2024 NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Full two-round projections, French prospect soars
By Austin McGee
Picks 41-50
41. Philadelphia 76ers - Oso Ighodaro, Marquette
In the first round, the 76ers snatched a perimeter-oriented player. Here, Philadelphia grabs a do-it-all big man in Marquette's Oso Ighodaro. At almost 6-foot-10 and 222 pounds, Ighodaro isn't your typical interior-oriented player. The senior center is an agile defender and an above-average playmaker. Ighodaro would compliment Joel Embiid and effectively fill in for the star center off the pine.
42. Charlotte Hornets - Cam Christie, Minnesota
At 18 years old, Minnesota's Cam Christie was widely expected to run it back for the Golden Gophers. Instead of returning to the collegiate ranks, Christie has taken his talents to the big leagues. The young guard is a great shooter who canned 39.1 percent of his 5.4 3-pointer attempts per game.
43. Miami Heat - Jalen Bridges, Baylor
One of my favorite, NBA-ready players in the draft, Baylor's Jalen Bridges is the ideal 3-and-D prospect. The 6-foot-7 wing is strong, agile, and long enough to cover up to four different positions. On offense, he's an effective catch-and-shoot sniper who drained 41.2 percent of his triples a season ago.
44. Houston Rockets - Jonathan Mogbo, San Francisco
Like Bona, Jonathan Mogbo is an undersized big. Unlike Bona, the San Fransisco forward is a downhill scorer and nifty passer. As a senior, Mogbo averaged 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game—demonstrating his guard-like features. Adding another player of Mogbo's build to an already-versatile Houston team will lead to infinite lineup flexibility.
45. Sacramento Kings - Justin Edwards, Kentucky
Good size? Check. Efficient shooting numbers? Check. Youth? Check. Kentucky's Justin Edwards appears to be the total package, but limited contributions as a highly-touted freshman have led to discouragement amongst draftniks.
46. LA Clippers - Trentyn Flowers, Adelaide 36ers
High-flying forward Trentyn Flowers spent last season playing in Australia's NBL after originally committing to the University of Louisville. In the NBL, Flowers' contributions were limited. However, he displayed elite athleticism, a high motor, and shooting potential in just 12.7 minutes per game.
47. Orlando Magic - Harrison Ingram, North Carolina
North Carolina transfer Harrison Ingram is one of the more intriguing prospects in the draft. The former Stanford Cardinal is extremely versatile at 6-foot-5, 233 pounds with a 7-foot wingspan. He averaged 12.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while drilling 38.5 percent of his threes a season ago. Perhaps Ingram can be what the Magic envisioned now-free agent Chuma Okeke would have been.
48. San Antonio Spurs - Melvin Ajinca, Saint-Quentin
Yet another Frenchman, Melvin Ajinca is a prototypical 3-and-D prospect. After adding several on-ball guards and a power forward earlier, Ajinca fits in as the low-usage role player. At 20 years of age, Ajinca will have time to develop a broad offensive arsenal in San Antonio.
49. Indiana Pacers - Baylor Scheierman, Creighton
He's *possibly* the best shooter in the draft, but Baylor Scheierman is also much more. The Creighton Bluejay averaged 9.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists to go along with 18.5 points per game as a graduate senior. With three second-rounders, adding a mix of high-floor prospects with high-ceiling prospects makes for a stellar recipe in Indiana.
50. Indiana Pacers - Tristen Newton, UConn
It's time to select pro-ready or high-risk, high-reward prospects at this juncture in the draft. UConn's Tristen Newton exemplifies the latter. Although the Pacers are flush with guards, adding Newton is a great hedge if one of TJ McConnell or Andrew Nembhard walks in next offseason's free agency.