He crashes the glass, explodes into passing lanes, and racks up highlight blocks on the regular. We're still feeling the effects of a pandemic that severely disjointed the high school careers of many of these prospects. . 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. 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. And athletic, interchangeable wing, Livingston possesses a solid 6'6" frame for attacking and defending. 8. 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. 6. "I have C.J. Also, the abundance of young talent found throughout the 2022 crop caused several highly regarded talents to drop on draft night into the second round, or even go undrafted altogether. Here's everything we know, The paths of KD and Kyrie: How one month changed three franchises and two superstar legacies, From bubble struggles to NCAA seed improvement, why these final weekend games matter, Transfer Talk: Barcelona circling as Man City tell Silva he can leave, Foden's return to form helps mask De Bruyne's troubles, Nelson sends Arsenal into euphoria with last-gasp winner over Bournemouth. Aminu Mohammed (Georgetown, SG/SF, Freshman). 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. Saturday, July 16 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. Your default site has been set for 7 days, Sky Sports' 2023 NBA Draft Explained: Trades, first-round picks and lottery winnings, Victor Wembanyama is the overwhelming favourite to be number one draft pick in June, Man Utd takeover: Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe bids through to next stage, Merse: If Arsenal win next three, they win title | Arteta: Our most-emotional moment, Papers: Man City to step up chase for RB Leipzig's Gvardiol, Arsenal's young gems pass their toughest resilience test yet, Salah: Beating Fowler's Liverpool PL goal record will be 'really special', Transfer Centre LIVE! 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. Who fills the gap behind these two? Nick Smith (North Little Rock, SG, Arkansas commit). The 6-foot-10, 170-pound Eastern Michigan forward . He makes his presence felt consistently on the defensive end. 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. Hes one of those prospects who will have NBA teams drooling if his jump shot shows signs of progress. 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. A smart connective passer who supplies the Kansas defense with frenzied activity, McCullar possesses strong role-player traits on both sides of the ball. Of course, there are also early entries, players who declare themselves eligible without having completed four years in college first. 1. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. 4 pick in last years class. 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. . Scoot Henderson, the number two pick, might have been living in Wemby's shadow, but is still garnering his own attention. "He got better as the . Colby Jones is a box-checker, well-rounded to the extreme. 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 can shoot, pass, handle the rock, and finish above the rim a lot of teams will salivate over his offensive potential. Though only 160 pounds, his athletic ability and shooting confidence are starting to look enticing for an instant-offense microwave role. 1 pick Chet Holmgren. Lie Detector Movie W/ LaMelo https://ovrt.me/LieDetectorMovieHow Mikey & Chet Became STARS https://ovrt.me/MikeyChetStars The LAST Fear Nothing Episode. Looking more comfortable the second half of the season, Cleveland still needs to show he can make an open three. We're also getting closer to current NCAA players making key decisions about entering the draft. Wanted to hopefully give a detailed. That said, 7-footers with negative wingspans who struggle to defend in space and lack discipline can present serious downside risk too. His track record as a shooter is much stronger than the current numbers suggest, so theres reason for optimism on that front. 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. This process began back in 1947, however it went through various shades of transformation, with fairer rules and policies set in place. But this won't be a normal draft cycle. His offensive contributions are similarly sourced: easy finishes around the rim resulting from hustle and explosive athleticism. Ja Morant earns over $11 Million in salary annually. He can be something of an erratic decision-maker on both sides of the ball, but the tools are all there. Bates has still showcased high-level shot-making for a 6'9" wing. Bronny James isn't a top-25 college recruit, but his NBA prospects appear to be much better. If he can show consistent touch around the rim and start adding range to his scoring arsenal, watch out. Portland's first-rounder is owned by Chicago if Portland's pick falls between 15 and 30 in 2023. Matthew Cleveland is an athletic wing who should be capable of guarding multiple positions at the next level. Terrence Shannons main appeal, still, is rooted in defense: at 6-foot-7, hes equal parts versatile and hard-edged. Victor Wembanyama (France/ASVEL, PF/C, 2004). Below is GiveMeSport's 2023 NBA mock draft. He projects as possibly the best rim protector in the draft behind Wembanyama. G League Ignite and Paris Basket are said to be the main candidates for his signature. His instincts around the rim, paired with a well-rounded approach to the offensive end, make it very easy to project him as a successful role player in the NBA. 4. Hes the youngest player on the board and thus should be afforded some extra leniency by NBA decision-makers who see the obvious upside in a physical, fluid 6-foot-9 forward who can space the floor, create off the dribble, and defend multiple positions. A bulky 6-foot-6 guard with feather-soft touch and advanced playmaking instincts, Jalen Hood-Schifino should hover around draft boards all season. 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. 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 Synergy Sports. Matt Prehm on Twitter: "RT @AdamFinkelstein: Kel'el Ware's high school You'll get exclusive content every month and be a key part of the NBA Draft Room community. Max Christie (Michigan State, SG/SF, Freshman). 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. 2023 NBA Draft Big Board | Way Too Early! - YouTube He drops some seriously impressive passes, with a play style geared toward elevating teammates. 