Bucks Select AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith in Draft

The Milwaukee Bucks made a bold move in the 2024 NBA Draft by selecting 19-year-old guard AJ Johnson with the No. 23 pick, despite his modest averages of 2.9 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game in Australia’s NBL. General Manager Jon Horst praised Johnson's speed and athleticism, envisioning him as a future contributor. Additionally, the Bucks selected Tyler Smith with the No. 33 pick, who averaged 13.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in the G League. Both players are expected to spend time developing in the G League before becoming key parts of the Bucks' rotation. The draft also saw French players dominate, with Zaccharie Risacher being the top pick, marking the second consecutive year that an international player was selected first overall.