2024 NBA Draft: Best Players Available on Day 2
2024 NBA Draft: Best Players Available on Day 2
A look at the Best Remaining Players on the board for Day 2 of the 2024 NBA Draft.
The first round of the 2024 NBA Draft has been completed. Now, we await the start of Day 2. There were plenty of surprises and chaos brought to the table for the first day. As expected, this class had plenty of players go in various ranges compared to the “consensus” boards.
With the new format for the 2024 NBA Draft featuring a second day, that means we all get a chance to regroup and take a look at the board. And oh boy, are there some FASCINATING names still remaining for Day 2.
Below is our best available going off V.9 of the No Ceilings 2024 NBA Draft Composite BIG Board. You’ll see our Top 10 remaining players, including a brief summary about why they could be intriguing. If you want to dig a little deeper, you’ll also see some previous feature pieces on those players, as well as some video breakdowns. Because we are absolute sickos, we’ve also included a “Best of the Rest” section. One more day, Draft Maniacs; then, it’s time to get excited for Summer League.
16. Kyle Filipowski, F/C, Duke (7’0”, 230)
16.4 PTS, 8.3 REB, 2.8 AST, 1.1 STL, 1.5 BLK
50.5 FG%, 34.8 3P%, 67.1 FT%
Duke Blue Devils sophomore big man Kyle Filipowski was once viewed as a favorite to hear his name called in the lottery. Now, Filipowski looks like one of the most intriguing value selections remaining. He’s got fantastic upside to be a pick-and-pop weapon with playmaking potential. If the shot comes around, the 7’0” big man has the tools that teams are looking for in a modern NBA big. Filipowski was a name that seemed to be cooling when it came to his stock throughout the predraft process. However, the value is fascinating, especially for Day 2, and he could be one of the first names to come off the board. Filipowski averaged 16.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks last year while shooting 50.5% from the field and 34.8% from downtown.
26. Tyler Smith, F, G League Ignite (6’10”, 224)
13.7 PTS, 5.1 REB, 1.3 AST, 0.8 STL, 0.9 BLK
48.0 FG%, 36.0 3P%, 73.2 FT%
There was plenty of impressive play from G League Ignite forward Tyler Smith this year. Smith had an impressive first half of the season for the Ignite, showcasing his potential to be a floor spacing with intriguing size at 6’10”. Still raw, Smith will be a name that teams will look to bring in and let the rest of the tools develop. Smith understands his strengths on the court and doesn’t try to play outside of his comfort zone. He’s comfortable with the type of asset he can be and will be a name teams are intrigued with as an upside selection who can develop the rest of the tools with time.
28. Tyler Kolek, G, Marquette (6’2”, 197)
15.3 PTS, 4.9 REB, 7.7 AST, 1.6 STL, 0.2 BLK
49.6 FG%, 38.8 3P%, 85.1 FT%
One of the biggest surprises to remain on the board is Marquette senior guard Tyler Kolek. The senior lefty is as competitive as they come and plays the game with a chip on his shoulder. Kolek doesn’t wow you when it comes to his measureables or athleticism. However, his feel for the game is outstanding, and his playmaking is special. The outside shot is respectable enough, and he will make defenses pay with it. At this point in the draft, Kolek is everything you want from a potential second round guard who could surprise and make some noise in the rotation.
29. Johnny Furphy, G, Kansas (6’8”, 189)
9.0 PTS, 4.9 REB, 1.0 AST, 0.9 STL, 0.3 BLK
46.6 FG%, 35.2 3P%, 76.5 FT%
It’s fascinating to see Kansas Jayhawks freshman Johnny Furphy still on the board, but there’s plenty of potential for him to be someone who comes off the board quickly. Furphy spent the last year in Australia before reclassifying and joining Kansas for the upcoming year. After coming off the bench, Furphy was inserted into the starting lineup and really started to make some noise when it came to his off-ball ability and outside shooting. Furphy has good size and is bouncy, which is an intriguing combination—especially as a potential floor spacing asset. His strength is going to need to come around and teams could be viewing Furphy as a name that might need some time to develop. The tools are intriguing, though—especially in the second round.
