Re: 2023 Draft Prospect discussion Part II

[Jerry Lucas]

My top 20 big board after the top 3 (some of these guys will look like major reaches but it's not a mock draft just who I think the best players are):

4. Taylor Hendricks
5. Gradey Dick
6. Jarace Walker
7. Amen Thompson
8. Brandin Podziemski
9. Brice Sensabaugh
10. Cason Wallace
11. Rayan Rupert
12. Noah Clowney
13. DaRon Holmes
14. Sidy Cissoko
15. Bilal Coulibaly
16. Dereck Lively
17. Trey Alexander
18. Kel'el Ware
19. Leonard Miller
20. Ausar Thompson

Do not draft list:
Nick Smith
Jalen Hood-Schifino
Maxwell Lewis
GG Jackson
Dariq Whitehead
Terquavion Smith

[ArthurVandelay]

This was my original watch list for the 2023 NBA Draft back in August:

C
UgonnaKingsleyOnyenso 6’117’5 Kentucky
Dereck Lively III(Duke) 7’1 - 7’8
Kel’el Ware (Oregon) 7’ -
Aden Bona (UCLA) 6’10 - 7’4
Terris Reed (Michigan) 6’10- 7’5
Oscar Tshiebwe (Kentucky) 6’9 - 7’4
Efe Abogidi (ignite) 6’9 - 7’4

PF
Mouhamed Gueye (Wash St) 6’11 - 7’4
Daimion Collins (Kentucky) 6’9 - 7’5
Adam’s Songona (uconn) 6’9 - 7’4
Mark mitchell (Duke) 6’8 - 7’2
Ousmane Ndiaye (Germany) 6’11 - 7’3
Daron Holmes II (Dayton) 6’10
Yohan Traore (Auburn) 6’10 - 7’3

Wings
Dariq Whitehead (Duke) 6’6 - 6’10
Cam Whitemore (Villanova) 6’8 - 6’8
Leonard miller (ignite) 6’10 - 7’2
Dillon Mitchell (Texas) 6’7 -
Jordan Walsh (Arkansas) 6’7 - 7’3
Rayan Rupert (NZ) 6’7 - 7’3
Jarace Walker (Houston) 6’8 - 7’2
GG Jackson (South Carolina) 6’8 - 6’11
Baba Miller (Florida St) 6’10 - 7’2
Sidy Cissoko (Ignite) 6’7 - 6’9
Chris Livingstone (Kentucky) 6’7 - 6’11
Brandon Miller (Alabama) 6’8 -
Julian Phillips (Tennessee) 6’8 - 6’11.5
Arthur Kaluma (Creighton) 6’7 - 7’1
Nathan Missia-Dio (OTE) 6’8 - 7’5”
Jett Howard (Michigan) 6’7 -
Terrence Arceneaux (Houston) 6’7 - 7’?
Trevon Brazile (Arkansas) 6’9 - 7’1
Caleb Banks (Indiana) 6’8 - 7’1

Guards
Amen Thompson (OTE) 6’7 - 6’11
Ausar Thompson (OTE) 6’7 - 6’11
Nick Smith (Arkansas) 6’5 - 6’9
Anthony Black (Arkansas) 6’7 -
Cason Wallace (Kentucky) 6’4 - 6’6’
Keyonte George (Baylor) 6’4 -
Grady Dick (Kansas) 6’7 -
Amari Bailey (UCLA) 6’4 -
Tyrese Procter (Duke) 6’4 -
Jalen Hood-Schifino (Indiana) 6’5 -

After some guys underperformed, seeing them play at higher levels of competition, getting a look at analytical stats in addition to watching them play, and finding new players who “came from nowhere,” my big board looks like this:

Brandon Miller
Gradey Dick
Cason Wallace
Anthony Black
Bilal Coulibaly
Rayan Rupert
Taylor Hendricks
Sidy Cissoko
Brandin Podziemski
Leonard Miller (added on an edit...forgot him)
Jaylen Clark
Kobe Bufkin

Edit: Victor and Scoot aren’t listed because I don’t see any chance they end up on Raptors.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Watch on YouTube

Definitely needs better handles. The 3 pt shot looks legit.

He looks like Harrison Barnes.

FTFY

He looks like Barnes, but isn’t stiff like him. I’d rather compare him to Tatum. People are sleeping on this kid.

