2024 NBA mock draft: Ignite's long-term future and Matas Buzelis' rise - ESPN

It was an eventful 24 hours for G League Ignite at NBA All-Star Weekend.

On Friday night during the Rising Stars competition, Team Detlef (G League) upset Team Pau (featuring rookies Victor Wembanyama and Brandon Miller) thanks to a game-winning shot by Ignite prospect Matas Buzelis.

On Saturday morning, Andscape's Marc J. Spears reported that Ignite's Ron Holland would miss the rest of the season with a right thumb injury. And in addressing the media Saturday night, NBA commissioner Adam Silver called into question the long-term future of Ignite because of the emergence of name, image and likeness deals in college basketball.

In the meantime, the Ignite program has four prospects projected to go in the first round in our latest 2024 NBA mock draft, topped by the recent rise of Buzelis. The 6-foot-10 forward is likely to have more of a platform to showcase his game with Holland sidelined.

ESPN NBA draft insiders Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo look at all things Ignite, including the team's long-term future and the development of current prospects.

The draft order is based on ESPN projections and reflects the current state of picks owed and owned:

FIRST ROUND

1. Washington Wizards

Zaccharie Risacher| JL Bourg | SF | Age: 18.8

2. Detroit Pistons

Alex Sarr | Perth Wildcats | PF/C | Age: 18.8

3. San Antonio Spurs

Rob Dillingham | Kentucky | PG | Age: 19.1

4. Charlotte Hornets

Matas Buzelis | G League Ignite | SF | Age: 19.3

5. Portland Trail Blazers

Cody Williams | Colorado | SF | Age: 19.2

6. Toronto Raptors

Nikola Topic | Mega MIS | PG | Age: 18.4

7. Memphis Grizzlies

Ja'Kobe Walter | Baylor | SG | Age: 19.4

8. Houston Rockets (via Brooklyn Nets)

Tidjane Salaun | Cholet | PF | Age: 18.4

9. Oklahoma City Thunder (via H