After Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson, some movement in the lottery
LAS VEGAS — The top two spots are likely to remain the same ahead of the 2023 NBA draft, with 7-foot-4 French center Victor Wembanyama the No. 1 pick and G League point guard Ignite. , Scoot Henderson, as the number 1 pick. 2 slots. Where it starts to get interesting is at No. 3 with a handful of options. Alabama’s Brandon Miller is one of the best shooting forwards in college hoops. Overtime Elite’s Amen Thompson and Arkansas’ Nick Smith Jr. are two of the best shooting guards in the country. Villanova’s Cam Whitmore has returned from a preseason thumb injury and is settling in nicely heading into conference play. He has been high on the NBA draft boards since the summer.
There will be a lot of movement throughout the college season and in the draft on June 22. Here’s the latest look at the 2023 NBA draft and Yahoo Sports’ projections for the first round.
(The preliminary order is tankaton as of December 23.)
Height/Weight: 7-4, 209 pounds | Metropolitan 92 (France)
cade cunningham He’s out for the rest of the season. undergo pimple surgerydonation Jaden Ivey Y Killian Hayes space for development. The Pistons currently have the worst record in the NBA at 8-26 and would love to add Wembanyama along with Cunningham and Ivey next season. The French phenomenon is currently averaging 22.6 points, nine rebounds and three blocks per game in the and is dominating the Betclic Elite league as one of the youngest players on the court.
Height/Weight: 6-3, 196 pounds | G league turn on
Henderson has been sidelined with a broken nose and concussion for more than a month and is thinking about going back to the field soon. “I’m taking my time and getting my rhythm back to get back on the court,” Henderson told Yahoo Sports. Before being sat out, Henderson was averaging 21.2 points, 5.8 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game. One of his most impressive outings came in a win over Santa Cruz, where he recorded a career-high 16 assists and added 18 points and six rebounds in 35 minutes.
Height/Weight: 6-9, 200 pounds | Class: Freshman | Alabama
Miller recently scored 36 points, including six 3-pointers, in a near defeat to Gonzaga. It is the most points scored by any freshman this season. Miller is currently averaging 19.3 points per game, shooting 44% from deep. His size and skill set at the wing position make him an intriguing top-five prospect.
Height/Weight: 6-7,200 pounds | Overtime Elite
Thompson is averaging 27 points per 40 minutes and had his best game on December 9, where he posted 23 points and eight assists. Amen is the better playmaker out of the twins, and both players are working on developing their outside jumper before entering the league next year.
“Both Ausar and I know we’re not going to be able to get to the basket easily in the league, so we’ve been very intentional this last year working on our float, working on our dribble jumper, getting more comfortable in those areas.” , Amen told Yahoo Sports. “I also try to implement it in game situations just to build that habit.”
Height/Weight: 6-5, 185 pounds | Class: Freshman | arkansas
Smith Jr. has been sidelined indefinitely with right knee problems after missing the first six games of the season with a minor injury. Smith Jr. has done enough to turn him off, with scouts solidly eyeing the 6-foot-5 guard during high school All-Star Games and preseason play. Smith Jr. averaged 19.6 points in three games returning to the floor and is a solid guard, particularly off the pick-and-roll option, making the correct read on the extra pass, a floater in the lane or taking the triple. jumper if your man goes under the screen.
Height/Weight: 6-7,200 pounds | Overtime Elite
Thompson plays with incredible pace and is one of the best defenders in this draft class with his athleticism and timing on blocked shots. He is averaging 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game in the Overtime Elite league. While his twin brother, Amen, is more comfortable as the primary ball handler, Ausar is just as effective off the wings. “Amen is more direct to the ball, he controls the ball, like a point and I feel more comfortable coming off the wing,” Ausar told Yahoo Sports. “I can run the point, but I feel like I can create more for myself and my teammates from the wing.”
Height/Weight: 6-7, 205 pounds | Class: Freshman | villanueva
Whitmore had his best game of the season so far in a conquer penn where he scored 21 points and grabbed six rebounds in 24 minutes. The 6-foot-7 shooting guard is a prolific big-shot scorer who helped lead Team USA to a gold medal at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship last summer. He’s finding his groove after coming back from a thumb injury and is one of the best guards in the Big East.
