Bona should be a highlight machine at UCLA, just by tapping into his active mix of size, length, athleticism and motor. Hes one of those prospects who will have NBA teams drooling if his jump shot shows signs of progress. The 7-foot-4 Frenchman is the most tantalizing prospect to come into the NBA Draft since LeBron James came out of high school. The cherry on top is Millers passing upside. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player. And how could this year's draft affect the future of the league? The 6-foot-10, 170-pound Eastern Michigan forward . Traore's perimeter-skill development has been noteworthy from an NBA scouting standpoint. He's struggled from the floor this season as a member of ASVEL, playing up against some of the top competition outside the NBA. Jalen Williams (Santa Clara, PG/SG, Junior). Top prospects are being found in rural parts of the U.S. or obscure places around the globe, in many cases moving on to top-notch American prep schools where they usually compete against other top prospects year-round in grassroots and high school competition. 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. Charlotte Hornets (to Atlanta if 17-30), Anthony Black | Arkansas | SG | Age: 18.4, Terquavion Smith | NC State | SG | Age: 19.4, Cason Wallace | Kentucky | PG/SG | Age: 18.6, Kyle Filipowski | Duke | PF/C | Age: 18.6, Julian Phillips | Tennessee | SF | Age: 18.6, Leonard Miller | G League Ignite | SF/PF | Age: 18.5, Jordan Walsh | Arkansas | SF/PF | Age: 18.3, Rayan Rupert | NZ Breakers | SG/SF | Age: 18.0, Brandon Miller | Alabama | SF | Age: 19.5, Chris Livingston | Kentucky | SF/PF | Age: 18.6, Sidy Cissoko | Undecided | SG/SF | Age: 18.2, J.J. Starling | Notre Dame | SG | Age: 18.2, Marcus Sasser | Houston | PG/SG | Age: 21.7, Ousmane Ndiaye | Undecided | PF/C | Age: 18.2, Nikola Djurisic | Mega Mozzart | SG/SF | Age: 18.3, Arthur Kaluma | Creighton | PF | Age: 20.3, Emoni Bates | Undecided | SG/SF | Age: 18.4, Julian Strawther | Gonzaga | SF | Age: 20.1, Andre Jackson | UConn | SG/SF | Age: 20.6, Harrison Ingram | Stanford | SF/PF | Age: 19.5, 39. Wanted to hopefully give a detailed. Victor Wembanyama hasn't had to do that. The potential for defensive versatility offered by Arthur Kaluma should keep him firmly on the NBA radar. 1-4 Own; 5-30 to . Marcus Sasser is a magnificent shooter with deep range on the move, pulling up, standing still, it doesnt really matter. Ja Morant Net Worth is $80 Million US Dollars. Hes a smart, well-rounded lead guard who doesnt make a ton of mistakes. This comes down to professionalism of the club and players involved, though rules are always evolving to include new policies and terms. Big men emerge early as prospects for obvious reasons, but the bar for being playable in today's NBA has never been higher, which means that showcasing their defensive versatility, playmaking ability and skill level on the perimeter will be important to separate from the crowd. Cleveland's first-rounder is owned by Indiana if Cleveland's pick falls between 15 and 30 in 2023. 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. Scouts will want to see him make a jump as a three-point shooter next year, but he's developed a knack for making athletic and instinct plays at both ends. At 6'8", 230 pounds, he offers a unique mix of size, strength, shooting potential and passing IQ. For the seventh year in a row, were featuring Kevin OConnors Big Board, in which he extensively breaks down each of the top prospects strengths, weaknesses, and closest NBA comparisons. 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'. Where this group is very strong is with towering big men, as three 7-footers make up the top 11 prospects, and eight overall 7-footers are currently projected to be drafted. He's a . Kyle Filipowski brings a lot of interesting skills to the center position. Measurement data and player statistics via, Content 2020 The Ringer All Rights Reserved. Yohan Traore (Dream City Christian, PF, LSU commit). The 6-foot-5 guard from Arkansas can absolutely obliterate defenses off the dribble, intermingling changes of speed and direction with advanced handles and feather-soft touch from everywhere on the court. NBA Sophomore Watch By Michael Quinn. These 14 teams are then entered into a lottery system to decide the draft order in which they get to pick new players. And between his 6'6" size and fundamentally sound shot prep and shot-making, it's not hard to see a pro. 7. But Henderson has a signature mid-range scoring package with the pull-up to complement his blow-by burst and crafty finishing at the rim. A bulky 6-foot-5 wing who scores with patience and precision, Brice Sensabaugh should see his role expand as the season progresses. Specializing in drafts with top players on the NBA horizon, player profiles, scouting reports, rankings and prospective international recruits. 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. If Denver misses the playoffs, Oklahoma City will instead receive Denver's 2024 first-rounder, again lottery-protected. 