With two weeks till the NBA draft, Victor Wembanyama retains exhibiting why the San Antonio Spurs ought to so badly need him.
The anticipated No. 1 choose has led his staff into the French league finals, with a teammate’s sturdy play alongside him sending his personal inventory hovering.
The 7-foot-3 French phenom remains to be the prohibitive favourite to be the primary participant off the board when the draft begins on June 22. He might need solely a short relaxation earlier than arriving, after his 15-point, five-block efficiency despatched his Boulogne-Levallois into the finals towards Monaco.
And whereas Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson are projected to go second and third, on this second version of the AP’s 2023 mock draft there was motion among the many lottery picks. Wembanyama’s teammate Bilal Coulibaly has risen into competition for a spot there together with his good postseason.
1. SAN ANTONIO SPURS: VICTOR WEMBANYAMA, FORWARD, FRANCE
His mixture of a middle’s measurement and a guard’s capturing and dribbling make the 19-year-old a prospect maybe not like another the NBA has seen. The Spurs received 5 NBA titles after taking Tim Duncan in 1997, the final time that they had the No. 1 choose and dream of an identical impression from Wembanyama.
2. CHARLOTTE HORNETS: BRANDON MILLER, FORWARD, ALABAMA
At 6-9, Miller has the scale, versatility and 3-point stroke to make him an excellent participant for the fashionable NBA sport. The SEC participant of the yr and event MVP as a freshman, Miller would seem like a superb match taking part in with LaMelo Ball, although the Hornets, who performed with out Miles Bridges final season after an arrest for a home violence incident towards the mom of his youngsters, might must weigh a destructive response in the event that they add Miller, who delivered the gun utilized in a deadly capturing.
3. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: SCOOT HENDERSON, GUARD, G LEAGUE IGNITE
Worked out for the Trail Blazers and confirmed the athleticism and talent to do all of it from the guard spot which will have made Henderson the No. 1 choose in a few years. This time, he may very well be a part of a commerce if the Blazers determine they’d choose to amass extra veteran assist round Damian Lillard — or maybe Lillard’s substitute in the event that they as a substitute determine to construct round youth.
4. HOUSTON ROCKETS: AMEN THOMPSON, GUARD, OVERTIME ELITE
At 6-7, Thompson has nice measurement for a guard and the 20-year previous confirmed the flexibility to step up when it issues most, averaging 17.2 factors, 9.2 assists and seven.2 rebounds within the playoffs to steer the City Reapers to the championship final season. The Rockets, after including Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. within the final two drafts, are positioned to get one other good one.
5. DETROIT PISTONS: CAM WHITMORE, FORWARD, VILLANOVA
The Pistons fell to the bottom spot doable within the lottery after ending with the NBA’s worst file and sharing one of the best odds of touchdown the No. 1 choose. But getting Whitmore, a flexible wing with a robust construct, so as to add to younger items akin to Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey beneath new coach Monty Williams would assist ease the sting.
6. ORLANDO MAGIC: AUSAR THOMPSON, FORWARD, OVERTIME ELITE
Amen Thompson’s twin brother has been the Overtime Elite common season and finals MVP the final two seasons and the 6-7 swingman performs large on protection, twice blocking seven photographs in a sport. The Magic have been a staff on the rise within the second half of final season and Thompson may assist make sure that continues.
7. INDIANA PACERS: JARACE WALKER, FORWARD, HOUSTON
Coming from Houston’s rugged program means Walker already performs NBA-ready protection, and the offensive finish may come alongside rapidly beneath Rick Carlisle. At 6-8, 240 kilos, he already has the scale and power to take care of anybody he may face within the frontcourt.
8. WASHINGTON WIZARDS: ANTHONY BLACK, GUARD, ARKANSAS
The 6-7 guard appears to have countless power, taking part in almost 35 minutes a sport to steer the Southeastern Conference and all 20 minutes in a half 19 instances. That included 37 minutes on an injured left ankle within the Razorbacks’ NCAA Tournament upset of top-seeded Kansas, when he helped maintain anticipated lottery choose Gradey Dick to seven factors.
