The 2023 NBA Draft will go down as one of the anticipated in league historical past. It’s a deep class wealthy with expertise at a number of positions, however there will likely be no suspense over the No. 1 total decide.

Victor Wembanyama is the large prize ready on the prime of the draft, and the 7’5 French tremendous prospect has the potential to go down as an all-time nice due to his unprecedented mixture of dimension and ability. Now we lastly know the place Wembanyama will begin his NBA profession.

The San Antonio Spurs are the fortunate winners of the draft lottery, giving Wembanyama his first NBA house. The Charlotte Hornets will decide second, the Portland Path Blazers will decide third, and the Houston Rockets will decide fourth. The second decide is predicted to be a race between G League Ignite level guard Scoot Henderson and Alabama freshman wing Brandon Miller. This may very well be the uncommon draft to characteristic three gamers who didn’t play school basketball going with the primary picks if Time beyond regulation Elite level guard Amen Thompson sneaks forward of Miller.

With the lottery order now decided, right here is our immediate 2023 NBA mock draft.

1. San Antonio Spurs – Victor Wembanyama, C, Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92

Wembanyama is likely one of the greatest prospects to ever enter the NBA draft, up there with icons like LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The league has by no means seen a participant together with his bodily instruments earlier than: standing 7’5 with an 8-foot wingspan, Wembanyama is a fluid athlete who can play all around the ground on each ends, however thrives dominating on the rim. He has someway exceeded the lofty hype that adopted him into this season by establishing himself because the doubtless MVP of the highest French professional league at simply 19 years previous. He’s main the league in scoring, rebounds, blocks, and is close to the league-lead in minutes performed. Learn our full scouting report on Wembanyama right here. That is one other franchise-altering famous person for the Spurs.

2. Charlotte Hornets – Scoot Henderson, PG, G League Ignite

Henderson is an excellent athletic level guard prospect who can break opposing defenses together with his velocity and rim strain. The 6’2 guard is extremely quick with the ball in his fingers, burning defenders to the cup each in transition with a head of steam, and within the halfcourt with a depraved first step. Henderson must be an incredible finisher across the rim as he refines his craft: he can get off the bottom rapidly as an explosive one-foot leaper, he’s robust sufficient to soak up contact, and he’s agile sufficient to keep away from defenders mid-air when he has to. He’s additionally a talented operator within the pick-and-roll, however nonetheless has some studying to do in learn how to mix his personal scoring with playmaking. Henderson isn’t an incredible three-point shooter (27.5 % on 2.7 makes an attempt per recreation this season), and might want to work out learn how to threaten defenses when he doesn’t have the ball.

3. Portland Path Blazers – Amen Thompson, G, Time beyond regulation Elite Metropolis Reapers

Twins Amen and Ausar Thompson really feel like the largest wildcards of the 2023 NBA Draft after they bypassed extra conventional routes for the upstart Time beyond regulation Elite league — however passing on them within the top-five may be even riskier than taking them. We’ll give Amen the slight edge over his brother due to his playmaking potential as a lead guard. At 6’7 with a 7-foot wingspan, Thompson has the dimensions of a wing and the ability of a guard, and will likely be one of many 5 most athletic gamers within the league subsequent season. He has unimaginable velocity within the open ground and a blazing first step to attract two defenders to the ball, and at instances he’ll have some actually artistic passing flashes. Thompson can be a outstanding leaper across the basket, however he nonetheless wants to enhance as a finisher when he’s not dunking it. His intersection of dimension, velocity, leaping, passing, and defensive versatility offers him sky-high upside, however he’s a tough outdoors shooter who will primarily be ranging from scratch together with his three-point shot. He’d be of venture at No. 3, however he has extra upside than any participant left on the board.

4. Houston Rockets – Brandon Miller, F, Alabama

There’s a case to be made that Miller has the best ground of any participant on this draft after Wembanyama due to his mixture of dimension and capturing. At 6’9, Miller confirmed knockdown capturing potential throughout his freshman season at Alabama by hitting 38.4 % of his threes on 7.5 makes an attempt per recreation, whereas making 86 % of his free throws. Miller is lethal on spot-ups and may bend opposing defenses by working off screens to hit photographs. His ceiling will relaxation on his growth with the ball in his fingers. Miller doesn’t have a ton of burst as a driver to create separation in opposition to his man, and whereas his ending received higher within the second half of the season, it stays a little bit of a query mark. Miller may also should reply questions on his presence on the homicide of 23-year-old Jamea Harris in January regardless of not being charged.

