Offensively, he possesses a three-level scoring skill set, though he'll need to show improvement as a three-point shooter to make up for his lack of explosion. While Henderson and Nick Smith project as primary ball handlers down the road, they must refine their decision-making and ability to create for others. For the seventh year in a row, we're featuring. Victor Wembanyama is a player we've all been penciling in at No. Welcome to The Ringer's 2023 NBA Draft Guide. "Explosive and smart backcourts are cool to me.". Check out our detailed scouting report on Victor Wembanyama here. The 2023 NBA draft is 12 months away, but we've had our eyes on this group of players for quite some time, . Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player. Who will define this draft? Hes statistically a very poor 3-point shooter, but his touch closer to the rim is a positive indicator long-term. Fantastic to swat the ball from behind. The NBA values versatility above all else, and Jarace Walker provides a lot of it. The 2023 NBA Draft Lottery presented by State Farm will be held on May 16, 2023. At 6-foot-10, Leonard Millers impressive fluidity and skill will have NBA teams salivating. Once the top recruit in the high school class of 2023, Jackson instead graduated early and went to Carolina as a 17-year-old. The eye test says he's a better shooter than the numbers suggest. At 6-foot-9, his combination of size and shot-making is not easy to find. 2023 NBA Draft - Page 66 - RealGM Bucks Emerge As Favorites For Goran Dragic Stephen Curry Targeting Return From Leg Injury Sunday At Lakers LeBron James Out At Least Three Weeks With Tendon Injury In Right Foot Ty Lue Says Clippers Need 'To Be Tougher' Jamaree Bouyea, Wizards Agree To 10-Day Deal More Basketball News Check out our detailed scouting report on Nick Smith Jr. here. RELATED: 2023 NBA Draft Prospects Ranked 1-100. Devin Booker scored 35 points and matched his career high with six 3s, Kevin Durant added 20 points in his second . Kyle Filipowski (Wilbraham & Monson, PF/C, Duke commit). He's athletic. Eight games will be broadcast on the NBA App, starting with a Nov. 4 matchup between the G League Ignite and the Oklahoma City Blue. Neither man played for their original team and the swap was made quickly. But he'll distinguish himself from Duke's current center with more shooting range and controlled post shots. The 2022-23 NBA season is past its midway point, and the upcoming draft class continues to look strong with the top prospects maintaining high levels of playnot to mention new, intriguing . Get access to exclusive original series, premium articles from our NBA insiders, the full 30 for 30 library and more. A bulky 6-foot-5 wing who scores with patience and precision, Brice Sensabaugh should see his role expand as the season progresses. Kyle Filipowski brings a lot of interesting skills to the center position. The teams that did qualify for the playoffs become the next 16 picks, from numbers 15 to 30, and they pick in reverse order, so that the team to have won the league that season, gets the 30th pick. Standing 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, hes one of the best perimeter defenders on the board. In regard to Wembanyama's candidacy for the top pick, it's worth keeping a close eye on how the three big men who just heard their names called atop the 2022 NBA draft -- Jabari Smith, Chet Holmgren and Paolo Banchero -- fare as rookies. Keyonte George . Looking more comfortable the second half of the season, Cleveland still needs to show he can make an open three. Running back remains a vital commodity for offenses even as we've seen fewer and fewer of them taken with premium draft picks. RT @AdamFinkelstein: Kel'el Ware's high school evaluation has proven to be accurate this year at Oregon. Who is No. The teams that did qualify for the playoffs become the next 16 picks, from numbers 15 to 30, and they pick in reverse order, so that the team to have won the league that season, gets the 30th pick. Of course, the Hawks might be regretting that, given what Doncic has become since (see Wednesday's league-record, 60-point triple-double). On defense, he has the potential to guard 4-5 positions on any given night. If Cleveland misses the playoffs, Indiana will instead receive Cleveland's 2025 second-round pick and the Lakers' 2026 second-round pick. Scoot Henderson, the number two pick, might have been living in Wemby's shadow, but is still garnering his own attention. Recent history indicates that every season, at . Chris Livingston (Oak Hill, SG/SF, Kentucky commit). On defense, he just inhales shots in the paint and is too long to actually drive by. Check out our detailed scouting report on Scoot Henderson here. That said, Bates complete lack of explosion at the rim is a concern when projecting his efficiency long-term. Wembanyama is considered a generational prospect that has surpassed the hype of LeBron James coming out of high school. Any concerns about Brandon Miller making the high school-to-college transition have been blown out of the water. In fact, analyst Todd McShay sees Young and