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. I School Entreprenurial Academy (Lewisville TX) Honorable Mention: Noah Amenhauser: Hes statistically a very poor 3-point shooter, but his touch closer to the rim is a positive indicator long-term. Cleveland appears very coachable and unselfish, so NBA teams should buy the intangibles too. Jordan Walsh (Link Academy, SF, Arkansas commit). The main knock against him will be the lack of high-level competition at Overtime Elite, opposed to his peers who are facing collegiate or professional competition. Houston Rockets - Victor Wembanyama, 7-4, 220, C, Metropolitans 92 (France) DOB: 1-4-04. A wrist injury interrupted his season, but the early body of work from Rayan Rupert in Australias NBL is quite impressive. 2023 NBA Mock Draft 1.0: Predicting both rounds, starting with Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson Share this article 4.9k shares Coley Cleary / USA TODAY Sports Media Group Bryan Kalbrosky. NBA Draft; Odds; NCAA WBK; Community. Hes not a freak athlete, but Wallace plays with spirit and contributes in myriad ways offensively, from a bankable 3-point shot to nifty floaters and proficient passing. A 6'6" guard/wing, Sharpe possesses the type of athletic bounce, self-creation and shot-making suited for NBA scoring. He projects as possibly the best rim protector in the draft behind Wembanyama. Nick Smith Jr. and Ausar Thompson are also players to keep an eye on. His numbers have been consistent across this season in France. Take an inside look at various top picks getting official word from their new NBA teams that they'd been drafted. Colby Jones is a box-checker, well-rounded to the extreme. Flashes of speed and athleticism create visions of a Ja Morant- or De'Aaron Fox-type ball-handler. Victor Wembanyama, generously listed at 7-foot-5 and 220 pounds over at ESPN, will be the No.1 overall pick in 2023. 8. JJ Starling (La Lumiere, SG, Notre Dame commit). 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. 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. He's shown he can carry a team through stretches of a game with his aggressiveness attacking downhill and shot-making confidence. They will have the higher of two picks between Houston's and Brooklyn's, thanks to a swap right obtained from the January 2021 James Harden trade, and a Milwaukee pick obtained via a combination of the Harden . The 2023 draft order is based on ESPN projections prior to draft night, and reflects the current state of picks owed and owned: Victor Wembanyama | ASVEL | PF/C| Age: 18.4, Scoot Henderson | G League Ignite | PG | Age: 18.3, Nick Smith | Arkansas | PG/SG | Age: 18.1, Ausar Thompson | Overtime Elite | SG/SF | Age: 19.3, Amen Thompson | Overtime Elite | PG/SG | Age: 19.3, Cameron Whitmore | Villanova | SF | Age: 17.9, Dillon Mitchell | Texas | SF/PF | Age: 18.7, Dariq Whitehead | Duke | SG/SF | Age: 17.8, 12. The eye test says he's a better shooter than the numbers suggest. Ja Morant became the first player in . Class of 2023 Rankings List. In fact, analyst Todd McShay sees Young and Ohio State's C.J. Houston has first-round swap rights with Brooklyn. If Dallas' pick finishes between 1-10, New York will instead receive Dallas' 2024 first-rounder, protected for picks 1-10. How far away he looks as a shooter and decision-maker could determine whether he'll enter the one-and-done discussion. Improving his shooting consistency remains a priority. That said, Bates complete lack of explosion at the rim is a concern when projecting his efficiency long-term. Check out our detailed scouting report on Nick Smith Jr. here. Dariq Whitehead (Montverde Academy, SG, Duke commit). But he's so athletic and quick defensively that he won't need to be a dangerous scoring threat to eventually earn NBA interest. Should Wembanyama struggle to stay healthy, or not improve as much as hoped, there's a group of extremely talented prospects right behind him looking to show there's a conversation about why big playmakers who can be the engine of an NBA offense deserve just as much consideration atop the draft. Which non-quarterback group will define each top-25 team's season? However, we'd likely be pointing out the 18-year-old's positives more than the negatives if he didn't arrive with so much hype. In addition, we have our first mock draft with projections from KOC, plus a team needs section where Michael Pina analyzes the biggest decisions facing each team before the trade deadline and the draft. 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. Hes everything the league currently values length, dynamic shooting, defensive versatility, scalable offense plugged into the most absurd physical frame one could think of. NBA bans high school drafting The list has stopped growing however, as basketball players can no longer be drafted from high school. He needs to iron out his 3-point stroke and become far less turnover-prone. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. While the spotlight slightly favors his twin brother at Overtime Elite, theres still plenty of spectacle around Ausar Thompson. We've gathered the most recent stories, collections, and more on Georgia(u.s.State). This big board, by definition, cannot take into account individual team fit, so therefore it hinges on the broader stylistic trends of NBA basketball, my personal idiosyncrasies as a basketball watcher, and to state it plainly who I think will make the best NBA players, however imprecise and subjective the method to get there may be. Youre reading Kevin O'Connors Big Board, featuring his top prospects in the 2023 NBA draft. Aided by an electric 41-point performance back in December against Duncanville, one of the top teams in the nation, the UConn commit has seen a boost in his recruiting ranking, now being . As we have now seen, some NBA franchises have spent the . Nick Smith : G--5 . Despite his high center of gravity, hes more than capable of negotiating tight spaces off the bounce and fluidly moving into his pull-up jumper. 