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NBA Draft Check-In

As LeBron James should know as well as anyone by now, the internet always keeps receipts. And on the topic of his son’s path to the league, it’s safe to say things have changed quite a bit over the past year 👇

In Bronny’s defense, he suffered a traumatic cardiac arrest less than a year ago, so the fact he’s even playing competitive D1 basketball right now is pretty remarkable. But it’s also fair to say any first round pick expectations placed on him for the 2024 NBA Draft were always a bit premature 😬

• That’s not to say the younger James doesn’t have the look of a future pro. The combination of his upside, star power, and the allure of a potential team-up with his father could be enough to land him in the first round whenever he does declare

• But based on his numbers this season (5.5 PPG, 37.1% from the field) for the disappointing USC Trojans, it’s clear he could certainly use another year or two of seasoning before making the leap 🤔

If Bronny does end up declaring this year, it should come as no surprise that the Lakers (who currently don’t have a first round pick) are the favorites to land him (+750). But draft day is still a ways away, and there’s still much about this class that remains unsettled 🤷🏻‍♂️

• In what’s considered by many to be one of the weakest drafts in years, we don’t even have a consensus top prospect; not by a long shot. A scan of the current mock landscape has several different players slotted in the top spot

• A pair of French big men, Alexandre Sarr (OTE alum) and Zaccharie Risacher, currently look like the two safest bets to go first overall, but Serbian point guard Nikola Topic, Colorado’s Cody Williams, and G-League Ignite’s Matas Buzelis and Ron Holland all have legit cases as well 👀

Not to mention, March is now officially here. And during the Madness, someone will inevitably launch themselves up the draft board with their clutch play. Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard has already seen his draft stock skyrocket lately, and he gave us a taste of what I’m talking about a couple days early ⬇️

Sheppard’s Wildcat teammate Rob Dillingham (another OTE alum), UConn’s Stephon Castle, Baylor’s Ja’Kobe Walter and Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht are all in prime position to boost their NBA stock this month with tournament runs. And in a draft class that looks as wide open as ever, they might just make themselves a few million dollars in the process 🤑

The Pac-12 has been relatively formidable over the last few seasons, but this year is a different story. With only two teams currently ranked, just look how bad they’ve been out West outside of Arizona and WSU 🥴

USC @ #19 Washington State Betting Preview (subject to change)

• Spread: WSU -6.5

• Moneyline: WSU -285, USC +230

• O/U: 137.5

• When: 10:30PM EST on Pac-12 Network

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Trivia Question: Who is the highest drafted Serbian player in NBA history?

For My Parlay Gurus

We discussed the underwhelming PAC-12 a couple weeks ago, but recently, #19 Washington State has emerged as another team capable of making some noise in March. A loss at Arizona State just spoiled an eight-game winning streak, but the Cougars can get back on track tonight at home against Bronny and the Trojans. I think they’ll do just that — check out this parlay 👇

• Washington State -6.5 vs. USC: -120

• Over 137.5 Total Points: -115

$100 on this bet would win you $231 — if we hit, make sure you email [email protected] for a chance to win an Overtime hoodie*. Many will enter, only some will win 😉

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Trivia Answer: Darko Miličić was selected second overall in 2003 by the Detroit Pistons, one pick after LeBron James and one pick before Carmelo Anthony

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Many will enter, one (1) will win. Void where prohibited. Open to legal US & DC residents 18 years or older. Prize is one Overtime hoodie. Approximate retail value (“ARV”): $65. Entries are accepted until 11:59 pm EST on the day after the bet hits. See Campaign Terms for additional terms. ©2023 Overtime Sports, Inc. All rights reserved.