Subsequently, the first 14 teams to pick are those that didn't qualify for the playoffs in the most recent season. Smiths shooting and playmaking upside will keep him glued to draft boards, but his defense and sporadic efficiency are concerning when one considers his air-light 165-pound frame. 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. "He got better as the . His track record as a shooter is much stronger than the current numbers suggest, so theres reason for optimism on that front. Check out our detailed scouting report on Victor Wembanyama here. Wembanyama could very well be on the move this offseason thanks to an opt-out clause in his contract that he's expected to execute at the conclusion of the French playoff finals. Thompson's identity revolves around explosiveness, playmaking and defensive versatility. Once the top recruit in the high school class of 2023, Jackson instead graduated early and went to Carolina as a 17-year-old. If he can make the 3-point shot a regular staple of his game, Walker will have very few glaring weaknesses at the next level. To put it in perspective: In the past 10 years, there have been only six non-college players selected in the top five total. 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. Showing he can hit open threes would be huge for his draft stock. JJ Starling (La Lumiere, SG, Notre Dame commit). 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 . 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'. What will Banchero bring to the Orlando Magic? Jordan Walsh runs the risk of getting overshadowed by the sheer volume of talent on the Arkansas roster. At 6-foot-10, Leonard Millers impressive fluidity and skill will have NBA teams salivating. There arent too many holes in Wembanyamas game. 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. Nick Smith : G--5 . Hes an excellent perimeter defender at 6-foot-3, possessing the length and physicality needed to stonewall ball-handlers at the point of attack. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. If Dallas' pick finishes between 1-10, New York will instead receive Dallas' 2024 first-rounder, protected for picks 1-10. 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. Since 2005, the drafting of high school players has been. DET. 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. In the meantime, he's still a threat to impact games with his transition offense and downhill slashing, passing and outstanding defensive tools. . He has more than doubled his 3-point attempts compared to last season and hes hitting a lot of them. The senior, who transferred over from Texas Tech, appears to be making a shooting leap in his final collegiate season. He has the potential to be an absolute stud on defense due to his length, quickness, and high level of intensity. The eye test says he's a better shooter than the numbers suggest. Regardless, scouts may still have a tough time resisting the way he earns easy baskets, defends wings or bigs, blocks shots, crashes the glass and impacts games without needing plays run for him. Teams with two point guards, he wonders, might be the future. Detroit's first-rounder is owned by Oklahoma City if Detroit's pick falls between 19 and 30 in 2023. He can also guard multiple positions. These are OConnors personal rankings, and are based on factors such as physical traits; high school, college, and G League production; and skills that seem translatable to the next level. XFL Week 3 preview: Can AJ McCarron, Battlehawks continue their fourth-quarter heroics? Houston Rockets - Victor Wembanyama, 7-4, 220, C, Metropolitans 92 (France) DOB: 1-4-04. That said, Bates complete lack of explosion at the rim is a concern when projecting his efficiency long-term. If Washington's pick finishes between 1-14, Oklahoma City will instead receive Washington's 2024 first-rounder, protected for picks 1-12. 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. 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. We've gathered the most recent stories, collections, and more on Georgia(u.s.State). . 7. Miller, 19, will be old for a freshman, but with 6'8" size and explosive athleticism for finishing and defending, he'll crack the NBA radar by flashing enough scoring and shot-making touch. RELATED: 2023 NBA Draft Prospects Ranked 1-100. His 3-point numbers have skyrocketed and hes showcasing never-before-seen versatility as a scorer, which should interest NBA teams in search of more offensive punch. 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. To claim eligibility, it's also necessary to have completed four years of college in the US, or four years passed since their graduation. He skipped his final exam to prepare for the NBA draft and still [] Oklahoma City has first-round swap rights with the Los Angeles Clippers. During a breakout summer and senior year, Smith showcased the most complete skill package among 2023 draft-eligible guards. This is not the first time that Miller has been connected to the Raptors, as many believed that Toronto could use their. Playing against grown men in the Adriatic League, the teenage Nikola Durisic has proven his mettle on both sides of the ball. He may have a better chance at going first round in 2023, though it could alsobe tough to top the season he just had in terms of efficiency. 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. 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. 4 pick in last years class. The 2023 NBA draft isn't shaping up as a point-guard-heavy class either. That said, Thompson possesses unique size and explosiveness for a lead ball-handler, and he might be the best passer on the board. OKC. He can shoot, pass, handle the rock, and finish above the rim a lot of teams will salivate over his offensive potential. Adding a jumper would be huge for Terry's potential to play in the NBA, given the versatility and intangibles he offers as a 6'7" Swiss Army knife. Hes playing important minutes against professional, high-level competition. He has an excellent sense of when to move and cut and hes a talented finisher in the lane relative to your typical shooting specialist. A talented floor spacer and shot-blocker at the 4 spot, TaylorHendricks has been one of the biggest risers so far this college season. Henderson's court vision is more advanced than Ivey's at the same stage, but he's 2 inches shorter and his struggles as a perimeter shooter (22% from 3) are something teams will want to study closely next year. The Pistons go with the obvious top prospect, one who fits well with Cade and Ivey. 1 is an ideal use of a team's resources, in terms of the value they return in the modern game. Improved shooting and fewer defensive lapses could help Rollins generate legitimate NBA interest. On defense, thanks to his broad shoulders and impressive bulk, he can guard bigger wings or stick with guards at the point of attack. