We are less than two weeks away from knowing which team will receive the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and, thus, highly-coveted prospect Victor Wembanyama.
While the incredibly hyped French big man is the most well-known and discussed prospect in this class, there are plenty of other names to learn before the draft on June 22.
For example, we had several breakout stars during the NCAA men’s tournament and some disappointing performances as well. Although the Final Four didn’t feature many projectable NBA players, the most notable prospect was UConn star Jordan Hawkins.
This mock draft also introduces a few other names that we believe are a bit underrated by consensus projections, including Sidy Cissoko (G League Ignite), Bobi Klintman (Wake Forest), and Bilal Coulibaly (Metropolitans 92).
Meanwhile, our two-round draft order was pulled from Tankathon and is at least accurate from pick No. 15 through pick No. 58. The official order for the first fourteen picks will be officially set after the much-anticipated lottery in Chicago on May 16.
Unless noted otherwise, all data was pulled from our friends at Cerebro Sports — you can create a free account to evaluate player performance across all levels globally.
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RELATED: Hunter Dickinson and the top-30 players in the NCAA men’s basketball transfer portal
1
Detroit Pistons: Victor Wembanyama
Metropolitans 92, International, 7-4
FROM: France
DRAFT AGE: 19.5
It doesn’t matter who gets the No. 1 overall pick or how many big men are currently on the roster. No matter which team wins the lottery, when draft night comes, they are sprinting to the podium to select Victor Wembanyama.
There is a reason why Magic Johnson told For The Win that he expects Wembanyama to make a similar impact as LeBron James when he first comes into the NBA. Wembanyama leads all players in the French LNB Pro A in the catch-all metric C-RAM (9.7) this season, per Cerebro Sports. He also ranks No. 1 overall in defensive statistical impact (DSI) as well.
2
Houston Rockets: Scoot Henderson
Ignite, G League, 6-2
FROM: Marietta, Georgia
DRAFT AGE: 19.5
Despite playing against the toughest professional competition, G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson averaged 16.5 points while also adding 5.4 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game.
He may live in the shadow of Wembanyama, who is still the heavy favorite to hear his name called at No. 1 overall. But even Wembanyama has said that Henderson would be the NBA’s top prospect in any other class.
3
San Antonio Spurs: Cam Whitmore
Villanova Wildcats, Freshman, 6-7
FROM: Odenton, MD
DRAFT AGE: 19.0
Villanova’s Cam Whitmore didn’t make the tournament, but he should still hear his name called as one of the first collegiate players selected in the 2023 NBA Draft. Whitmore, the MVP of the FIBA U18 Americas Tournament, earned Big East Rookie of the Year last season.
He scored 0.76 points per touch on drives, per AI-Powered statistics provided by Stats Perform, and Villanova also averaged 1.05 points per touch on those possessions. Both ranked as the best among all potential first-rounders.
Although he shot just 34.3 percent from beyond the arc for Villanova, per Stats Perform, he was 20-for-46 (43.5 percent) on 3-pointers from NBA distance.
4
Charlotte Hornets: Brandon Miller
Alabama Crimson Tide, Freshman. 6-9
FROM: Antioch, TN
DRAFT AGE: 20.6
Brandon Miller was incredibly productive during his one-and-done campaign at Alabama. The only freshmen 6-foot-9 or shorter on record with a higher box plus-minus are Zion Williamson, Michael Beasley, James Harden, and Lonzo Ball.
He was a consensus All-American who was named SEC Rookie of the Year, SEC Tournament MVP, and SEC Player of the Year. His blend of size and shooting touch makes him a perfect fit for the modern NBA.
But he had a nightmarish month during the NCAA men’s tournament and, perhaps due to a groin injury, struggled while on the court. Miller was highly inefficient on 2-pointers and when finishing at the rim when he was matched up against a strong opponent, which was an alarming trend for Miller throughout the year.
