sleeper projected picks at NBA Draft 2024 ft. Ja'Kobe Walter
After months of rumors and speculation, the 2024 NBA Draft is a couple of days away. Players like Alex Sarr, Matas Buzeliz, and Donovan Clingan among others, are considered top-five picks for the two-day event. Moreover, others don't carry the same expectations as this trio.
Almost every NBA Draft has at least one sleeper. Those players who aren't considered a top pick and ended up becoming solid players in the association. Today, we're going to take a look at five projected sleepers ahead of this year's edition of the big event.
Top 5 sleepers ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft
#5, Ryan Dunn, Virginia
Ryan Dunn isn't higher on this list for the fact that he doesn't have a notable offensive game. However, the Virginia forward is the complete opposite on the defensive end of the ball. He's considered the 'best defensive playmaker' in this year's NBA Draft by Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo of ESPN.
In the right situation, Dunn can be a star defender early in his career and a two-way threat if he develops a decent offense.
#4, Cam Christie, Minnesota
Cam Christie is the brother of the LA Lakers' guard Max Christie. He possesses an elite shooting ability that is sought-after in the NBA. Listed at 6-foot-6, Christie can be a first-round pick, but considering that contenders will pick in the late stages of the first round, it's more likely that he'll be selected in the second round of the NBA Draft.
Christie averaged 11.3 ppg last season, shooting 40.3% from the field and 39.1% from deep.
#3, Ja'Kobe Walter, Baylor
Ja'Kobe Walter only played one season in Baylor, but it was enough to consider him a sleeper for this year's draft. This is a two-way guard who can contribute to any team in the league, especially with his shooting ability. Walter averaged 14.5 ppg last season, to go along with 4.4 rebounds per game. He shot 37.6% from the floor and 34.1% from 3-point range.
#2, Kyshawn George, Miami
Kyshawn George is the type of player that most NBA teams will love to have: a 6'7" wing who can handle and shoot the ball proficiently. His 7.6 ppg last season aren't spectacular numbers for a prospect, but George has positional size, can play on both ends of the floor and it's a terrific 3-point shooter.
He's still raw and needs to improve, but this player can make a big impact with the right guidance. He shot 42.6% from the floor and 40.8% from deep in his lone season with Florida.
#1, Tyler Kolek, Marquette
This one is a controversial pick since Tyler Kolek can be at the bottom or the top of these lists, depending on who you ask. This time, however, he leads this NBA Draft ranking thanks to his basketball IQ and the way he evolved in college.
There's nothing spectacular to see about Kolek, but the 6'3" guard plays good basketball, can shoot 3s and leads the offense. Last season, averaged 15.3 ppg and 7.7 apg, shooting 49.6% from the field and 38.8% from beyond the arch.