Meet the 2024 NBA Draft Class, Which Is Low on Hype but High on Vibes

When discussing this year’s NBA draft, it feels right to begin with an honest acknowledgement. To borrow from Rick Pitino, Victor Wembanyama is not walking through that door. Anthony Davis is not walking through that door. LeBron James is not walking through that door. That is to say, there was no player whose arrival will change the entire fabric of the league, at least not right away.

While the night lacked the instant star power of a Wemby or LeBron, there were still moments that even someone who knows nothing about the NBA could appreciate. Three sets of teammates—Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham from the University of Kentucky, Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan from the University of Connecticut, and Ron Holland II and Matas Buzelis from G League Ignite—were chosen in the top 11. That made for a lot of familiarity in the post-draft media room, where many of the daps seemed to produce a sonic boom.

Holland, the new Detroit Piston, was eager to praise Buzelis, even though he’s now with division rival Chicago. “I’m super proud of Matas, knowing him since high school and what we went through with Ignite.” (G League Ignite was an official feeder program to the NBA that allowed players to bypass college in favor of turning professional right out of high school, but the team lost 32 of their 34 games this season and was shut down in March.) “Staying mentally healthy throughout the whole season was really draining. Me and him had each other’s backs. Like I said, I’m super proud of him. We both just reached our dream.”

For Buzelis—who last summer told GQ that basketball is like a drug to him—that dream will begin in his own backyard. Growing up in Willowbrook, Illinois, the Chicago Bulls were a massive presence in his life. And even though he had to watch 10 other picks before it was his turn, ending up with the hometown squad was a fantasy-turned-reality. “I was getting a little nervous,” he admits. “But when they said I was going to Chicago…that was good.” Dillingham admitted he was totally surprised by where he ended up, because unlike some of his draft mates, who built relationships with their new employer over the last couple months, he had zero communication with the Minnesota Timberwolves, who landed him in a trade with the Spurs. “I ain’t gonna lie,” he said, giggling, “I didn’t talk to Minnesota at all!”

It’s moments like these, where these mammoth, athletic specimens are reduced to simplistic, twinkle-in-the-eye answers, that you’re stricken by how young they are. Folks, there will be dudes playing NBA games in a few months who were born in 2005. While hearing Buzelis say he grew up watching Derrick Rose adds an extra wrinkle or two, as did a few of them listing Kevin Durant as their personal GOAT, the most precious reminder of youth was when one player was asked which WNBA players he admires and responded with, “I have a girlfriend.”

Perhaps the most notable thing about this draft—which continues with the second round on Thursday—is how many prospects are from overseas. As the game continues to flourish globally, international players are viewed less and less as projects and more as players who can have immediate impacts. The slow and steady decline of college basketball is undoubtedly part of this—a staggering four of the first seven picks this year did not play NCAA hoops—but so is the fact that the rest of the world has caught up to America. The practice of drafting an unknown guy from abroad and stashing him in Europe until he’s ready for the NBA is still a thing, but not nearly as common as it once was. Now, when players from outside the States hear their name called at the draft, they can expect to be suiting up on opening night.

Sarr, who was born in Bordeaux, played for Real Madrid in his youth, briefly moved to America to play for Overtime Elite, and most recently was plying his trade in Perth, Australia, is thrilled to finally have a permanent home. “I’m going to be able to improve my game and not worry about where I play next year,” said Alex Sarr, taken second overall by the Washington Wizards. “It’s a great feeling.” Sarr was the second Frenchman off the board, with Zaccharie Risacher going first to the Atlanta Hawks. That made the 2024 draft the first one where non-Americans were selected with each of the top two spots. Tidjane Salaün, who also hails from France, went sixth to the Charlotte Hornets, and yet another European heard his name called with the 12th pick when the Thunder nabbed Nikola Topic from Serbia. Of his teammates who are waiting for him in Oklahoma City, Topic said, “I’m excited to meet them all in person!”

And of course, it’s not draft night without custom jewelry, lavish suits, and thanks to Gen Z’s progressive take on masculinity, a little bit of nail polish. Jared McCain, the Duke guard and 16th overall pick by Philadelphia, went with the black nails to match his Dolce & Gabbana suit.

Other standout fits came from Sarr—wearing a double-breasted Versace suit, making him the first athlete to ever rock custom Versace for a draft—and Dillingham, who threw on some classic Chuck Taylors to offset the jewel-encrusted suit he helped design. If we learned anything from the 2024 NBA draft class’ taste, it’s that they’re not afraid to get a little sparkly with it. Castle might have had the most notable look, turning heads everywhere he went thanks to a glittering suit and custom chain from Jason of Beverly Hills.

While the grueling pre-draft process is over, and a handful of players told GQ that they won’t miss flying to city after city to workout, the real work is yet to begin. From the incessant noise about how this year’s draft lacked star power, inevitably some diamonds in the rough, All-Stars, and maybe even champions will emerge. But until enough time passes to properly evaluate the Class of ’24, they can celebrate the fact that the first part of the journey has been completed. “The weight, just going through it, everything’s really up in the air,” said Castle of the anticipation leading up to Wednesday. “You never know how the draft goes. When I came in I was fine; when the draft started I felt a little nerves. When I heard my name called, that’s when it all hits you.”