A way-too-early look at where Creighton’s NBA hopefuls rank in 2024 mock drafts

An extraterrestrial walking stilt disguised as a Frenchman. A set of freakishly athletic twins. A skilled 6-foot-9 with a Paul George shrine somewhere. A musclebound, promising point guard headed where a stubborn one already exists.

All off to their respective destinations, old news to those forced to chronicle the next up-and-comers before they shake Adam Silver’s hand.

Like any cycle, there is hardly any time to dwell. For the Big East, which saw five players selected this time around, it’s out with the last batch of draftees and in with next season’s projections. And unlike this past cycle in which the top spot was long dominated by Victor Wembanyama, next year’s draft doesn’t seem so predictable. Or as talented, for that matter.

It leaves room — and questions — for Creighton’s three NBA draft hopefuls: Baylor Scheierman, Ryan Kalkbrenner and Trey Alexander. The latter two nearly spooked plenty of CU fans during their draft process limbo before ultimately deciding they could benefit from another season with the Bluejays.

With 12 months until their next shot, what are NBA Draft experts saying about Creighton’s core three?

The consensus on Alexander is expected. Much of what kept him in the NBA Draft process for so long was optimism. The belief that Alexander’s skillset could make him someone that can stick at the next level. But taking that chance to be selected late in the draft wasn’t so desirable after all.

He wanted to be drafted. Not only did he want to hear his name called, but he wanted to land somewhere where he’d get some early action and hopefully become a rotational piece. Now that same optimism has him hurtling toward first round projections.

At 6-foot-4 with a 6-10 wingspan, Alexander is a lengthy guard who has shown more than enough at this level as an off-ball guard. He’s even shown flashes on the ball, dabbling in the pick-and-roll and proving to be a necessary secondary ball handler when CU needed it.

Now he’ll try to increase both work loads, looking to improve his gravity both on and off the ball as a potential first option. He’ll look to make strides as a facilitator. He’ll also look to build on his willingness to defend perimeter talents to become a legitimate two-way threat for the next level.

Most of his first round mocks are based on whether Alexander makes that next leap in college this season. The player Alexander and CU’s staff have promised to create should very well be a first round talent. Should he mostly remain the same, Alexander would likely sink closer toward ESPN’s Jonathan Givony’s No. 46 overall…