Big Board 4.0 Part I - Crafting Offseason Game Plans for the Top 10 2024 NBA Prospects
Unlocking Potential: Pre-Draft Training Regimens and Player Studies Through My Trainer's Lens for the NBA's Next Wave of Talent
The 2023-24 college season has concluded, and we are just 25 days away from the NBA Draft Lottery—an all-important night that determines which team will secure the coveted first pick in the wide-open 2024 NBA Draft.
This Big Board edition will take on a unique twist. I've ranked the players based on my personal assessments, but with a special addition to each prospect's summary. Prior to my role as a draft analyst, I honed my skills as a trainer for clients across various levels, from grade school to college, and even in the EuroLeague. I also have a few NBA clients on my training resume.
With this background, I often view prospects through a trainer's lens, contemplating how I would approach their pre-draft training if given the opportunity.
So, in Big Board 4.0, I've decided to have some fun and share what would be my offseason game plan, including some, but not all, players of a similar archetype to study, for the top prospects in the 2024 NBA draft, based on my personal assessments and statistical data.
I also adopted a strategy from Daryl Morey, the President of Basketball Operations for the Philadelphia 76ers, who advocates for cross-racial comparisons to prevent scouts from evaluating prospects based on their looks, nationality, or reputation.
Note: The film study players are NOT all direct player comparisons; they serve as examples of players from whom the prospects can draw inspiration and emulate aspects of their game. As the saying goes, 'There's nothing wrong with being a copycat, if you copy the right cat.'
Let's dive in!
1. Alex Sarr
Perth Wildcats (Australia)
International
PF/C
7’1” | 215
Age on draft night: 19.1
Alex Sarr stands out as an elite prospect who embodies everything NBA teams seek in a modern-day big man. His versatile offensive skill set enables him to score effectively from anywhere on the court and defend agile wing players while also serving as a formidable rim protector.
However, the primary critique of Sarr is his current lack of physical strength and occasional tendency to avoid physicality. Nevertheless, his blend of size, length, and promising shooting potential solidifies his position at the pinnacle of my Big Board.
Focus Areas for Summer
Low Post Scoring
It's clear that Alex Sarr will benefit greatly from improving his strength, particularly to improve his efficiency in the paint. This season, he encountered challenges with the physical play of the NBL, reflected in his 30% shooting on post-ups. Along with adding strength, I’d like to see Sarr dedicate a significant amount of time perfecting his unblockable turnaround jumper, along with focusing on a variety of post moves such as baseline spin hooks with both hands, pivot hooks, and baseline fadeaways.
Outside Shooting
While Sarr is promising shooter with range extending to the three-point line, he needs to become a more consistent outside threat to fully capitalize on his enormous potential. His shooting percentages of 30% on pick-and-pop jumpers and 26% on uncontested catch-and-shoot opportunities this season indicate room for improvement. To develop into an efficient floor spacer, Sarr should prioritize making hundreds of pick-and-pop and catch and shoot jumpers. Additionally, given his efficiency as an off-the-dribble shooter, it would be beneficial to incorporate space creation ball-handling drills. Developing into an efficient floor spacer will open up opportunities for Sarr to utilize his athleticism and advanced ball-handling to attack closeouts.
Film Study - Kevin Garnett
Although I don't anticipate Sarr transforming into the fiery and expressive vocal leader that Garnett was, I do believe that studying KG's game would greatly benefit his development. Similar to Garnett, Sarr has outlier physical attributes that set him apart. He boasts the ideal size and length necessary for protecting the paint, combined with the agility and mobility required for defending effectively on the perimeter. Absorbing the finer points of the game from a Hall of Famer and 12-time All-NBA defender who shares similar physical traits could unlock a treasure trove of potential for the player I consider to be the top talent in this draft class.