2023 NBA Mock Draft: Alabama’s Brandon Miller is first college player to go in projections before lottery



Victor Wembanyama

C

France

• 7’4″

/ 210 lbs

Projected Team

Detroit

PROSPECT RNK

1st

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

21.8

RPG

10.3

BPG

3.1

3P%

29.2%

No, Wembanyama will not be at the draft combine. Also no: it absolutely matters not. Wembanyama will be the No. 1 pick next month. Now we wait to see which team is fortunate enough to win the lottery and secure the right to draft him.

Scoot Henderson

PG

G League Ignite

• 6’2″

/ 195 lbs

Projected Team

Houston

PROSPECT RNK

2nd

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

16.5

RPG

5.3

APG

6.8

3P%

27.5%

Brandon Miller’s rise this season combined with Henderson’s stagnated development as a shooter makes this a tougher pick than it might’ve seemed a few months ago, but Henderson’s still a gamble I’d take in a vacuum over other No. 2 pick contenders. He’s a fiery, swaggy competitor who has elite handles, major athletic pop and a creative mind that perfectly fits the NBA point guard position.

Alabama

• Fr

• 6’9″

/ 200 lbs

Projected Team

San Antonio

PROSPECT RNK

3rd

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

18.8

RPG

8.2

APG

2.1

3P%

38.4%

Off the court, NBA teams are likely to have questions about Miller after he was connected to, and on the scene of, a fatal shooting during the season. On the court, though, 6-foot-9 forwards who have the scoring and creation ability Miller has makes him an easy top-five selection in this class.

Amen Thompson

SF

Overtime Elite

• 6’07”

/ 212 lbs

Projected Team

Charlotte

PROSPECT RNK

5th

POSITION RNK

3rd

PPG

16.4

RPG

5.9

APG

5.9

3P%

25%

Which Thompson twin is more highly-coveted in this draft might be up for debate but I still prefer Amen over his brother, Ausar. Amen is an elite playmaker who possesses the ability to make advanced reads as a potential lead guard. He’s an elite athlete who could be the initiator for an NBA offense.

Ausar Thompson

SF

Overtime Elite

• 6’07”

/ 215 lbs

Projected Team

Portland

PROSPECT RNK

6th

POSITION RNK

4th

PPG

16.3

RPG

7.1

APG

6.1

3P%

29.8%

While twin brother Amen has been viewed as the better of the two twin prospects, Ausar quietly put together a great season with OTE and had better 3-point shooting, rebounding and assist numbers. He fits the mold of a playmaking wing which the NBA values highly right now.

Villanova

• Fr

• 6’7″

/ 232 lbs

Projected Team

Orlando

PROSPECT RNK

4th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PPG

12.5

RPG

5.3

APG

0.7

3P%

34.3%

Villanova had its worst season by win percentage in more than a decade in 2022-23, largely keeping Whitmore’s star power hidden beneath the radar. I like him as much as any of the non Wemby/Henderson players in this class, though, and the combination of his powerful athleticism and shot-making at the wing position makes him very appealing.

Houston

• Fr

• 6’8″

/ 240 lbs

Projected Team

Indiana

PROSPECT RNK

10th

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

11.2

RPG

6.8

APG

1.8

3P%

34.7%

Anywhere from 5-12 in this draft feels like the range for Walker, who is one of the most physically ready prospects in this draft class. He plays with relentless energy on both ends and projects cleanly as a do-it-all power forward who can stretch the floor.

Arkansas

• Fr

• 6’7″

/ 198 lbs

Projected Team

Washington

PROSPECT RNK

9th

POSITION RNK

3rd

PPG

12.8

RPG

5.1

APG

3.9

3P%

30.1%

Black’s a connector-type prospect with a big frame who plays selflessly. He can defend multiple positions does a little of everything that affects winning as one of the most savvy, rounded players in the class.

UCF

• Fr

• 6’9″

/ 210 lbs

Projected Team

Utah

PROSPECT RNK

16th

POSITION RNK

3rd

PPG

15.1

RPG

7

APG

1.4

3P%

39.4%

The meteoric rise last season of Santa Clara star Jalen Williams — and his subsequent stellar season as a rookie with OKC — has taught us not to overlook mid-major stars. Hendricks is perhaps the latest example of that, as he starred for UCF last season as a sharpshooting forward who can protect the rim and be a havoc-wreaker on defense.

Kansas

• Fr

• 6’8″

/ 205 lbs

Projected Team

Dallas

PROSPECT RNK

11th

POSITION RNK

5th

PPG

14.1

RPG

5.1

APG

1.7

3P%

40.3%

Tall wings who have the ability to shoot it — and do so successfully in the multitude of ways Dick can shoot it — don’t come around every draft. His game is tailor-made for an NBA role player with room to grow into more.

