The 2023 NBA Draft will go down as one of the anticipated in league historical past. It’s a deep class wealthy with expertise at a number of positions, however there will probably be no suspense over the No. 1 general decide.
Victor Wembanyama is the massive prize ready on the high of the draft, and the 7’5 French tremendous prospect has the potential to go down as an all-time nice due to his unprecedented mixture of measurement and talent. Now we lastly know the place Wembanyama will begin his NBA profession.
The San Antonio Spurs are the fortunate winners of the draft lottery, giving Wembanyama his first NBA residence. The Charlotte Hornets will decide second, the Portland Path Blazers will decide third, and the Houston Rockets will decide fourth. The second decide is anticipated to be a race between G League Ignite level guard Scoot Henderson and Alabama freshman wing Brandon Miller. This might be the uncommon draft to function three gamers who didn’t play school basketball going with the primary picks if Extra time Elite level guard Amen Thompson sneaks forward of Miller.
With the lottery order now decided, right here is our immediate 2023 NBA mock draft.
1. San Antonio Spurs – Victor Wembanyama, C, Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92
Wembanyama is likely one of the finest prospects to ever enter the NBA draft, up there with icons like LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The league has by no means seen a participant along with his bodily instruments earlier than: standing 7’5 with an 8-foot wingspan, Wembanyama is a fluid athlete who can play all around the flooring on each ends, however thrives dominating on the rim. He has by some means exceeded the lofty hype that adopted him into this season by establishing himself because the doubtless MVP of the highest French professional league at simply 19 years previous. He’s main the league in scoring, rebounds, blocks, and is close to the league-lead in minutes performed. Learn our full scouting report on Wembanyama right here. That is one other franchise-altering famous person for the Spurs.
2. Charlotte Hornets – Scoot Henderson, PG, G League Ignite
Henderson is an excellent athletic level guard prospect who can break opposing defenses along with his velocity and rim stress. The 6’2 guard is extremely quick with the ball in his fingers, burning defenders to the cup each in transition with a head of steam, and within the halfcourt with a depraved first step. Henderson must be an ideal finisher across the rim as he refines his craft: he can get off the bottom shortly as an explosive one-foot leaper, he’s sturdy sufficient to soak up contact, and he’s agile sufficient to keep away from defenders mid-air when he has to. He’s additionally a talented operator within the pick-and-roll, however nonetheless has some studying to do in mix his personal scoring with playmaking. Henderson just isn’t an ideal three-point shooter (27.5 p.c on 2.7 makes an attempt per recreation this season), and might want to work out threaten defenses when he doesn’t have the ball.
3. Portland Path Blazers – Amen Thompson, G, Extra time Elite Metropolis Reapers
Twins Amen and Ausar Thompson really feel like the most important wildcards of the 2023 NBA Draft after they bypassed extra conventional routes for the upstart Extra time Elite league — however passing on them within the top-five is likely to be even riskier than taking them. We’ll give Amen the slight edge over his brother due to his playmaking potential as a lead guard. At 6’7 with a 7-foot wingspan, Thompson has the scale of a wing and the talent of a guard, and will probably be one of many 5 most athletic gamers within the league subsequent season. He has unimaginable velocity within the open flooring and a blazing first step to attract two defenders to the ball, and at instances he’ll have some really inventive passing flashes. Thompson can be a exceptional leaper across the basket, however he nonetheless wants to enhance as a finisher when he’s not dunking it. His intersection of measurement, velocity, leaping, passing, and defensive versatility offers him sky-high upside, however he’s a tough exterior shooter who will primarily be ranging from scratch along with his three-point shot. He’d be of venture at No. 3, however he has extra upside than any participant left on the board.
4. Houston Rockets – Brandon Miller, F, Alabama
There’s a case to be made that Miller has the best flooring of any participant on this draft after Wembanyama due to his mixture of measurement and taking pictures. At 6’9, Miller confirmed knockdown taking pictures potential throughout his freshman season at Alabama by hitting 38.4 p.c of his threes on 7.5 makes an attempt per recreation, whereas making 86 p.c of his free throws. Miller is lethal on spot-ups and may bend opposing defenses by operating off screens to hit pictures. His ceiling will relaxation on his improvement with the ball in his fingers. Miller doesn’t have a ton of burst as a driver to create separation in opposition to his man, and whereas his ending received higher within the second half of the season, it stays a little bit of a query mark. Miller will even need to reply questions on his presence on the homicide of 23-year-old Jamea Harris in January regardless of not being charged.
