8 colleges with more than two 2024 NBA draft picks ft. UConn
With the 2024 NBA Draft in the books, there are a lot of talking points for media and teams alike as they soldier into the offseason. In the collegiate ranks, a few schools stole the spotlight as they boasted multiple selections over the two-day proceedings.
Eight schools, led by a four-man cavalry of the NCAA-winning UConn Huskies, had two or more players drafted. In this article, we take a look at those teams and the players who have made the step up to the pros.
8 colleges with more than two 2024 NBA draft picks
#8. Kansas
While Kansas didn't find any success on Night 1 of the NBA draft, Night 2 brought the program two picks within a span of 20 selections.
The first name called, unsurprisingly, was Johnny Furphy. Selected by the Indiana Pacers, via a trade with the San Antonio Spurs, Furphy was a consensus top-20 pick in most mock drafts. Indy may have gotten a steal with the 6-foot-9 shot maker out of Australia.
Soon after, it was the New York Knicks, fresh off a blockbuster Mikal Bridges trade and OG Anunoby deal, who found themselves picking Kevin McCullar Jr. to further bolster their wing depth.
#7. Marquette
Another pair of second-round NBA draft selections, Golden Eagle teammates Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodaro didn't have to wait too long, going 34th and 40th overall respectively.
In Tyler Kolek, New York gets an ideal third-string PG behind the Jalen Brunson - Deuce McBride combo. An elite downhill attacker, Tyler led the entirety of college basketball with 7.7 assists per game last season, thanks to his elite vision and a natural feel for the game.
Meanwhile, Phoenix, who got the 40th pick in a trade with the Knicks, fills an immediate position of need with the addition of Oso Ighodaro. The Suns got a lob threat with strong defensive versatility who could be a long-term solution at backup center behind Jusuf Nurkic.
#6. USC
With the eyes of the world on Bronny James, the Trojans had one selection apiece at the tail end of both nights in the 2024 NBA draft.
First came the selection of Isaiah Collier, who went to the Utah Jazz. With Will Hardy's movement-heavy offense, Collier's natural passing tendencies and strengths could shine at the forefront.
The other USC pick was unsurprisingly Bronny James, the son of NBA great LeBron James, who went to his dad's Los Angeles Lakers. While the elder James is yet to commit to LA for the upcoming season, all signs point in that direction, with the team acquiring Bronny with the 55th pick in the draft.
After a season cut short by a scary cardiac arrest incident, Bronny was trying to find his footing as the season came to a close and impressed the Lakers in pre-draft workouts and at the Draft Combine.
#5. Baylor
It was an active Day 1 at the NBA draft for the Bears, who got two draft picks in three selections in the second half of the first round.
First, came the selection of Ja'Kobe Walter by the Toronto Raptors. While undersized for his position, Walter brings some strong shooting to a Toronto team in desperate need of consistent shooting outside Gary Trent Jr. (who could potentially leave) and last year's selection in Gradey Dick.
Two picks later, Yves Missi was off the board as the New Orleans Pelicans picked a possible long-term replacement for Jonas Valanciunas.
#4. Duke
One of the biggest shockers of the NBA draft came in the form of selections from the Duke Blue Devils, with star center Kyle Filipowski falling out of the first round completely.
However, the legendary program did see one selection in the form of Jared McCain, who the Philadelphia 76ers selected with the 16th overall pick. Another scorer/shooter, McCain fits the Tyrese Maxey build that has netted some glorious results for Philly.
The next pick from the Blue Devils was Filipowski, who after being in the top 20 of most mock drafts, fell to the Utah Jazz at 32. With Lauri Markkanen part of multiple trade rumors, Filip could fill that role with a similar skillset as the Finnish-born Markkanen and a similar size at seven feet.
#3. Colorado
Spread out throughout the draft, the Colorado Buffaloes saw three players make the transition to the pros, with the first selection coming in early on Day 1 of the NBA draft.
Cody Williams, younger brother of NBA star Jalen Williams, slots in as a big wing, who has some strong shooting chops. More of an unknown than other first-rounders, Cody missed some time in his lone collegiate season but has shown flashes of his potential, and the Utah Jazz were ready to bite.
On a team needing a plethora of shooters, the Orlando Magic selecting Tristan da Silva at number 18 came as a no-brainer. da Silva is a silky smooth shooter, shooting nearly 40% from long range in his last two seasons at Colorado.
Midway through Day 2, the Buffaloes got their third selection to the NBA, with KJ Simpson finding a home with the Charlotte Hornets. A backup to LaMelo Ball, Simpson's speed and jump in passing and shooting could make him a strong contributor soon.
#2. Kentucky
A perpetual name to look out for in the NBA draft, the Kentucky Wildcats once again shined bright in the lottery. They had two top-10 picks, including the first American player coming off the board in Reed Sheppard at No. 3 to the Houston Rockets.
Sheppard was an extraordinary shooter for John Calipari in his final season as Kentucky's head coach, knocking down a mind-numbing 50% of his long-range attempts. A surefire guarantee as a role-player extraordinaire, the question on Sheppard is all about how much could he expand his game.
The next pick from the Wildcats was Rob Dillingham, whose pick came as a surprise to many. The Minnesota Timberwolves traded with the San Antonio Spurs on draft night to acquire Dillingham, who went No. 8. With Mike Conley winding down in the years, perhaps the Wolves could be looking to groom Dillingham for the long term in the Anthony Edwards era.
The Wildcats had to wait for nearly the entire NBA draft before hearing one from their ranks again. Leading scorer Antonio Reeves was the final name taken off the board for Kentucky, going 47th overall to the New Orleans Pelicans.
#1. UConn
Perhaps fittingly, the national champion UConn Huskies led the pack with four selections in the NBA draft. Their day began early, with Stephon Castle going to the Spurs with the 4th overall pick, pairing the defensive menace with rising star Victor Wembanyama. At 6-foot-6, Castle offers real size at the two-guard spot, but his shooting needs to go a long way to make life easier for the Frenchman.
The next name off the board for Connecticut was their star big man, Donovan Clingan. Seen as a potential first-overall pick at the end of the NCAA season, Clingan fell all the way to 7 for the Portland Trailblazers, who were inquiring about trades to acquire him even earlier. A defensive menace, Clingan can rebound and block shots with the best of them.
With the 49th pick, the Indiana Pacers selected Tristen Newton, UConn's leading scorer and assistman. His play was critical to the team's back-to-back runs as the national champions.
Soon after, the Memphis Grizzlies cashed in. After selecting UConn's NCAA Finals rival Zach Edey in the first round, Memphis paired him with SG Cam Spencer, who was second behind Tristen on UConn's scoring column. A spectacular shooter, Spencer could provide the Desmond Bane role as a shooter, both off the bounce and catch.