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. Two draftees went on to win the Rookie of the Year Award in their first season: LeBron James and 2002 draftee Amar'e Stoudemire. Hes one of the most dominant players in college basketball and is going to earn some looks at the next level. That said, he has been a staple of Dukes offense and the most consistent underclassman on the perpetually loaded Blue Devils roster. If Chicago's pick finishes between 1-4, Orlando will instead receive Chicago's 2024 first-rounder, protected for picks 1-3. Youre reading Kevin O'Connors Big Board, featuring his top prospects in the 2023 NBA draft. He can finish with power or finesse around the rim and hes electric in the open court, where his speediness and playmaking are on full display. Houston owns Milwaukee's first-rounder, which is unprotected. Specializing in drafts with top players on the NBA horizon, player profiles, scouting reports, rankings and prospective international recruits. Nick Smith (North Little Rock, SG, Arkansas commit). Dr. A's weekly risers and fallers: Jeremy Sochan, Christian Wood make the list. Hes smart, unselfish, and hard-working. Hoop Intellect 41.1K subscribers Subscribe 1K Share 31K views 5 months ago Way Too Early 2023 Big Board! If Charlotte's pick finishes between 1-16, Atlanta will instead receive Charlotte's 2024 first-rounder, lottery-protected. Now at Eastern Michigan after his dreadful stint in Memphis, Bates is looking to rebuild his draft stock. 2- Chicago Bulls: Scoot Henderson. 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 can handle the ball in tight spaces, create for teammates, and defend multiple positions. Hes going to go very high on draft night too, in large part because of the laundry list of physical attributes he shares with his twin brother size, explosiveness, speed, coordination. 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. Who fills the gap behind these two? "I have C.J. At 7'1", he's a giant presence around the basket for lobs, finishing, offensive rebounding and shot-blocking. Hes an excellent perimeter defender at 6-foot-3, possessing the length and physicality needed to stonewall ball-handlers at the point of attack. Hes the most hyped prospect since LeBron James and probably the most unique prospect in modern NBA history. Victor Wembanyama, generously listed at 7-foot-5 and 220 pounds over at ESPN, will be the No.1 overall pick in 2023. He's a . The senior, who transferred over from Texas Tech, appears to be making a shooting leap in his final collegiate season. The opportunity for Wembanyama to be closer to home in Paris and still play in the competitive EuroCup league will likely be attractive. A 6'6" guard/wing, Sharpe possesses the type of athletic bounce, self-creation and shot-making suited for NBA scoring. From now through draft night on June 22, this will be the hub for everything you need to know. Sign up now to unlock everything ESPN+ has to offer. Henderson quickly became Ignite's biggest draw, despite scouts visiting mainly for 2022-eligible prospects Jaden Hardy, Dyson Daniels and MarJon Beauchamp. Keyonte George . Dillon Mitchell (Texas) - Small forward/power forward, 6-foot-7, 200 pounds. He wont explode past defenders, but he has the skill, craft, and poise to get by just fine. First, let's look at the updated 2023 mock, followed by some top storylines for next year's class. You can also read our most recent mock draft (which does take into account team fit) here. The NBA Academy graduates were top 10 picks in Thursday's NBA Draft. Victor Wembanyama (Metropolitans 92, PF/C, 2004) Wembanyama is being seen by scouts in a different way than any recent pre-draft prospect . He has to get more efficient and choose his spots more wisely, but he has the foundation of a gifted multi-faceted contributor. The appeal to Butler and his NBA fit was on full display last Wednesday against Notre Dame, when the 7'1" freshman totaled four three-point makes and four blocks. And he still has room to improve his shooting. His 3-point numbers have notably improved, both in terms of efficiency and volume, and he has all the intangibles NBA front offices covet. He can defend up and down the positional spectrum and he possesses impressive open-court athleticism. Jarace Walker (IMG, PF, Houston commit). Averaging 5.0 assists as a freshman, Hunter brings speed and playmaking to Iowa State's offense. Check out our detailed scouting report on Nick Smith Jr. here. Wanted to hopefully give a detailed. Hes playing important minutes against professional, high-level competition. He can spread the floor, attack the lane, and defend a couple positions. Keyonte George (IMG, SG, Baylor commit). 