[Rapsfan07]

My top 20 big board after the top 3 (some of these guys will look like major reaches but it's not a mock draft just who I think the best players are):

4. Taylor Hendricks
5. Gradey Dick
6. Jarace Walker
7. Amen Thompson
8. Brandin Podziemski
9. Brice Sensabaugh
10. Cason Wallace
11. Rayan Rupert
12. Noah Clowney
13. DaRon Holmes
14. Sidy Cissoko
15. Bilal Coulibaly
16. Dereck Lively
17. Trey Alexander
18. Kel'el Ware
19. Leonard Miller
20. Ausar Thompson

Do not draft list:
Nick Smith
Jalen Hood-Schifino
Maxwell Lewis
GG Jackson
Dariq Whitehead
Terquavion Smith

Interesting...

I am not high on Ware, Sensabaugh or Miller and I can't see how Colby Jones, Kris Murray and Jordan Hawkins aren't at least productive role players at the next level so I think they deserve a spot on the big board.

[Rapsfan07]

Watch on YouTube

Definitely needs better handles. The 3 pt shot looks legit.

He looks like Harrison Barnes.

FTFY

He looks like Barnes, but isn’t stiff like him. I’d rather compare him to Tatum. People are sleeping on this kid.

He's really smooth, perhaps the smoothest wing in this draft. If he managed to regain his athleticism and be at least passable defensively while continuing to develop his offensive game, he could return lottery level value.

I guarantee you someone will take a chance on his talent in the first round.

[Indeed]

Whitehead might have a small career as a 3&D player. Wouldn't draft him until the 20s. Just not very versatile and there are better shooters to be had.

It is a weak draft to me, so I am unsure you got better prospects to fill in the late teens.

[Jerry Lucas]

My top 20 big board after the top 3 (some of these guys will look like major reaches but it's not a mock draft just who I think the best players are):

4. Taylor Hendricks
5. Gradey Dick
6. Jarace Walker
7. Amen Thompson
8. Brandin Podziemski
9. Brice Sensabaugh
10. Cason Wallace
11. Rayan Rupert
12. Noah Clowney
13. DaRon Holmes
14. Sidy Cissoko
15. Bilal Coulibaly
16. Dereck Lively
17. Trey Alexander
18. Kel'el Ware
19. Leonard Miller
20. Ausar Thompson

Do not draft list:
Nick Smith
Jalen Hood-Schifino
Maxwell Lewis
GG Jackson
Dariq Whitehead
Terquavion Smith

Interesting...

I am not high on Ware, Sensabaugh or Miller and I can't see how Colby Jones, Kris Murray and Jordan Hawkins aren't at least productive role players at the next level so I think they deserve a spot on the big board.

Coincidentally I have all 3 of those guys ranked in the 21-30 range. I tend to have a bias towards only ranking high performing NCAA freshmen/sophomores and high performing prospects outside the NCAA that are similarly aged/lack experience in the top 20.

I'm just not a big believer in leaning towards older/more experienced prospects (usually more finished products) if you're a team with a top 20 pick. Way more often than not, there is usually a high upside play that pans out in the teens (11-20 range). Considering Masai's FO has been the best draft+develop team in the NBA by far since he took over the Raptors, I would bet on this FO over any other in the league to be able to find those hits consistently.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Penn state looks like a serious threat to have a deep and possible miracle tournament run for a 10 seed.

I am talking national champions. They can compete with anyone.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

My top 20 big board after the top 3 (some of these guys will look like major reaches but it's not a mock draft just who I think the best players are):

4. Taylor Hendricks
5. Gradey Dick
6. Jarace Walker
7. Amen Thompson
8. Brandin Podziemski
9. Brice Sensabaugh
10. Cason Wallace
11. Rayan Rupert
12. Noah Clowney
13. DaRon Holmes
14. Sidy Cissoko
15. Bilal Coulibaly
16. Dereck Lively
17. Trey Alexander
18. Kel'el Ware
19. Leonard Miller
20. Ausar Thompson

Do not draft list:
Nick Smith
Jalen Hood-Schifino
Maxwell Lewis
GG Jackson
Dariq Whitehead
Terquavion Smith

Your dnd list looks somewhat similar to mine but i definitely dont have lewis on it. I think there's enough there for an organization to work with and he's a late bloomer... this kid pans out and you have stolen a top 30 nba player because thats how incredible his flashes of skill have been.

[Kevin Willis]

Where we draft is going to have some interesting choices. We will have quality fallers (ie. Whitehead, Smith Jr.), quality risers (ie. Bilal, Kobe) and guys expected to be in our range (Dick, Howard). We could also go steady (Hood), potential or need. I have a feeling one of the Thompson twins are going fall hard. In the combine they will have good athletic results but their interviews are going to be really bad. One of them might fall to us.