8. Orlando Magic: G/F Dillon Mitchell
Height/Weight: 6-8, 200 pounds | Class: Freshman | Texas
Mitchell’s production off the block has been limited in Texas with the shooters the Longhorns have on the perimeter and he has yet to attempt a 3-point field goal this season. Mitchell is a high-level rebounder, particularly on the offensive end of the glass, and is a raw, athletic player who has many advantages as an NBA prospect.
Height/Weight: 6-8, 240 pounds | Class: Freshman | houston
Walker has the most NBA-ready body in this draft class and is a versatile big who can go out and play wing or post up in a small-ball lineup. Teams in the lottery will value his size and ability to pick-and-roll outside the perimeter.
Height/Weight: 6-8, 205 pounds | Class: Freshman | Kansas
Dick is one of the fastest growing freshmen of the season, averaging 15.4 points over the last five games. Dick is a versatile guard who can connect at any position along the perimeter and is a top-level defender since the pick-and-roll trade, averaging 1.5 steals on the season. The best game of him was in a beat indiana where he recorded 20 points, six rebounds and five steals.
Height/Weight: 6-4, 185 pounds | Class: Freshman | Baylor
George is a three-level shooter who is comfortable shooting from anywhere on the court. His shot selection from deep needs improvement, shooting just 32% from 3-point range and averaging eight attempts from behind the arc in the last four games. The combo guard has improved his frame since the summer, dropping 14 pounds and adding muscle mass heading into the college season.
Height/Weight: 6-7, 196 pounds | Class: Freshman | arkansas
With Trevon Brazile and Smith Jr. out of the Razorbacks, Black’s offensive touches have increased significantly. The Texas freshman has a big size and is becoming more comfortable with the pace of the college game, averaging 12.5 points and just two turnovers in the past two games.
13 utah jazz:G Cason Wallace
Height/Weight: 6-4, 185 pounds | Class: Freshman | Kentucky
Wallace is the best defender with the ball in college basketball, forcing 2.5 steals per game this season. The 6-foot-4 guard is becoming more comfortable playing off the ball as the secondary ball handler and recently posted 27 points and a season-high nine assists in a win Florida A&M.
Height/Weight: 6-8, 215 pounds | Class: Freshman | Michigan
Howard is a great size for a 6-foot-8 perimeter guard. He continues to be consistent from behind the arc, shooting 41% from deep. Howard’s lateral quickness remains an area for improvement, but with his size and skill set at just 19 years old, there’s a lot to like about the son of Juwan Howard as a possible pick on the back of the lottery.
Post Lottery
fifteen: Miami Heat: Toronto Raptors: G. Terquavion Smith
Height/Weight: 6-4, 165 pounds | Class: Sophomore | State of North Carolina
Height/Weight: 6-9, 220 pounds | Class: Freshman | South Carolina
Height/Weight: 6-8, 220 pounds | Class: Freshman | Duke
18. Utah Jazz: F. Kris Murray
Height/Weight: 6-8, 220 pounds | Class: Junior | Iowa
19. New York Knicks: C Kel’el Ware
Height/Weight: 7-1, 225 pounds | Class: Freshman | Oregon
Height/Weight: 6-10, 210 pounds | Class: Freshman | Alabama
Height/Weight: 7-0, 230 pounds | Class: Freshman | Duke
Height/Weight: 6-7, 195 pounds | Class: Sophomore | Pepper
Height/Weight: 6-6, 235 pounds | Class: Freshman | ohio state
24 Los Angeles Lakers: g ryan rupert
Height/Weight: 6-7, 192 pounds | New Zealand breakers
25 Utah Jazz: jordan hawkins
Height/Weight: 6-5, 195 pounds | Class: Sophomore | Connecticut
26. Memphis Grizzlies: G/F Taylor Hendricks
Height/Weight: 6-9, 210 pounds | Class: Freshman | UCF
27. Charlotte Hornets: C Dereck Lively II
Height/Weight: 7-2, 215 pounds | Class: Freshman | Duke
28 Indiana Pacers: G Jalen Wilson
Height/Weight: 6-8, 225 pounds | Class: Junior | Kansas
29. Indiana Pacers: G/F Nikola Djurisic
Height/Weight: 6-8, 214 pounds | Mega Basket (Serbia)
30. Houston Rockets: Marcus Sasser
Height/Weight: 6-2, 195 pounds | Class: Major | houston