Kentucky

• Fr

• 6’4″

/ 193 lbs

Projected Team

Orlando

PROSPECT RNK

8th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PPG

11.7

RPG

3.7

APG

4.3

3P%

34.6%

Kentucky guards underwhelming in college and becoming stars in the NBA has been something of a regular occurrence. Wallace profiles as someone who could keep that tradition alive, as he didn’t dominate as a freshman but showed off a ton of versatility on offense while routinely making highlight reel plays as a difference-maker on the defensive side of the floor.

Baylor

• Fr

• 6’4″

/ 185 lbs

PPG

15.3

RPG

4.2

APG

2.8

3P%

33.8%

I remain a big believer in the ability of Keyonte George but his stock is believed to be slipping a bit in recent weeks so this late-lottery placement is reflective of that. He was a high volume scorer who wasn’t terribly efficient at Baylor in his one season, but the combo guard ability he brings remains a worthwhile gamble in this range of the draft.

Connecticut

• Soph

• 6’5″

/ 195 lbs

Projected Team

Toronto

PROSPECT RNK

14th

POSITION RNK

3rd

PPG

16.2

RPG

3.8

APG

1.3

3P%

38.8%

Hawkins shined for UConn in its run to the national championship with his stellar sharpshooting on full display. He hit nearly 40% from 3-point range on the season and rated in the 97th percentile this season as a spot-up shooter, according to Synergy data. His off-ball movement and shooting ability in various situations makes him a really exciting wing prospect.

Iowa

• Jr

• 6’8″

/ 220 lbs

Projected Team

New Orleans

PROSPECT RNK

15th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PPG

20.2

RPG

7.9

APG

2

3P%

33.5%

The younger brother of 2022 lottery pick Keegan Murray, Kris Murray had a breakout season for Iowa averaging north of 20 points per game while showing off range as a 3-point shooter. He’s a combo forward who brings versatility, polish and size to a position that NBA teams prioritize versatility, polish and size.

Indiana

• Fr

• 6’6″

/ 213 lbs

Projected Team

Atlanta

PROSPECT RNK

13th

POSITION RNK

4th

PPG

13.5

RPG

4.1

APG

3.7

3P%

33.3%

NBA teams are always on the hunt for combo guard/creators like Hood-Schifino, and he flashed enough on both ends at Indiana to push for a potential lottery spot in this year’s draft. Great frame, really good defensively, and knows how to attack and make plays off the bounce. His shot needs to become more developmentally consistent but the tools here are undeniable.

Michigan

• Soph

• 6’4″

/ 195 lbs

Projected Team

Utah

PROSPECT RNK

26th

POSITION RNK

7th

PPG

14

RPG

4.5

APG

2.9

3P%

35.5%

A second-year player for Michigan, Bufkin blossomed into a bona fide first-round talent this past season. He has a nice combination of scoring and creation that might make him an appealing two-way guard in the league.

Rayan Rupert

SF

France

• 6’6″

/ 192 lbs

Projected Team

L.A. Lakers

PROSPECT RNK

22nd

POSITION RNK

10th

PPG

6.6

RPG

2.5

APG

1.0

3P%

25%

Rupert is a toolsy prospect with a great frame and a defensive baseline that presents promise, but he remains very raw in terms of what he can bring to the table on the offensive end. If his shot comes around, there’s a lot to like, but there’s not much right now that suggests he can be an NBA player anytime soon. Definitely a developmental prospect.

Duke

• Fr

• 7’1″

/ 230 lbs

Projected Team

Miami

PROSPECT RNK

24th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PPG

5.2

RPG

5.4

APG

1.1

BPG

2.4

The stats listed above don’t do justice to how impactful Lively was at the end of the season for Duke and how impactful he can be as an NBA player. He’s an above-the-rim threat on both ends of the floor who can be a game-changer defensively protecting the basket.

South Carolina

• Fr

• 6’9″

/ 210 lbs

Projected Team

Golden St.

PROSPECT RNK

32nd

POSITION RNK

5th

PPG

15.4

RPG

5.9

APG

0.8

3P%

32.4%

I’m not ranking Jackson this high on the Big Board — he’s closer to 30 than 20 for me — but I won’t be surprised if he goes higher than expected and jumps into this range by the draft. The former No. 1 overall recruit in his class reclassified and is one of the youngest players in the class. NBA teams love youth with room to grow, and Jackson presents an intriguing developmental case.

Arkansas

• Fr

• 6’5″

/ 185 lbs

Projected Team

Houston

PROSPECT RNK

12th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PPG

12.5

RPG

1.6

APG

1.7

3P%

33.8%

A nagging knee injury cost Smith Jr. real exposure to showcase himself on a big stage this season after carrying momentum into the season as a potential top-three pick. But the No. 1 recruit from the 2022 class, an immensely talented scorer and slasher, is still someone I think teams will be glad to bring in and develop, and in this range he’d be a no-brainer.