5. Detroit Pistons – Cam Whitmore, F, Villanova

Whitmore has main upside as a scorer because of his mixture of power and athleticism whereas displaying flashes of shot-making potential. At 6’6 and 230+ kilos, Whitmore thrives by attacking the basket and ending by contact. He dunks every part across the rim and may out-muscle smaller or weaker defenders in shut. He can rating within the restricted space each on and off the ball: his ball dealing with is fairly tight for a participant together with his dimension, and he’s additionally nice at slicing into open areas for simple baskets. Whitmore made 34.3 % of his threes on 4.3 makes an attempt per recreation this 12 months, and may get scorching as a shooter when he’s in a rhythm. His playmaking is his largest space of progress, and scouts may also surprise what place he greatest defends within the league.

6. Orlando Magic – Taylor Hendricks, F, UCF

Nobody anticipated Taylor Hendricks to be a one-and-done when he arrived at UFC because the No. 84 recruit in his class, per 247 Sports activities. Quick ahead six months, and Hendricks is instantly one of many hottest names on this draft with actual potential to go within the top-10. The 6’9 ahead checks lots of bins groups are in search of in a contemporary 4: he can shield the rim a bit (his 6.2 % block fee ranked No. 94 within the nation), he can hit a spot-up three (39 % from deep this 12 months), and he can end performs above the rim as a dunker. Hendricks doesn’t have a ton of juice off the dribble which limits his upside, however he’s spectacular defensively and will area the ground on offense, which is one thing each workforce is in search of.

7. Indiana Pacers – Ausar Thompson, G/F, Time beyond regulation Elite Reapers

The opposite Thompson twin is an incredible prospect in his personal proper. Like his brother, Ausar is an elite athlete at 6’7 with a 7-foot wingspan who wrecks havoc defensively and thrives when the sport is in transition. He’s a greater shooter than his brother, although his jumper isn’t precisely a power but after hitting 29.8 % of his threes on 3.8 makes an attempt per recreation. Ausar is extra of a wing whereas Amen initiatives as some extent guard, and isn’t as dynamic off the dribble. As an alternative, Ausar initiatives as extra of a connective off-ball perimeter participant, which might give him a cleaner projection to the league than his brother if his jumper absolutely comes round.

8. Washington Wizards – Jarace Walker, F, Houston

Walker is likely one of the greatest defensive prospects on this draft class, and there’s cause to imagine that he has extra offensive ability than he confirmed throughout his one 12 months at Houston. A 6’8, 240-pound ahead with a 7’2 wingspan, Walker affords immense defensive versatility with stable consciousness on assist rotations, supplemental rim safety expertise, and the power to stay with smaller gamers for just a few seconds on the perimeter. On offense, he ought to be capable to knock down open spot-ups (34.7 % from three on 101 makes an attempt) whereas including worth as a passer. Earlier than he performed a successful position on a No. 1 seed on the school degree, Walker was an incredible one-on-one scorer at IMG Academy, and will have extra upside there. Walker lacks nice velocity to chase shooters round screens, however he gives virtually every part else on protection whereas having some bankable expertise offensively.

9. Utah Jazz – Cason Wallace, G, Kentucky

There is no such thing as a higher perimeter defender on this draft class than Wallace. A 6’3 guard with a 6’6 wingspan and a robust 195-pound body, Wallace not solely blankets opposing guards however may slide up and defend larger forwards. He performs with a shocking mixture of effort and intelligence on the defensive finish, by no means giving up on performs — as evident by a deep assortment of chasedown blocks — whereas mastering opponents’ tendencies. Wallace’s offense is rather less refined, however he can hit a spot-up jumper (34.6 % from three on 4 makes an attempt per recreation) and acts greatest as a connective passer on the perimeter.

10. Dallas Mavericks – Anthony Black, G, Arkansas

Anthony Black is a large guard who ought to make a big impression on the defensive finish as he figures out his position offensively. At 6’7, 200 kilos, Black is a decided on-ball defender with sharp rotational instincts who might be capable to change throughout 4 positions on the NBA degree. Black has a robust decrease physique and fast fingers that helps him maintain up in opposition to larger matchups, and he’s nonetheless fast sufficient to hold with speedy guards more often than not. The query for Black is how a lot scoring punch he can present. He’s a shaky outdoors shooter (30 % from three on 98 makes an attempt), and doesn’t generate a lot rim strain as a driver. He’s extra of a connective passer than a real lead guard, but when the shot comes round that is precisely the kind of participant groups need within the rotation in the course of the playoffs.

