In recent years, Alabama has become one of the nation's basketball hotbeds, producing a total of nine first-round picks in the NBA Draft since 2018. While the state doesn't have any top prospects for 2024, local fans have a few reasons to tune in to this year's draft, which began on Wednesday and runs through Thursday night.

The consensus of experts is that Auburn forward Jaylin Williams is the in-state player most likely to hear his name called later this week. The 6-foot-8, 230-pound super senior spent five years on the Plains, adapting to a variety of roles and leading the Tigers to a school-record 114 total wins.

“A fifth-year student, a fourth-year graduate student, the winningest player in Auburn basketball history, a graduate of the university and finally an SEC All-Star,” Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl said of Williams in March. “You don't see a role model like that very often. A guy who sees it through to the end. A guy who does great things towards the end of his career.”

Williams graduated from Auburn University with career averages of 9.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game and, by advanced metrics, was one of the Tigers' most consistent all-around players.

NBA Scouting Live's Alan Lue describes Williams as a “versatile scorer who can play both offense and defense.”

“[Williams] “He has a diverse skill set that sometimes flies under the radar,” Lue added. “He's a skilled forward and a potential second-round pick in the 2024 draft.”

Related: Alabama universities rank among nation's top for NFL player production

Williams has been praised for his locker room presence and charitable work off the court, and draft analyst Ersin Demir said those qualities have elevated Williams in the eyes of NBA general managers.

“He was named to the SEC Community Service Team last season and is an impactful player off the court as well. Culture creators and team-first players are essential to NBA franchises building winning teams,” DeMille wrote. “With franchises prioritizing the above, Williams should already have a foothold in the door, even without his basketball ability.”

Williams attended pre-draft workouts with the Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns, among others, and would almost certainly sign with an NBA team as a free agent if he is not drafted.

UAB point guard Eric Gaines is another in-state player with aspirations of making the NBA. The 6-foot-2, 155-pound Georgia native began his career at LSU before transferring to UAB in 2022 and quickly becoming the Blazers' primary ball-handler. During his time at Birmingham, Gaines consistently stole headlines with his dynamic, dunk-filled style of play.

“Gaines is truly an energetic athlete with exceptional speed and leaping ability. If he can harness this athleticism and hone his playmaking skills, he will take his game to a new level,” wrote NBADraftRoom.com. “It's rare to see a player who stands 6-foot-2 and attacks the rim as ferociously and with as much force as Gaines does, and he's one of the most exciting players in the country.”

Eric Gaines recorded a double-double at Temple University and delivered some incredible highlights.

He showed why he's the fastest player in the country and created chances for his teammates.

Last two games:
vs. Temple – 17 points, 7/10 field goals, 3/6 three points, 10 assists, 2 steals
vs. Memphis – 17 points, 6/11 field goals, 3/6 three-pointers, 8 assists, 4 reboundsEric Dagore pic.twitter.com/GWqr7hpUw0

— Greenlight Media (@atlgreenlight) March 8, 2024

Lue described Gaines as an athletic, energetic combo guard who “can throw some great dunks.”

“He needs to significantly improve his jump shot and show he can score points reliably,” Lue added. “His elite athleticism, scoring ability and defensive ability make him a potential second-round pick.”

Gaines wowed scouts during pre-draft athletic testing, posting a faster three-quarter court time than John Wall, Damian Lillard and Stephen Curry, and is expected to sign as a free agent if he goes undrafted.

Charles Vaughn is a contributing writer and sports analyst for Yellow Hammer News.