Men's Basketball
Justin Edwards Projected to be No. 1 Pick in 2024 NBA Draft by The Athletic
Published
9 months agoon
The last University of Kentucky basketball player to go No. 1 in the draft was Rhyne Howard, who was selected by the Atlanta Dream in the 2022 WNBA Draft. However, as far as the men’s basketball program goes, Karl-Anthony Towns was the last player to be drafted No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, back in 2015.
Come June 2024, there is some belief that Kentucky could have their next No. 1 pick in one of their talented freshmen. Sam Vecenie of The Athletic believes that could be Justin Edwards, projecting him No. 1 in his latest 2024 NBA mock draft.
Vecenie had much praise for the Kentucky forward, with his impressive play during GLOBL being a big reason why.
“Still, I’d expect Edwards to have an enormous impact. He’ll be Kentucky’s best player this year, ahead of highly rated recruits such as DJ Wagner, Robert Dillingham, Aaron Bradshaw and others. That bore itself out during the team’s trip to Canada for the GLOBL JAM event, where Edwards was the team’s best player in the final and averaged 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two blocks during the event. Most importantly: Edwards was very confident taking 3s, even though he only made 30 percent of them. I buy him being a bit more polished than some of these other guys, capable of playing well on both ends of the floor at an important position of value (a combo three/four) and especially able to drive toward the rim.”
It is also important to note that Edwards will be 20 when the 2024 NBA Draft rolls around, while most players in his draft class will be 18-19 years old.
Other Cats in the Draft
Edwards was not the only Wildcat named in Vecenie’s mock draft, with fellow teammates DJ Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw also making appearances, with Wagner at No. 22 and Bradshaw at No. 38.
Vecenie also provided an evaluation of Wagner, although he was not as high on Wagner as he was on Edwards.
“The problems for Wagner are threefold. First, he’s merely a good athlete, not a great one. He’s crafty with the ball, but doesn’t have lightning quickness or explosiveness. Second, he’s a scoring guard at 6-foot-2, not a point guard. He needs to significantly improve his passing ability and make more plays for his teammates. The third is his shooting. Over the last two summers on the EYBL circuit, as well as more than 17 additional Synergy-tracked games for Camden High School and with USA Basketball, he has made just 54 of his 213 3-point attempts, a paltry 25 percent. It’s really hard to make it in the NBA as a 6-foot-3 scoring two guard without immense athleticism or a proficient 3-point shot.”
Hopefully, this season, Wagner can prove Vecenie wrong and justify why he can be a lottery pick, maybe even a top-five or top-ten pick like others believe he can be.
Antonio Reeves, Rob Dillingham, and Zvonimir Ivisic are some notable names that did not make Vecenie’s projections.
The 2023-2024 Kentucky Wildcats have no shortage of talent and have a chance to be very, very good. With three of the nation’s top six recruits, as well as veterans and depth, this team looks to have the ability to make to a deep postseason run. Perhaps led by a future No. 1 NBA Draft pick in Justin Edwards.
Share this:
Related
You may like
Aaron Bradshaw Enters Transfer Portal, Per Report
Kentucky Leave/Stay Predictions Following Player Meetings
What John Calipari and Kentucky Players Are Saying Ahead of NCAA Tournament
Recap and Takeaways From Kentucky’s Big Win at Tennessee
John Calipari Says This Kentucky Team Is the Hardest Working Team He Has Ever Coached
Aaron Bradshaw and His Off-Court Development, “He’s Taking Responsibility”
Following Lamont Butler’s commitment to Kentucky on Friday, the Wildcats have received another commitment less than 24 hours later. This time Oklahoma transfer Otega Oweh, he announced on his social media.
This comes after Oweh visited Lexington earlier this week, with reports coming out that his recruitment could be wrapped up quickly after.
Oweh is a top 25 transfer according to 247Sports, 38th by EvanMiya, and 55th by ESPN. Listed at 6-5, 210 pounds, Oweh is a strong and physical guard. His strength and athleticism have been a strength dating back to high school, which allows him to impact the game defensively, and also to get to the rim and thrive in transition opportunities.
In two years at Oklahoma, the area that Oweh has significantly improved in has been his shooting. As a freshman, he shot just 25 percent from three, on just four attempts for the season, to 37.7 percent as a sophomore, making 20 of his 53 attempts. Most of that success comes from catch-and-shoot opportunities, where he rates in the 87th percentile. His ability to shoot off the dribble is the polar opposite, rating in just the 4th percentile.
Oweh is a two-way player with two years of eligibility remaining, while he will bring experience, there is still room for development with NBA upside. While he may not be a primary option, he’s certainly a player that can impact the game.
Oweh is now Kentucky’s third addition from the transfer portal and sixth player overall. A handful of top transfers are visiting, or currently visiting, Kentucky this weekend. The staff is hopeful a few join the roster.
Share this:
Related
BB Recruiting
REPORT: San Diego State Transfer Lamont Butler Commits to Kentucky
Published
2 days agoon
April 26, 2024Amidst anxiety from many of the Big Blue Nation, the Kentucky basketball program has added another player to the roster. On Friday Lamont Butler, a consensus top-60 transfer from San Diego State, committed to Kentucky, reported by On3.
Kentucky has been in contact with Butler since he entered the portal earlier this week. On Friday morning, four members of the Kentucky staff took a visit to Las Vegas, which we know now was to see Butler. It was enough to secure his commitment.
