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The 2024 NBA draft has been compared to 2013 and 2000 as one of the most historically weak draft classes in league history. While the top-end talent in this class wasn’t on par with recent stars like Zion Williamson, Paolo Banchero, and Victor Wembanyama, the depth in this class could end up being very quality.
Plenty of players taken in the second round or late first round have already looked like quality NBA role players, like Terrence Shannon Jr, Johnny Furphy, Oso Ighodaro, Cam Spencer, and Jamal Shead, while lottery talents like Reed Sheppard, Stephon Castle, Zach Edey, and Bub Carrington are showing out as well.
Even the undrafted free agents have shown some promise. Summer League can elevate a certain type of player, namely high-scoring guards who can put pressure on the rim, but there have been quite a few undrafted players who are already looking like bargains for the teams that brought them in this month.
Below is a look at the ten highest performing undrafted free agents from this class, starting with a great find for the Miami Heat:
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School: Arizona (previously San Diego State)
Johnson is a versatile wing defender who can stretch the floor. His age, experience, size, versatility and outside shooting make him a perfect modern role player, and once again Miami is able to snag someone out of the undrafted pool who can contribute right away.
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
School: Creighton
Alexander had first round buzz as recently as this past season, but fell out of the draft entirely despite putting up 17.6 points, 5.7 boards, and 4.7 assists last year for the Blue Jays. Denver loves acquiring older college prospects from premier hoops programs, and it looks already like they got a steal here in Alexander.
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
School: St. John’s (previously Iona and Pacific)
Jenkins dropped 26 points with six made threes in a recent game for the Pistons, showing off great tempo, fluidity, and outside shooting. Detroit has plenty of young guards, but Jenkins is making a case for a spot on this roster right away.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
School: Clemson
Hall is averaging 12 points, five boards, and two assists through two Summer League games, shooting 37.5% (3-8) from beyond the arc. Denver has to replace fellow rookie DaRon Holmes, who suffered a torn achilles, and Hall’s rebounding skills and outside shooting could land him a spot behind Nikola Jokic in the Mile High city.
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School: TCU (transferred from Texas A&M)
Miller, like Johnson, is a veteran 6’7 wing with defensive versatility and an efficient offensive game, coming off a season where he averaged 15.8 points while shooting 51.3% on twos and 38.3% from deep. With Dallas, Miller has averaged 10 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in two games, shooting 61.5% from the field and knocking down two of his three three point attempts. He could sneak onto the roster for the Mavs if he keeps this up.
(Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
School: USC Trojans (transferred from Memphis)
Boogie Ellis is the kind of player Summer League is made for. He’s a walking bucket, so far shooting over 55% from beyond the arc in a pair of games with Sacramento. Ellis is an undersized two guard, and he’ll need to cut down the turnovers and improve his defense if he wants to stick in the league. But the shot-making is absolutely on full display so far in Las Vegas.
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School: Mississippi State (previously Western Kentucky)
Smith was among the best bigs in the SEC the past three years, averaging 15.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists across 78 games in that time frame. In three contests with Detroit the 6’10 big man is averaging 9.3 points and 9.0 rebounds, wreaking havoc on the offensive glass and proving his value at the next level.
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
School: Utah Utes
Carlson was a prolific college basketball player across five seasons with the Utes, earning All Pac-12 honors three times and averaging 17 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks as a super senior last season. That included an outstanding 37.9% mark from deep, on 4.7 attempts per game, and the early return in Summer League shows that might be sustainable.
Toronto could use a floor spacing, rim protecting big man, and Carlson racked up eight blocks in his first two games while shooting 36.4% (4-11) from beyond the arc.
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
School: Colorado State Rams
Another great find for Miami, Stevens averaged 13 or more points and 4.5 or more assists in five straight seasons for the Rams of Colorado State, earning All Mountain West honors each year.
The veteran point guard has 18 points and 18 assists through his first two Summer League games, going 4-4 from three and only turning the ball over twice. He could be a quality third point guard for this Miami team, who develops players at an elite rate.
Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports
School: Baylor (previously at Toledo)
The Clippers only had one pick in the 2024 NBA draft, but they are hoping to find some value in the undrafted market with RayJ Dennis, who thrived last year at Baylor under Scott Drew.
Dennis is averaging eight points and 5.3 assists through his first three games, going 6-12 from three and adding in four rebounds and 1.3 steals per game.
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Courtesy : https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/lists/nba-summer-league-undrafted-keshod-johnson-basketball/