Finally the time!
The 2023 draft is one of the best in league history and I do not think that is an exaggeration. There are 12-15 guys in this draft that can be legit contributors on a championship team.
I have wanted to get out big board 1.0 for some time but the more I watch the more I want to change things. For this reason, I will simply show their measurements and a sentence or two to describe them.
Before I take to long and change my mind, here is big board 1.0
Guys I have not watched enough of yet
Judah Mintz, Syracuse
Colby Jones, Xavier
Brice Sensabaugh, Ohio State
Ricky Council, Arkansas
Baylor Scheierman, South Dakota State
Tyler Hendricks, UCF
1. Victor Wembanyama, Metropolitans 92 (France)
| Position: Alien | Draft Age: 19.46 | Height: 7’4 | Weight: 229 lbs |
If you don’t know him by now google his name and read the thousands of articles about him. Either the greatest or second greatest prospect since the merger. Check out my articles involving him Here and Here.
2. Scoot Henderson, G-League Ignite
| Position: Guard | Draft Age: 19.38 | Height: 6’2 | Weight: 195 lbs |
One of the best consolation prizes this league has ever seen. Think of Dwyane Wade in Damian Lillard’s body.
3. Amen Thompson, City Reapers (OTE)
| Position: Guard | Draft Age: 20.39 | Height: 6’7 | Weight: 200 lbs |
Never seen an athlete like him ever.
4. Nick Smith Jr., Arkansas
| Position: Guard | Draft Age: 19.17 | Height: 6’5 | Weight: 185 lbs |
Has not played yet.
5. Cam Whitmore, Villanova
| Position: Wing | Draft Age: 18.95 | Height: 6’7 | Weight: 232 lbs |
Also has not played yet.
6. Ausar Thompson, City Reapers (OTE)
| Position: Wing | Draft Age: 20.39 | Height: 6’7 | Weight: 208 lbs |
If the shot comes around he is an Andrew Wiggins-type player.
7. Keyonte George, Baylor
| Position: Guard | Draft Age: 19.61 | Height: 6’4 | Weight: 185 lbs |
Has cooled off a bit but has surprised me with defense and playmaking.
8. Dariq Whitehead, Duke
| Position: Wing | Draft Age: 18.88 | Height: 6’6 | Weight: 190 lbs |
Although he’s back he is still hurt so basically hasn’t shown anything.
9. Brandon Miller, Alabama
| Position: Wing | Draft Age: 20.58 | Height: 6’9 | Weight: 200 lbs |
The shot has looked great but hasn’t finished around the hoop great (the complete opposite of what I expected at the beginning of the year).
10. Anthony Black, Arkansas
| Position: Guard | Draft Age: 19.41 | Height: 6’7 | Weight: 195 lbs |
In my opinion, the prospect who has jumped the most on boards the past two weeks. Love the fire he plays with.
11. Jarace Walker, Houston
| Position: Forward | Draft Age: 19.79 | Height: 6’8 | Weight: 220 lbs |
The defense is incredible and the offense is nice but I don’t ever see him as a dominant or even all-star level offensive player.
12. GG Jackson, South Carolina
| Position: Forward | Draft Age: 18.51 | Height: 6’9 | Weight: 210 lbs |
Super raw but man is there talent. Also hard to judge someone when his team sucks and just feeds him the ball.
13. Kel’el Ware, Oregon
| Position: Big | Draft Age: 19.17 | Height: 7’0 | Weight: 210 lbs |
Shot blocking big man that has floor spacing potential, count me in.
14. Maxwell Lewis, Pepperdine
| Position: Wing | Draft Age: 20.90 | Height: 6’7 | Weight: 195 lbs |
Fits the NBA perfectly as a 6’7 shooter and versatile defender.
15. Cason Wallace, Kentucky
| Position: Guard | Draft Age: 19.62 | Height: 6’4 | Weight: 193 lbs |
I am not usually pro non elite self-creating guards but Wallace wows me in similar ways to Jrue Holiday. Wallace’s screen navigation is special and the shot looks good, he could get to the lottery.
16. Dereck Lively, Duke
| Position: Big | Draft Age: 19.35 | Height: 7’1 | Weight: 215 lbs |
So far he has disappointed but if his high school tape is who he truly is, he will be a great defensive big.
17. Jett Howard, Michigan
| Position: Wing | Draft Age: 19.77 | Height: 6’8 | Weight: 215 lbs |
I just think there is only so low you can drop a 6’8 shooter who can play defense.
18. Terquavion Smith, NC State
| Position: Guard | Draft Age: 20.47 | Height: 6’3.75 | Weight: 165 lbs (yikes) |
It seems the Jordan Poole, Anfernee Simons, Tyler Herro mold is more common nowadays and Terq fits into that.