Coming out of a high school as a three-star prospect, Butler has been a true case of development. In four seasons with San Diego State, he improved his numbers year after year. As a three-year starter for the Aztecs, Butler averaged 7.7 points (41.2% FG), 2.6 assists, and 2.3 rebounds. He also received Mountain West All-Defense honors three straight seasons, winning the Defensive Player of the Year award this past year.
Butler was a star for the San Diego State team that made it to the National Championship game in 2023, even hitting the buzzer-beater to send them to the title game. He will provide Kentucky with proven experience and the knowledge of what it takes to win.
As his defensive accolades show, Butler makes his biggest impact on the defensive side of the ball. However, he plays well within a system and is a really good passer for a guard who plays primarily off the ball, with a 21 percent assist rate. He also grades fairly well analytically on spot-up shots and in pick-and-roll situations as the ball handler.
With Butler on the roster, there are still many spots to fill, especially some spots for “dudes”. Fortunately, many big names are expected to be in Lexington this weekend for the visit.
Share this:
Related
BB Recruiting
Kentucky to Host Multiple Top Transfers This Weekend
Published
3 days agoon
April 25, 2024With the deadline for players to enter the portal coming up on May 1st, Kentucky nearly has all their options on the table. Now two weeks since taking the job, Mark Pope has expressed interest in nearly two dozen names and has been keying in on some top names in the portal.
As of writing this article, top 25 transfer Otega Oweh (Oklahoma), is currently on a visit to Lexington, with three more players set to visit this weekend. There’s a good chance that some of those visits turn into commitments.
Let’s take a look at those names.
Deivon Smith – Guard, Utah
Physicals: 6’0, 173 lbs
Stats: 13.3 PPG, 7.1 APG, 6.3 RPG, 46.% FG, 40.8% 3P
Ranking: 10th (Evan Miya), 38rd (247Sports)
Kentucky has had just three players record a triple-double in program history. Deivon Smith recorded five triple-doubles this past season alone, the second-most all-time for a single season in NCAA history.
While undersized, he is one of the best all-around guards in the country, as his numbers show. It’s still early, but Kentucky getting the first visit is significant. St. John’s and Texas Tech have also been mentioned here.
Andrej Stojaković – Guard, Stanford
Physicals: 6’7, 190 lbs
Stats: 7.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 40.9% FG, 32.7% 3P
Ranking: 183rd (Evan Miya), 51st (247Sports)
Stojakovic is the son of former NBA All-Star, Peja Stojakovic. A familiar name for Kentucky fans from his high school recruitment. Stojakovic is a terrific shooter, and a top-25 recruit in the 2023 class.
On Thursday, Stojakovic cut his list to just three schools: California, UNC, and Kentucky. As a West Coast product, California was a school that showed interest when he was in high school, and so did Mark Pope when he was at BYU. Pope has made Stojakovic a priority, he could seal the deal this weekend.
Aidan Mahaney – Guard, Saint Mary’s
Physicals: 6-3, 180 lbs
Stats: 13.9 PPG, 2.6 APG, 38.6% FG, 35.5% 3P
Ranking: 96th (Evan Miya), 14th (247Sports)
One of the best guards in the portal. As a lead guard for Saint Mary’s, he displayed a good sense of playing under control, setting himself up and others. That said, his numbers were rather inefficient as the primary scoring option for the Gaels and shooting more than half of his shots from three. There are concerns about his playing against bigger guards.
Mahaney visited UConn Thursday and it looks to be a race between Creighton, Virginia, UConn, and Kentucky.
Andrew Carr – Forward, Wake Forest
Physicals: 6-11, 230 lbs
Stats: 13.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 52.6% FG, 37.1% 3P
Ranking: 33rd (Evan Miya), Not Listed (247Sports)
A near 7-footer who is efficient and can stretch the floor, shooting over 37 percent from three, is a player that Mark Pope would love to add to his roster. That describes Andrew Carr who has played two years at each Delaware and Wake Forest and is looking to go elsewhere for his last season of eligibility.
Carr is coming off a visit to Texas Tech and will visit Villanova after he visits Lexington this weekend.
Share this:
Related
Rick Pitino Verbally Accepts Two Game Series With Kentucky, “Looking Forward To Saying Goodbye To Kentucky”
Coaches Give Their Opinion On Kentucky’s Hire of Mark Pope
What Transfers Has Mark Pope Reached Out To?
Kentucky to Host Multiple Top Transfers This Weekend
Transfer Amari Williams Commits to Kentucky
Top 25 Transfer Otega Oweh Commits to Kentucky
REPORT: San Diego State Transfer Lamont Butler Commits to Kentucky
Kentucky to Host Multiple Top Transfers This Weekend
Kentucky Basketball Hiring Top Assistant Coach Alvin Brooks III from Baylor
Transfer Amari Williams Commits to Kentucky
Trending
- Men's Basketball2 weeks ago
Rick Pitino Verbally Accepts Two Game Series With Kentucky, “Looking Forward To Saying Goodbye To Kentucky”
- Men's Basketball2 weeks ago
Coaches Give Their Opinion On Kentucky’s Hire of Mark Pope
- BB Recruiting2 weeks ago
What Transfers Has Mark Pope Reached Out To?
- BB Recruiting3 days ago
Kentucky to Host Multiple Top Transfers This Weekend
- BB Recruiting7 days ago
Transfer Amari Williams Commits to Kentucky
- BB Recruiting2 weeks ago
Mark Pope Lands First Kentucky Commit, Four-Star Collin Chandler
- Men's Basketball2 weeks ago
The Details of Mark Pope’s Kentucky Contract, Top 10 Paid Coach in the Country
- BB Recruiting2 days ago
REPORT: San Diego State Transfer Lamont Butler Commits to Kentucky