We’re just over two weeks away from everyone’s favorite basketball HR meeting, so let’s see where the former Marquette stars stack up.
The 2024 NBA Draft is set for June 26 and 27 in New York with the first round going down at Barclays Center and the second round coming the next night at ESPN’s Seaport District Studios. The Draft Combine is long in the rear view mirror now, so it’s a good time to check in with the various Mock Drafts around the internet to see what they’re saying about Marquette’s Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodaro.
I’ll give you a link to each mock draft and/or big board, the date it was published, the spot where both Marquette guys are projected to go/currently ranked, and then a smattering of commentary for the outlets that provide something like that.
General Trend: Tyler Kolek might be a lock for a first round pick, but we might be waiting on pins and needles during the second round to see if, not when, Oso Ighodaro will be drafted. Draft Day trades may end up making the difference as to whether or not the MU big man will be selected.
Let’s go!
CBS Sports’ Gary Parrish (6/8)
Tyler Kolek: #22, Phoenix Suns
Kolek has some obvious issues as an NBA prospect — most notably a lack of athleticism relative to what’s desired from lead guards. Regardless, the All-American from Marquette is adequately sized for his position, terrific in pick-and-rolls, an A-plus passer, a reliable 3-point shooter an an intriguing option for a Phoenix franchise that clearly needs point guard help.
Gary Parrish lists Kolek as the #32 ranked prospect in the draft, but because Phoenix needs a point guard and there’s a lot of guys listed as point guards in this draft, that would lead to the Suns grabbing Kolek ahead of his prospect ranking. No Oso Ighodaro mention here, but Parrish stops at the end of the first round.
The Ringer (6/4)
Tyler Kolek: #18, Orlando Magic
Kolek’s shotmaking and playmaking skill would be a dream fit with Orlando’s existing core pieces.
Oso Ighodaro: #41, Philadelphia 76ers
Ighodaro could be the backup big man the Sixers are looking for. He can be a playmaker from his position, meaning he could develop great synergy with Tyrese Maxey. And there’s even potential for unusual double-big actions with Joel Embiid.
Kevin O’Connor has Kolek at #21 and Ighodaro at #36 on his Big Board for the draft. That has Kolek going a little bit ahead of Best Player Available and Ighodaro going a little bit past it.
Bleacher Report (6/7)
Tyler Kolek: #25, New York Knicks
Underwhelming measurements (6’1”, 6’3” wingspan) and athletic testing will keep teams’ vision of Kolek as a backup. But that could still be enough to draw first-round interest, particularly from playoff teams that will see a guard who can instantly provide pick-and-roll offense, spot-up shooting and toughness.
Oso Ighodaro: #56, Denver Nuggets
On a positive note, Oso Ighodaro tied for the highest standing vertical at the combine (35”) and was able to showcase the handle and passing that separates him from bigs. But he also measured just a 6’11” wingspan, easily the shortest among projected centers.
No shooting range and questionable tools for rim protection could raise some red flags, but teams could see a place for his playmaking, signature touch shots and play-finishing from his position.
It is worth noting that there are only 58 picks in this year’s draft because the Sixers and the Suns have to forfeit a pick as tampering penalties. Ighodaro coming in at #56 here is not a great sign towards the possibilities of him being a surefire draft pick at the end of the month.
Fox Sports (6/7)
Tyler Kolek: #23, Milwaukee Bucks
You’re telling me his work ethic and skill can’t put him on a Jalen Brunson track? Remember, lefty Brunson was taken in the 2nd round and nobody saw All-NBA. It’s unlikely Kolek gets all the way there, but in the right organization, he will thrive.
Jason McIntyre only has a first round mock draft here, wrapping up with AJ Johnson going #30 to the Celtics.
ESPN Mock Draft (5/31)
Tyler Kolek: #25, New York Knicks
Kolek, who is ranked No. 29 in ESPN’s Top 100, has drawn serious looks from teams that are selecting higher than this in the first round. He has experience, playmaking savvy and intense competitiveness that could provide a pathway into backup point guard minutes early in his pro career. He’s likely not going to offer a ton defensively, where he’s limited because of his size (6-3, 190 pounds) and athletic ability, but he’s also not going to take plays off or want for effort.
Oso Ighodaro: #54, Boston Celtics
ESPN Top 100 Prospects (6/7)
Tyler Kolek: #26
Oso Ighodaro: #57
I should note that Kolek has nudged up the top prospects board since the mock draft was put together. The writeup on him had him at #29 at the end of May. That may be a by-product of Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo getting more feedback along the lines of that “serious looks” part of the writeup and then pushing him a few steps further up the board.
The Athletic (6/5)
Tyler Kolek: #24, New York Knicks
Kolek is a crafty guard. I’m not convinced he can even dunk, but he knows exactly how to play off two feet and is an elite distributor in ball screens. He made a big leap as a shooter this past season, drilling 38.8 percent from 3 while looking much more confident pulling up when opportunities arose. Kolek must prove he has the foot speed to hold up on defense in the NBA, and he’ll need to prove he can create separation with the ball in his hands against better defenders. But any team looking for a backup guard could plug Kolek in early.
Oso Ighodaro: #47, Orlando Magic
The Knicks are currently slated to pick at both #24 and #25, so that’s not a typo from me, just a function of a trade they made with the Dallas Mavericks. No commentary on Ighodaro from Sam Vecenie here, as he limits that to his first round projections.
Yahoo Sports (6/4)
Tyler Kolek: #22, Phoenix Suns
There are rumors of a promise for Kolek in the first round, and the Suns make sense for the established point guard who found ways to score at every level this season. He can come in right away and be the lead guard for the second unit with how well he reads the game and facilitates for others.
Oso Ighodaro: #51, Washington Wizards
NBADraft.net (6/9)
Tyler Kolek: #21, New Orleans Pelicans
Oso Ighodaro: #56, Los Angeles Lakers
I should point out that they are listing Ighodaro at #56, but also listing the forfeited second round picks on the list. That would actually make him #55 of 58, as the Phoenix pick that was given up would be at the #59 spot in the full 60 pick list.
No commentary or insight here, just a list.