17 and 30 in 2023. "Explosive and smart backcourts are cool to me.". Playing against grown men in the Adriatic League, the teenage Nikola Durisic has proven his mettle on both sides of the ball. 2023 NBA Mock Draft 4.0: Arkansas backcourt, SEC prominent in lottery FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - FEBRUARY 18: Nick Smith Jr. #3 talks with Anthony Black #0 of the Arkansas Razorbacks warms up. Man Utd revive interest in Barcelona star De Jong, Verstappen takes opening F1 2023 pole as Red Bull oust Ferrari, Alonso, Hits & misses: Problems still to solve for Potter; Newcastle must find goals, Rice: Brighton played us off the pitch, it was demoralising, Hamilton: Mercedes 'made step forward' despite 'average' car, Paolo Banchero drives against Detroit Pistons forward Saddiq Bey, Victor Wembanyama (right) during the French National Basketball League game between the Paris Basket and the Metropolitans 92, Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic makes NBA history with 60-point, 20-rebound triple-double in overtime win against the New York Knicks, Paolo Banchero this year who plays for the Orlando Magic, after all games have been completed in the playoff finals, see Wednesday's league-record, 60-point triple-double. Of course, a lot will still change between now and then. Cleveland's first-rounder is owned by Indiana if Cleveland's pick falls between 15 and 30 in 2023. Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onAll NBA and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. 2. Hes everything the league currently values length, dynamic shooting, defensive versatility, scalable offense plugged into the most absurd physical frame one could think of. Not unlike throwing a dart in a dark room. 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. 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. The 2023 draft class is supposed to be one of the most stacked and talented that we've seen in years. 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. A bulky 6-foot-5 wing who scores with patience and precision, Brice Sensabaugh should see his role expand as the season progresses. Similarly, they are also deemed eligible if they have played for a team outside the US under a professional contract. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Washington), Roko Prkacin | Undecided | PF | Age: 19.5, Oscar Tshiebwe | Kentucky | C | Age: 22.5, Caleb Love | North Carolina | SG | Age: 20.7, Daimion Collins | Kentucky | PF/C | Age: 19.6, Mouhamed Gueye | Washington State | C | Age: 19.6, Coleman Hawkins | Illinois | PF | Age: 20.5, Matthew Cleveland | Florida State | SG/SF | Age: 19.7, Ryan Kalkbrenner | Creighton | C | Age: 20.4, Matthew Murrell | Ole Miss | SG | Age: 20.5, Jazian Gortman | Overtime Elite | PG/SG | Age: 19.1, Matthew Mayer | Illinois | SF/PF | Age: 22.7, Ariel Hukporti | Melbourne | C | Age: 20.1, 57. Ja Morant became the first player in . A lanky 6-foot-7 wing with a lot of intriguing physical traits, Travis Arceneaux has cemented his place on draft boards. Tankers will come. He has more than doubled his 3-point attempts compared to last season and hes hitting a lot of them. Dereck Lively (Westtown, C, Duke commit). Assuming Mark Williams heads for the draft, Lively will immediately replace his easy baskets and rim protection at Duke. For the exam classes, candidates will be grouped such that those Covid-19 positive and negative will write examinations in separate rooms. 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. Black was instrumental in Smith Jr.'s absence and is emerging as one of the best passers and facilitators in college basketball, averaging 4.3 assists per game, and remains high on NBA draft boards. 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. Once the top recruit in the high school class of 2023, Jackson instead graduated early and went to Carolina as a 17-year-old. He takes pride in his defense and is switch-friendly. Bona should be a highlight machine at UCLA, just by tapping into his active mix of size, length, athleticism and motor. NBA Sophomore Watch By Michael Quinn. 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. Saturday, July 16 James will graduate from high school in 2023 and enroll in college for the following season. Devin Booker scored 35 points and matched his career high with six 3s, Kevin Durant added 20 points in his second . 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. If he can continue to grow as a passer, great. Rather than mandating that all prospects take at least a year between high school and the NBA, players will have the opportunity to declare for the draft without ever attending college or. That said, 7-footers with negative wingspans who struggle to defend in space and lack discipline can present serious downside risk too. For the seventh year in a row, we're featuring. One of college basketballs most productive guards. Instant Analysis; Mock Drafts. You'll get exclusive content every month and be a key part of the NBA Draft Room community. 