30. Kevin McCullar, G/F, Kansas (6’6”, 206)
18.3 PTS, 6.0 REB, 4.1 AST, 1.5 STL, 0.4 BLK
45.4 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 80.5 FT%
Before dealing with injuries this year, it looked as if Kansas Jayhawks senior Kevin McCullar was trending as a first round selection. McCullar is a versatile Swiss Army knife of an asset on the basketball court. He made a reputation for himself as one of the top defensive talents in college basketball before becoming an offensive focal point for Kansas last year. McCullar has the tools to be a steal in the second round. He’s a crafty player who can do a bit of everything on the court and offers positional versatility. For a team looking for a player who can step in the rotation and give you lineup variations, McCullar is a fascinating option. His history with injuries popping up is a reason why he still remains on the board. An offseason operation on his knee has prevented McCullar from being able to participate in workouts for teams.
35. KJ Simpson, G, Colorado (6’1”, 187)
19.7 PTS, 5.8 REB, 4.9 AST, 1.6 STL, 0.1 BLK
47.5 FG%, 43.4 3P%, 87.6 FT%
Throughout his career at Colorado, KJ Simpson only got better across the board. Simpson is coming off a tremendous season for Colorado, where he almost averaged 20.0 points per game on shooting splits of 47/43/87. The question with Simpson moving forward is: can he be an impactful NBA rotation piece given his frame? Simpson stood out with his play at the NBA combine, showing his desire to go right at defenders and looked simply “too good” to be playing in the scrimmages. He should be someone who intrigues as a potential rotation jolt at some point in the second round.
36. Jonathan Mogbo, F/C, San Francisco (6’7”, 217)
14.2 PPG, 10.1 REB, 3.6 AST, 1.6 STL, 0.8 BLK
63.6 FG%, 0.0 3P%, 69.2 FT%
San Francisco junior big man Jonathan Mogbo is one of the names to keep a close eye on in the second round. Mogbo is a late bloomer who spent the majority of his basketball career playing as a guard before a growth spurt. He’s coming off a productive year and showcases the ability to be a force around the basket, especially on the glass. Mogbo will intrigue NBA teams with his playmaking ability, as he can be a versatile piece on both sides of the floor. The fit could be a bit dependent, especially when it comes to roster construction, but he should have plenty of fans trying to add him to the mix.
37. Adem Bona, C, UCLA (6’9”, 243)
12.4 PTS, 5.9 REB, 1.2 AST, 1.1 STL, 1.8 BLK
58.8 FG%, 0.0 3P%, 69.6 FT%
UCLA big man Adem Bona made some noise last year as a freshman as a potential defensive anchor. After a disappointing year for the Bruins, Bona was asked to carry more of a load on the offensive side of the ball. It’s a classic “situation” scenario in which Bona was asked to play a role that he won’t be at the next level. If teams are looking for a rotation asset who can be a dangerous defensive big man with serious athleticism, Bona should be at the top of the list. He could potentially provide great value in the second round, especially when it comes to his relentless motor and instincts on the court.
38. Ajay Mitchell, G, UC Santa Barbara (6’4”, 197)
20.0 PTS, 4.0 REB, 4.0 AST, 1.2 STL, 0.4 BLK
50.4 FG%, 39.3 3P%, 85.8 FT%
UC Santa Barbara junior guard Ajay Mitchell was one of the most productive guards in the country this year. Mitchell was an offensive force for UCSB and continues to be an intriguing guard with versatility on the offensive side of the ball. Listed at 6’4.5”, Mitchell has the size and feel for the game that teams are looking for when it comes to a talented guard with upside. One of the most pleasant surprises was his defensive showing at the NBA Draft combine, which teased the idea of some potential of becoming a two-way asset. The feel for the game is strong, and Mitchell plays with a great change of gears. If the outside shot can continue to trend in the right direction, Mitchell could bring back some strong value in the second round.
39. Justin Edwards, G/F, Kentucky (6’7”, 209)
8.8 PTS, 3.4 REB, 0.9 AST, 0.9 STL, 0.2 BLK
48.6 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 77.6 FT%
Coming into the 2023-24 NCAA season, Kentucky Wildcats freshman Justin Edwards was viewed as a player who could find himself in the Top 10 of draft conversations. Edwards has a smooth shooting stroke from outside and has the tools to be an intriguing floor spacing asset. His freshman year didn’t go as hoped, as Edwards struggled to find his groove for the Wildcats. Once considered one of the top high school prospects in the country, Edwards should be a talent who intrigues NBA teams looking for a high upside piece—especially if they can unlock his two-way potential.
