Re: 2023 Draft Prospect discussion Part II

[WuTang_CMB]

The big difference is Bufkin at the rim is 69% while Terq is 50%. Terq is mainly a chucker while Bufkin can actually show potential as a 3 level scorer. I also think Bufkin plays good defense but just needs to add weight. I don't think he is as light as Terq who has to be around 160 lbs.

Fair enough. I'd take Sidy Cissoko over either of those 2 plus JHS, Whitehead, Lewis, Colby Jones, Hawkins, Coulibaly and Sasser.

I haven't watched Cissoko at all. But, that is a large number of names you like him over. I guess you think he is 15 range player. I had no idea he was killing the G-League.

Started off slow but has come on as of late. Hiding in the weeds right now in a good way

[Dalek]

Man, please let Taylor Hendricks make it to us if we're outside the lottery.

I have to admit, he has had a great February and shown his three point shooting. The eyeopener was the film of him against Houston and Jarace Walker. I think they scored the same amount of points and Houston won, but Hendricks blocked or alters Walker's shots, and took Walker off the dribble a couple times. Considering Walker is almost considered a lotto lock, Hendricks shows some real potential.

Watch on YouTube

[dozo]

Raps likely range is 12-15

We will get a good player but Masai needs to hit

In that range, Hendricks, JHS, C Wallace, Rupert would all fit our mold

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Scroll down for the Big Board.

1. Victor Wembanyama (1)

2. Scoot Henderson (2)

3. Brandon Miller (3)

4. Jarace Walker (4)

5. Cam Whitmore (5)

6. Ausar Thompson (6)

7. Amen Thompson (7)

8. Jett Howard (8)

9. Keyonte George (9)

10. Nick Smith Jr. (10)

I want to give Nick Smith Jr. some quick love here, because he’s been COOKING lately. I like Smith a lot coming into the year, and he can easily climb back up my board if he keeps playing like this. He posted back-to-back 20+ point games against Georgia and Alabama. While he only totaled three assists in those two games, his passing vision and slick, live-dribble deliveries reminded me why I was more bought into that element of his game prior to the start of the season. I still have concerns about his frame, interior finishing, and rim pressure capabilities.Only 9.1% of his shots in the halfcourt have come at the basket.

11. Gradey Dick (11)

12. Cason Wallace (12)

13. Taylor Hendricks (13)

14. Jalen Hood-Schifino (14)

15. Brice Sensabaugh (15)

16. Anthony Black (16)

17. Rayan Rupert (unranked)

Rayan Rupert, welcome to The Expanding Big Board!

The 18-year-old French native is currently playing in the NBL for the New Zealand Breakers. The league’s Next Stars program has been a pathway for current NBA players such as LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey, Ousmane Dieng, and RJ Hampton. It’s not an easy pathway, though—the NBL is a tough, physical professional league. As a result, many of those players struggled with efficiency playing in the NBL. The same can be said for Rupert, and it’s been a knock on him. He’s scoring 7.6 PPG with a 38.3 FG% and 33.3 3FG%, but the context is important

[Dalek]

Raps likely range is 12-15

We will get a good player but Masai needs to hit

In that range, Hendricks, JHS, C Wallace, Rupert would all fit our mold

Read on Twitter

Scroll down for the Big Board.

1. Victor Wembanyama (1)

2. Scoot Henderson (2)

3. Brandon Miller (3)

4. Jarace Walker (4)

5. Cam Whitmore (5)

6. Ausar Thompson (6)

7. Amen Thompson (7)

8. Jett Howard (8)

9. Keyonte George (9)

10. Nick Smith Jr. (10)

I want to give Nick Smith Jr. some quick love here, because he’s been COOKING lately. I like Smith a lot coming into the year, and he can easily climb back up my board if he keeps playing like this. He posted back-to-back 20+ point games against Georgia and Alabama. While he only totaled three assists in those two games, his passing vision and slick, live-dribble deliveries reminded me why I was more bought into that element of his game prior to the start of the season. I still have concerns about his frame, interior finishing, and rim pressure capabilities.Only 9.1% of his shots in the halfcourt have come at the basket.

11. Gradey Dick (11)

12. Cason Wallace (12)

13. Taylor Hendricks (13)

14. Jalen Hood-Schifino (14)

15. Brice Sensabaugh (15)

16. Anthony Black (16)

17. Rayan Rupert (unranked)

Rayan Rupert, welcome to The Expanding Big Board!

The 18-year-old French native is currently playing in the NBL for the New Zealand Breakers. The league’s Next Stars program has been a pathway for current NBA players such as LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey, Ousmane Dieng, and RJ Hampton. It’s not an easy pathway, though—the NBL is a tough, physical professional league. As a result, many of those players struggled with efficiency playing in the NBL. The same can be said for Rupert, and it’s been a knock on him. He’s scoring 7.6 PPG with a 38.3 FG% and 33.3 3FG%, but the context is important

That's a draft Twitter type of board. Walker looks like he is way too high, but I think I can see the argument given his NBA ready frame and modern positionless skillset. The big guard/combo seems to be top flavor for this mock draft.

Good to see Jalen Hood-Schifino in our range. I just have really liked his film as I have dove a bit further into defensive side of things. He is a scrappy defender and has good lateral quicks and can be a pest covering guards like Suggs. He is not one of those big vertical athletes, but he does cover ground on defense, and uses a floater and middy to overcome mediocre rim attacks. He has nice NBA type size for a combo or even shooting guard so I could see a nice back-up PG role for him. He just has that FVV poise where he looks like he plots out multiple options when handling. Amazing talent at lookaway passes to freeze defenders.