Also concerning: Miller is celebrated for shooting 40.4 percent from beyond the arc during the regular season but he was actually just 35-for-113 (30.9 percent) on 3-pointers taken from NBA distance while at Alabama, per AI-Powered statistics provided by Stats Perform.
5
Portland Trail Blazers: Amen Thompson
Elite, Overtime, 6-6
FROM: Oakland, CA
DRAFT AGE: 20.4
Amen Thompson is one of the most physically gifted prospects in this draft class and, while a bit turnover prone, he is an incredible playmaker as well.
He led all OTE players in floor general skills (FGS) among players with more than 10 games in Cerebro-certified events in the league. He made his way to the rim often and averaged 0.19 drives per touch, per AI-Powered statistics provided by Stats Perform. That is the most among all projected first-round draft picks.
6
Orlando Magic: Ausar Thompson
Elite, Overtime, 6-6
FROM: Oakland, CA
DRAFT AGE: 20.4
Ausar Thompson was named MVP of Overtime Elite in 2022-23 and he led all players in C-RAM during the regular season for OTE, per Cerebro Sports. He had the highest defensive statistical impact (DSI) among players with more than 10 games in Cerebro-certified events in the league.
He also allowed only 0.60 defensive points per chance, per AI-Powered statistics provided by Stats Perform. That ranked second-best among all consensus top-100 prospects.
Most encouraging, though, is that he increased his 3-point efficiency from 30.0 percent on 3.8 attempts per game in the regular season to 38.5 percent on 7.8 attempts per game during the postseason.
7
Indiana Pacers: Taylor Hendricks
UCF Knights, Freshman, 6-9
FROM: Fort Lauderdale, FL
DRAFT AGE: 19.6
Based on the catch-all metric C-RAM, via Cerebro Sports, UCF’s Taylor Hendricks trailed only Miller for the best mark among all freshmen.
Hendricks is one of just ten high-major freshmen to record at least 35 dunks and 3-pointers in the same season. Eight of the previous nine were lottery picks and seven heard their name called as one of the first seven picks in their respective draft class.
Although he was not a consensus top-50 recruit coming out of high school, after such an impressive freshman year, it is easy to see why Hendricks may continue to rise during the pre-draft process.
8
Washington Wizards: Cason Wallace
Kentucky Wildcats, Freshman, 6-4
FROM: Dallas, TX
DRAFT AGE: 19.6
The SEC All-Freshman guard was perhaps the most promising of the backcourt prospects in college basketball last season. He averaged 0.77 passes per touch, per AI-Powered statistics provided by Stats Perform, which was the highest among all projected first-round draft picks.
Wallace shot just 34.6 percent on 3-pointers for Kentucky, which wasn’t fantastic. But he was 24-for-57 (42.1 percent) on 3-pointers from the NBA distance, via Stats Perform. According to CBB Analytics, he also shot 15-for-31 (48.4 percent) on corner 3-pointers.
He maintained a high steal rate throughout the season, too, showing his prowess as a defensive playmaker. He projects well as a solid contributor both on and off the ball at the next level.
9
Utah Jazz: Anthony Black
Arkansas Razorbacks, Freshman. 6-7
FROM: Duncanville, TX
DRAFT AGE: 19.4
Anthony Black is a swiss-army-knife prospect and prospects with his blend of size, playmaking, and defensive ability tend to hear their name called early in the draft. Black was also able to draw more total shooting fouls (80) than all high-major guards except just Judah Mintz, per CBB Analytics.
The biggest hole in his game is his shooting, the encouraging news is that his jump shot isn’t necessarily broken.
Although the SEC All-Freshman point-forward shot only 30.1 percent on 3-pointers, he got his shot to fall when he was open. Black was 18-for-48 (37.5 percent) on his uncontested shots from beyond the arc, per AI-Powered statistics provided by Stats Perform, and 16-for-34 (47.1 percent) on shots from the NBA distance.