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. A lanky 6-foot-7 wing with a lot of intriguing physical traits, Travis Arceneaux has cemented his place on draft boards. Of course, the Hawks might be regretting that, given what Doncic has become since (see Wednesday's league-record, 60-point triple-double). Currently leading Sierra Canyon in the state championships, Bailey has stood out over the years for his strong physical profile and athleticism, scoring instincts, playmaking versatility and feel for the game. His main challenge is proving to NBA teams that he can shoot. 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. If Denver misses the playoffs, Oklahoma City will instead receive Denver's 2024 first-rounder, again lottery-protected. This is not the first time that Miller has been connected to the Raptors, as many believed that Toronto could use their. 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. A talented floor spacer and shot-blocker at the 4 spot, TaylorHendricks has been one of the biggest risers so far this college season. 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. . Is Mathurin sleeper pick for Kia Rookie of the Year. Once the top recruit in the high school class of 2023, Jackson instead graduated early and went to Carolina as a 17-year-old. 19: 7'4 220 Pivot Metropolitan92 (France). Adem Bona (Prolific Prep, C, UCLA commit). 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. These 14 teams are then entered into a lottery system to decide the draft order in which they get to pick new players. We can only project so much in January. Chicago's first-rounder is owned by Orlando if Chicago's pick falls between 5 and 30 in 2023. Kyle Filipowski brings a lot of interesting skills to the center position. The French star and top 2023 NBA Draft prospect plays for Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 in the French top league. Kris Murray will undoubtedly draw comparisons to his brother Keegan, the No. Amari Bailey (Sierra Canyon, SG, UCLA commit). 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 . Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player. Slower defenders are vulnerable to straight-line drives. He's added considerable skill to go with his power over the past year. Missed evaluation opportunities have forced teams to dig even deeper into the college ranks to the mid- and low-major schools (as well as non-Division I programs, potentially), where more NBA prospects are still certain to emerge. He'll make standstill threes at Kentucky, though he's best when he's not forcing jumpers and instead using his tools and force attacking and finishing. The eye test says he's a better shooter than the numbers suggest. The Wichita State transfer has been putting up big numbers for Arkansas, one of the most talented teams in the country. Minnesota's key offseason addition, center Rudy Gobert, discusses Minnesota's massive front line and what it's like looking up to Victor Wembanyama. Welcome to The Ringer's 2023 NBA Draft Guide. Other notable 2023 NBA draft prospects. 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. Discover More in Georgia (U.S. State) on Flipboard The 2023 draft has been starred for years in anticipation of Wembanyama's NBA eligibility. 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's evolved into a 6'10" power forward with comfortable three-point range and the ability to attack bigs off the dribble. 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. 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. The 2023 NBA draft is 12 months away, but we've had our eyes on this group of players for quite some time, posting updates in January and May. When it comes to the 2023 NBA Draft, however, it would be hard to pass on a prospect like Cason Wallace, who could emerge very quickly as the Magic's best ball-handler. Thompson's identity revolves around explosiveness, playmaking and defensive versatility. 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 (IMG, SG, Baylor commit). Plus, hes playing for Villanova, one of the top developmental hotspots in the country. On defense, he just inhales shots in the paint and is too long to actually drive by. Bona should be a highlight machine at UCLA, just by tapping into his active mix of size, length, athleticism and motor. Welcome to The Ringer's 2023 NBA Draft Guide. Victor Wembanyama is a player we've all been penciling in at No. 2023 NBA Mock Draft 3.0: Blazers and Bulls find new life Henderson quickly became Ignite's biggest draw, despite scouts visiting mainly for 2022-eligible prospects Jaden Hardy, Dyson Daniels and MarJon Beauchamp. 1 in the latest NBA Basketball Power Index? He can make every pass in the book, his head constantly on a swivel when hes probing the defense or driving downhill. 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. 2023 NBA mock draft - G League Ignite, Overtime Elite, college - ESPN With TyTy Washington Jr. expected to go pro, Kentucky gets to re-up with another scoring guard in Wallace. 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. Black intrigues with ball-handling and passing skills for a 6'6" wing, plus a crafty finishing package in the paint. 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. Bates' image took a hit this year, with questions arising over his athleticism around the basket and decision-making. At 6-foot-10, Leonard Millers impressive fluidity and skill will have NBA teams salivating. Teams will still wait for the combine, individual workouts, and medical examinations before making their final decisions on draft night. There have been 41 high school draftees in the NBA draft. He could wind up replacing Blake Wesley in the lineup, with the freshman projected to draw 2022 first-round interest. Support 2024 2nd Round 2024 Traded Picks Hawks get Kings 1st, top 14 protected (Huerter trade) Pelicans get Lakers 1st, unprotected (Anthony Davis trade) Pelicans have right to swap picks with Bucks (Jrue Holiday trade) NBA Draft; Odds; NCAA WBK; Community. 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 still hasn't happened. How far away he looks as a shooter and decision-maker could determine whether he'll enter the one-and-done discussion. JJ Starling (La Lumiere, SG, Notre Dame commit). His numbers have been consistent across this season in France. On defense, he has the potential to guard 4-5 positions on any given night. Of course, a lot will still change between now and then. He can handle the ball in tight spaces, create for teammates, and defend multiple positions. The path to the 2023 NFL Draft will cross a major checkpoint with the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine taking place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis from Feb. 28 to March 6. Gonzaga's Nolan Hickman, the "purest" point guard of the group, will hope to break through and show his stripes as a distributor in a crowded backcourt despite his average physical tools.