Player Invitations
In a significant development ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft, twelve players have been awarded highly coveted invitations to attend the draft, securing seats in the prestigious green room. This initial round of invitations marks a crucial moment for these young athletes as they prepare for one of the most important nights of their careers.
The first batch of invites dispatched this Tuesday includes promising names such as Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, Donovan Clingan, Reed Sheppard, Matas Buzelis, Stephon Castle, Dalton Knecht, Tidjane Salaun, Ron Holland, Cody Williams, Devin Carter, and Ja'Kobe Walter.
Future Invitations
Starting next week, another 11 to 12 invitations are anticipated to be sent out in subsequent waves. This staggered approach aims to ensure that the final roundup of players invited to the green room is as accurate and inclusive as possible.
Green Room Details
The green room, which serves as a staging area situated in front of the NBA Draft podium, is a significant place on draft night. This is where players, their families, and agents gather in anticipation, waiting for the moment when Commissioner Adam Silver announces their selection.
This year, each player will be allowed to invite six people to sit at their individual tables, a reduction from the 10 allowed last year. This new policy will likely create a more intimate and focused setting for each prospect and their close ones.
Receiving an invitation to the green room is generally seen as a positive indicator of a player’s draft stock. However, history shows us that it doesn’t always guarantee a first-round selection. Notable instances where prospects in the green room have fallen to the second round include Bol Bol, Deyonta Davis, Nic Claxton, Maciej Lampe, and Rashard Lewis.
Draft Details
For the first time, the NBA Draft will span two days this year. The first round is slated to take place on June 26 at Brooklyn's Barclays Center, while the second round will be held on June 27 in lower Manhattan. This two-day format adds a layer of complexity and excitement, potentially increasing the scrutiny over the final set of players invited to the green room. The goal is to avoid situations where an invited player and their family have to wait an extra day to hear their name called.
Last year, the final batch of invitations was not sent out until two days before the draft, and it remains to be seen if a similar timeline will be followed this year. Nevertheless, all 12 players from the initial batch of invites are projected to be lottery picks, highlighting their prominence and potential impact in the league.
Uninvited Projected Lottery Picks
Interestingly, two projected lottery picks who have yet to receive an invitation to the green room are Kentucky's Rob Dillingham and Serbian point guard Nikola Topic.
Dillingham has not completed all the necessary requirements to be eligible for selection in the draft, as stipulated by the NBA's collective bargaining agreement. An ankle injury prevented him from participating in athletic testing and shooting drills at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago in mid-May. This injury has also hindered him from attending private workouts with NBA teams thus far. Fortunately, his ankle has recovered, and he plans on completing those requirements at the Lakers' practice facility on Friday, according to his agent, Lucas Newton of Klutch Sports.
On the other hand, Topic was found to have a partially torn ACL at the NBA Draft Combine in Treviso, Italy, last week. This discovery will likely create uncertainty around his draft stock until team doctors can fully evaluate the injury and decide on the best course of action regarding surgery and a subsequent recovery plan.
As the 2024 NBA Draft approaches, the anticipation and excitement continue to build, both for the players who have already secured their green room invites and for those still waiting for that pivotal call. The decisions made in the weeks to come will have lasting impacts on the future of these young athletes and the teams looking to draft them.
Stay tuned as we continue to provide updates and insights leading up to one of the most exhilarating events in basketball.