10
Dallas Mavericks: Leonard Miller
Ignite, G League, 6-10
FROM: Canada
DRAFT AGE: 19.6
Although he was a bit overshadowed by his star teammate Scoot Henderson on the G League Ignite, Leonard Miller showed excellent developments during his first professional season.
He is tough to stop as the ball handler in transition and averaged 20.7 points and 12.9 rebounds with 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game during his 11 games in the G League after the All-Star break.
Miller is a great ball mover who finished with the highest rate of passes (4.3 percent) that led to an assist (also known as a secondary assist or a hockey assist) among all projected first-round draft picks, per AI-Powered statistics provided by Stats Perform.
After testing the waters during the 2022 NBA Draft, he should continue to rise during the pre-draft process.
11
Orlando Magic (via CHI): Gradey Dick
Kansas Jayhawks, Freshman, 6-8
FROM: Wichita, KS
DRAFT AGE: 19.6
Any team looking for 3-point shooting in this class has the name Gradey Dick underlined and highlighted on their big boards.
Despite a slump toward the end of his one-and-done campaign, Dick still ended his season shooting an excellent 40.3 percent on 3-pointers.
But perhaps most impressive is the shooting gravity that he will provide. The All-Big 12 forward forced a closeout on 28.7 percent of his offensive touches, per AI-Powered statistics provided by Stats Perform. That is the highest among all projected first-round draft picks.
12
Oklahoma City Thunder: Jordan Hawkins
Connecticut Huskies, Sophomore, 6-5
FROM: Gaithersburg, MD
DRAFT AGE: 21.2
UConn’s Jordan Hawkins is a movement shooter perfect for the NBA.
The All-Big East guard leads all players in points scored on handoffs and off-ball screens during the NCAA men’s tournament, per Synergy. But this isn’t just a stellar run for the UConn star during March Madness. He has done this all season.
The NCAA champion drew a ton of contact and led Division I with 23 fouls drawn on 3-pointers, per CBB Analytics. Even if defenders got a hand in his face, Hawkins still managed to shoot 38-for-93 (40.6 percent) on contested 3-pointers, per AI-Powered statistics provided by Stats Perform.
13
Toronto Raptors: Jarace Walker
Houston Cougars, Freshman, 6-8
FROM: New Freedom, PA
DRAFT AGE: 19.8
Houston’s Jarace Walker, the American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year, is one of the most promising defensive prospects in this draft class. He is capable of guarding either the ball handler or the screener in pick-and-roll actions, which will translate well to the next level.
Walker crashed the boards hard and boxed out his opponents on 39.8 percent of opportunities, per AI-Powered statistics provided by Stats Perform. That ranked as the most among projected first-round draft picks.
14
New Orleans Pelicans: Brice Sensabaugh
Ohio State Buckeyes, Freshman, 6-6
FROM: Orlando, FL
DRAFT AGE: 19.7
Ohio State’s Brice Sensabaugh is a genuinely efficient three-level scorer who was one of the most prolific shot creators on 2-pointers in all of college basketball.
He made 50 shots at the basket, 50 shots from mid-range, and 50 shots beyond the arc. Among the sixteen high-major freshmen to accomplish this before Sensabaugh, twelve were selected in the lottery. Among all freshmen with at least 50 makes in each zone, meanwhile, he joins one of just four (Markelle Fultz, Lauri Markkanen, CJ McCollum) to shoot 40.0 percent from each zone.
Overall, via AI-Powered statistics provided by Stats Perform. Sensabaugh averaged 0.47 points per offensive touch. That ranked as the best among all projected first-rounders.
15
Atlanta Hawks: Keyonte George
Baylor Bears, Freshman, 6-4
FROM: Lewisville, TX
DRAFT AGE: 19.2
Baylor’s Keyonte George will walk into the league as one of the best rebounders at his position. He grabbed 88.7 percent of his adjusted rebound chances, via AI-Powered statistics provided by Stats Perform, which is the best mark among all projected first-rounders regardless of position.
