It is time to dive into our 2023 NBA mock draft. With the 2022-’23 regular season almost complete and March Madness heading into the final weekend, there is much to consider involving the next batch of NBA players.
It’s going to be an incredibly loaded class with one player by the name of Victor Wembanyama from France leading the conversation. However, many other top-end players likely would have been in the conversation for the top-three selections in 2022.
Without further ado, here’s our 2023 NBA mock draft with the order similar to Sportsnaut’s most recent NBA power rankings and the worst to best teams by win percentage.
2023 NBA mock draft: The elite 3
1. Detroit Pistons: Victor Wembanyama, center, France
Victor Wembanyama is a 7-foot-4 France native who would’ve been eligible for the 2022 NBA Draft if the league had changed its rules. That never came to fruition. Now, the talented center is almost the unanimous No. 1 prospect for this June and that is understandable.
The young center boasts an absurd 7-foot-8 wingspan and displays flashes of brilliance playing for Metropolitans 92 in the LNB Pro A. Wembanyama is averaging 21.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 3.2 blocks this season. Amazingly, he has the ability to stretch the court from three-point range and already displays an elite jump shot. That was magnified during exhibition performances in Las Vegas with some around the NBA indicating that Wembanyama is the best prospect since LeBron James.
Our updated 2023 NBA mock draft lands Detroit a big man to team up with the likes of Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and James Wiseman.
2. Houston Rockets: Scoot Henderson, guard, G-League Ignite
Scoot Henderson actually skipped his senior season in high school and decided to play in the NBA G-League. At 19 years old, he looks like he belongs in said league with ambitions to torch the NBA. Henderson is currently averaging 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.1 steals while shooting 42.9% from the field.
Experts believe that Henderson could have been the No. 1 pick in last year’s NBA Draft, primarily due to his explosion off the dribble and already advanced size for someone his age. Henderson translates better to the point guard spot at the next level too. However, Wembanyana will likely get the nod with Henderson being the No. 2 pick.
With this selection, Houston pairs Henderson with Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr.
3. San Antonio Spurs: Brandon Miller, forward, Alabama
Brandon Miller has burst onto the scene and it is for good reason as the 6-foot-9 freshman forward was on a tear this season. The Alabama product averaged 18.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 38.4% from the three-point line. Miller’s shot-making and athleticism are very intriguing to scouts in the league despite a rough NCAA tournament.
The young forward has been electric as of late which includes a 36-point performance against Gonzaga this season. Miller’s size and skill set as a forward will make him a high pick in the 2023 NBA draft and the Spurs will make that happen as they pair him with Jeremy Sochan and Keldon Johnson.
2023 NBA mock draft: Others trying to climb the boards
4. Charlotte Hornets: Amen Thompson, guard, Overtime Elite
One of two twins in the 2023 NBA draft class, Amen Thompson is going to be a hot commodity after Wembanyana and Henderson. However, the Pistons being loaded at the guard position will cause him to drop. Thompson plays with his brother, Ausar Thompson, at Overtime Elite. He is currently averaging 17.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 9.2 assists while shooting 45.2% from the field in the playoffs.
Standing at 6-foot-7, he is an amazing playmaker who loves to play above the rim. Thompson possesses an elite athletic ability that makes him a rare find for young players. Many might knock him due to his limited shooting but his finishing, passing, and defense help his case tremendously. Charlotte adds Thompson in our latest NBA mock draft to pair with LaMelo Ball.
5. Portland Trail Blazers: Cameron Whitmore, forward, Villanova
Already boasting an NBA-ready 6-foot-7, 220-pound frame, Cameron Whitmore is ready for the next level despite the struggles that Villanova faced by missing the NCAA tournament. He was great at driving to the hoop and finishing above the rim during the season. Whitmore averaged 12.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals while shooting 46.3% from the field in 26 games this year.
Whitmore’s length and athleticism will be really intriguing to NBA teams throughout the pre-NBA Draft process. He was not part of a winning college basketball team but he should translate really well to the next level with a high upside. Here, we have Portland pairing him with Damian Lillard and company.
6. Orlando Magic: Jarace Walker, forward, Houston
Jarace Walker stands at 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds with the ability to grow into that frame even more. Walker averaged 11.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while shooting 46.5% as scouts have really been falling in love with his game over two months. Orlando adds him to a potent young core of Paolo Banchero, Markelle Fultz, and Franz Wagner with the No. 6 selection in the NBA Draft.