Ohio State's C.J. Emoni Bates was touted as the "next LeBron James" in high school, but his college career has left NBA scouts with a wide range of opinions. He profiles well as a two-way role player at the next level. Hes a smart, well-rounded lead guard who doesnt make a ton of mistakes. Houston has first-round swap rights with Brooklyn. Ja Morant earns over $11 Million in salary annually. Raising his three-point percentage (30.6) will be important for scouts to get past his lack of explosion. Teams with two point guards, he wonders, might be the future. Hes more than just 3-and-D, though Strawther is an under-appreciated athlete who can get out in transition and play above the rim every now and then. If Detroit's pick falls between 1-18, Oklahoma City will instead receive Detroit's 2024 first-rounder, again protected for picks 1-18. There are some restrictions. a staff of more than 50 full time recruiting reporters and evaluators that rank and compile data on the nation's elite high school . With TyTy Washington Jr. expected to go pro, Kentucky gets to re-up with another scoring guard in Wallace. If he can get 3s to fall consistently, NBA teams should be banging down his door. Wings also make up a good part of the intrigue with this group, especially near the top of the draft. He can make every pass in the book, his head constantly on a swivel when hes probing the defense or driving downhill. That said, he has a lot of learning to do on defense. Fudge doesn't offer enough creation or shooting to draw 2022 draft looks. He projects as possibly the best rim protector in the draft behind Wembanyama. Lincoln High School : 6' 9" 205: 3 . With conference play in full swing, we have reached the meat of the college basketball season. And over the course of the season, a handful young players who aren't ready to go pro have flashed glimpses of pro potential. A breakout junior year led to scouts visiting Williams, who averaged 18.0 points and 4.2 assists on 51.8 percent shooting and 40.6 percent from three. Though not as skilled as the other projected one-and-done forwards, Mitchell consistently finds ways to make plays with his mix of bounce, quickness and motor. Dallas' first-rounder is owned by New York if Dallas' pick falls between 11 and 30 in 2023. Teams will still wait for the combine, individual workouts, and medical examinations before making their final decisions on draft night. Monday through Friday, host Pablo Torre brings you an inside look at the most interesting stories at ESPN, as told by the top reporters and insiders on the planet. Prior to this, the draft would be held at Madison Square Garden in New York and the Prudential Center in New Jersey. Find out by returning here often. We have progressed from interesting starts and tantalizing flashes to increasingly solid bodies of work. Those comparisons are, of course, mostly surface-level (quite literally). With more minutes in 2022-23, there will be breakout expectations for the 6'8" wing whose positional/defensive tools, face-up flashes and passing remain interesting. He skipped his final exam to prepare for the NBA draft and still [] Though Ingram looked like a one-and-done prospect earlier in the year, he hit a wall over the past month, and scouts still need more convincing. His shooting and touch are worrisome, as he's only shot 8-of-41 from three and 47.1 percent from the line with Team OTE. Adjusting to a new role at Kansas, fourth-year wing Kevin McCullar Jr. has upped his 3-point rate without sacrificing the small things that make him unique. According to the terms of the agreement, a draftee must be at least 19 years old and within one year of. 1 to Orlando. And between his 6'6" size and fundamentally sound shot prep and shot-making, it's not hard to see a pro. Houston Rockets - Victor Wembanyama, 7-4, 220, C, Metropolitans 92 (France) DOB: 1-4-04. It seems to come so easy that he may have a tendency to be casual with his handle. To be fair, Henderson is far from a non-shooter in terms of his mechanics and ability to throw in pullup jumpers when defenses go under ball screens (he made 43% of his off-the-dribble jumpers last season, per Synergy Sports Technology), and the fact that he hit nearly 80% of his free throws last season leaves significant room for optimism, especially considering he's still only 18. Explosiveness, speed and strength immediately pop when watching the 18-year-old point guard who's put up 14.2 points and 4.2 assists per game against G League opponents. Hes smart, unselfish, and hard-working. Most offer quite a bit of multipositional defensive versatility with varying degrees of perimeter shooting, shot creation and plenty of physical and long-term upside to tap into, but productivity, consistency and showing growth in terms of their feel for the game and skill level over the course of the year will be important to keep their stock high. 1 pick stuns NBA fans with his flashy diamond suit during the 2022 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Portland's first-rounder is owned by Chicago if Portland's pick falls between 15 and 30 in 2023. The NBA draft is an annual event in which teams select players from their American colleges as well as international professional leagues to join their rosters. Take an inside look at various top picks getting official word from their new NBA teams that they'd been drafted. 