11. Orlando Magic – Gradey Dick, G/F, Kansas

Dick is the favourite to earn the ‘greatest shooter within the class’ label. The 6’8 freshman made 40.3 % of 206 makes an attempt on three-pointers this 12 months, totally on photographs his teammates created for him. With deep vary and a fast launch, Dick is the form of shooter opposing defenses have to remain glued to, and that opens issues up for everybody else. Whereas he’s not tremendous quick sprinting round screens, Dick does have motion shooter potential as a result of he’s capable of rapidly sq. himself to the basket to fireside a shot. He additionally confirmed that he can assault a closeout and get right into a one dribble mid-range pull-up when he must. Dick shouldn’t be counted on to assault off the bounce a lot, and his protection will likely be a giant query mark early in his profession. Nonetheless, it’s laborious to seek out 6’8 guys who can shoot in addition to he can, and that ought to make him a lotto decide.

12. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder – Keyonte George, G, Baylor

George has a case as one of the expert offensive guards within the class even when the numbers from his freshman 12 months at Baylor don’t essentially verify it. The 6’4 guard can play on- or off the ball, flashed scoring capacity from all three ranges, and has already mastered the artwork of getting simple factors from the free throw line. On the ball, George is a complicated ball handler who typically hunts pull-up jumpers, however may throw some actually spectacular passes. Off the ball, he has legit motion capturing potential as a knockdown menace working round screens. So why did George solely shoot 33.8 % from three (on 228 makes an attempt) and 42.4 % on two-pointers? He lacks top-end velocity and leaping, and tends to accept troublesome photographs he could make however aren’t environment friendly seems. It could have been good to see George get some simpler buckets in opposition to school competitors, however his offensive versatility and technically sound perimeter protection ought to nonetheless make him a lotto decide.

13. Toronto Raptors – Dariq Whitehead, G, Duke

Whitehead had a popularity as a giant guard who might put strain on the rim with super velocity and leaping capacity when he entered his freshman 12 months at Duke. Then he fractured his proper foot, missed the beginning of the season, and needed to reimagine his recreation on a Blue Devils workforce that already had a stud shot creator in Jeremy Roach. As an alternative, Whitehead turned one thing of a chosen shooter — thought of a weak spot in his recreation getting into school — by hitting 42.4 % of his three-pointers on 99 makes an attempt. Add in stable protection with the potential to modify throughout two or three positions, and there’s so much to love about Whitehead if he can regain the burst as a driver he confirmed earlier in his profession.

14. New Orleans Pelicans – Brice Sensabaugh, G, Ohio State

Sensabaugh is likely one of the actually nice scoring prospects on this draft class. A powerful 6’6, 230-pound wing, the Ohio State freshman is the grasp of the midrange whereas additionally being a superb three-point shooter. Sensabaugh has drawn comparisons to modern-day DeMar DeRozan for his capacity to get to his spots and hit pull-up jumpers from the elbows. He’s additionally an superior three-point shooter, making 40.5 % of his triples on 148 makes an attempt. So why isn’t he thought of a prime decide on this draft? Properly, Sensabaugh doesn’t cross a lot and doesn’t defend a lot, both. He’s already such a very good scorer that he ought to have a task within the league for a very long time both approach, but when he can enhance in these areas, he may very well be one of many larger worth performs on this draft.

15. Atlanta Hawks – Jett Howard, F, Michigan

Howard is a giant wing with spectacular capturing capacity who can nonetheless create his personal shot regardless of underwhelming athleticism. At 6’8, 215 kilos, Howard is a quantity three-point shooter who can knockdown spot-ups and provide some motion capturing capacity. He made 36.8 % of his threes on 212 makes an attempt this season. Howard additionally has a complicated deal with for somebody his dimension and may shake defenders one-on-one to get into his pull-up. Whereas he’s not tremendous quick or an incredible leaper, he is an effective finisher when he can get to the rim, The most important questions will likely be on the defensive finish, however Howard’s dimension permits him to carry up a bit inside. He looks like a secure guess as an off-ball shooter, and simply may flip into a greater on-ball creator than most notice.

16. Utah Jazz – Nick Smith Jr., G, Arkansas

Smith was alleged to be the perfect NBA prospect in school basketball this 12 months. As an alternative, he battled a knee harm and gave professional scouts extra questions than solutions about his recreation throughout his one 12 months at Arkansas. At his greatest, Smith is an unimaginable half-court scorer who can beat defenses with floaters, pull-up jumpers, and spot-up threes. He didn’t get to and end on the rim as typically as NBA groups wished, and his skinny body goes to face main questions defensively. Smith’s greatest position within the league may be as a microwave bench scorer, however you don’t should squint too laborious to nonetheless speak your self into star upside right here.