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 . But, with plenty of tape cued up in scouting offices around the league, lets try to hash out the 2023 NBA Draft class as it currently stands. Limiting the forced shots and decisions will be key for Smith, whose positional tools, scoring confidence and playmaking flashes scream NBA. Currently posting absurd shooting numbers at Pepperdine, Maxwell Lewis has quickly rocketed up draft boards. Harrison Ingram (Stanford, SG/SF, Freshman). The 2023 NBA Draft Lottery presented by State Farm will be held on May 16, 2023. defender as well. While Nick Smith Jr. lacks the eye-popping athleticism of his top-five counterparts, he more than makes up for it with skill and craft. His 3-point numbers are through the rough. Arkansas' Nick Smith and OTE guards Ausar and Amen Thompson are currently behind Henderson and Wembanyama in the pecking order of the 2023 draft, but have a full season to show they deserve to be in that conversation. 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. There arent too many holes in Wembanyamas game. Ja Morant Net Worth is $80 Million US Dollars. 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. At 6-foot-10, Leonard Millers impressive fluidity and skill will have NBA teams salivating. Walsh regularly stands out for his defense as a 6'7" forward who can get low and slide with guards. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. Black intrigues with ball-handling and passing skills for a 6'6" wing, plus a crafty finishing package in the paint. SF: West Hartford, CT Kingswood-Oxford Wyverns High School: Rutgers Signed. Hes an elite shooter with the size to compete on defense and enough secondary skills to keep the defense honest. He has room to grow as a decision-maker, but Hendersons dynamic athleticism, three-level scoring, and flashes of on-ball defense cement his standing near the top of the draft board. 6. 7. "He got better as the . We're also getting closer to current NCAA players making key decisions about entering the draft. The perfect Florida State prospect lanky with ball skills and projectable defensive versatility NBA teams will no doubt monitor Millers progress as he works his way into game shape and a consistent role with the Seminoles. If Detroit's pick falls between 1-18, Oklahoma City will instead receive Detroit's 2024 first-rounder, again protected for picks 1-18. Who will define this draft? Hes an excellent movement shooter with what might be the first actually unguardable jumper. Listen. 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. Check out our detailed scouting report on Amen Thompson here. If he can progress as a shooter, its hard to imagine he wont stick around in the NBA. Though only 160 pounds, his athletic ability and shooting confidence are starting to look enticing for an instant-offense microwave role. On defense, he just inhales shots in the paint and is too long to actually drive by. He has vision operating out of the pick-and-roll and hes especially comfortable playmaking in transition. 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. He has excellent size on the wing at 6-foot-7, combined with comfort shooting on the move and the ability to attack downhill, using long and purposeful strides to keep the defense off-balance. Which non-quarterback group will define each top-25 team's season? 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. 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. Ja Morant earns over $11 Million in salary annually. Check out our detailed scouting report on Scoot Henderson here. According to the terms of the agreement, a draftee must be at least 19 years old and within one year of. Back from his 16-game suspension to open the season, 6-foot-11 Baba Miller will finally be able to make his case to scouts. His limited athleticism is a mark against him, and he will have to work hard to shed the streaky label that preceded his arrival at Duke, but the base skill set is quite tantalizing. Drawing expanded duties as a sophomore, Jordan Hawkins should intrigue NBA teams with his impressive shot-making and boundless energy on the wing. Depending on where you end up, you could get the pick of the best prospective players from a new generation and completely transform the trajectory of your franchise. Their tools and talent suggest they very well could be in it if they make another jump with their productivity and skill level. This means the best team gets the last pick, number 60, and the worst team gets the first pick, number 31. We've watched the class' best prospects grow up in high school, AAU, USA Basketball . His track record as a shooter is much stronger than the current numbers suggest, so theres reason for optimism on that front. The eye test says he's a better shooter than the numbers suggest. Hes 7-foot-1 with a 7-foot-7 wingspan, nimble feet, and impressive defensive instincts. The premium on scoring at the guard position points to the direction basketball is heading as much as anything, but there certainly is a need in the NBA for guards who can run a team and make others better in addition to putting points on the board, something this class certainly has room to improve upon. 