The 2024 NBA Draft is in the books. No college team in this draft had more players selected than two-time reigning national champion UConn. Stephon Castle (No. 4 to the San Antonio Spurs) and Donovan Clingan (No. 7 to the Portland Trail Blazers) were drafted in the top 10, while Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer were selected in Round 2.
The Pac-12 had the most draftees (nine) in its final season with full membership. Colorado had three players selected, headlined by Cody Williams going No. 10 to the Utah Jazz, while Isaiah Collier and Bronny James were drafted out of USC. Arizona, Cal, UCLA and Washington State all had one player selected.
Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham were selected in the top 10 out of Kentucky to help the program pass Duke for the most first-round selections (48) since the NBA Draft went to two rounds in 1989. Former Kentucky coach John Calipari leaves the program having produced 37 first-rounders and 25 lottery picks.
Let’s take a deeper look at which schools produced the most NBA-bound talent in 2024.
UConn (4)
Stephon Castle (No. 4 to Spurs)Donovan Clingan (No. 7 to Trail Blazers)Tristen Newton (No. 49 to Pacers)Cam Spencer (No. 53 to Grizzlies)
It’s fitting that the best team in college basketball had the most players selected. Castle is a perfect fit with the Spurs because of their glaring need for a point guard. Clingan wasn’t expected to be available at No. 7 because there was serious buzz that someone would trade up to land the towering big man. As for Newton and Spencer, they were veteran leaders on the Huskies most recent championship team.
Kentucky (3)
Reed Sheppard (No. 3 to Rockets)Rob Dillingham (No. 8 to Timberwolves)Antonio Reeves (No. 47 to Pelicans)
Around this time last year, Kentucky’s Justin Edwards was in the conversation to go No. 1 overall. Instead, Edwards went undrafted. Sheppard, Dillingham, and Reeves marked the final picks of the Calipari era….
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