9. UTAH JAZZ: TAYLOR HENDRICKS, CENTRAL FLORIDA
The 6-9 freshman makes an impression inside and out of doors on each ends of the ground. He led the American Athletic Conference in blocked photographs and shot 39% from 3-point vary, turning into the one Division I participant final season with no less than 60 3-pointers, 55 blocked photographs and 35 dunks.
10. DALLAS MAVERICKS: GRADEY DICK, GUARD, KANSAS
Dick made 83 3-pointers, most in Kansas historical past by a freshman, and the 6-8 ahead may get loads of open seems to be when Mavericks opponents focus their consideration on Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving — if Irving stays in Dallas. The Mavs went to nice lengths to guard their possibilities of conserving this choose, tanking their last couple video games to spice up their lottery odds whereas nonetheless in play-in competition,.
11. ORLANDO MAGIC (from Chicago Bulls): BILAL COULIBALY, FORWARD, FRANCE
Wembanyama’s teammate with Metropolitans 92 is a 6-6 swingman who hasn’t reached his potential but as a scorer, however his 7-3 wingspan permits him to impression the sport on each ends even with out doing so and will make him a superb match with 2022 No. 1 choose and Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero.
12. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: KEYONTE GEORGE, GUARD, BAYLOR
The highest-ranked recruit in program historical past lived as much as the billing in his lone school season, scoring 20 or extra factors 12 instances and averaging 15.3 en path to Big 12 freshman of the yr honors. The 6-4 guard may present scoring punch on a staff that surprisingly almost made the postseason.
13. TORONTO RAPTORS: JORDAN HAWKINS, GUARD, UCONN
Ballhandling nonetheless wants enchancment, however Hawkins’ catch-and-shoot potential was one of many largest causes the Huskies stormed by way of the NCAA Tournament to their fifth nationwide title. Would enhance the backcourt on a Toronto staff whose power was its wings.
14. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS: CASON WALLACE, KENTUCKY
Some extent guard who takes care of the ball and takes it away from opponents, he was fourth within the SEC in each steals per sport and assist-to-turnover ratio.
15. ATLANTA HAWKS: NICK SMITH JR., GUARD, ARKANSAS
Played in simply 17 video games in his lone school season after recovering from a proper knee harm, however that was sufficient to play himself into lottery consideration. At 6-5, Smith can play both guard spot.
16. UTAH JAZZ (from Minnesota): DERECK LIVELY II, CENTER, DUKE
Is nonetheless restricted offensively, however the 7-1 Lively exhibits promise as a rebounder and shot blocker, highlighted by 14 boards and eight blocks in a sport towards rival North Carolina.
17. LOS ANGELES LAKERS: JALEN HOOD-SCHIFINO, GUARD, INDIANA
After blended outcomes with Russell Westbrook and D’Angelo Russell final season, the Lakers’ seek for level guard assist may result in Indiana, the place Hood-Schifino was the Big Ten freshman of the yr. Great measurement within the backcourt at 6-6 however must develop into a greater shooter after hitting solely 40% from the sphere in his lone season.
18. MIAMI HEAT: MAXWELL LEWIS, FORWARD, PEPPERDINE
The Heat’s success growing undrafted gamers — they’ve seven on the roster that has made a shocking run to the NBA Finals — permits them to recuperate in the event that they miss within the draft. But they won’t by trying on the 6-7 Lewis, who made almost 80% of his free throws and 36% of his 3-point makes an attempt in his two seasons with the Waves.
19. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: KRIS MURRAY, FORWARD, IOWA
After averaging 20.2 factors — with a 30-point, 20-rebound sport in a single outing — Murray will attempt to make an identical first-year NBA impression as twin brother Keegan, who after leaving the Hawkeyes grew to become a direct starter for Sacramento final season and was an All-Rookie first-team choice.
