2024 NBA Mock Draft: Timberwolves grab seasoned prospect, Wizards reach for center

17. New Orleans Pelicans - Yves Missi, Baylor

Back-to-back raw prospects appear in this mock draft. This time around, Yves Missi is a big man who played stateside this past season. The Bears' center averaged 10.7 points, 5.6 boards, and 1.5 blocks per game.

While Salaun was the classic European prospect, Missi is the classic rim-rolling big. He's a high-flyer who feeds off lobs on offense. The Baylor center shot 61.4 percent from the floor as a freshman. 63 of his 140 made field goals were dunks.

Standing 7-foot with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, Missi's the ideal rim protector. He's long, strong, and mobile. The Belgium-born center came to Baylor likely close to his high school weight of 215. Now, Missi is listed at a chiseled 235 pounds.

He's a fluid athlete who'd fit right in with the New Orleans Pelicans. Thus far into Zion Williamson's career, New Orleans has employed Jonas Valanciunas next to the former first-overall pick. While Valanciunas stretches the floor, he doesn't offer much rim protection. The Pelicans ranked in the bottom third of the league in blocks and opponent's paint field goal percentage.

Missi is exactly the type of player to alleviate these shortcomings. At 19 years old, he may not be ready to step into a heavy minute role right away. Nevertheless, Missi is a high-upside prospect at this stage of the draft who resembles players like Jalen Duren and Mark Williams.