5. Detroit Pistons – Cam Whitmore, F, Villanova
Whitmore has main upside as a scorer because of his mixture of energy and athleticism whereas exhibiting flashes of shot-making potential. At 6’6 and 230+ kilos, Whitmore thrives by attacking the basket and ending by means of contact. He dunks every little thing across the rim and may out-muscle smaller or weaker defenders in shut. He can rating within the restricted space each on and off the ball: his ball dealing with is fairly tight for a participant along with his measurement, and he’s additionally nice at chopping into open areas for simple baskets. Whitmore made 34.3 p.c of his threes on 4.3 makes an attempt per recreation this yr, and may get sizzling as a shooter when he’s in a rhythm. His playmaking is his largest space of development, and scouts will even surprise what place he finest defends within the league.
6. Orlando Magic – Taylor Hendricks, F, UCF
Nobody anticipated Taylor Hendricks to be a one-and-done when he arrived at UFC because the No. 84 recruit in his class, per 247 Sports activities. Quick ahead six months, and Hendricks is immediately one of many hottest names on this draft with actual potential to go within the top-10. The 6’9 ahead checks loads of bins groups are searching for in a contemporary 4: he can defend the rim a bit (his 6.2 p.c block price ranked No. 94 within the nation), he can hit a spot-up three (39 p.c from deep this yr), and he can end performs above the rim as a dunker. Hendricks doesn’t have a ton of juice off the dribble which limits his upside, however he’s spectacular defensively and may house the ground on offense, which is one thing each group is searching for.
7. Indiana Pacers – Ausar Thompson, G/F, Extra time Elite Reapers
The opposite Thompson twin is an amazing prospect in his personal proper. Like his brother, Ausar is an elite athlete at 6’7 with a 7-foot wingspan who wrecks havoc defensively and thrives when the sport is in transition. He’s a greater shooter than his brother, although his jumper isn’t precisely a energy but after hitting 29.8 p.c of his threes on 3.8 makes an attempt per recreation. Ausar is extra of a wing whereas Amen initiatives as a degree guard, and isn’t as dynamic off the dribble. As a substitute, Ausar initiatives as extra of a connective off-ball perimeter participant, which might give him a cleaner projection to the league than his brother if his jumper totally comes round.
8. Washington Wizards – Jarace Walker, F, Houston
Walker is likely one of the finest defensive prospects on this draft class, and there’s cause to imagine that he has extra offensive talent than he confirmed throughout his one yr at Houston. A 6’8, 240-pound ahead with a 7’2 wingspan, Walker affords immense defensive versatility with strong consciousness on assist rotations, supplemental rim safety expertise, and the flexibility to stay with smaller gamers for a number of seconds on the perimeter. On offense, he ought to be capable to knock down open spot-ups (34.7 p.c from three on 101 makes an attempt) whereas including worth as a passer. Earlier than he performed a successful position on a No. 1 seed on the school stage, Walker was an ideal one-on-one scorer at IMG Academy, and will have extra upside there. Walker lacks nice velocity to chase shooters round screens, however he offers nearly every little thing else on protection whereas having some bankable expertise offensively.
9. Utah Jazz – Cason Wallace, G, Kentucky
There isn’t a higher perimeter defender on this draft class than Wallace. A 6’3 guard with a 6’6 wingspan and a powerful 195-pound body, Wallace not solely blankets opposing guards however may also slide up and defend larger forwards. He performs with a shocking mixture of effort and intelligence on the defensive finish, by no means giving up on performs — as evident by a deep assortment of chasedown blocks — whereas mastering opponents’ tendencies. Wallace’s offense is rather less refined, however he can hit a spot-up jumper (34.6 p.c from three on 4 makes an attempt per recreation) and acts finest as a connective passer on the perimeter.
10. Dallas Mavericks – Anthony Black, G, Arkansas
Anthony Black is a big guard who ought to make a major impression on the defensive finish as he figures out his position offensively. At 6’7, 200 kilos, Black is a decided on-ball defender with sharp rotational instincts who might be capable to change throughout 4 positions on the NBA stage. Black has a powerful decrease physique and fast fingers that helps him maintain up in opposition to larger matchups, and he’s nonetheless fast sufficient to hold with speedy guards more often than not. The query for Black is how a lot scoring punch he can present. He’s a shaky exterior shooter (30 p.c from three on 98 makes an attempt), and doesn’t generate a lot rim stress as a driver. He’s extra of a connective passer than a real lead guard, but when the shot comes round that is precisely the kind of participant groups need within the rotation throughout the playoffs.
