Arizona hasn’t gone multiple years without producing an NBA Draft selection since 1986-87, and it’s looking more and more like that streak will continue.
Both forward Keshad Johnson and wing Pelle Larsson appear on a multitude of mock drafts a few weeks out from the 2024 NBA Draft, which is set for June 26-27 in Brooklyn, NY. This will be the first time the NBA is splitting the first and second rounds into separate broadcasts, and Wildcat fans will be wanting to tune in for the second one, as that’s where Johnson and Larsson are showing up.
Not all outlets have posted 2-round drafts, or at least not recently, but below are some that have one or both of the ex-Wildcats projected to get picked:
Bleacher Report: Johnson 37th, Minnesota Timberwolves; Larsson 43rd, Miami Heat
ESPN: Larsson 45, Sacramento Kings; Johnson 50th, Indiana Pacers;
The Ringer: Johnson 50th, Indiana; Larsson 51st, Washington Wizards
NBADraft.net: Johnson 37th, Minnesota; Larsson undrafted
USA Today: Larsson 42nd, Charlotte Hornets; Johnson undrafted
Johnson, who played four seasons at San Diego State before joining Arizona for 2023-24, and Larsson, who spent three years with the Wildcats following one season with Utah, both worked out for the Golden State Warriors on Monday. The Warriors, coached by former UA star Steve Kerr, have the 52nd overall pick as their only selection this month.
Notable former UA players who went in the second round and ended up having playing more in than 400 NBA games include Kerr (50th, 1988), Sean Rooks (30th, 1992), Gilbert Arenas (31st, 2001), Luke Walton (32nd, 2003) and Chase Budinger (44th, 2009).
Arizona did not have anyone picked in the 2023 NBA Draft, though Azuolas Tubelis signed a rookie free agent deal with the Philadelphia 76ers but ultimately ended up playing overseas. Last month he was named MVP of the Lithuanian Basketball League.