Miami Hurricanes wing Kyshawn George intends to enter his name in the 2024 NBA draft pool, he said in a French interview with BeIN Sports (YouTube link; hat tip to Inside The U).
A 6’8″ swingman, George started 16 of the 31 games he played for Miami in his freshman season. While his averages of 7.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 23.0 minutes per contest were relatively modest, the youngster can handle the ball and has displayed a promising outside shot, having knocked down 40.8% of 4.2 three-pointers per game. He currently ranks 25th on ESPN’s big board of 2024 prospects, making him a potential first-rounder.
It’s unclear at this point whether George plans to forgo his remaining NCAA eligibility or if he’ll test the waters for now, leaving the door open for a potential return to school.
Kentucky wing Justin Edwards – another freshman who has a chance to be a first-round pick – also indicated he plans to declare for the 2024 draft, making his announcement on Instagram. Edwards’ statement didn’t mention anything about maintaining his college eligibility, so it sounds like he intends to go pro.
ESPN’s No. 30 overall prospect, Edwards averaged 8.8 PPG and 3.4 RPG on .486/.365/.776 shooting in 32 games (21.4 MPG) for the Wildcats in 2023/24. He’s one of several Kentucky players who have a chance to be drafted in 2024 — that group includes probable lottery picks Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard.
The following prospects are also said to be declaring for the 2024 NBA draft as early entrants while hanging onto their NCAA eligibility (players marked with an asterisk are also entering the transfer portal):
- Aziz Bandaogo, C, Cincinnati (senior) (Twitter link)
- Note: Bandaogo says he’s testing the draft, but plans to finish his college career at Cincinnati.
- Lamont Butler, G, San Diego State (senior) (Twitter link via Jon Chepkevich of DraftExpress)
- Wesley Cardet Jr., G/F, Chicago State (junior) (Twitter link via Chepkevich)
- Johnell Davis, G, Florida Atlantic (senior) (Instagram link) *
- Norchad Omier, F, Miami (FL) (senior) (Twitter link via Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports)
- Great Osobor, F, Utah State (junior) (Twitter link via Joe Tipton of On3 Sports) *
- Max Shulga, G, VCU (senior) (Twitter link via Rothstein)
- Trey Townsend, F, Oakland (senior) (Twitter link via Jonathan Givony of ESPN) *
- Jaylen Wells, F, Washington State (junior) (Instagram link)
- Terrance Williams II, F, Michigan (senior) (Instagram link)
- JZ Zaher, G, Bowling Green State (sophomore) (Instagram link)
Johnell Davis will be returning to school. Michigan and Louisville are currently engaged in an NIL battle for his services. I will mention again that there is absolutely no reason to pay top dollar $$$ for a college head coach. Michigan is paying Dusty May a deal that will pay $3.5 to $4 million annually. All you need is an X’s and O’s guy. You are no longer building a program. Your money is better spent paying the coach $2 million and having the other $2 million hit the NIL collective to buy players. Dusty was great at Florida Atlantic. Players love playing for him. All his guys still have eligibility, and NONE have committed to Michigan yet. Why? Whoever pays the most money wins. No need to pay the coach or “star” assistant for recruiting prowess. It’s full blown free agency now.
Wisconsin’s best player, A.J. Storr, is now in the portal. He is seeking $1 million. Bill Self and Kansas offered $750k with a take it, or leave it stipulation. He left it! Playing for Bill Self and Kansas does not mean more than playing for the most $$$$. No need to pay the head coach fat. Pay to play is in the process of making the college head coach just as meaningless as most NBA head coaches are.