The Big 12 Rookie of the Year also averaged 0.67 points per touch on his drives, per Stats Perform, which ranked near the best among prospects with at least 100 drives tracked.
Per 100 possessions, per CBB Analytics, he was also one of the leaders in unassisted 3-pointers made (1.8) last season.
16
Utah Jazz (via MIN): Sidy Cissoko
Ignite, G League, 6-8
FROM: France
DRAFT AGE: 19.2
G League Ignite’s Sidy Cissoko found a rhythm down the stretch, averaging 15.2 points and 3.3 rebounds with 4.4 assists as well as 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game during 13 appearances after the All-Star break.
Opponents were just 10-for-33 (30.3) when he was credited as the nearest defender in the restricted area of the paint, per AI-Powered statistics provided by Stats Perform. That ranked as the best among consensus top-100 prospects with at least 30 attempts tracked in that zone.
Cissoko has flown under the radar during the pre-draft process but could make a high impact.
17
Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bufkin
Michigan Wolverines, Sophomore, 6-4
FROM: Grand Rapids, MI
DRAFT AGE: 19.8
All-Big Ten guard Kobe Bufkin was highly impactful for his team, averaging 14.0 points and 4.5 rebounds with 2.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
Michigan outscored opponents by 9.9 points per 100 possessions when Bufkin was on the floor, per Pivot Analysis. They were outscored by 11.8 points per 100 when he was not featured. According to CBB Analytics, that swing ranked sixth-best among all high-major players.
He is a sophomore with two years of collegiate experience but he is younger than several notable freshmen including teammate Jett Howard as well as Jarace Walker, Judah Mintz, Jalen Hood-Schifino and Brandon Miller.
18
Miami Heat: Nick Smith Jr.
Arkansas Razorbacks, Freshman, 6-4
FROM: Jacksonville, ARK
DRAFT AGE: 19.2
Although he struggled to stay healthy and wasn’t particularly efficient during his one-and-done season at Arkansas, the upside for Smith is still very high.
With a clean slate free from injuries, it’s worth betting on his development that Smith could make a return to the player he was as a McDonald’s All-American and the No. 1 overall recruit coming out of high school.
19
Golden State Warriors: Dariq Whitehead
Duke Blue Devils, Freshman, 6-7
FROM: 18.9
DRAFT AGE: Newark, NJ
While he had a slow start to the season due to injuries, Duke’s Dariq Whitehead was likely able to play his way back into top-20 consideration as the season progressed.
Whitehead, who was named Mr. Basketball USA and Naismith Prep Player of the Year while also taking home MVP honors at the McDonald’s All-American Game in 2022, finished his Duke one-and-done campaign shooting 42.9 percent on 3-pointers.
The freshman was 24-for-48 (50.0 percent) on 3-pointers from NBA distance, per AI-Powered statistics provided by Stats Perform. That ranked as the second-best among consensus top-100 prospects with at least 25 attempts tracked.
20
Houston Rockets (via LAC): Dereck Lively II
Duke Blue Devils, Freshman, 7-1
FROM: Philadelphia, PA
DRAFT AGE: 19.4
After a tough start to his collegiate career, Duke big man Dereck Lively eventually blossomed into a highly impactful player on the defensive end of the floor.
Opponents were just 14-for-38 (36.8 percent) when he defended them in the restricted area of the paint, per AI-Powered statistics provided by Stats Perform. Meanwhile, via CBB Analytics, the other team was held to shoot just 29.8 percent in the paint during minutes when Lively was on the floor.
While he had a very low usage rate on offense, he was an efficient finisher on his chances.
21
Brooklyn Nets (via PHX): Gregory “GG” Jackson II
South Carolina Gamecocks, Freshman, 6-9
FROM: Columbia, SC
DRAFT AGE: 18.5
G.G. Jackson is the youngest player in this draft class, and he won’t even yet turn 19 years old when the next NBA season begins. Once the consensus best collegiate prospect in his class, Jackson decided to forgo his senior year of high school and reclassify to play for South Carolina last season.
