It is time to dive into our 2023 NBA mock draft. With the 2022-’23 season ongoing and the college basketball campaign officially in March Madness, 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, there are many other top-end players who 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
Wembanyama, 19, 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 considered 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, 9.4 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
The 6-foot-3 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 17.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.6 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 consensus No. 2 pick.
With this selection, Houston pairs Henderson with Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr.
3. San Antonio Spurs: Brandon Miller, forward, Alabama
Miller has burst onto the scene and it is for good reason as the 6-foot-9 freshman forward has been on a tear this season. The Alabama product is averaging 19.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 49.5% from the three-point line. Miller’s shot-making and athleticism are very intriguing to scouts in the league.
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 likely 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. Orlando Magic: Jarace Walker, forward, Houston
Walker stands at 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds with an ability to grow into that frame as a freshman for Houston. A top-10 recruit from IMG Academy, he’s also displayed a solid mid-range game. Walker is averaging 11.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 47.5% as scouts have really been falling in love with his game over the past month.
The jump shot is not Walker’s biggest strength but it still works as of now. Plus, the defensive level that he has been performing at makes him an intriguing pick. Orlando adds him to a potent young core of Paolo Banchero, Markelle Fultz, and Franz Wagner with the No. 5 selection in the NBA Draft.
6. Portland Trail Blazers: Cameron Whitmore, forward, Villanova
Already boasting an NBA-ready 6-foot-7, 220-pound frame, Whitmore is ready for the next level despite the struggles that Villanova is facing with a 15-14 record. Whitmore is currently averaging 12.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals while shooting 46.3% from the field in 26 games this year. Here, we have Portland pairing him with Damian Lillard and company.
7. Washington Wizards: Nick Smith Jr., guard, Arkansas
The 6-foot-4 Smith opted to stay home and landed with Arkansas as one of the top recruits in his class; however, Smith has not played much after managing a knee injury. He currently averages 12.6 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while shooting 37.3% from the field in 14 games but has been hot as of late. Here, we have Washington pairing him with Bradley Beal.
20 best NBA players of all time
8. Indiana Pacers: Gradey Dick, guard, Kansas
Dick has been one of the fastest-rising stars in the country for a Kansas squad that is among the best teams. The 6-foot-8 guard is averaging 14.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.4 steals while shooting 40.3% from beyond the three-point line. The Pacers add Dick to pair him with Tyrese Haliburton in what is a great young duo.
9. Orlando Magic (from Bulls): 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. Orlando will pair Thompson at No. 9 overall with Walker and company in our latest NBA mock draft.
10. Toronto Raptors: Anthony Black, guard, Arkansas
Black has been climbing draft boards with injuries affecting Arkansas. The 6-foot-7 guard is averaging 12.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.0 assists while shooting 45.4% from the field. With his teammate, Smith Jr. being out for a while, he has been adapting to a new role after a great start. The freshman guard goes to Toronto in our latest NBA mock draft to pair with Pascal Siakam and company.
11. New Orleans Pelicans (from Lakers): Keyonte George, guard, Baylor
Experts viewed 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 has 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 Orleans in our 2023 NBA mock draft.
12. Los Angeles Lakers (from Pelicans): Cason Wallace, guard, Kentucky
Wallace’s defensive gifts have him landing with the Lakers as the No. 12 overall pick. While his scoring is not as dangerous, it has not been too bad as he is averaging 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 Los Angeles represents a great landing spot for him.
13. Utah Jazz: Taylor Hendricks, forward, UCF
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 has been 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. 13 overall in our NBA mock draft and pair him with Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler.
14. Utah Jazz (from Timberwolves): Jalen Hood-Schifino, guard, Indiana
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 is averaging 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 Utah in our 2023 NBA mock draft to start his development in the NBA.
2023 NBA mock draft: Non-lottery picks
15. New York Knicks (from Mavericks): Jett Howard, guard, Michigan
16. Atlanta Hawks: Brice Sensabaugh, guard, Ohio State
17. Oklahoma City Thunder: Rayan Rupert, forward, New Zealand
18. Golden State Warriors: G.G. Jackson, forward, South Carolina
19. Houston Rockets (from Clippers): Kris Murray, forward, Iowa
20. Miami Heat: Dariq Whitehead, forward, Duke
21. Brooklyn Nets (from Suns): Max Lewis, forward, Pepperdine
22. Brooklyn Nets: Kyle Filipowski, center, Duke
23. Portland Trail Blazers (from Knicks): Jordan Hawkins, forward, Connecticut
24. Sacramento Kings: Kobe Bufkin, guard, Michigan
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Dereck Lively II, center, Duke
26. Indiana Pacers (from Cavaliers): Julian Phillips, forward, Tennessee
27. Charlotte Hornets (from Nuggets): James Nnaji, center, Barcelona
28. Utah Jazz (from Philadelphia 76ers): Terquavion Smith, guard, North Carolina St.
29. Indiana Pacers (from Celtics): Marcus Sasser, guard, Houston
30. Los Angeles Clippers (from Bucks): Leonard Miller, forward, G-League
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.