Ohio State

• Fr

• 6’6″

/ 235 lbs

Projected Team

Brooklyn

PROSPECT RNK

18th

POSITION RNK

7th

PPG

16.3

RPG

5.4

APG

1.2

3P%

40.5%

As a four-star prospect ranked 85th in his class, Sensabaugh wasn’t even on the one-and-done radar entering the season. But his production with Ohio State is tough to ignore. Uses his big frame well and smashed in his role as a rotation piece hitting 40.5% of his 3-pointers on the year.

Leonard Miller

SF

G League Ignite

• 6’9″

/ 195 lbs

Projected Team

Brooklyn

PROSPECT RNK

20th

POSITION RNK

9th

PPG

16.9

RPG

10.1

APG

1.7

Miller tested the NBA Draft waters and had some first-round buzz before ultimately withdrawing and committing to the G League Ignite. Now he’s built upon that momentum as a scorer and rebounder who, while still a tad raw, has the physical tools and size to warrant mid-to-late lottery consideration.

Duke

• Fr

• 6’7″

/ 220 lbs

Projected Team

Portland

PROSPECT RNK

17th

POSITION RNK

6th

PPG

8.3

RPG

2.4

APG

1

3P%

42.4%

Whitehead had a topsy-turvy season at Duke and didn’t quite live up to expectations as a five-star, consensus top-five recruit, in part because of injuries and inconsistencies that resulted from that. ESPN reported that his preseason right foot injury did not heal properly and requires a follow-up procedure, so teams will want to make sure his medicals check out.

Indiana

• Jr

• 6’9″

/ 245 lbs

Projected Team

Sacramento

PROSPECT RNK

29th

POSITION RNK

4th

Big men who don’t shoot 3-pointers don’t pop off the page as definite first-rounders, and yet Jackson-Davis by most measures appears to be an anomaly. He’s a dominant interior scorer and rebounder who shows great touch and makes great plays as a passer.

Michigan

• Fr

• 6’8″

/ 215 lbs

Projected Team

Memphis

PROSPECT RNK

23rd

POSITION RNK

5th

PPG

14.2

RPG

2.8

APG

2

3P%

36.8%

This is a bit of a plunge from where I last had Howard — which was late lottery — but I’m still very much in on him as a top-30 player in this class. Really good shooter with an excellent frame who has touch on floaters, in the mid-range and from beyond the 3-point line.

Xavier

• Jr

• 6’6″

/ 205 lbs

Projected Team

Indiana

PROSPECT RNK

29th

POSITION RNK

9th

PPG

15

RPG

5.7

APG

4.4

3P%

37.8%

One of my favorite prospects in this class. Jones is one of those players who can fade in and out of games, then you look up and he has 10 points, seven assists and eight rebounds. Impacts winning in a variety of ways.

UCLA

• Sr

• 6’7″

/ 225 lbs

Projected Team

Charlotte

PROSPECT RNK

40th

POSITION RNK

13th

PPG

17.8

RPG

8.2

APG

2.4

3P%

31.7%

A four-year player who may be overlooked by teams looking for youth, Jaquez doesn’t wow with athleticism, but he’s a smooth operator who has the smarts and skill to stick as a role player.

Bilal Coulibaly

SF

France

• 6’6″

/ 230 lbs

Projected Team

Utah

PROSPECT RNK

35th

POSITION RNK

13th

PPG

17.8

RPG

8.2

APG

2.4

3P%

31.7%

Coulibaly is a late riser in the 2023 class who has showed flashes of excitement for Mets 92 as a teammate of Victor Wembanyama’s. He’s a raw prospect who has the physical ability, athleticism and length that teams like in wings.

NC State

• Soph

• 6’4″

/ 165 lbs

Projected Team

Indiana

PROSPECT RNK

38th

POSITION RNK

14th

PPG

17.9

RPG

3.6

APG

4.1

3P%

33.6%

Smith is a twitchy athlete who I thought was a first-round talent a year ago before withdrawing and returning to NC State. He basically held steady production-wise but his improvement as a passer and decision-maker has unlocked even more upside for him.

UCLA

• Fr

• 6’5″

/ 185 lbs

PPG

11.2

RPG

3.8

APG

2.2

3P%

38.9%

After Peyton Watson was snagged in the first round last year after an underwhelming one-and-done season at UCLA, I find it highly unlikely Bailey and his five-star pedigree slip further in this draft. He was admittedly streaky, but he flashed some scoring punch down the stretch for the Bruins and has nice flash as an athlete that could make him a slasher/scorer type in the league.



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