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player. 8. 4. He can also defend the paint quite well, with quick enough feet to survive the increasing pace and space of the modern game. Sign up now to unlock everything ESPN+ has to offer. This means the best team gets the last pick, number 60, and the worst team gets the first pick, number 31. 1. Dillon Mitchell is arguably the best athlete in the draft. The No. The 19-year-old point guard has showcased himself as the perfect clutch player, with silky ballhandling skills. He has a long way to go developmentally (especially with his jumper), but hes scoring with relative efficiency in the G-League and contributing in various ways across the board. At 6-foot-5, he has good size and physicality at the point of attack on defense. Re: 2023 NBA Draft Post #1590 by UnbelievablyRAW Sat Feb 25, 2023 8:09 pm The-Power wrote: As Whitmore at this point is all potential due to his physical profile (one of the best attributes has actually been his on-ball defense), and George struggles to separate himself as either an elite scorer or a very good playmaker (making him more boom-or-bust), I'm currently settling more and more . The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. 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. He doesnt explode off the screen and he needs to get his 3-point numbers back on track, but hes a gritty two-way player with scoring craft, a real eye for playmaking, and all the intangibles youd expect with an accomplished four-year player. Other notable 2023 NBA draft prospects. The French star and top 2023 NBA Draft prospect plays for Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 in the French top league. If Charlotte's pick finishes between 1-16, Atlanta will instead receive Charlotte's 2024 first-rounder, lottery-protected. 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 same can be said for the other guards in the first round who are mostly scoring-oriented, such as Baylor-bound Keyonte George, NC State sophomore Terquavion Smith, blue-collar Kentucky guard Cason Wallace, UCLA combo Amari Bailey and Houston senior bucket-getter Marcus Sasser. 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. Ben DuBose. A top prospect for the 2023 NBA Draft, Wembanyama would make his senior national team debut as France attempts to seal a World Cup berth. Below, youll find in-depth scouting reports of the best players in this class. A bulky 6-foot-6 guard with feather-soft touch and advanced playmaking instincts, Jalen Hood-Schifino should hover around draft boards all season. 1 for the better part of three years, and for good reason. 3. One of the countrys top defensive guards, Reece Beekmans steadfast offensive improvement most notably from 3-point range is edging him into early riser territory. Welcome to The Ringer's 2023 NBA Draft Guide. Fudge doesn't offer enough creation or shooting to draw 2022 draft looks. Go to Ratings. 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. Undeniable talent with vast tools, but a far too inconsistent motor. The NBA is a 3-and-D league and Hendricks fits the bill. The selection of NBA draft picks is one of the highlights of the calendar, with teams having spent the entirety of the season sculpting their rosters around it. 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. Offensively, hes quick to impress with playmaking flare and signs of shot-making potential. Here's everything you need to know about how it works. Fantastic to swat the ball from behind. 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. He's not super impressive physically or athletically, but he manages to compensate with crafty paint finishes and confident shot-making. Of course, a lot will still change between now and then. Houston owns Milwaukee's first-rounder, which is unprotected. He profiles well as a two-way role player at the next level. Hes more of a wing than Amen, but Ausar profiles as a better defender and a perfectly impressive slasher with room to expand his abilities as a shot-creator. March 3, 2023 9:46 pm ET Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra revealed during the preseason that rookie Nikola Jovic hadn't yet graduated from high school, and the 19-year-old confirmed that. RT @AdamFinkelstein: Kel'el Ware's high school evaluation has proven to be accurate this year at Oregon. That said, he has been a staple of Dukes offense and the most consistent underclassman on the perpetually loaded Blue Devils roster. Black intrigues with ball-handling and passing skills for a 6'6" wing, plus a crafty finishing package in the paint. 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. He slings some beautiful dimes, no doubt aided by his high vantage point. Stroud at number two," McShay said. At 6'6", he possesses the tools and skill versatility to play either guard spot in the pros after grading in the 87th percentile as a pick-and-roll ball-handler and 96th percentile out of spot-ups, per. He needs to iron out his 3-point stroke and become far less turnover-prone. 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. 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. Those questions are justified, but his ambidextrous finishing, polished footwork, and multi-faceted skill set make me generally optimistic about his potential to carve out a lane. If he can continue to grow as a passer, great. 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. They also have to be a minimum of one year removed from when they graduated from high school unless they are deemed to be an international player. He has to get more efficient and choose his spots more wisely, but he has the foundation of a gifted multi-faceted contributor.