Bronny James, initially ranked 98th in ESPN's Top 100 draft prospects, has climbed to No. 54 after a strong performance at the NBA draft combine. Despite a challenging freshman year at USC due to a cardiac arrest and subsequent recovery, James has improved his draft stock significantly and decided to stay in the 2024 NBA draft.
Yahoo Sports ranks the top 40 prospects for the 2024 NBA Draft, highlighting players' performances at the NBA Draft Combine and pre-draft workouts. With no consensus top pick, teams are focusing on fit rather than building around a specific player. Notable prospects include Alex Sarr, Zaccharie Risacher, and Bronny James, among others.
The San Antonio Spurs have officially measured Victor Wembanyama's height at 7 feet, 3½ inches without shoes, making him potentially the second-tallest player in the NBA this season. Wembanyama's height has been a topic of speculation, with various sites listing him between 7-foot-2 and 7-foot-5. The NBA listed him at 7-4 in the draft guide, but that was not based on an official measurement. Wembanyama, who recently turned 19, has grown since his last measurement in October, and it's believed he may still have some growing left.
A record 123 players, including all of the top prospects except Victor Wembanyama, are set to attend the NBA draft combine, G League Elite camp, and pro day circuit in Chicago. The event will provide NBA teams with an opportunity to evaluate players, including three international-based prospects. However, most of the top prospects are unlikely to participate in drills or scrimmages due to injury concerns or the risk of damaging their draft stock.
The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association have agreed to new rules for the pre-NBA draft process, including making players ineligible for the draft if they skip the draft combine. The changes will go into effect in 2024 and will require all invited players to attend and participate in medical examinations, interviews, and other assessments. There will be exceptions for players who are physically unable to participate or have extenuating circumstances. The new rules also remove automatic draft eligibility for high school and college players who sign professional contracts with organizations such as the G League Ignite or the Australian NBL.