2024 Draft Outlook: 6 First-Round Jazz Prospects

Despite losing eight of their last nine games, things aren’t nearly as bleak in Jazzland as some might think. Rookies Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks, and Brice Sensabaugh provide enough flashes to excite you for the future of Utah Jazz basketball. Another positive aspect of this losing streak is that the Jazz are increasingly likely to keep their first-round draft pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. 

While the argument that conveying the draft pick is still out there, the Jazz certainly looks like a team that could benefit from the infusion of talent that is a top-10 pick. With the calendar flipping over to March, it seems like a perfect time to look at six college freshmen the Jazz could be interested in.

Guard Rob Dillingham - Kentucky Wildcats

Possibly the most potent scorer in the entire draft is having a fantastic season off the bench for John Calipari. Dillingham is an exceptional scorer with averages of nearly 15 points and four assists in just 23 minutes per game. His efficiency has been a head-turner for me this year, as he’s slashing 47.9% from the field and 43.4% from deep, including a ton of high-difficulty makes.

There’s a chance Dillingham goes well before the Jazz are on the clock, but his size and defense are legitimate question marks that could scare teams off. The one thing for certain is that few players will be as fun to watch over the next few weeks as number 0 for the Wildcats.

Guard Reed Sheppard - Kentucky Wildcats

Speaking of efficient Kentucky guards, Sheppard has been fantastic all year. The 6’3 guard is knocking down an absurd 51.7% of his three-point attempts on the year. Yes, you read that right. 

Reed is a malleable player who can fit in just about any lineup. Like Dillingham, I have concerns about his size in the NBA, especially if he ends up as more of an off-guard than a point guard. Despite those concerns, I feel extremely confident that Sheppard will at least be a valuable contributor at the next level.

Wing Ja’Kobe Walter - Baylor Bears

A feisty competitor out of Baylor who has seen his draft stock fluctuate throughout the year, Walter’s main selling point is his ability to shoot the basketball, although he has shown signs that he can convert from deep as an off-ball wing. 

Walter also possesses the size and athleticism to defend either backcourt position. Walter has struggled since the start of conference play but played a couple of his best games of the year over the past week. This next stretch will be significant for Walter to see if he can knock some shots down at a higher clip.

Guard Isaiah Collier - USC Trojans

The top-ranked player in his high school recruiting class, Collier has been part of a massively disappointing USC team this year. However, Collier is enjoying a good season and playing his best basketball despite his team's struggles. 

Collier is averaging 20.5 points and 4.1 assists per night in the seven games since returning from injury. While his production will not result in a trip to the big dance, Collier still possesses some of the highest upsides in the draft.

Wing Cody Williams - Colorado Buffaloes

If there’s one college prospect on this list that I find least likely to make it down to the Jazz, it’s Williams. A 6’8 wing who can handle the ball, score efficiently, and make passes as a secondary creator, Williams is one of the trendiest prospects in the class. Williams fits just about every criterion the Jazz have for building a team, and for a squad without an actual wing on the roster, I expect Williams to be very high on their board.

My concerns with Williams are that he’s not a very bursty athlete, and he’s missed many games this year. With Colorado sitting on the NCAA tournament bubble, a big couple of weeks for Williams would go a long way in helping them get there.

Guard Stephon Castle - UConn Huskies

Castle is the guy I’m seemingly higher on than consensus. The 6’6 combo guard has adapted his game and become a big-time contributor for the best team in the country. During the year, Castle stuffed the stat sheet with his ability to score on or off-ball, pass the ball, and rebound. 

Most impressively, Castle has been one of the better perimeter defenders in the class. He’s a guy I believe will benefit from NBA spacing as it will open up more driving and passing lanes as he gets downhill.

The big question with Castle is the shot. His hesitancy to shoot is more concerning than his form or percentages. He’s knocked down only 30% of his three-pointers but an encouraging 74% of his free throws this year. The one thing for certain is that few freshmen contribute to high-level basketball like Castle.

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