2023 Mock Draft; 2024 Mock Draft; Consensus Mock Draft; My Mock Drafts; Create Your Own Mock Draft; . If he can show consistent touch around the rim and start adding range to his scoring arsenal, watch out. 3. Age: 18 Bats: R Throws: R Hit: 50 Power: 55 Run: 60 Arm: 60 Field: 60 Overall: 60 Bobby Witt, Jr. is a high school shortstop from . 1. 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. Just over one-third of all players currently projected to be picked can be classified as big men, which is a significant number but might not ultimately hold up. NCAA Power 16 Rankings Victor Wembanyama (Metropolitans 92, PF/C, 2004) Wembanyama is being seen by scouts in a different way than any recent pre-draft prospect . SF: West Hartford, CT Kingswood-Oxford Wyverns High School: Rutgers Signed. Hes a tremendous athlete on the wing and a whirlwind defensive presence. Ja Morant is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association. His ability to shoot on the move, combined with excellent feel and vision spearheading the offense, makes Smith one of the drafts most bankable lead playmakers. Jaden Hardy, Dyson Daniels and more highlight best looks from the NBA draft, NBA trade grades: Breaking down the most impactful deals, including an eight-player swap between Houston and OKC, Sign up now to unlock everything ESPN+ has to offer. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. Cason Wallace will look to keep the momentum going. His floater and in-between game are well-developed, and while he wont create much for others, Howard profiles as an excellent complementary talent with room to grow. That said, the twins should join each other at the professional level next season thanks to Kriss blend of size and shooting, as well as his ability to drive the lane with long strides, precise footwork, and feather-soft touch. Teams can also obtain more than one new player per round. Note: Potential breakout returners only includes players who were not included in our latest mock draft. 3. Way-too-early 2023 NBA Mock Draft 1) San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama (Metropolitans 92, France) First, there's no surprise who tops our NBA Mock Draft. Terquavion Smith (North Carolina State, SG, Freshman). Hoop Intellect 41.1K subscribers Subscribe 1K Share 31K views 5 months ago Way Too Early 2023 Big Board! Hes a nutty pull-up shooter with deep range and unquenchable confidence. Once the top recruit in the high school class of 2023, Jackson instead graduated early and went to Carolina as a 17-year-old. Kyle Filipowski (Wilbraham & Monson, PF/C, Duke commit). Jarace Walker (IMG, PF, Houston commit). RELATED: 2023 NBA Draft Prospects Ranked 1-100. There's excitement in the air for two major reasons. We went through the names you'll need to know once the 2022 class is drafted. Basketball is being taught and played at a high level across the globe, and prospects have never had more access to training and elite competition from a younger age than they currently do. Showing he can hit open threes would be huge for his draft stock. 2023. Each team gets one pick depending on where they've finished in the league, though they can trade picks for current players if they feel it might help them win more games or achieve a certain goal. Is Mathurin sleeper pick for Kia Rookie of the Year. Ben DuBose. Improved shooting and fewer defensive lapses could help Rollins generate legitimate NBA interest. If he can get 3s to fall consistently, NBA teams should be banging down his door. Now in the thick of the college basketball season, which NBA Draft prospects are rising and falling on our NBA Draft Big Board in the new year? Baylor could be losing multiple wings/forwards if freshmen Kendall Brown and Jeremy Sochan join Matthew Mayer in the draft. Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onAll NBA and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. Jones isnt the best athlete on the board, but hes capable of finishing with craft around the rim and hitting some funky shots in the paint. Hes one of the most dominant players in college basketball and is going to earn some looks at the next level. The No. Chinhoyi High School has been closed with immediate effect, for non-examination classes, as the number of Covid-19 cases has risen to 58 students. 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. Of course, there are also early entries, players who declare themselves eligible without having completed four years in college first. Any concerns about Brandon Miller making the high school-to-college transition have been blown out of the water. Still, Henderson has shown across the G-League this year that he is every bit as tantalising as Wembanyama, in all the niche ways. Detroit's first-rounder is owned by Oklahoma City if Detroit's pick falls between 19 and 30 in 2023. 2- Chicago Bulls: Scoot Henderson. His numbers have mostly plateaued in year two, but Tyrese Hunter has still managed to generate NBA buzz with his poise, confidence, and shooting flashes on the perimeter.