Evaluating Zach Edey, Donovan Clingan, and Hunter Dickinson in the 2024 NBA Draft among other centers

The 2024 NBA Draft presents a unique scenario with no clear frontrunner for the No. 1 overall pick. Several NBA teams are in search of improved rim protection and frontcourt assistance, making it challenging to predict the draft positions of dominant college centers Zach Edey, Donovan Clingan, and Hunter Dickinson compared to their peers. Alex Sarr, a 7-foot-1 center excelling with the Perth Wildcats in Australia’s NBL, is expected to be a top-three pick and likely the first center chosen due to his versatile inside-out game, three-point shooting ability, and elite rim protection skills.

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Following Sarr, the center position becomes uncertain. Purdue’s 7-foot-2 center, Zach Edey, has emerged as a frontrunner for Player of the Year. Returning for his senior year with a determination to prove himself after exploring the NBA draft last spring, Edey is posting impressive averages of 23 points and 11.4 rebounds for the second-ranked Boilermakers. Notably, he has enhanced his conditioning and footwork, showcasing improved agility on the court and avoiding injuries. While Edey has attempted only one three-pointer this season, his efficiency stands out at 62.7% from the field.

UConn’s sophomore, Donovan Clingan, showcased his potential during the current season, particularly in the NCAA tournament, playing a crucial supporting role alongside Adama Sonogo. Despite being a projected first-round pick for the 2023-24 season, the 7-2 center has faced challenges, including injuries that limited his playing time. Clingan notably contributed with three crucial blocks against Drew Timme in the Elite Eight game against Gonzaga. Dealing with a right foot injury during the preseason and another setback in December, he recently recorded an impressive performance with 18 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks in just 19 minutes during a victory over Xavier.

Hunter Dickinson, a highly sought-after player in the transfer portal last spring, opted to play his senior season at Kansas after leaving Michigan. The 7-2 center currently leads the Big 12 in rebounds (11.3) and ranks second in scoring (18.9), closely behind teammate Kevin McCullar Jr. Dickinson, distinguishing himself from Edey and Clingan, has been more active in attempting 3-pointers, going 1-5 from beyond the arc. In a recent game against Iowa State, he posted an impressive stat line of 20 points, 15 rebounds, and four assists, despite the team’s 79-75 loss.

According to an NBA scout, while all three players are exceptional in the college setting, there’s a historical trend suggesting that dominant college big men may face challenges transitioning to the NBA. The demanding 82-game schedule, limited recovery time, and the tendency of NBA teams to exploit bigs who struggle defending the perimeter pose potential obstacles for these players at the professional level.

Expressed by another NBA scout, the upcoming draft is anticipated to be highly unpredictable. The scout highlighted the uncertainty surrounding Zach Edey’s draft position, suggesting that while mock drafts project him at No. 14, his actual selection could vary significantly. The scout emphasized that, based on their assessment, Edey doesn’t hold the 14th spot on their draft board and could potentially be chosen later in the second round.

Luka Garza, a dominant force during his college career at Iowa, achieved back-to-back Big Ten Player of the Year honors and secured the National Player of the Year title as a senior. The 6-10 center boasted impressive averages of 24.1 points and 8.7 rebounds. Despite his outstanding college achievements, he was selected by the Detroit Pistons as the 52nd pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Garza spent one season on a two-way contract with the Pistons before joining the Minnesota Timberwolves in August 2022. However, he has been on a two-way contract with the Timberwolves for the past two seasons, making limited appearances in nine NBA games this season with an average playing time of under 3 minutes per game.

Drew Timme, instrumental in guiding Gonzaga to the championship game in his junior season, concluded his college career with impressive stats of 2,307 points and 896 rebounds. Known for his formidable inside game, the 6-10 center recorded career-high averages of 21.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game in his senior season. Despite earning accolades such as WCC Player of the Year and MVP of the WCC tournament in his final season, Timme went undrafted in 2023. Currently, he is playing for the Wisconsin Herd, the G League team affiliated with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Udoka Azubuike, a 7-foot center from Kansas, showcased remarkable skills in the pick-and-roll alongside Devon Dotson during the 2019-20 college season, contributing to Kansas’s status as the top-ranked team in the country before the season was halted due to COVID-19. Azubuike posted solid numbers in his final college season, averaging 12.3 points and 7.9 rebounds. The Utah Jazz selected him with the 27th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, a surprising choice at the time, especially in the first round. Unfortunately, the move did not pan out as expected for the Jazz, and Azubuike spent a significant portion of his time in Utah playing for their G League team. In March 2022, he underwent surgery on his right foot.

In August of the same year, the Phoenix Suns signed Azubuike to a two-way contract, and he has participated in 12 games during the current season.

Several centers are currently projected ahead of Zach Edey, Donovan Clingan, and Hunter Dickinson in the upcoming draft.

Duke’s 7-foot sophomore, Kyle Filipowski, has demonstrated consistent performance throughout the season. Despite undergoing double hip surgery last spring, he opted to return for his sophomore year. Filipowski, who shot 28% from 3-point range as a freshman, has significantly improved in that aspect, now boasting a 38% accuracy from behind the arc. Playing a crucial role in Duke’s offense, he has enhanced his ball-handling skills, minimizing turnovers and tightening his grip. Filipowski’s draft prospects range from mid-lottery to the late first round.

Zvonimir Ivisic, a 7-2 center from Croatia representing Kentucky, recently gained NCAA clearance after missing half the season. In his debut game, the freshman showcased his prowess with 13 points, five rebounds, three blocks, and two steals in just 16 minutes. Despite subsequent limited playing time as the coaching staff adjusts rotations, Ivisic’s shooting ability from beyond the arc and exceptional passing make him a noteworthy prospect. His teammate, 7-1 freshman center Aaron Bradshaw, started the season late due to foot surgery but, like Ivisic, presents a potential option for teams seeking a versatile young center in the late lottery to the back half of the first round.

Baylor’s Yves Missi, a 7-foot freshman, has a unique journey, growing from a 6-4 shooting guard to his current stature in four years. Despite playing a strictly inside-the-paint role in Baylor’s perimeter-oriented offense, his potential as a pick-and-pop threat at the next level widens his draft range from late lottery to the mid-20s.

Kel’el Ware, who transferred from Oregon to Indiana after an underwhelming freshman year, has revitalized his prospect status under Mike Woodson’s new system. Flourishing in Trayce Jackson-Davis’s role, Ware, a 7-foot sophomore, showcases versatility on both ends of the court, shooting 41.7% from 3-point range and averaging close to two blocks per game. His projected draft range spans from the mid-to-late first round.