11. Orlando Magic – Gradey Dick, G/F, Kansas
Dick is the favourite to earn the ‘finest shooter within the class’ label. The 6’8 freshman made 40.3 p.c of 206 makes an attempt on three-pointers this yr, totally on pictures his teammates created for him. With deep vary and a fast launch, Dick is the form of shooter opposing defenses have to remain glued to, and that opens issues up for everybody else. Whereas he’s not tremendous quick sprinting round screens, Dick does have motion shooter potential as a result of he’s in a position to shortly sq. himself to the basket to fireplace a shot. He additionally confirmed that he can assault a closeout and get right into a one dribble mid-range pull-up when he must. Dick shouldn’t be counted on to assault off the bounce a lot, and his protection will probably be an enormous query mark early in his profession. Nonetheless, it’s arduous to search out 6’8 guys who can shoot in addition to he can, and that ought to make him a lotto decide.
12. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder – Keyonte George, G, Baylor
George has a case as one of the expert offensive guards within the class even when the numbers from his freshman yr at Baylor don’t essentially verify it. The 6’4 guard can play on- or off the ball, flashed scoring potential from all three ranges, and has already mastered the artwork of getting simple factors from the free throw line. On the ball, George is a complicated ball handler who usually hunts pull-up jumpers, however may also throw some actually spectacular passes. Off the ball, he has legit motion taking pictures potential as a knockdown risk operating round screens. So why did George solely shoot 33.8 p.c from three (on 228 makes an attempt) and 42.4 p.c on two-pointers? He lacks top-end velocity and leaping, and tends to accept troublesome pictures he could make however aren’t environment friendly appears to be like. It could have been good to see George get some simpler buckets in opposition to school competitors, however his offensive versatility and technically sound perimeter protection ought to nonetheless make him a lotto decide.
13. Toronto Raptors – Dariq Whitehead, G, Duke
Whitehead had a status as an enormous guard who might put stress on the rim with large velocity and leaping potential when he entered his freshman yr at Duke. Then he fractured his proper foot, missed the beginning of the season, and needed to reimagine his recreation on a Blue Devils group that already had a stud shot creator in Jeremy Roach. As a substitute, Whitehead grew to become one thing of a delegated shooter — thought of a weak spot in his recreation coming into school — by hitting 42.4 p.c of his three-pointers on 99 makes an attempt. Add in strong protection with the potential to modify throughout two or three positions, and there’s so much to love about Whitehead if he can regain the burst as a driver he confirmed earlier in his profession.
14. New Orleans Pelicans – Brice Sensabaugh, G, Ohio State
Sensabaugh is likely one of the really nice scoring prospects on this draft class. A powerful 6’6, 230-pound wing, the Ohio State freshman is the grasp of the midrange whereas additionally being a superb three-point shooter. Sensabaugh has drawn comparisons to modern-day DeMar DeRozan for his potential to get to his spots and hit pull-up jumpers from the elbows. He’s additionally an superior three-point shooter, making 40.5 p.c of his triples on 148 makes an attempt. So why isn’t he thought of a high decide on this draft? Nicely, Sensabaugh doesn’t go a lot and doesn’t defend a lot, both. He’s already such a very good scorer that he ought to have a job within the league for a very long time both approach, but when he can enhance in these areas, he might be one of many larger worth performs on this draft.
15. Atlanta Hawks – Jett Howard, F, Michigan
Howard is an enormous wing with spectacular taking pictures potential who can nonetheless create his personal shot regardless of underwhelming athleticism. At 6’8, 215 kilos, Howard is a quantity three-point shooter who can knockdown spot-ups and provide some motion taking pictures potential. He made 36.8 p.c of his threes on 212 makes an attempt this season. Howard additionally has a complicated deal with for somebody his measurement and may shake defenders one-on-one to get into his pull-up. Whereas he’s not tremendous quick or an ideal leaper, he is an efficient finisher when he can get to the rim, The most important questions will probably be on the defensive finish, however Howard’s measurement permits him to carry up a bit inside. He seems like a protected guess as an off-ball shooter, and simply may flip into a greater on-ball creator than most understand.
16. Utah Jazz – Nick Smith Jr., G, Arkansas
Smith was speculated to be the perfect NBA prospect in school basketball this yr. As a substitute, he battled a knee damage and gave professional scouts extra questions than solutions about his recreation throughout his one yr at Arkansas. At his finest, Smith is an unimaginable half-court scorer who can beat defenses with floaters, pull-up jumpers, and spot-up threes. He didn’t get to and end on the rim as usually as NBA groups needed, and his skinny body goes to face main questions defensively. Smith’s finest position within the league is likely to be as a microwave bench scorer, however you don’t need to squint too arduous to nonetheless discuss your self into star upside right here.
