re: 2024 Basketball team

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9. Utah Jazz: Anthony Black (Arkansas, PG/SG, Freshman)

The Jazz can add more playmaking at both ends with Black, who'd double as a ball-handling initiator and two-way wing. Coaches may eventually prefer him as the starting point guard, given his strengths as a passer and a 6'6", point-of-attack defender.

13. Toronto Raptors: Nick Smith Jr. (Arkansas, PG/SG, Freshman)

An inefficient season mixed with injury could cause Smith to fall outside the top 10, where he was initially projected thanks to his 6'5" size, shot-making versatility and playmaking flashes. At No. 13, the Raptors would see too enticing of a buy-low opportunity on a potentially dangerous three-level scorer.

35. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Blazers): Ricky Council IV (Arkansas, SG/SF, Junior)

Council could draw first-round looks based on what any three-point shooting improvement could do for an effective creator, two-point shot-maker and tremendous play-finisher.

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8. Washington Wizards: Anthony Black
Entering the past season, Nick Smith was supposed to be the top prospect at Arkansas. But it was another five-star freshman in Black, who at 6’7 and extremely versatile showcased almost everything a lottery pick should have. He averaged 12.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, and 3.9 apg as the lead guard while Smith was injured and showed that he can go off scoring-wise, including back-to-back 26-point games in the Maui Invitational.

Washington is a franchise that has star Bradley Beal and two more 20+ scorers in Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis. Point guard is a glaring need for them and while Black isn’t a true PG, he’s capable of running the offense and can guard the opposing team’s best player. And it would also put pressure on last year’s 1st-round pick, Johnny Davis.

14. New Orleans Pelicans: Nick Smith Jr.
At one point, Smith was a projected top-5 NBA Draft pick. But that was before the injury setback, which limited the 6’5 combo guard to just 12.5 ppg in 17 games played on 38% shooting. He still managed to have five 20+ point games, including 26 points on 5/8 shooting from deep against Georgia. His injury woes could come to someone’s benefit as he’s likely to slide down the draft a bit.

CJ McCollum is entering the end of his prime, while the Dyson Daniels experiment (former top-10 pick) could also be entering its final stage. Smith at his best is a quality scorer and would give the backcourt a boost off the bench. But if he’s fully healthy, maybe the former five-star prospect could end up starting in the future.

29. Indiana Pacers: Jordan Walsh
Walsh didn’t showcase a ton of offensive potential in his freshman year at Arkansas, averaging 7.1 ppg and 3.9 rpg as a starter. He didn’t shoot extremely well and he only went from more than 13 points once, going for 18 against Bradley. But where Walsh shines is on the defensive end, using his 6’7 frame and long wingspan to guard several positions on the court. He’s the kind of player that with more development can become a key rotation piece for any team.

With guys like Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, and hopefully, Jarace Walker, the Pacers are going to be very good offensively. But tightening up the defense is going to be important as well and if they don’t take an international player to stash, Walsh is someone with a high ceiling worth taking.

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9 Jazz Anthony Black PG – Arkansas – HT: 6-5 3/4 – WT: 210 – WING: 6-7 1/2 – Fr. – A big PG with great handles and elite passing ability. Has special basketball instincts and put on a show his freshman year. The Jazz are building a really nice roster and Black would fit like a glove. bouncy Josh Giddey

26 Pacers (from Cavs) Nick Smith Jr. SG – Arkansas – HT – 6-5 – WT – 185 – Wing – NA – Fr – Smith missed parts of the season with injury and didn’t really find his rhythm. He’s a score first player who needs to get more efficient putting the ball in the basket but has a lot of scoring upside. Jamal Murray lite

37 Thunder (from Wizards) Jordan Walsh SF – Arkansas – HT: 6-7 – WT: 190 – WING: 7-3 – Fr – A fast rising prospect who is a big time athlete with a smooth game. Has elite length and is a standout on both ends. Elite 25 Richard Jefferson, Andre Iguodala

39 Hornets (from Jazz) Ricky Council IV SG – Arkansas – HT: 6-5 – WT: 208 – WING: 6-9 – Jr – Council IV is a talented scorer with high-end athleticism. Is starting to hit the 3 ball at a better clip. JR Smith

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