NBA G-League Elite Camp Projections and Players To Watch

Following yesterday’s release of the 78 prospects for the NBA Draft Combine, the league disclosed the names of the 44 prospects participating in the G-League Elite Camp, per ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.

Who Are The 44 NBA Prospects Headed To G-League Elite Camp And Players To Watch

The G-League Elite camp is for NBA draft prospects who don’t initially get invited to the NBA Draft Combine. It is a two-day event held in Chicago before the Draft Combine. This year’s camp will be held in Chicago May 11-12 and will be immediately followed by the Draft Combine (May 13-19). Per Givony, at least a half dozen players will earn an opportunity to participate in the Draft Combine.

The G-League Elite camp allows NBA draft prospects to showcase their skills in front of NBA and NBA G-League scouts, coaches, and front-office executives. The prospects will participate separately in five-on-five games and strength and agility drills.

The G-League Elite Camp Prospects

Mark Armstrong, Villanova

Mark Armstrong is going through the NBA draft process while maintaining his college eligibility. The 6-2 guard, a top-50 2022 consensus recruit, showed slight improvement from his freshman campaign. He has much to prove in the G-League Elite Camp, especially on the offensive end. His best attribute is his defense. Expect him to return to Villanova for his junior season.

Adama Bal, Santa Clara

Adama Bal had an outstanding junior season for Santa Clara after spending two seasons at Arizona while playing sparingly. The 6-6 French national is a real NBA prospect, though he may need another year of college as he just turned 20 this year. Definitely a player to watch next weekend in Chicago.

Keion Brooks Jr., Out of College Eligibility

Keion Brooks Jr. is coming off a tremendous senior campaign. Brooks is a versatile combo forward who plays with a lot of passion and energy. He is definitely someone to watch this week in Chicago, and there is a strong possibility that he will have a chance to earn at least a two-way spot for an NBA team.

Terrell Burton, Out of Eligibility

Terrell Burden played five years at Kennesaw State and improved as a playmaker and scorer each year.

Branden Carlson, Out of Eligibility

Branden Carlson won’t get drafted, but the 7-0 footer will undoubtedly end up in the G-League. He improved each year at Utah as a scorer and shooter and was solid at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament.

Walter Clayton Jr., Florida

Walter Clayton Jr. is going through the draft process, though he is expected to return to Florida for his senior campaign. Clayton is an explosive scorer and dangerous scorer. He played his first two collegiate seasons at Iona.

Isaiah Crawford, Out Of Eligibility

Isaiah Crawford is an interesting prospect who may earn his way onto the NBA radar with an outstanding performance in Chicago. The 6-6 wing is a plus-defender with a 7-0 wingspan and knocked down 3-pointers at 39.3% for his college career, which makes him a “3-and-D” prospect.

Yongxi Cui, China

Yongxi Cui is a 20-year-old wing from China who has been playing for Guangzhou Loong Lions in China’s top league. The 6-6 guard produced six double-doubles, averaging 15.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while shooting .461/.365/.783 this year. Only seven Chinese nationals have played in the NBA. Nine Chinese players have ever been drafted, though none have been since 2016.

Clarence Daniels, Out of Eligibility

Clarence Daniels may end up in the G-League. The athletic 6-6 forward could play in his two seasons at New Hampshire. No UNH alum has ever played in the NBA.

Thierry Darlan, G-League Ignite

Thierry Darlan showed significant improvement as the G-League Ignite progressed in their season. But the 20-year-old wing has a long way to go to get to the NBA.

 Johnell Davis, Arkansas

Johnell Davis committed to Arkansas on May 1. Davis, who will be a super senior this year, improved his production in each of his previous seasons at FAU. It would be a huge surprise if Davis remained in the draft.

Garwey Dual,  Providence

Garwey Dual, a top 50 2023 recruit, is in the transfer portal after playing a limited role for Providence this past season. The 6-6 wing needs to return to college.

 Sean East II, Out of Eligibility

Sean East II had a superb final and efficient season at Missouri. East II turned in a strong performance at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, averaging 20 points and attempting nearly six free throws a game.

