NEW YORK – It is true, there is no Victor Wembanyama or Zion Williamson, no once-in-a-generation type of athlete who will be the surefire No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
But UConn’s Donovan Clingan and Stephon Castle, and all of the other likely lottery and first round picks who met with media on the eve of the big day, hope to shut down the narrative that their draft class is a weak one.
“I mean, I’ve heard it,” Castle said, not convinced. “I don’t really pay too much attention to it. But I don’t think our draft is weak. We really don’t know how good a draft is until you see how their future pans out.”
That is also true.
There was no consensus No. 1 pick in the 2020 Draft, but Anthony Edwards – who drew several comparisons to Michael Jordan during this year’s playoff run – has turned out pretty well for the Minnesota Timberwolves. LaMelo Ball, who went third overall, made a splash, and a number of other players in that class (Tyrese Haliburton, Tyrese Maxey, Jaden McDaniels, Desmond Bane) have made their mark in the league as either breakout stars, top starters or key role players.
Peaking with confidence, Stephon Castle is eager to hear his name called early in NBA Draft
‘Weak’ was also a word used to describe the 2013 class, but Giannis Antetokounmpo, CJ McCollum, Steven Adams, Rudy Gobert and others would like a word.
“I think it’s a great class,” said Clingan, one of the headliners of the class in the mix to go No. 1. “It’s all players that are going to the NBA, high-level players that are going to have great careers. There’s two national champions who have a chance to be a lottery pick, I mean…”
Two champs who could go in the lottery, another two who could hear their name in the second round. It is certainly not a weak class from UConn’s perspective. Regardless of where they’re picked, Clingan and Castle’s value will be determined by what they accomplish over the course of their careers – that will also determine, coach Dan Hurley has pointed out, how the 2023 and 2024 UConn teams are viewed among the best all-time.
It’s all motivation.
“Just to kind of limit that narrative as much as we can,” Castle said, “I think that’s something that all of the players are striving for.”
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