[God Squad]

Where we draft is going to have some interesting choices. We will have quality fallers (ie. Whitehead, Smith Jr.), quality risers (ie. Bilal, Kobe) and guys expected to be in our range (Dick, Howard). We could also go steady (Hood), potential or need. I have a feeling one of the Thompson twins are going fall hard. In the combine they will have good athletic results but their interviews are going to be really bad. One of them might fall to us.

Agreed. But Smith Jr is firmly leading my do not draft list.
I don't see what some of you do in him. He just not my cup of tea as a prospect.

[VanWest82]

I haven't followed much college ball this year and so don't really know any of these kids outside the top few. What do you guys think of Brice Sensabaugh? He seems like a very productive freshman with some size on the wing that's projected to go somewhere in our range. Frankly, I'm surprised he isn't slotted in higher. Are there big red flags or something? Buckeye's lack of success in the win/loss column definitely requires some explaining but otherwise he could be a fit.

[Yallbecrazy]

I haven't followed much college ball this year and so don't really know any of these kids outside the top few. What do you guys think of Brice Sensabaugh? He seems like a very productive freshman with some size on the wing that's projected to go somewhere in our range. Frankly, I'm surprised he isn't slotted in higher. Are there big red flags or something? Buckeye's lack of success in the win/loss column definitely requires some explaining but otherwise he could be a fit.

terrible passer, terrible defender. Low IQ basketball player.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Where we draft is going to have some interesting choices. We will have quality fallers (ie. Whitehead, Smith Jr.), quality risers (ie. Bilal, Kobe) and guys expected to be in our range (Dick, Howard). We could also go steady (Hood), potential or need. I have a feeling one of the Thompson twins are going fall hard. In the combine they will have good athletic results but their interviews are going to be really bad. One of them might fall to us.

Agreed. But Smith Jr is firmly leading my do not draft list.
I don't see what some of you do in him. He just not my cup of tea as a prospect.

I’d echo this. If I’m taking Smith Jr. I’d be inclined to trade down and take Terq, Hawkins or Bufkin instead

[BoyzNTheHood]

Where we draft is going to have some interesting choices. We will have quality fallers (ie. Whitehead, Smith Jr.), quality risers (ie. Bilal, Kobe) and guys expected to be in our range (Dick, Howard). We could also go steady (Hood), potential or need. I have a feeling one of the Thompson twins are going fall hard. In the combine they will have good athletic results but their interviews are going to be really bad. One of them might fall to us.

If Gradey is there and Masai passes I’ll go crazy. That kid is top 10 talent wise

[Thaddy]

I haven't followed much college ball this year and so don't really know any of these kids outside the top few. What do you guys think of Brice Sensabaugh? He seems like a very productive freshman with some size on the wing that's projected to go somewhere in our range. Frankly, I'm surprised he isn't slotted in higher. Are there big red flags or something? Buckeye's lack of success in the win/loss column definitely requires some explaining but otherwise he could be a fit.

terrible passer, terrible defender. Low IQ basketball player.

Sensabough isn't a winning player. You want to bring someone in who's been a part of a winning program and also has tools that we like. This is the reason why Rupert is probably going to be Ujiri's favorite prospect. Hendricks similarly has the measurements but he lacks the coordination and feel for the game.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Colby Jones as a junior can't carry Xavier vs. Kennesaw State and he's going on DND.

Dude needs to wake up.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Gradey should legally change his name before the draft to Gyamfi Diaw and Masai will trade every asset imaginable for him.

[Psubs]

Colby Jones as a junior can't carry Xavier vs. Kennesaw State and he's going on DND.

Dude needs to wake up.

He's had some quiet and not good 1st halves, then comes to life and finishes with good numbers in the 2nd.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Colby Jones as a junior can't carry Xavier vs. Kennesaw State and he's going on DND.

Dude needs to wake up.

He's had some quiet and not good 1st halves, then comes to life and finishes with good numbers in the 2nd.

That's not good. Also his free throw shooting is pretty bad, I wouldn't want him at the line at the end of a game in the NBA. I wonder what his FT shooting means for him as a prospective volume 3 point shooter in the NBA. Lots of question marks surrounding him which is why I don't like him in the mid 1st like some of these mock drafts have him going.

Still like him in the mid 20s.