We've talked and written ad nauseum about the top of the 2024 NBA draft class: Reed Sheppard's status as the best shooter, Donovan Clingan's shot blocking, Alex Sarr's defensive versatility and 3-and-6 prowess. D for Zaccharie Risacher.
But what about the less obvious draft prospects, the unheralded second round or undrafted players who could one day impact an NBA Finals series, like Boston Celtics players Derrick White (29th pick in 2017 ) and Sam Hauser (undrafted in 2021) and What did Dallas Mavericks forward Derrick Jones Jr. (undrafted in 2016) do last season?
What follows is not a list of the best or even elite players in the 2024 class at each position, but rather a group of sleepers, by position, who we think could exceed expectations for where they might be drafted. We're ignoring the obvious and ruling out any player who is currently projected to go in the first round based on our most recent mock draft.
All six players chosen have first-round ratings on my personal board, which differs slightly from ESPN's Top 100 Big Board because those ratings represent how prospects are perceived in the NBA.
Round 1 begins Wednesday at 8 pm ET on ESPN, ABC, ESPN+ and the ESPN app.
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