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. And over the course of the season, a handful young players who aren't ready to go pro have flashed glimpses of pro potential. NBA Mock Draft: Wembanyama, Henderson are 1-2, but behind them are lottery questions. At 6-foot-8, hes a strong and physical defender capable of guarding several positions when he puts his mind to it. 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. For example, in 2018, the Dallas Mavericks and the Atlanta Hawks traded Luka Doncic (number three overall selection) and Trae Young (number five overall selection) on trade night. 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. 1 to Orlando. With conference play in full swing, we have reached the meat of the college basketball season. He has all the shiny measurables you want in a first-round center prospect massive wingspan, explosive leaping ability, impressive frame combined with touch out to the 3-point line and the potential to adequately defend in space. He profiles well as a two-way role player at the next level. Box scores don't reflect his impact for the Wildcats, a projected No. He skipped his final exam to prepare for the NBA draft and still [] At 6-foot-6, Council is a fearless and physical slasher who has no trouble embracing contact at the rim. Denver's first-rounder is owned by Oklahoma City if Denver's pick falls between 15 and 30 in 2023. After struggling out of the gates upon his return from injury, Whitehead is starting to look more like the prospect scouts expected coming out of high school. 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. Of course, the Hawks might be regretting that, given what Doncic has become since (see Wednesday's league-record, 60-point triple-double). Wings also make up a good part of the intrigue with this group, especially near the top of the draft. Hes a smart, well-rounded lead guard who doesnt make a ton of mistakes. Tie that in with steady growth as a shooter and playmaker, and theres reason to believe Whitmores game will only get better from here. He gets after it and takes pride in making stops. Here's everything you need to know about how it works. On offense, hes a fairly crafty and dynamic shot-maker who makes an effort to move the ball and get teammates involved. Until he wasnt. Aminu Mohammed (Georgetown, SG/SF, Freshman). Three draftees were selected first overall; Kwame Brown in 2001 NBA draft, LeBron James in 2003, and Dwight Howard in 2004 NBA draft. That said, Thompson possesses unique size and explosiveness for a lead ball-handler, and he might be the best passer on the board. Alabama is leaning on him to great effect, and its easy to decipher the path to stardom when watching a player his size move so fluidly with the ball. Standing 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, hes one of the best perimeter defenders on the board. 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. NBA Draft; Odds; NCAA WBK; Community. Chicago's first-rounder is owned by Orlando if Chicago's pick falls between 5 and 30 in 2023. The 2023 NBA draft is 12 months away, but we've had our eyes on this group of players for quite some time, . 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. Max Christie (Michigan State, SG/SF, Freshman). He could wind up replacing Blake Wesley in the lineup, with the freshman projected to draw 2022 first-round interest. Who is No. Were starting to get a clearer picture of who is, and isnt, generating buzz ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft next June. His 3-point shot is falling, but the volume remains low. NEW YORK It's a full year until the 2023 NBA draft, but the players projected at the top five are like no other draft class in the past. The No. 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. 3. We've watched the class' best prospects grow up in high school, AAU, USA Basketball . 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. On draft night, New York gained two protected first-round picks, both via Oklahoma City: a top-14 protected originally from Washington, and a top-18 protected originally from Detroit. 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. No Ceilings 15 min ago 2 The 2022-23 NBA season is about to reach the All-Star break. The NIBC leader in scoring and three-pointers made, Dick should be an impact freshman at Kansas with 6'7" size, reliable shooting touch, shot-making versatility and 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. 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. 1. He needs to iron out his 3-point stroke and become far less turnover-prone. The 7-foot-4 Frenchman is the most tantalizing prospect to come into the NBA Draft since LeBron James came out of high school. If youre curious about any aspect of this class, we have it covered. 5. Summer League title game, 3 p.m. That starts with Scoot Henderson, who has Jaden Ivey-esque explosiveness changing gears in the open court, taking a piece of the paint and finishing powerfully above the rim. But he is a prospect worth monitoring for his scoring instincts and defensive tools as a 6'7' wing.