17. Los Angeles Lakers – Kris Murray, F, Iowa
Murray is the dual brother of Kings rookie Keegan Murray, and he loved an analogous breakout season at Iowa as his bro grew to become a key starter on a playoff group in Sacramento. A 6’8, 220-pound ahead, Murray can shoot threes with quantity and defend slower wings. He appears a tad much less athletic than his brother, and his taking pictures numbers dipped because the season went on, however he must be a protected guess to stay across the league for some time when each group wants massive wings who can hit pictures.
18. Miami Warmth – Terquavion Smith, G, NC State
Smith was a borderline first rounder final yr, however determined to come back again for his sophomore season at NC State. The entire nation received to see his microwave scoring potential on show in March Insanity, when he popped off for 32 factors in an in depth first-round loss to Creighton. A skinny 6’4 guard, Smith has a fast set off and deep vary as a pull-up shooter that enables him to stockpile factors in a rush. He developed properly as a playmaker as a sophomore, bettering his help proportion from 14.2 p.c to 22.9 p.c. It’s troublesome to see how he positively impacts the sport defensively, however he ought to present worth as a bench gunner.
19. Golden State Warriors – Leonard Miller, F, G League Ignite
Miller is an enormous 6’10 ahead with a 7’2 wingspan who can deal with the ball out on the perimeter, has good contact across the basket, and affords defensive versatility when he’s locked in. The Canadian was the prep faculty thriller man finally yr’s NBA Draft mix, however determined to hitch the G League Ignite after a poor exhibiting in scrimmages. He impressed attacking closeouts and entering into his Eurostep, and was in a position to hit pictures with each fingers across the basket. Miller’s largest difficulty is his three-point shot: he has a sluggish, lengthy launch, and his contact across the basket doesn’t appear to increase to the perimeter. He’s additionally a little bit of an erratic decision-maker with the ball in his fingers. There’s nonetheless loads of upside right here even with extra tape on his recreation, and he is sensible for many groups after the lotto.
20. Houston Rockets – GG Jackson, F, South Carolina
Jackson is a big ahead with shot-creation potential who continues to be rising into his recreation because the youngest prospect within the draft. The No. 1 highschool junior within the nation earlier than reclassifying late, Jackson spent his freshman yr initiating the Gamecocks’ offense and flashing powerful shot-making expertise. At 6’9, 215 kilos, Jackson is a fluid if not tremendous explosive athlete who might be a mismatch drawback on the subsequent stage as he continues to learn to leverage his bodily items. The problem with Jackson proper now could be he doesn’t learn the sport very effectively — he completed the season with 86 turnovers to 27 assists — and nonetheless must show himself as an off-ball participant by way of his catch-and-shoot effectivity and talent to impression the sport with cuts, offensive rebounds, and hustle performs. There’s some actual upside right here, however it’s going to take a affected person group who can get him to embrace a successful position.
21. Brooklyn Nets – Rayan Rupert, G, New Zealand Breakers
Rupert is a younger French wing with ridiculous size who might profile as a high-impact defensive stopper down the street. At 6’6 with a 7’3 wingspan, Rupert impressed scouts along with his on-ball protection and talent to get into the passing lanes whereas enjoying in Australia’s NBL. His halfcourt offense is usually restricted to catch-and-shoot alternatives at this level, the place he’s proven respectable contact however nonetheless has progress to make after hitting 31.3 p.c of his threes and 74 p.c of his free throws. Rupert can deal with the ball in transition and reportedly confirmed good really feel offensively, however there’s little question protection will probably be his calling card to make it within the league.
22. Brooklyn Nets – Maxwell Lewis, F, Pepperdine
Lewis is a spindly wing who can create his personal shot with a complicated package deal of offensive strikes, and nonetheless seems like he’s rising into each his physique and his talent set. At 6’7 with a 6’10 wingspan, Lewis is a gifted one-on-one scoring prospect who can hearth pull-up jumpers from mid-range and three-point territory. The Pepperdine sophomore has lengthy strides and actual flexibility across the basket when he breaks down the protection, and made pro-level pictures all through his breakdown marketing campaign. Whereas his deep taking pictures numbers aren’t nice — 32.5 p.c from three on 120 makes an attempt — the stepback Lewis usually goes to appears to be like the half and will develop into a significant weapon with extra seasoning. There are questions on his playmaking and defensive impression, however there might be some hidden upside in a tall wing prospect with one of these shot creation potential.
