With the NBA Draft just weeks away, the projections, predictions and mock drafts are becoming more frequent across the basketball world. 

However, as more and more experts provide their thoughts on the draft class, one common theme has continued to emerge – NBL Next Star Alex Sarr remains at the top. 

While the Perth Wildcats wunderkind has dropped to number two on some boards, The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie, who recently spoke to Sarr on his Game Theory podcast, has kept Sarr as the projected first selection to the Atlanta Hawks.  

Vecenie reports Atlanta remains in the information gathering process of the top prospects, after it surprisingly won the lottery to secure pick one, but he believes Sarr’s defensive prowess could lead to his name being the first called on draft night. 

“Sarr is a defensive difference-maker who covers a ton of ground with his arms and quick feet, much like bigs such as Memphis’ Jaren Jackson Jr., Cleveland’s Evan Mobley and Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton,” Vecenie wrote.

Inside the mind of Alex Sarr. 👀

Alex joined @Sam_Vecenie of the @TheAthletic on the Game Theory podcast to break down tape of his first season as a pro with the Perth Wildcats.

Watch now: https://t.co/qxjQFwLefU pic.twitter.com/WIMOwRN2lO

— Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) June 5, 2024

The biggest riser in the mock draft was Illawarra Hawks Next Star AJ Johnson, who has enjoyed a strong pre-draft process to soar to pick 27. Vecenie referenced Johnson’s high upside and potential, along with an impressive display at the Draft Combine, as reasons behind his rise.

Bobi Klintman rounds out the Next Stars predicted as first round selections, at number 29. Vecenie predicts “somewhere between (the) No. 20 and No. 35 range is his likeliest landing spot”. 

In the second round, Melbourne United’s Ariel Hukporti is slotted in at the 57^th predicted pick.  

Australian Johnny Furphy sits at 18 in Vecenie’s mock draft.