17. Los Angeles Lakers – Kris Murray, F, Iowa

Murray is the dual brother of Kings rookie Keegan Murray, and he loved an identical breakout season at Iowa as his bro turned a key starter on a playoff workforce in Sacramento. A 6’8, 220-pound ahead, Murray can shoot threes with quantity and defend slower wings. He appears a tad much less athletic than his brother, and his capturing numbers dipped because the season went on, however he must be a secure guess to stay across the league for some time when each workforce wants massive wings who can hit photographs.

18. Miami Warmth – Terquavion Smith, G, NC State

Smith was a borderline first rounder final 12 months, however determined to come back again for his sophomore season at NC State. The entire nation received to see his microwave scoring capacity on show in March Insanity, when he popped off for 32 factors in a detailed first-round loss to Creighton. A skinny 6’4 guard, Smith has a fast set off and deep vary as a pull-up shooter that permits him to stockpile factors in a rush. He developed properly as a playmaker as a sophomore, bettering his help proportion from 14.2 % to 22.9 %. It’s troublesome to see how he positively impacts the sport defensively, however he ought to present worth as a bench gunner.

19. Golden State Warriors – Leonard Miller, F, G League Ignite

Miller is a giant 6’10 ahead with a 7’2 wingspan who can deal with the ball out on the perimeter, has good contact across the basket, and affords defensive versatility when he’s locked in. The Canadian was the prep faculty thriller man ultimately 12 months’s NBA Draft mix, however determined to affix the G League Ignite after a poor displaying in scrimmages. He impressed attacking closeouts and stepping into his Eurostep, and was capable of hit photographs with each fingers across the basket. Miller’s largest difficulty is his three-point shot: he has a sluggish, lengthy launch, and his contact across the basket doesn’t appear to increase to the perimeter. He’s additionally a little bit of an erratic decision-maker with the ball in his fingers. There’s nonetheless loads of upside right here even with extra tape on his recreation, and he is sensible for many groups after the lotto.

20. Houston Rockets – GG Jackson, F, South Carolina

Jackson is a large ahead with shot-creation potential who continues to be rising into his recreation because the youngest prospect within the draft. The No. 1 highschool junior within the nation earlier than reclassifying late, Jackson spent his freshman 12 months initiating the Gamecocks’ offense and flashing robust shot-making expertise. At 6’9, 215 kilos, Jackson is a fluid if not tremendous explosive athlete who may very well be a mismatch downside on the subsequent degree as he continues to discover ways to leverage his bodily presents. The difficulty with Jackson proper now could be he doesn’t learn the sport very effectively — he completed the season with 86 turnovers to 27 assists — and nonetheless must show himself as an off-ball participant by way of his catch-and-shoot effectivity and skill to impression the sport with cuts, offensive rebounds, and hustle performs. There’s some actual upside right here, but it surely’s going to take a affected person workforce who can get him to embrace a successful position.

21. Brooklyn Nets – Rayan Rupert, G, New Zealand Breakers

Rupert is a younger French wing with ridiculous size who might profile as a high-impact defensive stopper down the street. At 6’6 with a 7’3 wingspan, Rupert impressed scouts together with his on-ball protection and skill to get into the passing lanes whereas taking part in in Australia’s NBL. His halfcourt offense is usually restricted to catch-and-shoot alternatives at this level, the place he’s proven first rate contact however nonetheless has progress to make after hitting 31.3 % of his threes and 74 % of his free throws. Rupert can deal with the ball in transition and reportedly confirmed good really feel offensively, however there’s little question protection will likely be his calling card to make it within the league.

22. Brooklyn Nets – Maxwell Lewis, F, Pepperdine

Lewis is a spindly wing who can create his personal shot with a complicated bundle of offensive strikes, and nonetheless looks like he’s rising into each his physique and his ability set. At 6’7 with a 6’10 wingspan, Lewis is a gifted one-on-one scoring prospect who can hearth pull-up jumpers from mid-range and three-point territory. The Pepperdine sophomore has lengthy strides and actual flexibility across the basket when he breaks down the protection, and made pro-level photographs all through his breakdown marketing campaign. Whereas his deep capturing numbers aren’t nice — 32.5 % from three on 120 makes an attempt — the stepback Lewis typically goes to seems the half and will grow to be a significant weapon with extra seasoning. There are questions on his playmaking and defensive impression, however there may very well be some hidden upside in a tall wing prospect with this sort of shot creation capacity.