1-4 Own; 5-30 to . During a breakout summer and senior year, Smith showcased the most complete skill package among 2023 draft-eligible guards. He has a funky release on his jumper, and it's tough to call him a shooter at 27.3 percent from three. NBA teams still have a lot to learn about this group. Who fills the gap behind these two? Anthony Black (Duncanville SG/SF, Undecided). The team that wins gets the first pick, which was Paolo Banchero this year who plays for the Orlando Magic. Theres a lot to like here: at 6-foot-10, Coleman Hawkins combines excellent effort and versatility on the defensive end with a budding offensive repertoire. There's excitement in the air for two major reasons. 8. He can defend up and down the positional spectrum and he possesses impressive open-court athleticism. Amen Thompson (Overtime Elite, SG/SF, 2003). The NBA and the NBPA prohibits the drafting of high school players beginning in 2005. 4. The 2023 draft class is supposed to be one of the most stacked and talented that we've seen in years. He can spread the floor, attack the lane, and defend a couple positions. Early January is usually the month in which NBA prospects aim to get the attention of teams before the draft. Starling combines exciting open-floor athleticism and the shot-making versatility to drill jumpers in a variety of ways. 1 option for Montverde. On defense, thanks to his broad shoulders and impressive bulk, he can guard bigger wings or stick with guards at the point of attack. At 7'1", he's a giant presence around the basket for lobs, finishing, offensive rebounding and shot-blocking. He stands 7-foot-3 with a 7-9 wingspan, has an exceptionally high skill level and feel for the game, and possesses defensive player of the year-type instincts as a shot-blocker. There have been 41 high school draftees in the NBA draft. We've watched the class' best prospects grow up in high school, AAU, USA Basketball and FIBA events, as well as other all-star settings in the past two years, and will continue that process this summer and fall. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. He can shoot, pass, handle the rock, and finish above the rim a lot of teams will salivate over his offensive potential. He gets after it and takes pride in making stops. Is Mathurin sleeper pick for Kia Rookie of the Year. G League Ignite and Overtime Elite are other evaluation platforms that are becoming increasingly important in the NBA scouting world, as evidenced by the fact that only one of the top five projected 2023 picks will be attending college -- something that's never occurred in the history of the NBA draft. On draft night, Charlotte scored a protected top-14 protected first-rounder from Denver via Oklahoma City and New York in a three-way trade. NHL trade deadline: Winners and losers, including the Bruins, Devils and Bruce Boudreau? He's a smooth, 6'4" shot-creator and scorer (19.2 points) with playmaking potential (3.7 assists) and enough shot-making range (1.4 3PT) and touch (80.7 percent FT) to buy his three-point development. The 19-year-old point guard has showcased himself as the perfect clutch player, with silky ballhandling skills. The 2023 NBA Draft is headlined by center Victor Wembanyama and guard Scoot . 43 Adem Bona is an enthusiastic and explosive dunker who will gladly supply his future NBA point guard with a lob threat and play finisher inside. 1. . High School. He doesnt have much on-ball juice yet, but Hendricks fluid athleticism and impressive instincts on defense should have scouts hooked. Players including the Thompson twins, Cameron Whitmore, Dillon Mitchell, Dariq Whitehead, Anthony Black, Jarace Walker, Julian Phillips, Gradey Dick and Leonard Miller make up half of the top 20 prospects currently forecast, and all currently project as wings. Black intrigues with ball-handling and passing skills for a 6'6" wing, plus a crafty finishing package in the paint. By Ricky O'Donnell Dec. If he can get NBA teams to believe in his offensive package, the athleticism and defensive upside could carry him into the first round. He could wind up replacing Blake Wesley in the lineup, with the freshman projected to draw 2022 first-round interest. Harrison Ingram (Stanford, SG/SF, Freshman). Showing he can hit open threes would be huge for his draft stock. Jordan Hawkins (Connecticut, SG, Freshman). James will graduate from high school in 2023 and enroll in college for the following season. 