7. Indiana Pacers: Ausar Thompson, guard, Overtime Elite
Ausar Thompson is just as explosive as his twin Amen, who is going off the board the No. 4 to Charlotte. Thompson is a better defender than his brother and excels at turning it into offense. The 6-foot-7 guard is averaging 21.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 2.0 steals in the playoffs. Indiana will pair Thompson at No. 7 overall with Tyrese Haliburton and company in our latest NBA mock draft.
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8. Washington Wizards: Anthony Black, guard, Arkansas
Anthony Black climbed draft boards after injuries affected Arkansas. The 6-foot-7 guard averaged 12.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists while shooting 45.3% from the field. With his teammate, Smith Jr. being out for a while, he adapted to a new role after a great start. The freshman guard goes to Washington in our latest NBA mock draft to pair with Bradley Beal and company.
9. Orlando Magic (from Bulls): Gradey Dick, guard, Kansas
Gradey Dick was one of the fastest-rising stars in the country for a Kansas squad that was among the best teams. The 6-foot-8 guard averaged 14.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.4 steals while shooting 40.3% from beyond the three-point line. The Magic add Dick to pair him with Walker in what is a great young duo from the NBA Draft.
10. Utah Jazz: Taylor Hendricks, forward, UCF
Taylor Hendricks has been skyrocketing on draft boards since the start of the 2022-’23 season and it’s understandable for a player of his caliber. The forward was hot the entire year by averaging 15.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks while shooting 39.4% from beyond the arc. The Jazz take Hendricks at No. 10 overall in our NBA mock draft and pair him with Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler.
11. New York Knicks (from Mavericks): Keyonte George, guard, Baylor
Experts view Keyonte George as someone who can already score at all three levels with the ability to use his 6-foot-5 frame to dominate smaller defenders before the season. This continued at the college level in the Big 12 with Baylor. George is averaging 15.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while being linked to New York in our 2023 NBA mock draft.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Nick Smith Jr., guard, Arkansas
Nick Smith Jr. opted to stay home and landed with Arkansas as one of the top recruits in his class; however, Smith did not play much after managing a knee injury. He averaged 12.5 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 37.6% from the field. Despite a season that could not have gone any worse, we have Oklahoma City pairing him with a potent group of young guards.
13. New Orleans Pelicans (from Lakers): Cason Wallace, guard, Kentucky
Cason Wallace’s defensive gifts have him landing with the Pelicans as the No. 13 overall pick. While his scoring is not as dangerous, it was not too bad as he averaged 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists while shooting 44.6% from the field. The 6-foot-4 guard appears to be a good fit anywhere in the NBA and New Orleans represents a great landing spot for him.
14. Toronto Raptors: Jalen Hood-Schifino, guard, Indiana
Jalen Hood-Schifino has been rising on draft boards in recent weeks and that was on full display during the Big Ten Tournament in March. Standing at 6-foot-6, Hood-Schifino averaged 13.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 41.7% from the field. The statistics only show so much but Hood-Schifino goes to Toronto in our 2023 NBA mock draft to start his development in the NBA.
2023 NBA mock draft: Non-lottery picks
15. Atlanta Hakwks: Jordan Hawkins, forward, Connecticut
16. Utah Jazz (from Timberwolves): Leonard Miller, forward, G-League Ignite
17. Los Angles Lakers (from Pelicans): Dereck Lively II, center, Duke
18. Miami Heat: Dariq Whitehead, forward, Duke
19. Golden State Warriors: Kyle Filipowski, center, Duke
20. Houston Rockets (from Clippers): Kris Murray, forward, Iowa
21. Brooklyn Nets: Brice Sensabaugh, forward, Ohio State
22. Brooklyn Nets (from Suns): Rayan Rupert, forward, New Zealand
23. Portland Trail Blazers (from Knicks): Kobe Bufkin, guard, Michigan
24. Sacramento Kings: Jett Howard, guard, Michigan
25. Indiana Pacers (from Cavaliers): Noah Clowney, forward, Alabama
26. Memphis Grizzlies: G.G. Jackson, forward, South Carolina
27. Utah Jazz (from Philadelphia 76ers): Maw Lewis, forward, Pepperdine
28. Charlotte Hornets (from Nuggets): Colby Jones, guard, Xavier
29. Indiana Pacers (from Celtics): Julian Strawther, forward, Gonzaga
30. Los Angeles Clippers (from Bucks): Jamie Jacquez Jr., forward, UCLA
Let us know what you think about our latest 2023 NBA mock draft in the comment section below.
This article was originally published on Sportsnaut.com and is republished here with permission.
