This year’s NBA draft won’t have a bonafide Bay Area star the likes of Jason Kidd, Aaron Gordon or Damian Lillard.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean the region won’t be represented at the draft that will start on Wednesday with first-round picks and end on Thursday with second-round selections.
According to draft experts, the best Bay Area prospects are most likely to go in Round 2 but have the potential to be high-impact contributors who could play right away.
Here is a breakdown of the locals who might get picked:
Jaylon Tyson, forward, Cal, junior
Tyson, an All-Pac-12 first-team selection, averaged 19.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game and shot an efficient 46.5% from the field and 36% from the three-point arc this season. An above-average athlete, Tyson has the skills to slash to the rim and finish with authority.
He certainly has the build to be a solid defensive player as well, measuring in at 6-foot-7, 215 pounds. Mock drafts have him slated to go anywhere from the end of the first round to the early second round.
Cal coach Mark Madsen likened Tyson to Paul Pressey, a former Warriors forward and all-NBA defensive first-team selection.
The Texas native played his freshman season at the University of Texas and his sophomore year at Texas Tech before transferring to Cal. He had his best performance in a conference game against Washington State, when he dropped 30 points and five assists in an overtime win against the NCAA tournament team.
Jonathan Mogbo, forward/center, USF, junior
Mogbo started every game for the Dons last season, averaging 14.2 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists.
A versatile defender, Mogbo also showed off his skills to guard every position on the floor. He’s an underrated passer, especially in transition when he has a full head of steam.
Mogbo profiles as an athletic rim protector and rebounder, though he stands just 6-6. With his high motor, shades of Kenneth Faried and Montrezl Harrell come to mind when watching him on the defensive end.
The all-West Coast Conference first-team selection played two years in junior college and a year at Missouri State before he transferred to San Francisco last season.
Mock drafts have him going anywhere from middle to late second round.
Spencer Jones, forward, Stanford, fifth year
Jones played all five seasons in a Stanford uniform, taking on the role as a glue guy that could connect different lineups on the floor.
The Kansas native averaged 11.7 points and 4.1 rebounds per game last season while shooting 40.9% from beyond the arc. He finished his career as Stanford’s all-time leader in 3-pointers made (315) and games played (146).
Jones was a two-time all-Pac-12 defensive team honoree and could profile as a swingman at the next level. He measured in at 6-7, 225 pounds while at Stanford.
Draft experts have him going late in the second round or signing as an undrafted free agent.
Spencer Jones #14 of the Stanford Cardinal dunks the ball against the California Golden Bears during the first half of a first round game in the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
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Keshad Johnson, forward, Arizona, fifth year
An Oakland native and San Leandro High School graduate, Johnson has garnered the name “Showtime” for his powerful dunks and acrobatic finishes at the rim.
Johnson averaged 11.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game last season. At 6-6 with a 6-10 wingspan, Arizona used him as a small-ball center in certain lineups.
NBADRAFT.net labeled him as a “ferocious, aggressive hustle player who causes chaos on defense.”
He was an All-Bay Area News Group selection as a senior at San Leandro in 2019.
Two years ago, Johnson played a key role in San Diego State’s run to the NCAA tournament final. He is projected as a second-round pick on most mock draft boards.
Arizona’s Keshad Johnson, #16, drives the ball around UCLA’s Brandon Williams, #5, during first half action at Pauley Pavilion on Thursday, March 7, 2024. Arizona defeated UCLA 88-65. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
