It’s no secret that shooting is at a premium in the modern NBA, with nearly every team in the hunt for more players who can help space the floor and consistently knock down shots. That said, the 2023 draft class is somewhat unique in that several projected high picks (Scoot Henderson, and Amen and Ausar Thompson chief among them) have real questions about their long-term shooting projection. Still, there are plenty of sharpshooters on the board who should add value from beyond the arc from Day 1 in the league. Here’s a look at the five best in this year’s draft class.
1. Jordan Hawkins, UConn
Hawkins is an elite off-movement shooter who knocked down 109 threes for a title-winning UConn team as a sophomore. UConn’s offense required Hawkins to be in near-constant motion, using mostly off-ball screening and player movement to get him open despite opponents’ best efforts. He’ll immediately be comfortable getting his shot off out of pindowns and staggers in the NBA, and his lightning-quick release allows him to generate open shots even against a good defense. Plus, he shot extremely well when the lights were brightest, sinking a ridiculous 21-of-42 from deep in the NCAA tournament. How much a team buys in to the rest of his skill set will determine whether Hawkins lands in the lottery on draft night, but he’s clearly an elite three-point threat.
2. Gradey Dick, Kansas
The first Kansas one-and-done since 2017, Dick is ready-made for the NBA game thanks to his size, shooting ability and smarts. His poise was impressive throughout his lone season in Lawrence, and Bill Self wasn’t shy about looking to him in big moments. His high release allows him to get off his shot against virtually any defender, and he has a knack for finding the soft spots in the defense to spot up in. Plus, he’s a savvy cutter and floor spacer who mentally processes the game at an NBA level already. There’s a strong chance he winds up being the first sharpshooter to come off the board, ahead of Hawkins.
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3. Brandon Miller, Alabama
Miller, a strong contender to go No. 2 to the Hornets and a consensus top-three prospect, has the upside to be a high-level big wing scorer. But even if that part of his game doesn’t translate, he still has his elite three-point stroke to fall back on. Miller shot 38% from beyond the arc in his lone season at Alabama despite playing with the ball in his hands far more than Hawkins or Dick did. He sat above 40% from deep for much of the season before an end-of-season drought saw that number drop, but still should reliably profile as a plus shooter at the next level. That alone won’t be enough to make him worthy of a top-three pick, but it is a strong skill set to fall back on if his playmaking doesn’t scale up to the professional game.
4. Seth Lundy, Penn State
Lundy made 92 threes at 40% last year at Penn State despite a difficult shot diet, building a reputation as perhaps the best tough shotmaker in the Big Ten. He then showed out at the NBA draft combine, shooting a blistering 8-of-11 from deep in two scrimmages and posting strong numbers in shooting drills. His length and sturdy frame allow him to guard up a spot despite measuring at just 6’4”, and he’s capable of making shots in catch-and-shoot situations, off movement, and even off the dribble. He could end up being one of the more valuable second-round prospects in this draft.
5. Jett Howard, Michigan
Howard, who has NBA bloodlines courtesy of his father, Juwan, has the tools to be a high-end 3-and-D player in the pros. He has great size and shot the ball well despite inconsistent point-guard play and spacing at Michigan, and he showed some flashes of potential in off-the-dribble situations in his lone year in Ann Arbor. His approach to the game was frustrating at times in a down year for the Wolverines, and he’ll need to assure teams he’ll grow out of some of the mental mistakes that plagued him in 2022–23. But there’s no doubt Howard shoots an impressive ball and has a chance to be a productive addition wherever he lands.
