With the 2025 NBA Draft less than a week away, some things seem to be givens: Cooper Flagg is the consensus pick to go No. 1 overall, and Rutgers freshmen standouts Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey are both expected to be first-round selections. But as history has shown, the NBA Draft always comes with a handful of surprises. Before this year’s draft unfolds, here’s a look back at five of the most shocking moments from the 2024 NBA Draft.
5 Moments From the 2024 NBA Draft That Shocked the World
The 2024 #NBADraft presented by State Farm is complete! pic.twitter.com/XOmQb0JefD
— NBA (@NBA) June 28, 2024
AJ Johnson picked up in the first round
AJ Johnson’s first-round selection came as a shock. Most mock drafts had the combo guard being selected in the 40s, with some suggesting he could fall into the 50s range. Instead, he was selected No. 23 by the Milwaukee Bucks.
Johnson was initially committed to play college ball at the University of Texas, but instead spent a year playing overseas ahead of the 2024 NBA draft. He played for Australia/New Zealand’s NBL team, the Illawarra Hawks, where he struggled to get playing time.
Ron Holland rose to No. 5
Ron Holland is another player who lucked out in the 2024 NBA draft. Although the forward was projected to be a first-round pick, his No. 5 selection was earlier than expected. It was also surprising that it was the Detroit Pistons who believed they could benefit from Holland’s skill set.
The wing is a high-level athlete but struggled with shooting in the NBA G League. He played one season for the Ignite, during which he shot 27.3%, including 24% from beyond the arc.
Detroit needed a dominant offensive force in the draft. The team was 27th in the league in points per game, three-point percentage and offensive rating. Holland doesn’t possess the skill set that could turn around these stats for the Pistons, making this pick a questionable one.
Matas Buzelis dropped to No. 11
Matas Buzelis was a potential No. 1 pick when mock drafts first started being created for the 2024 NBA draft. Yet when draft day came, he had to wait until the No. 11 pick to hear his name called.
The power forward was selected by the Chicago Bulls. While his name had slipped out of No. 1 talks ahead of draft day, Buzelis was still widely projected to be picked up in the top ten, with most mock drafts having him drafted in the 5-7 range.
While being the No. 11 draft pick is still impressive, Buzelis’ drop was surprising.
Carlton Carrington also selected first round
As one of the youngest players in his draft class, Carlton “Bub” Carrington wasn’t projected to be a first-round pick. The point guard served as a starter in his sole college season at the University of Pittsburgh and became a one-and-done when he declared for the 2024 NBA draft after his freshman campaign.
Carrington wasn’t a well-known player in his draft class, so his selection by the Washington Wizards at No. 14 came as a shock.
Zach Edey picked up No. 9
Zach Edey was a big riser in the 2024 NBA draft. The Purdue star was projected to be a late first-round pick but boosted his draft stock with the Boilermakers’ March Madness run.
Edey led his team to the national title game in his senior campaign and put up 37 points and ten rebounds in the final game of his college career. Still, the 7’4” center wasn’t projected to be a top ten pick. He was ultimately selected No. 9 by the Memphis Grizzlies.
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