2023 Mock Draft; 2024 Mock Draft; Consensus Mock Draft; My Mock Drafts; Create Your Own Mock Draft; Actual Drafts; . While we have quite a while until we get to the 2023 NBA draft next June, it's not too early to look at what the Jazz could be playing for this year. Something of a dinosaur in his ability to score with power and finesse in the post, many will question whether or not Trayce Jackson-Davis is a decade late to the NBA. His track record as a shooter is much stronger than the current numbers suggest, so theres reason for optimism on that front. It seems his presence on the side-lines may stay that way, with G-League officials stating that he is being monitored out of caution for future NBA involvement. Dereck Lively (Westtown, C, Duke commit). He needs to get more consistent from 3-point range, but Thompson is a gifted finisher with the handles and shiftiness needed to break down defenders at the next level. The recent legacy of Kentucky guards in the NBA is quite strong. Viewed by international scouts as the top prospect outside the U.S. since 16 years old, the 7'2" French big is now playing in Euroleague and the Jeep Elite (France's top division) after averaging 14.0 points and 4.7 blocks in just 22.5 minutes at last summer's U19 World Cup. Aminu Mohammed (Georgetown, SG/SF, Freshman). . We're also getting closer to current NCAA players making key decisions about entering the draft. Russell was selected second overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2015 NBA Draft, and he has since shown to be an excellent point guard. If he can clean up simple mistakes and really nail down the 3-point shot, NBA teams will have no trouble imagining a productive future at the next level. Bronny James is only focused on impressing scouts in high school and mulling his college options right now, but NBA teams are already gearing up to make a run at the star prospect in the near future. He can sling every pass in the book out of pick-and-rolls, hes great at kickstarting transition offense, and he does the little things to keep the ship sailing smoothly. 2023 NBA Mock Draft V.4 The No Ceilings crew put together V.4 of their Mock Draft for the 2023 NBA Draft cycle. 1. Ausar Thompson (Overtime Elite, SG/SF, 2003). 6. NBA teams will need to give Keyontae Johnson the paramount medical all-clear, but years after collapsing mid-game in 2020, the former Florida Gator is back to full strength and then some for his new team. Scouts will be focused on how much he strengthens his frame and cuts down on low-percentage shots and passes. Were starting to get a clearer picture of who is, and isnt, generating buzz ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft next June. A talented movement shooter with athleticism and two-way potential, NBA scouts should eagerly track J.J. Starlings development over the course of the season. Subsequently, the first 14 teams to pick are those that didn't qualify for the playoffs in the most recent season. 6. He needs to iron out his 3-point stroke and become far less turnover-prone. Which players could surge into the lottery? NBA Draft 2023. Christie will have a tough call after the season with scouts unsure what to think about his 30.6 three-point percentage and frustrating inconsistency. Thompson's identity revolves around explosiveness, playmaking and defensive versatility. He has a real chance to enter the first-round conversation, if he hasnt already. We answer your curiosities and queries below, detailing out everything you need to know ahead of the upcoming months as the NBA prepares for another blockbuster spell of trading and claiming. It wouldn't be shocking if he wound up leaving Memphis after such an inefficient year (38.6 percent FG, 42 turnovers, 23 assists) and Jalen Duren's (presumed) final one in school. Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onAll NBA and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. Hes playing important minutes against professional, high-level competition. 8. Rank Players Height Position High School; 1: Omaha Biliew: 6'7" CF: Dowling Catholic (West Des Moines IA) 2: DJ Wagner: 6'3" CG: Camden (NJ) 3: Mikey Williams: 6'3" CG: San Ysidro (San Diego CA) 4: . Smith may be trending toward the 2022 draft after his latest play, with the 6'4" freshman averaging 23.8 points over his last five games. Specializing in drafts with top players on the NBA horizon, player profiles, scouting reports, rankings and prospective international recruits. Victor Wembanyama joins the ESPN booth during the Lakers-Timberwolves preseason game in Las Vegas. With the McDonald's All-American Game (March 29) and Nike Hoop Summit (April 8) coming up, it's worth looking ahead to the 2023 NBA draft. At 7-foot-4 and 285 pounds, Zach Edey occupies quite a lot of space on both sides of the ball. He crashes the glass, explodes into passing lanes, and racks up highlight blocks on the regular. 2023 NBA mock draft: Who's Victor Wembanyama's No. All in the family: how three generations of Jaquezes have ruled West Coast basketball, Alonso says Aston 'living a dream,' eyes podium, Top moments from Brady, Manning, Jordan and other athletes hosting 'Saturday Night Live'. 4. 