Jesse Edwards, Out of Eligibility

Jesse Edwards has been one of the most efficient players in college basketball over the last three seasons. He has always been a fantastic rim-protector and solid rebounder, but he has improved his offensive game enough to earn a chance of garnering a two-way contract. At the very least, he should be a mainstay in the G-League.

Tristan Enaruna, Out of Eligibility

Tristan Enaruna was a top 75 recruit in 2019. Enaruma struggled to get on the court in his two seasons in Kansas and one in Iowa State, but he thrived at Cleveland State. He was named MVP of the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament and has a chance to be one of the players to earn a spot in the Draft Combine.

Allen Flanigan, Out of Eligibility

Allen Flanigan had an up-and-down college career, spending four seasons at Auburn before finishing his career at Mississippi.

Enrique Freeman, Out of Eligibility

Enrique Freeman had a fantastic collegiate career at Akron. A strong defender, rim protector, and rebounder, Freeman was named the 2023-24 MAC Player of the Year and 2023-24 MAC Tournament MVP. He was solid in the Reese all-star game and the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament.

Blake Hinton, Out of Eligibility

Blake Hinson is an outstanding scorer and shooter. If Hinton can show that he can score at the next level—the G-League—he could eventually get an NBA shot, as teams are always looking for shooting.

 Eli John Ndiaye, Real Madrid

Eli John Ndiaye is an undersized 19-year-old center who hasn’t seen much time with Real Madrid. So, it would be a surprise if he remains in the draft.

Isaac Jones, Out of Eligibility

Isaac Jones played only two seasons of Division I college basketball, including his last at Washington State. The 6-9 forward is athletic and thrives around the rim on both ends of the floor. He had a strong Portsmouth Invitational Tournament and is someone to watch in Chicago. While it would be a huge surprise that he gets drafted, Jones’ potential makes him a candidate to earn a two-way contract.

Arthur Kaluma, Kanas State

Arthur Kaluma ended his collegiate career after three seasons, officially declaring for the NBA draft on April 29 though he is still in the transfer portal. The 22-year-old, a consensus top 50 recruit in 2021,  is an impressive athlete with a chiseled body. He is very versatile on both ends of the floor and a strong rebounder. Once considered a first-round pick by several outlets, Kaluma is not expected to be drafted at this point, though he can improve his stock with a strong showing in Chicago.

Jaedon Ledee, Out of Eligibility

Jaedon LeDee, a top 75 2018 recruit, really came into his own in his super senior campaign and is someone definitely to watch in Chicago. The 6-9 forward had a monster season, averaging 21.4 points and 8.4 rebounds, and was outstanding in the NCAA Tournament. He was named the winner of the Karl Malone Award and a finalist for the Wooden Award.

 Xaivian Lee, Princeton

Xaivian Lee made a massive jump in his second college season. Lee has maintained his eligibility, and he should return to Princeton.

Jalen Lee, Overtime Elite

Jalen Lee, the highest-ranked player to commit to Overtime Elite (No. 2 in ESPN rankings, is someone to watch in Chicago due to his potential. However, the 6-11 forward hasn’t been overly productive with OTE and only appeared in four games this season.

KJ Lewis, Arizona

KJ Lewis,  a consensus top-80 recruit in 2023, is expected to return to Arizona for his sophomore campaign.

Malique Lewis, Mexico City Capitanes

Malique Lewis had a solid first year with the G-League’s Mexico City squad. The 19-year-old forward averaged 9.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks while shooting .506/.377/.692 in 27.7 minutes over 34 appearances. He is another player to keep an eye on in Chicago.

Caleb Love, Arizona

Caleb Love is a scoring lead guard who produced the best collegiate season of his career. Love is not a great shooter or distributor, and turnovers are an issue. He is likely a G-League-level player at this point, so it would be best if he returns to Arizona for his super senior year.

