The 2024 NBA Draft marked a historic event in the league. For the first time since the draft was shortened to two rounds, it took place over two nights. Surely, there was extra excitement for basketball fans and bettors alike. Let’s break down the top picks, prospects, and betting insights with Pin Up.
Top Picks and Prospects
Here’s some of our top picks and prospects from the draft class:
Zaccharie Risacher
The Atlanta Hawks made history by selecting French forward Zaccharie Risacher with the first overall pick. This marks the second consecutive year a French player has gone first, following Victor Wembanyama in 2023. Risacher’s exceptional skills and potential make him a standout prospect to watch.
French Dominance Continues
France’s basketball prowess was on full display, with Alex Sarr going second to the Washington Wizards and Tidjane Salaün sixth to the Charlotte Hornets. This makes France only the second nation after the U.S. to have three native players picked in the top 10 of any NBA draft.
American Talents Shine, Too
Reed Sheppard, selected third by the Houston Rockets, will be bringing exceptional shooting and gritty defense to the NBA. He has the ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Think of Steve Nash and Derrick White.
Stephon Castle, picked fourth by the San Antonio Spurs, offers teams a jumbo-sized guard with the potential to do it all. His shooting remains a work in progress, but Castle’s playmaking and defensive versatility make him an interesting prospect.
Big Men Make Their Mark
UConn’s Donovan Clingan, selected seventh by the Portland Trail Blazers, brings massive size and interior presence. At 7 feet tall with a 7-foot-7 wingspan, Clingan is a formidable rim protector and post threat.
Zach Edey, the dominant college player from Purdue, went ninth to the Memphis Grizzlies. Way higher than many mock drafts predicted. His selection likely surprised many users who may have placed bet on PinUp on his draft position.
Betting Insights and Opportunities
For those engaged in Pin Up’s NBA draft betting options, this year’s event provided plenty of excitement and potential payouts:
- First Overall Pick: Bettors who backed Zaccharie Risacher to go first were rewarded, as the French forward’s odds shortened significantly in the lead-up to the draft.
- Top Surprises: Zach Edey’s selection at ninth overall may have been a windfall for bettors who took a chance on his stock rising.
- Second Round Steals: The second night of the draft, held at ESPN’s Seaport District Studios, offered value picks for teams and potential wins for savvy bettors who did their homework on lesser-known prospects.
The Bronny James Story
One intriguing storyline of the draft was Bronny James, son of NBA legend and one of the oldest NBA players 2024, LeBron James. Selected 55th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers, Bronny is set to make history as part of the first father-son duo to play together in the NBA. This selection likely paid off for Pin Up users who bet on the Lakers picking up the younger James. It will be interesting to see the NBA All Star 2024 predictions, as James and his son could both make the team.
Draft Night Excitement with Pin Up
As fans geared up for draft night, many enhanced their experience with Pin Up. New users took advantage of the Pin-Up casino bonus or the Pin-Up casino no deposit bonus to get started. Between picks, the exciting Aviator game Pin Up offers also provided quick thrills for bettors.
Final Notes
The 2024 NBA Draft was surely unpredictable and exciting. Whether you’re a die-hard basketball fan or a seasoned bettor on Pin Up, this year’s draft provided quite the thrills. As we look forward to seeing these rookies make their mark in the league, remember that the next big betting opportunity is always just around the corner.
Keep an eye on Pin Up for the latest odds and promotions as we gear up for what promises to be an exciting 2024-25 NBA season. From draft night specials to season-long prop bets, trust Pin Up to offer a wide range to add an extra layer of excitement to your NBA experience.