23. Portland Path Blazers – Emoni Bates, F, Jap Michigan
Bates will go down as one of the notorious prospects of his era no matter his NBA profession seems. At 15 years previous, Bates was being referred to as “the following Kevin Durant” for his mixture of measurement and taking pictures. His winding highschool path led him to enroll at Memphis as a 17-year-old, the place his turnovers, inefficient scoring, and accidents in the end pushed him out of the rotation. He landed along with his hometown Jap Michigan program and put up massive scoring numbers on a horrible group, however there are nonetheless critical questions on how his recreation will translate to the following stage. Bates does have a number of issues going for him, specifically: measurement (6’10), taking pictures, and youth. The guess right here is a few group will discover him intriguing sufficient to absorb the primary spherical.
24. Sacramento Kings – Kobe Bufkin, G, Michigan
Bufkin closed the season on a tear for Michigan to win himself new followers amongst NBA evaluators as a sophomore who’s youthful than loads of the highest freshmen on this draft. The 6’4 guard is slippery with the ball in his fingers, combining spectacular change of tempo with a complicated ending package deal across the basket. He’s a strong shooter — 35.5 p.c from three, 85 p.c from the foul line — and has actually fast fingers defensively regardless of a skinny body. He seems like one of many extra well-rounded guard prospects on this class if he can proceed to develop off-the-ball whereas including energy.
25. Memphis Grizzlies – Dereck Energetic II, C, Duke
Energetic is an excellent lengthy rim-protecting heart who confirmed extra defensive versatility because the season went on. A 7’2 massive man with a reported 7’7 wingspan, Energetic was a high recruit who struggled to reside up the hype early in his freshman yr for Duke. Whereas his offense by no means actually developed — he averaged 5.2 factors per recreation on the season — his protection was wonderful. Energetic completed third within the nation in block price (12.7 p.c), proved he might hit the offensive glass arduous, and confirmed extra protection versatility past simply enjoying drop late within the season. If the taking pictures upside scouts thought he had popping out of highschool ever develops, he might be one of many extra high-upside picks on this vary.
26. Indiana Pacers – Jordan Hawkins, G, UConn
Hawkins was the perimeter star of UConn’s run to the nationwide championship, and his motion taking pictures potential makes him an attractive match within the NBA. The 6’5 guard doesn’t create a lot with the ball in his fingers, however he can zip round screens and hit threes enjoying off the ball. His footwork coming off pindowns is pristine, and the best way he gathers himself to get off a shot so shortly is spectacular. Scouts will surprise about his decision-making after he completed with extra turnovers than assists on the yr, however the group that drafts will probably be doing so for his taking pictures.
27. Charlotte Hornets – Noah Clowney, C, Alabama
Clowney is a uncooked massive man with the upside to house the ground on offense and defend the rim on protection has he continues to develop into his recreation. A 6’10 massive man with a 7’2 wingspan, the Alabama freshman confirmed the flexibility to struggle on the glass and provide supplemental shot-blocking defensively. He took a ton of threes (120) for somebody so younger and so massive, and whereas he solely made 28.3 p.c of them, the quantity is encouraging and the shot look clear. He was additionally a powerful finisher on the rim. It would in all probability take him a pair years to make an impression within the league, however a affected person group might discover a gem within the late first with the appropriate improvement.
28. Utah Jazz – Sidy Cissoko, G, G League Ignite
Cissoko is an extended and robust French wing who initiatives as an impression defender. At 6’7 with a 6’10 wingspan, Cissoko has a powerful chest and fast ft that enables him to defend a number of positions on switches. He was wonderful at coming over to get blocks and steals as a assist defender throughout his yr with the Ignite. His offense is much less developed at this level however he has an honest taking pictures stroke on spot-ups and may throw some fascinating passes as a ball handler. Scouts will need to see if he can stress the opposing protection as a scorer with the ball in his fingers.
29. Indiana Pacers – Bobi Klintman, F, Wake Forest
Klintman is a 6’10 Swede with a projectable 3-and-D talent set as a contemporary energy ahead. Whereas he solely averaged 5.3 factors per recreation as a freshman at Wake Forest, Klintman confirmed off a powerful catch-and-shoot stroke (36.8 p.c from three) and strikes effectively in house. He’s extraordinarily uncooked, however the gross sales pitch is intriguing sufficient to get him appears to be like on the finish of the primary.
30. Los Angeles Clippers – Jordan Walsh, F, Arkansas
Walsh is a defensive stopper on the wing who might want to enhance his bounce shot to remain within the league. At 6’7 with a 7’2 wingspan, the Arkansas ahead is a decided defender who can change ball screens and guard quite a lot of assignments. He can deal with and go the ball in transition a bit, however wants to determine methods to attain within the halfcourt. Nonetheless, there aren’t many wings this massive and this expert defensively if a group thinks it might probably enhance his scoring in opposition to a set protection.
