This week, Yahoo Sports is ranking the top players in the 2024 NBA Draft by position. On Monday we ranked the best point guards in this class, on Tuesday we analyzed the top centers, on Wednesday we analyzed the top power forwards, and today we're ranking the top shooting guards.
As the NBA becomes positionless and designated positions on the court become increasingly blurred, the draft's top shooting guards are expected to become more versatile in the backcourt, playing with and without the ball. The player who had the most success in this role this college basketball season has been freshman Reid Shepard from Kentucky, who came off the bench with the second unit and was often on the court during key minutes late in games. Dalton Knecht, a fifth-year senior at Tennessee, is one of the best all-around scorers in college basketball, making the shot in a variety of ways despite frequently facing double and triple teams.
With just two weeks to go until the NBA Draft, which takes place in New York on June 26-27, here are the top five shooting guards to watch, as well as players to watch in the late first or early second round.
1. Reed Shepherd
Height/weight: Height 6 feet 2 inches, Weight 182 pounds | Year: 19
Shepard, who turns 20 two days before the first day of the draft, is likely to be the first shooting guard taken between the third and seventh picks. He wowed scouts with his athleticism, tying for the all-time vertical jump (42 inches) at the combine, and also shot an astounding 52.1% from three-point range (3.5 attempts per game) as a freshman at Kentucky, scoring from the perimeter in a variety of ways, including deep transition threes, off-screens and catch-and-shoots.
His two-way potential, being able to anticipate passes, get players in front and deflect the ball in the post, will allow him to be on the court early on. Sheppard finished his freshman year averaging 12.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
2. Dalton Knecht
Height/weight: Height 6 feet 5 inches, Weight 204 pounds | Year: twenty three
Knecht's path to the NBA has been different than any other player in this draft class. He was an unknown high school freshman who played two years at a junior college in East Denver before transferring to Northern Colorado, where he played two seasons and became one of the best players in the Big Sky Conference. Knecht then transferred to Tennessee for his final season, choosing it over Kansas or North Carolina to improve his defense. He credits coach Rick Barnes and his staff for helping him improve his lateral movement on the perimeter.
Knecht is the best three-level scorer in the draft. He can shoot from anywhere, finish through contact and shoot with intent off ball screens. He is leading the SEC in scoring with 21.7 points per game while shooting 46% from the field and 40% from three-point range. He is expected to be drafted anywhere between 6th and 10th overall and will be an immediate contributor on offense in the NBA.
3. Kishaun George
Height/weight: Height 6 feet 7 inches, Weight 205 pounds | Year: 20
Every draft, there's an unexpected player who rises to the top of the lottery, selected based on potential and not necessarily track record. George could be that player this year. He had a quiet freshman season at Miami, averaging 7.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 23 minutes, but he shot the ball well at the combine and performed well in pre-draft workouts.
George made a breakout move from point guard to wing two years ago. His passing and quick thinking are his most underrated traits, and his high, quick-release shooting form earned him early notice from scouts as a catch-and-shoot threat. George has slowly climbed the draft ladder this season, so don't be surprised if he slides into the later draft spots with Portland, Sacramento and Oklahoma City likely to be his picks.
4. Jacob Walter
Height/weight: 6-4, 194 pounds | Year: 19
Walter's pre-draft workouts have been relatively quiet with not much news surrounding the rookie guard out of Baylor University, likely as teams try to protect his draft position and hope he makes it to their team on the first day of the draft.
Walter's season at Baylor was up and down. With older, more experienced players on the perimeter, he had limited opportunities to touch the ball. However, he looks to be a good catch-and-shoot threat and a playmaker without the ball. Former Baylor guard Keyonte George was taken 16th overall by the Jazz last year and had a very productive year, earning first-team All-Rookie honors and solidifying himself as a cornerstone of the Jazz rebuild. Walter could follow a similar path. His draft position is expected to be somewhere between the late lottery and the middle of the first round.
Height/weight: Height 6-8, Weight 202 lbs | Year: 19
The Australian guard reportedly chose to remain eligible for this year's draft, turning down a lucrative NIL contract to return to Kansas for another year. The fact that he will remain in this draft makes him a surefire first-round selection with multiple teams likely expressing interest after observing and meeting with him at the combine. Furphy is far from a finished product, but an established team selecting 20th would have the time and flexibility to develop him as a perimeter player. His shooting instincts are off the charts and his length and size bring additional pressure to defenses.
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Pacome Daddyette Dadier is one of the youngest players in this draft, not turning 19 until July. The 6-foot-8 guard from France is also one of the most intriguing players in the draft due to his combination of size and shooting creativity. Dadier played last season for Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany and is a late bloomer who could slide into the first round.
Cal's Jaylon Tyson Last season, he was one of the Pac-12's best scorers, averaging 19.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He can play in either position in the backcourt and is a threat off the dribble and from deep. Since January, Tyson has been projected in the late first round to early second round draft range.
Baylor Shierman He was one of the best shooters in 5-on-5 scrimmages at the Combine and showed on the first day of games just how productive he can be playing alongside other ball-dominant guards. The senior from Creighton averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds last season and has the size to move anywhere on the perimeter and create mismatches off screens.