2023. Dillon Mitchell (Texas) - Small forward/power forward, 6-foot-7, 200 pounds. Even if he shows limited creation or scoring at the rim, NBA teams could see the right off-ball skill set and intangibles for a role player. The Wichita State transfer has been putting up big numbers for Arkansas, one of the most talented teams in the country. On offense, hes a fairly crafty and dynamic shot-maker who makes an effort to move the ball and get teammates involved. Dariq Whitehead (Montverde Academy, SG, Duke commit). During a breakout summer and senior year, Smith showcased the most complete skill package among 2023 draft-eligible guards. Of course, a lot will still change between now and then. One that could include lowering the NBA Draft age to 18-years-old. G League Ignite and Paris Basket are said to be the main candidates for his signature. Best styles from 2022 NBA Draft, Pair of NBA Academy alums realize basketball dream, All-Access: 2022 Draft picks get their NBA call, All-Access: Behind the scenes at 2022 NBA Draft, Ultimate Highlight: Sights & sounds from Draft night, Pistons among big winners of 2022 NBA Draft, How Paolo Banchero found out he was the No.1 pick. Kris Murray will undoubtedly draw comparisons to his brother Keegan, the No. Youre reading Kevin O'Connors Big Board, featuring his top prospects in the 2023 NBA draft. He slings some beautiful dimes, no doubt aided by his high vantage point. Henderson quickly became Ignite's biggest draw, despite scouts visiting mainly for 2022-eligible prospects Jaden Hardy, Dyson Daniels and MarJon Beauchamp. 2. [23] NBA bans high school drafting The list has stopped growing however, as basketball players can no longer be drafted from high school. All of which will be on show this June as the 2022/23 NBA season comes to an end. Nets vs Celtics, 11 p.m. Sunday, July 17 Height: 6'0" Weight: 180 lb. Several NBA decision-makers we've spoken with expressed the belief that the NBA draft continues to get stronger and deeper, pointing to the fact that the 2020 and 2021 draft classes have significantly exceeded early expectations. Traore could be in good position to produce next year, assuming Tari Eason leaves LSU for the 2022 draft. OKC. Something of an oddball prospect, Andre Jacksons draft case is built almost entirely beyond the box score. How far away he looks as a shooter and decision-maker could determine whether he'll enter the one-and-done discussion. One of the trends we saw throughout the 2022 NBA draft process was a distinct lack of lead guards, with only one of the top 28 picks, Jaden Ivey, likely to see the majority of his NBA minutes at the point guard spot. He's evolved into a 6'10" power forward with comfortable three-point range and the ability to attack bigs off the dribble. The 18-year-old, 7ft 4ins sensation has been unstoppable so far for Metropolitan 92, as recently as Thursday where he put 27 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks up for his team. The shots arent falling yet at Duke, but Tyrese Proctor should appeal to NBA teams with his sharp playmaking acumen and defensive toughness. Dereck Lively II is next in a long line of physically imposing centers from Duke. Scouts will be drawn to his ability to grab-and-go, stretch the floor, attack from the arc and dish over the top, though he'll still produce plenty around the basket with his strength to finish through contact and rebound. Class of 2023 Rankings List. All betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+. At 6-foot-7, Amen Thompson is the most impressive athlete in the draft. Though Mohammed's shooting remains a question mark, NBA teams may like his defensive tools and toughness, as well as his physical two-point scoring. He defends smart and hard, with enough 3-point shooting and off-ball scoring upside to complement teammates on that side of the ball too. As mentioned before, teams have been known to swap prospective players for more experienced, proven figures, to bring about wins, or fuel a playoff run. He can shoot off movement, he can shoot spotting up, or he can attack closeouts. A strongly built 6-foot-4 guard, George will need to get better at elevating teammates in the long run, but there are flashes of legitimate passing upside to complement his impressive shot-making. Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service utilized by NBA, NCAA and international teams. NCAA Power 16 Rankings To put it in perspective: In the past 10 years, there have been only six non-college players selected in the top five total. He's not super impressive physically or athletically, but he manages to compensate with crafty paint finishes and confident shot-making. He's . Most NBA executives feel that Wembanyama simply staying healthy for the duration of next season, while showing progress with his thin frame and ability to handle physicality, should be enough to lock down the top spot. Since 2005, the drafting of high school players has been. 19: 7'4 220 Pivot Metropolitan92 (France). Unfortunately, hes 6-foot-2 in shoes and will be unavoidably limited on the defensive end despite his impressive commitment to that side of the ball. Below, youll find in-depth scouting reports of the best players in this class. Tankers will come. 2023 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings: Victor Wembanyama ahead of Scoot Henderson at top of first Big Board The first run of prospect rankings has four non-college talents inside the top five By.