20. HOUSTON ROCKETS (from LA Clippers): KOBE BUFKIN, GUARD, MICHIGAN
Massive leap from first to second yr of school, averaging 14 factors as a sophomore after not beginning a sport whereas averaging 3.0 factors as a freshman. Next leap is to the NBA, the place the 6-4 lefty may rapidly be a change-of-pace guard off the bench.
21. BROOKLYN NETS (from Phoenix): JETT HOWARD, GUARD, MICHIGAN
His willingness to fireplace from behind the arc makes the freshman an ideal match for the 3-point blissful NBA. The 6-8 freshman made a number of 3-pointers in 24 of his 29 video games for Juwan Howard, his father, and hit three or extra in nearly half of them. Howard made 36.8% of them whereas averaging 14.2 factors
22. BROOKLYN NETS: LEONARD MILLER, FORWARD, G LEAGUE IGNITE
The Nets have wanted extra scoring punch since buying and selling Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, and Miller seems to be able to offering it after averaging 18 factors final season. The 6-10 Canadian additionally averaged almost 11 rebounds, one other space Nets management has recognized as a precedence.
23. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (from New York): NOAH CLOWNEY, FORWARD, ALABAMA
Clowney put up almost eight rebounds and a block per sport in his lone school season. With simply 210 kilos on his 6-10 body, he might want to add power for the battles inside towards NBA large males.
24. SACRAMENTO KINGS: G.G. JACKSON, FORWARD, SOUTH CAROLINA
Would have been heading to school now — maybe because the No. 1 prospect — earlier than reclassifying final summer season to enter a yr earlier. Instead, the 6-9 Jackson is on his strategy to the NBA after scoring in double figures in 25 of his 32 video games, averaging 15.4 factors.
25. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: BRICE SENSABAUGH, FORWARD, OHIO STATE
Averaged 16.3 factors and shot higher than 40% from 3-point vary in his sturdy one season for the Buckeyes, the place he was the primary freshman to steer the staff in scoring since D’Angelo Russell in 2015.
26. INDIANA PACERS (from Cleveland): JAIME JAQUEZ JR., GUARD, UCLA
The do-everything swingman led the Bruins with 17.8 factors and eight.2 rebounds, turning into their first Pac-12 participant of the yr since Kevin Love in 2008. At 6-7, Jaquez does every little thing properly — he’s No. 8 in UCLA historical past in each factors and steals — however perhaps not any of them on the high NBA stage.
27. CHARLOTTE HORNETS (from Denver through New York and Oklahoma City): AMARI BAILEY, GUARD, UCLA
Bailey had a robust end to his lone school season, averaging 16.7 factors on 56% capturing within the Bruins’ run to the Sweet 16. The Hornets wrestle when LaMelo Ball is out, so the 6-5 guard may very well be interesting to a staff that was fourth-worst within the NBA in scoring.
28. UTAH JAZZ (from Philadelphia through Brooklyn): COLBY JONES, GUARD, XAVIER
With three picks within the first spherical, the Jazz are positioned to bolster a staff that hung across the playoff race for much longer than anticipated. The 6-6 Jones, who made 18 of 21 photographs in a single torrid stretch final season and shot 9 of 10 on 3-pointers in one other, may very well be a pleasant late addition.
29. INDIANA PACERS (from Boston): TRAYCE JACKSON-DAVIS, FORWARD, INDIANA
Had greater than 2,200 factors and 1,100 rebounds in one of the adorned careers in Hoosiers historical past. But within the one-and-done period, the 23-year-old All-American’s age may go towards the son of former Pacers ahead Dale Davis.
With two weeks till the NBA draft, Victor Wembanyama retains exhibiting why the San Antonio Spurs ought to so badly need him.
The anticipated No. 1 choose has led his staff into the French league finals, with a teammate’s sturdy play alongside him sending his personal inventory hovering.