23. Portland Path Blazers – Emoni Bates, F, Jap Michigan

Bates will go down as one of the notorious prospects of his technology no matter his NBA profession seems. At 15 years previous, Bates was being referred to as “the subsequent Kevin Durant” for his mixture of dimension and capturing. His winding highschool path led him to enroll at Memphis as a 17-year-old, the place his turnovers, inefficient scoring, and accidents in the end pushed him out of the rotation. He landed together with his hometown Jap Michigan program and put up massive scoring numbers on a horrible workforce, however there are nonetheless severe questions on how his recreation will translate to the subsequent degree. Bates does have just a few issues going for him, particularly: dimension (6’10), capturing, and youth. The guess right here is a few workforce will discover him intriguing sufficient to absorb the primary spherical.

24. Sacramento Kings – Kobe Bufkin, G, Michigan

Bufkin closed the season on a tear for Michigan to win himself new followers amongst NBA evaluators as a sophomore who’s youthful than lots of the highest freshmen on this draft. The 6’4 guard is slippery with the ball in his fingers, combining spectacular change of tempo with a complicated ending bundle across the basket. He’s a stable shooter — 35.5 % from three, 85 % from the foul line — and has actually fast fingers defensively regardless of a skinny body. He looks like one of many extra well-rounded guard prospects on this class if he can proceed to develop off-the-ball whereas including power.

25. Memphis Grizzlies – Dereck Full of life II, C, Duke

Full of life is an excellent lengthy rim-protecting middle who confirmed extra defensive versatility because the season went on. A 7’2 massive man with a reported 7’7 wingspan, Full of life was a prime recruit who struggled to dwell up the hype early in his freshman 12 months for Duke. Whereas his offense by no means actually developed — he averaged 5.2 factors per recreation on the season — his protection was wonderful. Full of life completed third within the nation in block fee (12.7 %), proved he might hit the offensive glass laborious, and confirmed extra protection versatility past simply taking part in drop late within the season. If the capturing upside scouts thought he had popping out of highschool ever develops, he may very well be one of many extra high-upside picks on this vary.

26. Indiana Pacers – Jordan Hawkins, G, UConn

Hawkins was the perimeter star of UConn’s run to the nationwide championship, and his motion capturing capacity makes him an attractive match within the NBA. The 6’5 guard doesn’t create a lot with the ball in his fingers, however he can zip round screens and hit threes taking part in off the ball. His footwork coming off pindowns is pristine, and the best way he gathers himself to get off a shot so rapidly is spectacular. Scouts will surprise about his decision-making after he completed with extra turnovers than assists on the 12 months, however the workforce that drafts will likely be doing so for his capturing.

27. Charlotte Hornets – Noah Clowney, C, Alabama

Clowney is a uncooked massive man with the upside to area the ground on offense and shield the rim on protection has he continues to develop into his recreation. A 6’10 massive man with a 7’2 wingspan, the Alabama freshman confirmed the power to battle on the glass and provide supplemental shot-blocking defensively. He took a ton of threes (120) for somebody so younger and so massive, and whereas he solely made 28.3 % of them, the quantity is encouraging and the shot look clear. He was additionally a powerful finisher on the rim. It can in all probability take him a pair years to make an impression within the league, however a affected person workforce might discover a gem within the late first with the precise growth.

28. Utah Jazz – Sidy Cissoko, G, G League Ignite

Cissoko is a protracted and robust French wing who initiatives as an impression defender. At 6’7 with a 6’10 wingspan, Cissoko has a robust chest and fast ft that permits him to defend a number of positions on switches. He was wonderful at coming over to get blocks and steals as a assist defender throughout his 12 months with the Ignite. His offense is much less developed at this level however he has an honest capturing stroke on spot-ups and may throw some fascinating passes as a ball handler. Scouts will need to see if he can strain the opposing protection as a scorer with the ball in his fingers.

29. Indiana Pacers – Bobi Klintman, F, Wake Forest

Klintman is a 6’10 Swede with a projectable 3-and-D ability set as a contemporary energy ahead. Whereas he solely averaged 5.3 factors per recreation as a freshman at Wake Forest, Klintman confirmed off a powerful catch-and-shoot stroke (36.8 % from three) and strikes effectively in area. He’s extraordinarily uncooked, however the gross sales pitch is intriguing sufficient to get him seems on the finish of the primary.

30. Los Angeles Clippers – Jordan Walsh, F, Arkansas

Walsh is a defensive stopper on the wing who might want to enhance his leap shot to remain within the league. At 6’7 with a 7’2 wingspan, the Arkansas ahead is a decided defender who can change ball screens and guard quite a lot of assignments. He can deal with and cross the ball in transition a bit, however wants to determine methods to attain within the halfcourt. Nonetheless, there aren’t many wings this massive and this expert defensively if a workforce thinks it might enhance his scoring in opposition to a set protection.