2024 Preseason NBA Draft Guide

With the NBA season just underway and the college basketball season's start on the horizon, the No Ceilings team shares their first Draft Guide for the 2024 NBA Draft.

Oct 27, 2023

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WELCOME TO THE NO CEILINGS 2024 PRESEASON DRAFT GUIDE

It’s shaping up to be another glorious year in the world of scouting. The 2024 NBA draft class has drawn some early tales of “caution” around it. With no “surefire” top prospect, fans might hear plenty of noise about this being a weaker class compared to others.

BUT NOT SO FAST, MY FRIENDS.

This is why you’re here. This is why we do what we do. There’s plenty of talent around the basketball world to get excited about for the upcoming 2024 draft cycle. We have more than 23,000 words for you below about some players who are generating buzz as we get ready for the “official” beginning of the upcoming draft year.

Let’s go over everything below before you attempt to tackle this monster.

Prospects are listed in Alphabetical Order. (You’ll get our Big Boards VERY Soon)
Measurements are based on Team Websites
Background and Analysis of each prospect from our No Ceilings panel of evaluators
Prospect Chemistry (Our twist on Pro Comparisons)
Pros and Cons

Thank You All For Your Continued Support Over the Years.

Enjoy, No Ceilings Family!

Name: Melvin Ajinca
Position: Wing
Date of Birth: June 26th, 2004 (19)
Hometown: Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, France
Measurements: 6’8”, 200
Year: 2004 Born
Previous Team: Centre Federal Du Basket-Ball (19-22)

Analysis: A 6’7” native of France, Melvin Ajinca has been on NBA radars for some time. In France’s second-tier pro league last season, he shot 38.8% from three and 84.8% from the charity stripe. During the FIBA U19 World Cup, he posted a super-efficient 19.3 PPG, further solidifying his reputation. Now, he’s competing in the top league in France, and he’s been holding his own.

Everything starts with the outside shot. Ajinca is a tremendous three-point shooter who has always posted strong results behind the arc. While the high percentages from distance are encouraging, the tape and process behind those results are downright exciting. Ajinca brings dynamism as a movement shooter. He’s able to hit off NBA-type actions, and he can often get his shot off without even the slightest hint of a dip in his motion. Additionally, Ajinca can make quick decisions with the ball, he has good size to him, and he’s light on his feet.

Where things get dicey for Ajinca is that, outside of his shooting, there’s a sense of “and what else?” permeating his game. While he moves well and isn’t a slouch physically, he’s not a very productive defender. His offensive game is almost entirely perimeter-oriented, taking few shots outside the arc. He makes little impact on the glass. If nothing else, the marriage of Ajinca’s movement shooting and size will give him life as a viable, genuine prospect. How the rest of his game rounds into form throughout the season will determine where he ultimately ends up on boards come draft time. If he can become an above-average defender, he’d bring value as a 3-and-D prospect rather than simply as a shooter. Should he get there, Ajinca could climb into the lottery conversation.

Prospect Chemistry: Duncan Robinson, Saddiq Bey, Anthony Morrow

Pros: Size, movement shooting, quick decision-making

Cons: Driving, defensive production, rebounding

Name: Trey Alexander
Position: Guard
Date of Birth: May 2nd, 2003 (20)
Hometown: Midwest City, Oklahoma
Measurements: 6’4”, 190
Year: Junior
Previous Team: Heritage Hall High School (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)

Analysis: Trey Alexander grew up in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He attended Heritage High School and was named Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year after averaging 23.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.1 steals per game as a senior. Alexander was rated as a four-star recruit and originally committed to play for Auburn. Eventually, Alexander would decommit before later signing on to play at Creighton.

During his freshman year, Alexander was named to the Big East Conference All-Freshman team after averaging 7.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Fast forward to the 2022-23 season, and Trey has become one of the most underrated combo guards in college basketball. Trey is coming off a sensational season in which he averaged 13.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 44.7% from the field and 41.0% from three-point range. After initially testing the waters for the 2023 NBA draft, Alexander is back at Creighton for his junior year with lofty expectations.

The hope is that Alexander can keep his efficiency while taking on a bigger role for the Blue Jays. If that can happen, Alexander can be a name that climbs up the rankings in NBA draft circles. Alexander measured in at the 2023 NBA draft combine at 6’4.25” with an impressive 6’10” wingspan. He’s a crafty combo guard who has shown the ability to be patient and navigate traffic, getting to his spots on the floor. After shooting just 28.1% from three-point range as a freshman, Alexander improved to 41.0% from three last year. If that number can improve, with an uptick in attempts, then Alexander is going to have the attention of NBA scouts.

Prospect Chemistry: Malcolm Brogdon, Corey Joseph, Shaun Livingston

Pros: Offensive Versatility, Playmaking, Defensive Upside

Cons: Finishing, Athleticism