Wembanyama, who is 7-foot-2, has for several years been considered one of the most valuable potential players in basketball. It’s a game-changing defensive prospect similar to the selection of 2nd seed Chet Holmgren this year – only with a longer length. His offensive versatility allows him to score anywhere on the field.
Henderson ranks first among non-Wimbanyama prospects in this category. He starred last season as a 17-year-old with G League Ignite and has an arsenal of passing and scoring to be one of the most polished offensive prospects in the draft.
One-season spells with the Overtime Elite haven’t been particularly good for Jean Montero or Dom Barlow’s draw stock – two players with first-round potential and undeveloped – but Ausar and his twin brother Amen, it’s pretty clear that the two competing talents they’ll face over the next year won’t be. be important. Ussar has great positioning height and amazing defensive capabilities.
Smith has always been considered an elite talent but has really ramped up last year, going from a sub-25 level recruiter to the No. 3 player in his class. He’s a smooth combo guard who can handle and score for the Arkansas team that has backcourt talent as well as any team in the college hoops.
Amin, the twin of brother Ausar, is a lottery talent as well with the size and length of the position to be the difference maker at the point guard. He has shown some really impressive gaming industry skills over the past year and could give his brother, who is now seen as the best prospect, a run for his money as he continues to develop.
Whitmore didn’t finish his high school career as a top 10 talent, but he did make his case in the top 10 in 2023 after a solid summer with Team USA. A good-sized winger has the mentality of a slasher and plays with advantage. Fits perfectly with Villanova – and fits the archetype of the wing valued by the NBA.
Wallace is an elite candidate who finished his high school career as the top 10 recruit in his class. He is expected to be a starting player for Kentucky State and should be considered a top 10 talent in the 2023 class due to his defensive skills and all-round ability to score.
Whitehead finished second in his high school’s recruiting class in the composite rankings. He has perfect spot size, flowing sportsmanship, and defensive versatility that Duke – and soon the NBA team – will really appreciate.
The lions’ appeal here lies in their versatility as a large combo goalkeeper capable of playing on and off the ball. He’s spent most of the past year moving to the point of playing full-time, a role in Arkansas that could help him shine for NBA decision-makers. There’s not much explosiveness in his game, but he has dexterity, positioning volume and passes reminiscent of Kid Cunningham.
American George McDonald Considered for several years a unique lottery talent, George is a great goal keeper who should be in line to deliver big numbers instantly at Baylor. Setting up his all-out offensive game will be key, but he’s a range sniper who can grab a bucket from anywhere.
Mitchell was one of the lowest-rated prospective four-star players less than two years ago, but has blossomed into a bona fide five-star star who finished fifth in the 2022 recruiting category. The Monteverde Academy product is a top-shelf athlete of great length and defensive pieces. He will need to improve his points to check the lottery standings.
That’s a bit low for Lively, the number one player in the 247Sports Composite rankings, in part because in a vacuum I value the wings and guards for positions. (Have you watched the NBA Finals? I rest my case!) Still, Lively can and should slip into the lottery. At 7 feet to 1, he runs the floor high and has the motor to make a difference at and around the edge.
Kaluma finished his freshman season at Creighton well and has continued on an upward trajectory this off-season, shining for Nigeria playing FIBA. He’s in line for an outstanding sophomore season where his size and score can make him a lottery pick.
Miller tested for the NBA draft and had some fanfare in the first round before dropping out and committing to the G League Ignite, where he would spend the following season. Size, left-hand stroke, and the ability to create from his position are all interesting tools, although it’s still a very raw possibility at this point.
Less than two years ago, Weir wasn’t a top 100 talent – and now he’s put himself in the NBA’s Top 10 list. His 7-foot frame holds huge potential even as he develops his game. At his size, his movement and ball skills are talents worth betting on.
There was some real momentum for Smith in this year’s NBA draft after a strong showing in the combine where his athleticism emerged before he eventually returned to school. He will have a great opportunity to build on that next season at NC State as a focal point for Kevin Kitts’ team.
Struther rose from a junior player to a solid starting player on the No. 1 ranked Gonzaga side last year, and now he’s ready to take another leap with Zaggs. With Chet Holmgren and Andrew Nembhard gone, he will have the opportunity to play an expanded role on the ball and should see a healthy increase in production across the board.
Houston brings a gem in Garras Walker, who could be one of the most influential freshmen in college hoops—and to the team at Houston who should be considered a competitor. Big, strong, and physically mature, Walker is a real four-player who could be a small ball and a next level five because of his physicality.
There are a lot of expectations surrounding Billy, a McDonald’s All-American who was the No. 7 player in his class. I’m just a little skeptical that he’s willing to fully validate his lottery credentials. He will need to demonstrate his ability to consistently score goals while developing his potential as a playmaker – but first he will need to be defensive to earn Mick Cronin’s trust.
Notre Dame gets a nail in Starling, a combo keeper who can create a bounce, reach the hoop and, most importantly, score at a really high level. His inner game makes him an interesting projection for the NBA as someone who might be able to act as a starter for the first score.
Duke will have a loaded roster for next season and Filipowski numbers will be a major part of that in year one. He’s a 6-11 player and has a scoring range that extends beyond the three-point line.
A bouncy athlete who is one of *several* likely University of Arkansas first-rounders, Welch is the perfect size for a wing and a sleek shirt to boot.
At the age of 6-8, Phillips has an impressive wingtip frame and has the height and athletic performance to be a potential lottery pick in next year’s draft. A good altar can make things happen with or without the ball in his hands. Rick Barnes will love his game.
Dick is a dead shooter and can be a deadly threat from anywhere on the court. In KS, he would need to show the possibility of adding recoil as a creator to himself and others, something that appeared on his high school tape surprisingly and made me think he was more than just a shooter.
Ingram had a singles season with Stanford, but returned to school to improve his stock. He’s a big-bodied winger, has very exciting gamemaking skills for his size and projects as meticulously as an NBA winger if his shot can keep improving.
Keegan Murray had a great season with Iowa State last season, and Chris Murray will have a break for Iowa State this season. The 6-foot-8 combo striker may be renewable this year but is back in school and will be able to assert himself as a potential No. 1 choice in Iowa next year.
Armed with improved gameplay and great opportunity, Livingston is one of the true wild cards in the 2023 NBA Draft. It can be a lottery pick, it might be delayed first. He certainly has the physical and athletic tools to be a model winger that the NBA aspires to be. He’ll need to put it all together on a consistent basis to earn John Calipari’s trust.
Sasser was advancing toward the All-American Center in Houston last season before an injury derailed the season. Then it really flashes into the NBA Draft Combine, which makes it a tougher than expected decision to stay or leave. On his return to school, he will be the star of a top 10 Cougars team thanks to his outstanding scoring ability.
With the departure of Andrew Nymbard, Heckman has a huge opportunity to take charge of the powerful Gonzaga attack. Heckman isn’t an elite athlete, but he’s a solid main guard who could really make the leap in year two under Mark Little.
Cleveland was someone I really loved coming to last season at Florida State, and now he’s in a position to live up to his expectations as a sophomore. His shot needs to improve a lot, but he has the frame and bounce that I appreciate in the wings.
