The 2023 NBA Draft is just over a month away, and on June 22 it's almost guaranteed that Victor Wembanyama will be picked first overall.
The NBA Draft Lottery takes place on May 16, meaning it won't be long until we know who's likely to be the lucky recipient of the French teenager. Wembanyama is one of the highest-rated prospects to declare for the Draft since LeBron James in 2003, and looks to be a generational talent.
But although a lot of the attention is on Wembanyama, that doesn't mean that the remainder of the Draft class isn't filled with talent. Here, Mirror Sport bring you the top five prospects that'll be chasing the No.2 spot if Wembanyama is indeed selected first.
Scoot Henderson - G League Ignite
Scoot Henderson was the main competitor to Wembanyama a few months back, until the Frenchman moved clear in the race for No.1. The two players even faced off against one another in a game between Metropolitans 92 and G League.
Henderson's side won, but it was Wembanyama who came out on top, although the American has impressed due to his lack of height. Six-foot-two may not be small by regular standards, but Henderson's ability to score 17.6 points last season proved that he has the ability to perform despite being smaller than most opponents.
The American is also only 19, the same age as his French rival. Most mock Drafts have Henderson entering the NBA at No.2, meaning the Houston Rockets could be a likely destination.
Brandon Miller - Alabama
Brandon Miller has been at the top of his game all throughout his educational years, emerging as one of the best players in the 2022 high-school class and now considered one of the best college stars too. Miller snubbed offers from Kansas and Tennessee to join Alabama, and won the Wayman Tisdale Award in his Freshman year.
Miller became the first ever from Alabama to win the award, and enters the Draft as the top prospect from across the NCAA. His ability on the court is exceptional, but his reputation was damaged by an incident that occurred in February.
The Alabama star saw his name linked to a fatal shooting, one conducted by team-mate Darius Miles as 23-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris was shot dead. Miller was not charged for any involvement and saw his name cleared, but it has alerted some teams across the NBA.
Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson - Overtime Elite
The Thompson family must be proud, as twins Amen and Ausar are both battling to be seriously high picks in the 2023 NBA Draft. The pair both joined City Reapers in Overtime Elite in 2022, and won the OTE title in their first season.
The twins both stand at six-foot-seven inches, and their chemistry is already unrivalled. Amen is seen early on as the better shooter, but Ausar is gaining traction for his all-round game.
Unless they already couldn't be separated, there is only 3 pounds difference in their weight too. The identical twins will make for an excellent acquisition in the Draft, and there may be a sibling rivalry to see who gets picked first.
Jarace Walker - Houston Cougars
Jarace Walker may not have set records for his scoring tally last season with the Houston Cougars, but his size, power and athleticism as a 19-year-old is really catching the eye. Sure, Wembanyama may be in a league of his own for height, but Walker is still a mammoth six-foot-eight.
Walker also has power, with his muscular physique, and one of his party tricks has been aggressive slam dunks and driving towards the net. He was also part of a brilliant Cougars side last year that led the American standings with a 17-1 record.
They finished with season with an overall record of 33-4, and Walker's ability to lead the team as a major figure has not gone unnoticed. Walker is perhaps the outsider to be picked in the top three, or even the top five, but there are plenty of teams keeping an eye on him.
