Who is this NBA Draft class without a clear star? Here are 5 rookies you should know in fantasy basketball.

We’re one day away from the 2024 NBA Draft, and to keep you informed about the upcoming rookie class, I’ll be discussing five prospects projected to go to teams where they can become fantasy relevant next season. This rookie class lacks the same enthusiasm and fantasy allure of a group that included Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Brandon Miller and others a year ago. It’s not even close. Still, being picked by the right team or lucking into a favorable situation can change a rookie’s trajectory.

Here are some projected lottery picks with some late bettors that I think will make an impact (at some point) next season.

Alexandre Sarr, F/C, Perth (Australia)

Sarr is among the top prospects in this year’s draft. He stands 7-foot-1 and was praised by NBA scouts for his athleticism and defensive versatility. The 19-year-old Frenchman moved around a lot as a teenager, playing high school for Overtime Elite in Atlanta and then taking his talents to the Australian NBL, where he played for Perth.

Sarr was very effective in 27 games with Perth per minute. He averaged 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.4 steals and 1.4 blocks on 52/29/71 shooting splits in 17 minutes per game. While most of his scoring opportunities came inside the painted area and on lobs, he showed surprisingly good touch in the intermediate and extended areas of the foul line. The three ball obviously needs work, but remember, he is only 19 years old.

Fantasy managers will likely know Sarr very well, as the latest mock draft from Yahoo Sports NBA Draft analyst Krysten Peek projects Sarr to go second overall behind the Washington Wizards. The Wizards may seem like something other than Sarr’s ideal landing spot, but they actually are. Sarr can gain minutes immediately, playing both up front and in the center. On-the-job training will benefit his development, especially as he has a very narrow frontcourt in front of him.

Nothing is guaranteed – the Hawks could still draft him first despite Sarr’s reluctance to work out for Atlanta, but sportsbooks and draft insiders are all leaning towards Sarr going second. The Wizards are a mess, but he’s a rookie to watch given his attributes and production in limited minutes.

Reed Sheppard – G, Kentucky Wildcats

Sheppard had one of the best freshman campaigns in recent memory for the Wildcats. He was the first Kentucky player to win the SEC Freshman of the Year award since Tyler Herro. His efficiency, marksmanship, and stat padding set him apart from most in this class, and he has the skills to contribute as a rookie.

Sheppard shot a ridiculous 52% from 3 while being a beast defensively, averaging 2.5 steals and 0.7 blocks per game. And he left the bench!

Now, the transition from college to the NBA will not be easy, but due to his playing, defense and shooting skills, he will find his way on the court quickly. Landing spot will be important, and the Rockets and Spurs seem like the best options for Sheppard to thrive in year one.

Stephon Castle – G, Connecticut Huskies

Castle could pick between picks 3-9 in the draft, but I’ve seen a lot of mocks projecting him to the Spurs at fourth overall. If that happens, I’ll be very intrigued come draft season. Any two-way guard with the opportunity to play alongside a young core built around Wemby is attractive. Although he didn’t play much PG his freshman year at UConn, he was primarily point guard in high school. His tenacity on defense is his calling card, as he can defend on the ball at level and deal with guards and forwards because of his athletic 6-foot-9 frame. There’s certainly room for growth as a shooter, but the kid has already said he’s modeling his game after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and that’s what I like to see. I love prospects who can get after it defensively because it will likely accelerate their timeline of seeing significant time on the court.

Tyler Kolek – G, Marquette Golden Eagles

I might be getting ahead of myself, but with several mocks projecting Kolek to the Phoenix Suns at age 22, Kolek is certainly a name to watch in this upcoming draft. He’s one of the few floor generals available, and Phoenix’s big three could use a traditional point guard to help facilitate their offense. Coleque led the NCAA in assists per game last season and finished third in the country in 2022-23.

His playmaking ability overshadows his scoring ability, but Kolek quietly shot 39% from 3 on nearly four attempts per game. Showing what he can do without the ball, he shot 46% on catch-and-shoot 3s last year. At 6-3, he’s a good size for a PG; At 23, he has plenty of college experience to contribute immediately.

Terrance Shannon – G, Illinois battling Illini

Shannon is back in the conversation late in the first round after his draft stock dropped due to a legal issue that has since been resolved. He is an older prospect, turning 24 on July 30, but his skill set fits perfectly with the New York Knicks at picks 24 or 25. Krysten Peek also made Shannon a mock for NY.

He is a three-level scorer and one of the best wing defenders in this draft class. I mean, look at the speed and expectation on defense here:

In his senior campaign, Shannon averaged 23 points, four rebounds, three assists, two actions and over two 3s per contest on 48/36/80 shooting splits. Drafting Shannon would provide more depth to a Knicks team that badly needed it as they got deeper into the playoffs. OG Anunoby has yet to re-sign, and even if he does, he has suffered injuries throughout his career. Shannon could be a decent insurance policy no matter what OG decides in free agency.

Other preliminary perspectives to note:

• Jared McCain

• Donovan Clingan

• Isaiah Collier

• Devin Carter

• Zaccharie Risacher

• Kel’el Ware

• Cody Williams