Baylor center Yves Missi, a projected first-round pick who is ranked No. 20 on ESPN’s latest big board, is declaring for the 2024 draft and forgoing his remaining college eligibility, he told Jonathan Givony of ESPN.
As Givony writes, Missi didn’t start playing organized basketball November 2021, when he moved from Cameroon to the U.S. at age 16 to play high school ball. As a freshman for the Bears in 2023/24, Missi averaged 10.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG and 1.5 BPG in 34 games (22.9 MPG).
An explosive athlete, Missi is “one of the most physically gifted” prospects in the 2024 draft class, Givony says, with “significant potential” on the defensive end. Missi said he wants to show is game more well-rounded than he was able to show in college.
“NBA teams will be able to see in the pre-draft process how fast I’m learning, especially since I’m new to the game,” Missi said. “They will see my ability to shoot and ball-handling, which is something they didn’t necessarily see much of this year.”
Marquette point guard Tyler Kolek, another possible first-round pick who is ranked No. 29 on ESPN’s board, is also entering the draft and forgoing his final year of college eligibility, he announced on social media (Twitter link).
Kolek had an impressive senior season for the Golden Eagles, averaging 15.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 7.7 APG and 1.6 SPG on .496/.388/.851 shooting in 31 games (33.0 MPG). According to Givony, Kolek has some physical limitations, but he’s an excellent ball-handler and passer who consistently brings energy and toughness — Givony compares him to Pacers guard T.J. McConnell.