Baba Miller,  Florida State

Baba Miller should return to college, though he is in the transfer portal and won’t play for FSU. At this point in his playing career, Miller’s top attributes are athleticism, shot-blocking, and defensive rebounding. He possesses a 7-foot-2 wingspan.

Emmanuel Miller, Out of Eligibility

Emanuel Miller has the physical tools and upside to be an NBA player. He can score, rebound, and defend and has steadily improved his 3-point shooting.

Judah Mintz, Syracuse

Judah Mintz has chosen to forego his remaining college eligibility. The 6-4 combo guard has great potential and showed improvement from year one to year two. He has a scorer’s mentality and is a decent distributor, but turnovers and defense are issues. If Mintz has an impressive performance during the G-League Elite Camp, he will get an invitation to the Draft Combine and become a potential second-round pick.

Matthew Murrell, Ole Miss

Matthew Murrell’s ability to shoot the ball is the main reason the 6-4 guard has a chance to land an NBA job. Murrell has improved his scoring and defense in each of his four college seasons. Murrell, a top 50 recruit in 2020, has decided to forego a fifth collegiate campaign.

Baye Ndongo, Georgia Tech

Baye Ndongo is an intriguing prospect who has kept his collegiate eligibility. The Senegal native was one of two freshmen in the nation to average 12.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game while hitting at least 55 percent of his shots from the floor.

Jameer Nelson Jr.  Out of Eligibility

Jameer Nelson Jr. is a long shot to make the NBA as he doesn’t shoot very well, especially from deep, and is not a great distributor. He may improve his stock in the G-League, but it will be a process.

Ugonna Onyenso, Kentucky

Ugonna Onyenso has decided to forego his remaining collegiate eligibility after two seasons at Kentucky. Onyenso is a big-time athlete who thrives at altering shots and running the floor. The 19-year will have to impress in Chicago, but the 7-0 footer is skill enough with tons of upside to at least earn a two-way deal this summer.

Wooga Poplar, Miami

Wooga Poplar is coming off a career season, but he didn’t have the expected season. Poplar appears to be likely to return to college; the next question is where he is in the transfer portal.

Mantas Rubstavicius, New Zealand

Mantas Rubstavicius is someone of interest in this G-League Elite Camp. He projects as a solid shooter despite an underwhelming 2023-24 season overall with New Zealand in the NBL. Defense is a major issue for the 22-year-old Lithuanian.

Babacar Sane, G-League Ignite

Babacar Sane showed improvement in his second year with the G-League Ignite. While the 20-year-old Sengelese national is an excellent defensive rebounder, he was inefficient in his two seasons with the Ignite and had problems with turnovers.

Isaiah Stevens, Out of Eligibility

Isaiah Stevens had a fantastic and efficient career at Colorado State. Stevens is a solid scorer, playmaker, and shooter, though he is undersized at 6 feet. While he may not get drafted, Stevens should be a strong candidate to earn a two-way deal.

Jarin Stevenson, Alabama

Jarin Stevenson is expected to return to Alabama for his sophomore season.

AJ Storr, Wisconsin

AJ Storr will likely return to college and the Kansas Jayhawks after transferring from Wisconsin. Storr nearly doubled his scoring average from his first season at St. John’s. However, the top 100 2022 recruit struggled to shoot the ball and hasn’t shown any ability to be a facilitator.

Nae’Qwan Tomlin, Out of Eligibility

Nae’Qwan Tomlin is a 6-10 forward who played two seasons of DI.

Bryson Warren, Sioux Falls SkyForce

Bryson Warren is a 19-year-old guard who saw 136 minutes over 10 appearances for the Sioux Falls SkyForce.

Anton Watson, Gonzaga

Anton Watson is an all-around two-way player who has increased his offensive profile over the last two seasons. Watson is almost certain to earn a two-way deal due to his defensive ability and overall skillset.

Jaylen Wells, Washington State

Jaylen Wells has maintained his eligibility and entered the transfer portal. Wells, who played his first two seasons at D-II Sonoma St., is a reliable defender and shooter. He had an outstanding first season at Washington State, averaging 12.6 points while shooting .436/.417/.814.