2024 DRAFT PREVIEW (I). THE TOP 10

1. T otonto Dinos: Azi Bakere, PG. It might be a bit of a bold move, but T oronto could be
looking for a floor general to lead their attack, and Azi Bakare has the potential to be
a generational talent. At only 18 years old, Azi is the best passer in the draft and
although he will never be a great shooter , he is downright lethal when he drives to the
basket. His great intelligence allows him to protect the ball, in addition to being a
master at changing pace and direction, which will allow him to cause many fouls. His
defense is also notable, his long arms will cause huge turnovers. Azi will need
patience to reach his potential, but at 18 years old he is a gem to polish.

2. Paris Honey Bees: Timocrates Stathakis, PF . GM Arceo has to be very sure about
this pick since he has not hesitated to transfer none other than Bobby Mason to the
Boston Massacre to get it. As everyone in the league knows, Mr Arceo usually sends
his young players to the development league no matter how ready they are to play on
the pro team. With all this information, Paris could opt for the youngest player among
the forwards deserving a top pick. Stathakis fills some items GM Arceo loves. First of
all, he has the tools to be a defensive ace capable of stopping interior and perimeter
players. When his career is over , it wouldn’t be strange if he has won three or four
defensive player awards. He is also a very good passer , especially from the post, and
his athleticism will allow him to be a good rebounder . He has to improve his scoring
ability , but Mr Arceo knows how to develop a player .

3. Albacete Burning Hell: Andres Bolea, SF . One thing is clear , Albacete will not draft a
guard. With a team full of perimeter players and Solana ready to patrol the zone, the
most logical choice is a power forward. While Andre Bataille will seem like the most
logical decision for most in the league, GM Alcaraz is always overthinking, and he is
reportedly in love with his countryman Andres Bolea. Bolea is projected to be a small
forward but he appears to be a very competent rebounder , plus he is built like a
bulldozer so some think he can adapt to playing as a power forward even at 6’6”. If
he is able to adapt to playing in that position, Bolea will cause panic among his rivals
with his devilish speed.

4. Gabon Giants: Andre Bataille, PF . Gabon has some decisions to make. Harkov , Kurz
and Henderson are all in their 30s and while it’s a bit bold to say the window is
closing, it won’t be open forever . An insider in the organization has commented that
Gabon is not happy with the situation of its point guards, but a player like Kris
Cheatam seems like a reach with the pick 4, although sometimes you have to do
what your guts say . Andre Bataille is a beast and is ready to contribute from day 1.
Bataille is a rebounding machine and is ridiculously good at defending both
man-to-man and perimeter players penetrating the zone. Bataille is not as young as
other rookies, but Gabon needs players to win now and Bataille is the only candidate
who guarantees immediate results.

5. Shanghai Pandas: Kip Williams, PG. Shanghai is the big loser of the draft lottery , but
still has the 5th and 7th picks, so it should stop licking its wounds and start working
for the future of the franchise. The team has a very solid base with four players who
are clear starters. Dudley , Lamerand, Acklin and Fiz guarantee that the team will
compete to be in the playoffs…as long as they have a point guard who can lead the
team. And that is the main problem to solve. With so many players capable of scoring
they need a pass first point guard badly . Kip Williams fills the hole there. Although he
is not fully prepared, Williams is a solid shooter and his fundamentals as a point
guard are really good. On the bad side, he is a player who does not put much effort
into defense, although he can still improve in that aspect.

6. Frankfurt Fury: Cebrian Damian. The Frankfurt Fury is a team full of promise. If you
look carefully at his roster you would expect him to be in the playoffs, but perhaps he
is missing a second scorer to take over from Fola Onibiyo. Cebrian Damian is a
scoring machine, period. He can score with imaginative drives, masters the
mid-range shot and is lethal from the three-point range. For the oldest in the league,
Damian will remind you of Oscar Smitch, he lives to put the ball throught the basket.
Nothing more. nothing less

7. Shanghai Pandas: Kris Cheatham, PG. The point guard is the most difficult position
to develop in the WBA. The Pandas could easily grab a second PG just like the
Minnesota Timberwolves in 2009, but with better results (remember they picked
Johnny Flynn and Ricky Rubio 5th and 6th). Kris Cheatham, unlike Kip Williams, is a
scoring point guard with a very good shot and is a great defender , so they could play
at the same time.

8. Las Vegas Gamblers. Cecil Hacker , PF . The Gamblers do not have any frontcourt
players. None. Zero. It seems obvious that they need to draft the best big available.
There are some names deserving consideration but the player most prepared to
enter the league seems to be Cecil Hacker . Hacker seems like a player with a great
touch around the rim with good fundamentals to distribute the ball when the defense
collapses and a good attitude both defensively and to fight for rebounds. His physical
condition is very good and his speed will be one of his main weapons to get rid of his
defenders.

9. Chicago Hitmen. Paul Albanese PF . With only two clear starters on the roster in
Andrew Holmes and Piotr Stoklosa, Chicago is a clear example of needing to choose
the best player available. Paul Albanese seems the player best placed to be
selected. Good rebounder , with a fairly good scoring ability and a long career ahead
of him to develop calmly . He will never lead a team but you can rely on him to be a
solid third wheel on a good team

10. Gabon giants. Bohdan Marak, SF . At this point in draft, you start looking for players
who can contribute, and Marak can be rock solid and an insurance for the Giants just
in case Harkov age starts being a problem. If that’s not the case, he can spend the
season in the dev league waiting for father time.