19. Kris Murray, Iowa
| Position: Forward | Draft Age: 22.84 | Height: 6’8 | Weight: 225 lbs |
It is really crazy we are shocked about Kris Murray’s breakout considering his twin did the same thing last year and was the 4th pick in the draft.
20. Gradey Dick, Kansas
| Position: Wing | Draft Age: 19.58 | Height: 6’8 | Weight: 205 lbs |
A 6’8 JJ Redick-like shooter. That’s it.
21. Baba Miller, Florida State
| Position: Forward | Draft Age: 19.21 | Height: 6’11 | Weight: 204 lbs |
Has not played yet, but the lottery wouldn’t surprise me.
22. Marcus Sasser, Houston
| Position: Guard | Draft Age: 22.75 | Height: 6’2 | Weight: 195 lbs |
Although he is old, Sasser is a guy you watch and just think he is an NBA player.
23. Dillon Mitchell, Texas
| Position: Wing | Draft Age: 19.71 | Height: 6’8 | Weight: 205 lbs |
The athletiscm and defense is eye popping but I am waiting for everything else to click.
24. Rayan Rupert, New Zealand Breakers (New Zealand)
| Position: Wing | Draft Age: 19.05 | Height: 6’6 | Weight: 192 lbs |
7’3 wingspan and shooting potential.
25. JJ Starling, Notre Dame
| Position: Guard | Draft Age: 19.27 | Height: 6’4 | Weight: 200 lbs |
A shooter that has picked up where Blake Wesley left off.
26. Kyle Flipowski, Duke
| Position: Big | Draft Age: 19.62 | Height: 6’11 | Weight: 220 lbs. |
He has impressed a lot early offensively but would like to see more defense.
27. Terrence Arceneaux, Houston
| Position: Wing | Draft Age: 19.61 | Height: 6’5 | Weight: 195 lbs |
Super raw but seems to have the tools of a good 3 and D player.
28. Emoni Bates, Eastern Michigan
| Position: Wing | Draft Age: 19.40 | Height: 6’10 | Weight: 175 lbs |
Pedigree, shooting, and handles, the problem is his finishing isn’t bad and I do not know how he operates as a role player.
29. Julian Phillips, Tennessee
| Position: Wing | Draft Age: 19.63 | Height: 6’8 | Weight: 200 lbs |
A 6’8, athletic wing. I can’t understand anyone putting him outside of the top 35.
30. Nikola Djurisic, Mega Basket (Serbia)
| Position: Wing | Draft Age: 19.33 | Height: 6’8 | Weight: 214 lbs |
Any wing who can pass and has shooting potential has my interest.
31. Tyrese Proctor, Duke
| Position: Guard | Draft Age: 19.22 | Height: 6’4 | Weight: 176 lbs |
Good sized playmaker and a good defender, but his scoring abilities are very elementary at this point.
32. Julian Strawther, Gonzaga
| Position: Wing | Draft Age: 21.18 | Height: 6’7 | Weight: 205 lbs |
Prototypical 3 and D.
33. Trevon Brazile, Arkansas
| Position: Big | Draft Age: 20.45 | Height: 6’10 | Weight: 212 lbs |
A mobile shot blocker who can guard multiple positions is enticing.
34. Adem Bona, UCLA
| Position: Big | Draft Age: 20.24 | Height: 6’10 | Weight: 225 lbs |
As of today Bona is just a highly athletic, physical, big man.
35. Jalen Hood-Schiffiano, Indiana
| Position: Guard | Draft Age: 20.01 | Height: 6’6 | Weight: 215 lbs |
I love the defense and the mid-range creation but the three-point shot really scares me.
36. Arthur Kaluma, Creighton
| Position: Forward | Draft Age: 21.30 | Height: 6’7 | Weight: 200 lbs |
20% of the time I wonder if he is Paul George and 80% of the time I wonder what the hell he is doing.
37. Jordan Walsh, Arkansas
| Position: Wing | Draft Age: 19.30 | Height: 6’7 | Weight: 200 lbs |
A solid role player that does everything well but nothing on an elite level.
38. Chris Livingston, Kentucky
| Position: Wing | Draft Age: 19.68 | Height: 6’6 | Weight: 220 lbs |
Highly touted out of high school but he has looked poor so far.
39. Jordan Hawkins, UConn
| Position: Wing | Draft Age: 21.15 | Height: 6’5 | Weight: 195 lbs |
A critical piece on a contender. Hawkins is a solid 3 and D guard.
40. Sidy Cissoko, G-League Ignite
| Position: Guard | Draft Age: 19.22 | Height: 6’5 | Weight: 176 lbs |
A good versatile defender that is still raw on offense.