South Carolina struggled defensively during minutes when Jackson was on the court, but the SEC All-Freshman forward is a promising upside swing for a team willing to bet on his continued development.
22
Brooklyn Nets: Bobi Klintman
Wake Forest Demon Deacons, Freshman, 6-10
FROM: Sweden
DRAFT AGE: 20.3
Wake Forest’s Bobi Klintman could be the “mystery man” of the 2023 NBA Draft. He is arguably one of the most interesting prospects currently testing the waters with the option to return to the NCAA.
Klintman is a 6-foot-10 wing who can dribble, pass, and shoot — his upside is outstanding.
He averaged 16.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 2.6 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game for Sweden at the U20 Euro Championship B in 2022, via Cerebro Sports. He also played well down the stretch for Wake Forest, notching 17 points and 11 rebounds with 1 steal and 1 block during a win over Syracuse in the ACC Conference Tournament.
23
Portland Trail Blazers (via NYK): Bilal Coulibaly
Metropolitans 92, International, 6-6
FROM: France
DRAFT AGE: 18.9
Bilal Coulibaly is climbing up mock drafts and big boards of late, and it’s easy to see why.
While he played well as teammates with Wembanyana in France’s top-tier division, he was especially productive in the LNB Espoirs for the under-21 age group. Coulibaly averaged 21.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game across 16 appearances in the LNB Espoirs.
He led all players in pure scoring prowess (PSP) and defensive statistical impact (DSI), per Cerebro.
24
Sacramento Kings: Kris Murray
Iowa Hawkeyes, Junior, 6-8
FROM: Cedar Rapids, IA
DRAFT AGE: 22.9
Iowa’s Kris Murray would have benefited from a stronger performance in the NCAA men’s tournament, but it’s still worth noting that he had an excellent season. The All-Big Ten forward finished the season averaging 20.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game.
25
Memphis Grizzlies: Brandin Podziemski
Santa Clara Broncos, Sophomore, 6-5
FROM: Greenfield, WI
DRAFT AGE: 20.3
Brandin Podziemski scored just 22 points during the entirety of his freshman season at Illinois. He transferred to Santa Clara and enjoyed a phenomenal breakout campaign, winning West Coast Conference Player of the Year.
Among all underclassmen, per Cerebro Sports, he had the highest overall grade in the catch-all metric C-RAM last season.
Podziemski averaged 19.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per game while shooting 43.8 percent on 3-pointers. That is particularly impressive considering 69.9 percent of Podziemski’s 3-point attempts were contested. That was the highest rate among all consensus top-100 prospects, per AI-Powered statistics provided by Stats Perform.
After a 26-year gap between draft picks from Santa Clara, the WCC program could potentially have a first-rounder selected in back-to-back seasons.
26
Indiana Pacers (via CLE): Colby Jones
Xavier Musketeers, Junior, 6-6
FROM: Birmingham, AL
DRAFT AGE: 21.1
Xavier’s Colby Jones is a do-it-all guard who projects well as a very solid contributor at the next level. He nearly had a triple-double during the NCAA men’s tournament, recording 10 points and 14 rebounds with 7 assists during a victory over Pitt.
Jones and Podziemski were the only non-seniors in Division I men’s college basketball to hold a rating of 65 or higher in each skill of the five-metric suite (5MS), per Cerebro Sports.
27
Charlotte Hornets (via DEN): Jalen Hood-Schifino
Indiana Hoosiers, Freshman, 6-6
FROM: Pittsburgh, PA
DRAFT AGE: 20.0
Indiana’s Jalen Hood-Schifino earned Big Ten Rookie of the Year after averaging 13.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.
He desperately needs to improve his jumper considering, per AI-Powered statistics provided by Stats Perform, he was just 8-for-36 (22.2 percent) on 3-pointers from NBA distance. But any freshman who is his size and who looks as comfortable as he does in ball screens is a sure-fire first-round draft pick.