The 7-foot-3 French phenom remains to be the prohibitive favourite to be the primary participant off the board when the draft begins on June 22. He might need solely a short relaxation earlier than arriving, after his 15-point, five-block efficiency despatched his Boulogne-Levallois into the finals towards Monaco.
And whereas Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson are projected to go second and third, on this second version of the AP’s 2023 mock draft there was motion among the many lottery picks. Wembanyama’s teammate Bilal Coulibaly has risen into competition for a spot there together with his good postseason.
1. SAN ANTONIO SPURS: VICTOR WEMBANYAMA, FORWARD, FRANCE
His mixture of a middle’s measurement and a guard’s capturing and dribbling make the 19-year-old a prospect maybe not like another the NBA has seen. The Spurs received 5 NBA titles after taking Tim Duncan in 1997, the final time that they had the No. 1 choose and dream of an identical impression from Wembanyama.
2. CHARLOTTE HORNETS: BRANDON MILLER, FORWARD, ALABAMA
At 6-9, Miller has the scale, versatility and 3-point stroke to make him an excellent participant for the fashionable NBA sport. The SEC participant of the yr and event MVP as a freshman, Miller would seem like a superb match taking part in with LaMelo Ball, although the Hornets, who performed with out Miles Bridges final season after an arrest for a home violence incident towards the mom of his youngsters, might must weigh a destructive response in the event that they add Miller, who delivered the gun utilized in a deadly capturing.
3. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: SCOOT HENDERSON, GUARD, G LEAGUE IGNITE
Worked out for the Trail Blazers and confirmed the athleticism and talent to do all of it from the guard spot which will have made Henderson the No. 1 choose in a few years. This time, he may very well be a part of a commerce if the Blazers determine they’d choose to amass extra veteran assist round Damian Lillard — or maybe Lillard’s substitute in the event that they as a substitute determine to construct round youth.
4. HOUSTON ROCKETS: AMEN THOMPSON, GUARD, OVERTIME ELITE
At 6-7, Thompson has nice measurement for a guard and the 20-year previous confirmed the flexibility to step up when it issues most, averaging 17.2 factors, 9.2 assists and seven.2 rebounds within the playoffs to steer the City Reapers to the championship final season. The Rockets, after including Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. within the final two drafts, are positioned to get one other good one.
5. DETROIT PISTONS: CAM WHITMORE, FORWARD, VILLANOVA
The Pistons fell to the bottom spot doable within the lottery after ending with the NBA’s worst file and sharing one of the best odds of touchdown the No. 1 choose. But getting Whitmore, a flexible wing with a robust construct, so as to add to younger items akin to Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey beneath new coach Monty Williams would assist ease the sting.
6. ORLANDO MAGIC: AUSAR THOMPSON, FORWARD, OVERTIME ELITE
Amen Thompson’s twin brother has been the Overtime Elite common season and finals MVP the final two seasons and the 6-7 swingman performs large on protection, twice blocking seven photographs in a sport. The Magic have been a staff on the rise within the second half of final season and Thompson may assist make sure that continues.
7. INDIANA PACERS: JARACE WALKER, FORWARD, HOUSTON
Coming from Houston’s rugged program means Walker already performs NBA-ready protection, and the offensive finish may come alongside rapidly beneath Rick Carlisle. At 6-8, 240 kilos, he already has the scale and power to take care of anybody he may face within the frontcourt.
8. WASHINGTON WIZARDS: ANTHONY BLACK, GUARD, ARKANSAS
The 6-7 guard appears to have countless power, taking part in almost 35 minutes a sport to steer the Southeastern Conference and all 20 minutes in a half 19 instances. That included 37 minutes on an injured left ankle within the Razorbacks’ NCAA Tournament upset of top-seeded Kansas, when he helped maintain anticipated lottery choose Gradey Dick to seven factors.
9. UTAH JAZZ: TAYLOR HENDRICKS, CENTRAL FLORIDA
The 6-9 freshman makes an impression inside and out of doors on each ends of the ground. He led the American Athletic Conference in blocked photographs and shot 39% from 3-point vary, turning into the one Division I participant final season with no less than 60 3-pointers, 55 blocked photographs and 35 dunks.
10. DALLAS MAVERICKS: GRADEY DICK, GUARD, KANSAS
Dick made 83 3-pointers, most in Kansas historical past by a freshman, and the 6-8 ahead may get loads of open seems to be when Mavericks opponents focus their consideration on Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving — if Irving stays in Dallas. The Mavs went to nice lengths to guard their possibilities of conserving this choose, tanking their last couple video games to spice up their lottery odds whereas nonetheless in play-in competition,.
11. ORLANDO MAGIC (from Chicago Bulls): BILAL COULIBALY, FORWARD, FRANCE
Wembanyama’s teammate with Metropolitans 92 is a 6-6 swingman who hasn’t reached his potential but as a scorer, however his 7-3 wingspan permits him to impression the sport on each ends even with out doing so and will make him a superb match with 2022 No. 1 choose and Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero.
12. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: KEYONTE GEORGE, GUARD, BAYLOR
The highest-ranked recruit in program historical past lived as much as the billing in his lone school season, scoring 20 or extra factors 12 instances and averaging 15.3 en path to Big 12 freshman of the yr honors. The 6-4 guard may present scoring punch on a staff that surprisingly almost made the postseason.
13. TORONTO RAPTORS: JORDAN HAWKINS, GUARD, UCONN
Ballhandling nonetheless wants enchancment, however Hawkins’ catch-and-shoot potential was one of many largest causes the Huskies stormed by way of the NCAA Tournament to their fifth nationwide title. Would enhance the backcourt on a Toronto staff whose power was its wings.
14. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS: CASON WALLACE, KENTUCKY
Some extent guard who takes care of the ball and takes it away from opponents, he was fourth within the SEC in each steals per sport and assist-to-turnover ratio.
15. ATLANTA HAWKS: NICK SMITH JR., GUARD, ARKANSAS
Played in simply 17 video games in his lone school season after recovering from a proper knee harm, however that was sufficient to play himself into lottery consideration. At 6-5, Smith can play both guard spot.
16. UTAH JAZZ (from Minnesota): DERECK LIVELY II, CENTER, DUKE
Is nonetheless restricted offensively, however the 7-1 Lively exhibits promise as a rebounder and shot blocker, highlighted by 14 boards and eight blocks in a sport towards rival North Carolina.
17. LOS ANGELES LAKERS: JALEN HOOD-SCHIFINO, GUARD, INDIANA
After blended outcomes with Russell Westbrook and D’Angelo Russell final season, the Lakers’ seek for level guard assist may result in Indiana, the place Hood-Schifino was the Big Ten freshman of the yr. Great measurement within the backcourt at 6-6 however must develop into a greater shooter after hitting solely 40% from the sphere in his lone season.
18. MIAMI HEAT: MAXWELL LEWIS, FORWARD, PEPPERDINE
The Heat’s success growing undrafted gamers — they’ve seven on the roster that has made a shocking run to the NBA Finals — permits them to recuperate in the event that they miss within the draft. But they won’t by trying on the 6-7 Lewis, who made almost 80% of his free throws and 36% of his 3-point makes an attempt in his two seasons with the Waves.
19. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: KRIS MURRAY, FORWARD, IOWA
After averaging 20.2 factors — with a 30-point, 20-rebound sport in a single outing — Murray will attempt to make an identical first-year NBA impression as twin brother Keegan, who after leaving the Hawkeyes grew to become a direct starter for Sacramento final season and was an All-Rookie first-team choice.
20. HOUSTON ROCKETS (from LA Clippers): KOBE BUFKIN, GUARD, MICHIGAN
Massive leap from first to second yr of school, averaging 14 factors as a sophomore after not beginning a sport whereas averaging 3.0 factors as a freshman. Next leap is to the NBA, the place the 6-4 lefty may rapidly be a change-of-pace guard off the bench.