28
Utah Jazz (via PHI): DaRon Holmes II
Dayton Flyers, Sophomore, 6-19
FROM: Goodyear, AZ
DRAFT AGE: 20.9
As we reported last month, Dayton’s DaRon Holmes quietly declared for the draft while maintaining his collegiate eligibility.
Holmes had the second-most dunks (89) of all Division 1 prospects last season, per Bart Torvik. He was also one of the most efficient players in college basketball when rolling to the rim after ball screens and he was one of the leaders in shooting fouls and floor fouls drawn as well.
Still only 20 years old, Holmes projects as one of the most intriguing big men in this draft class.
29
Indiana Pacers (via BOS): Olivier-Maxence Prosper
Marquette Golden Eagles, Junior, 6-8
FROM: Canada
DRAFT AGE: 21.0
When he declared for the 2023 NBA Draft, we wrote about why Marquette’s Olivier-Maxence Prosper is the perfect fit for a team looking to draft the next OG Anunoby.
Marquette outscored opponents by 26.8 points per 100 possessions when Prosper was on the court relative to when he was not, per CBB Analytics, which ranked second-best among players at all top-tier Division I programs.
Opponents were 3-for-26 (11.5 percent) on 3-pointers when Prosper contested their jumper, per AI-Powered statistics provided by Stats Perform, which was the lowest opposing 3P% among all consensus top-100 prospects who contested at least 20 shots from beyond the arc.
He was one of the leaders in drives per touch, he shot well from the corners, and he was one of only a handful of high-major players to record at least 30 dunks and 3-pointers in 2022-23.
30
L.A. Clippers (via MIL): James Nnaji
FC Barcelona, International, 7-0
FROM: Nigeria
DRAFT AGE: 18.9
James Nnaji is the second-youngest player in this draft class, but he is making the most of the limited minutes he is getting for Barcelona in the Spanish league and in the EuroLeague, and he is one of the most enticing international prospects.
Nnaji set 0.30 on-ball screens per offensive chance, per AI-Powered statistics provided by Stats Perform, which was the most among all consensus top-100 prospects. The rim-finishing big has also made nearly every attempt he has taken when diving to the basket in the pick-and-roll.
31
SECOND ROUND
31. Detroit Pistons: Jett Howard
32. San Antonio Spurs: Andre Jackson Jr.
33. Boston Celtics (via HOU): Maxwell Lewis
34. Charlotte Hornets: Terquavion Smith
35. Oklahoma City Thunder (via POR): Julian Phillips
36. Orlando Magic: Julian Strawther
37. Oklahoma City Thunder (via WAS): Trayce Jackson-Davis
38. Sacramento Kings (via IND): Jaime Jaquez Jr.
39. Charlotte Hornets (via UTA): Rayan Rupert
40. Denver Nuggets (via DAL): Noah Clowney
41. Charlotte Hornets (via OKC): Nikola Djurisic
42. Washington Wizards (via CHI): Kobe Brown
43. Portland Trail Blazers (via ATL): Judah Mintz
44. San Antonio Spurs (via TOR): Marcus Sasser
45. Memphis Grizzlies (via MIN): Jalen Slawson
46. Atlanta Hawks (via NOP): Jalen Wilson
47. Los Angeles Lakers: Amari Bailey
48. L.A. Clippers: Tosan Evbuomwan
49. Cleveland Cavaliers (via GSW): Emoni Bates
50. Indiana Pacers (via MIA): Trey Alexander
51. Brooklyn Nets: Ricky Council IV
52. Phoenix Suns: Drew Timme
53. Minnesota Timberwolves (via NYK): Jaylen Clark
54. Sacramento Kings: Kevin McCullar
55. Indiana Pacers (via CLE): Adem Bona
56. Memphis Grizzlies: Azuolas Tubelis
57. Washington Wizards (via BOS): Tristan Vukcevic
58. Milwaukee Bucks: Jordan Miller