21. BROOKLYN NETS (from Phoenix): JETT HOWARD, GUARD, MICHIGAN
His willingness to fireplace from behind the arc makes the freshman an ideal match for the 3-point blissful NBA. The 6-8 freshman made a number of 3-pointers in 24 of his 29 video games for Juwan Howard, his father, and hit three or extra in nearly half of them. Howard made 36.8% of them whereas averaging 14.2 factors
22. BROOKLYN NETS: LEONARD MILLER, FORWARD, G LEAGUE IGNITE
The Nets have wanted extra scoring punch since buying and selling Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, and Miller seems to be able to offering it after averaging 18 factors final season. The 6-10 Canadian additionally averaged almost 11 rebounds, one other space Nets management has recognized as a precedence.
23. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (from New York): NOAH CLOWNEY, FORWARD, ALABAMA
Clowney put up almost eight rebounds and a block per sport in his lone school season. With simply 210 kilos on his 6-10 body, he might want to add power for the battles inside towards NBA large males.
24. SACRAMENTO KINGS: G.G. JACKSON, FORWARD, SOUTH CAROLINA
Would have been heading to school now — maybe because the No. 1 prospect — earlier than reclassifying final summer season to enter a yr earlier. Instead, the 6-9 Jackson is on his strategy to the NBA after scoring in double figures in 25 of his 32 video games, averaging 15.4 factors.
25. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: BRICE SENSABAUGH, FORWARD, OHIO STATE
Averaged 16.3 factors and shot higher than 40% from 3-point vary in his sturdy one season for the Buckeyes, the place he was the primary freshman to steer the staff in scoring since D’Angelo Russell in 2015.
26. INDIANA PACERS (from Cleveland): JAIME JAQUEZ JR., GUARD, UCLA
The do-everything swingman led the Bruins with 17.8 factors and eight.2 rebounds, turning into their first Pac-12 participant of the yr since Kevin Love in 2008. At 6-7, Jaquez does every little thing properly — he’s No. 8 in UCLA historical past in each factors and steals — however perhaps not any of them on the high NBA stage.
27. CHARLOTTE HORNETS (from Denver through New York and Oklahoma City): AMARI BAILEY, GUARD, UCLA
Bailey had a robust end to his lone school season, averaging 16.7 factors on 56% capturing within the Bruins’ run to the Sweet 16. The Hornets wrestle when LaMelo Ball is out, so the 6-5 guard may very well be interesting to a staff that was fourth-worst within the NBA in scoring.
28. UTAH JAZZ (from Philadelphia through Brooklyn): COLBY JONES, GUARD, XAVIER
With three picks within the first spherical, the Jazz are positioned to bolster a staff that hung across the playoff race for much longer than anticipated. The 6-6 Jones, who made 18 of 21 photographs in a single torrid stretch final season and shot 9 of 10 on 3-pointers in one other, may very well be a pleasant late addition.
29. INDIANA PACERS (from Boston): TRAYCE JACKSON-DAVIS, FORWARD, INDIANA
Had greater than 2,200 factors and 1,100 rebounds in one of the adorned careers in Hoosiers historical past. But within the one-and-done period, the 23-year-old All-American’s age may go towards the son of former Pacers ahead Dale Davis.
30. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (from Milwaukee through Houston): DARIQ WHITEHEAD, FORWARD, DUKE
Arrived at Duke as the highschool participant of the yr, however a foot harm led to a delayed begin to his school profession adopted by capturing struggles after it lastly started. But the 6-7 ahead confirmed sufficient defensive and 3-point skills in his restricted time to make himself worthy of a first-round spot.
Arrived at Duke as the highschool participant of the yr, however a foot harm led to a delayed begin to his school profession adopted by capturing struggles after it lastly started. But the 6-7 ahead confirmed sufficient defensive and 3-point skills in his restricted time to make himself worthy of a first-round spot.