Rupert should be in the mix, but he just reminds me too much of TLC from back in the day. I worry he might not develop offensively into a rotation guy. Black has to be very similar to JHS, but his outside shooting is more of a concern. Nick Smith Jr. seems to have a fair bit of negativity with the way people see his game, which is great if he falls to our range.

Honestly, I am kind of shocked to not see GG Jackson in the lottery. I guess he is inefficient, and a bit of headcase on social media, but he was no.1 in the 2024 class until he came out early. He is 6'9 and just learning the game - I think he started college this season at age 17 - you figure teams would draft him because the potential is huge. My bet is he ends up on Portland.

[OakleyDokely]

yahoo sports recent mock:

1. Houston Rockets: C Victor Wembanyama
2. San Antonio Spurs: G Scoot Henderson
3. Detroit Pistons: G/F Brandon Miller
4. Charlotte Hornets: G Amen Thompson
5. Orlando Magic: F Jarace Walker
6. Indiana Pacers: G Ausar Thompson
7. Orlando Magic: G Nick Smith Jr.
8. Oklahoma City Thunder: G Anthony Black
9. Washington Wizards: G Gradey Dick
10. New Orleans Pelicans: G Keyonte George
11. Portland Trail Blazers: G Jett Howard

12. Toronto Raptors: G Cam Whitmore
Ht./Wt.: 6-7, 205 pounds | Class: Freshman | Villanova

Whitmore has a strong frame and is a powerful guard who can punch it in the lane against stronger defenders. Villanova continues to struggle this season and Whitmore doesn't have much help offensively. There are times when he strings together good offensive stretches, hitting catch-and-shoot 3s, finishing in transition and creating for others off the first step. He's at his best with the ball in his hands but has shown development on the wing over the course of the season.

https://sports.yahoo.com/2023-nba-mock-draft-6-how-brandon-miller-ranks-as-a-prospect-plus-full-projections-after-all-star-break-192113567.html

[God Squad]

yahoo sports recent mock:

1. Houston Rockets: C Victor Wembanyama
2. San Antonio Spurs: G Scoot Henderson
3. Detroit Pistons: G/F Brandon Miller
4. Charlotte Hornets: G Amen Thompson
5. Orlando Magic: F Jarace Walker
6. Indiana Pacers: G Ausar Thompson
7. Orlando Magic: G Nick Smith Jr.
8. Oklahoma City Thunder: G Anthony Black
9. Washington Wizards: G Gradey Dick
10. New Orleans Pelicans: G Keyonte George
11. Portland Trail Blazers: G Jett Howard

12. Toronto Raptors: G Cam Whitmore
Ht./Wt.: 6-7, 205 pounds | Class: Freshman | Villanova

Whitmore has a strong frame and is a powerful guard who can punch it in the lane against stronger defenders. Villanova continues to struggle this season and Whitmore doesn't have much help offensively. There are times when he strings together good offensive stretches, hitting catch-and-shoot 3s, finishing in transition and creating for others off the first step. He's at his best with the ball in his hands but has shown development on the wing over the course of the season.

https://sports.yahoo.com/2023-nba-mock-draft-6-how-brandon-miller-ranks-as-a-prospect-plus-full-projections-after-all-star-break-192113567.html

He's been very shaky by eye. Not the biggest Whitmore fan, but being younger for the class he has age on his side.

[planetmars]

Brice Sensabaugh is my pick. More I watch the more I like. Hope he's still there when we pick.

[Indeed]

We need a S&T for another pick in the worst way.

I think this is a weak draft, I prefer someone from last year's 1st round prospects over this year.
I wonder which year they will remove the One And Done rule, I assume the pick on that year would be something we prefer.

[Dalek]

Toronto has a certain profile to its players, and often tilts towards defense, but the way the NBA is trending we need to think about amping up the scoring especially the way the bench looks. Watching Precious create or Boucher get post-ups each game is a joke. Neither of those guys are play creators - just decent finishers - offensive rebounders.

I know his name came up here a few times, but how can there be a safer bet than Jordan Hawkins as a microwave scorer. He covers us if we lose Trent Jr. to free agency, and may have more upside.

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[Dalek]

We need a S&T for another pick in the worst way.

I think this is a weak draft, I prefer someone from last year's 1st round prospects over this year.
I wonder which year they will remove the One And Done rule, I assume the pick on that year would be something we prefer.

That's interesting. I thought there were far more bad first rounders last year:
Jabari Smith Jr. was picked way too high and I am not even sure he makes top five in this class; Sharpe barely averages 8 PPG in Portland and was drafted based on limited film; and then there were: Ousmane Dieng, Johnny Davis, Ochai Agbaji, Dalen Terry, Mark Williams, Jalen Duren, Jake Laravia all in the top 20 who mostly sit in the G-League.

One thing this draft has is far more translatable shooters and guys who can create their shot and pass. I also think the positionless forward options are going to be great. Depth-wise, I think this draft will exceed last year's draft. To me, Toronto should try to get an early second if it can because there will be talent there.

[UnbelievablyRAW]

Cam Whitmore on the Raptors seems like a move we'd make if we traded Pascal and committed to rebuilding. I don't see him as a guy that will have immediate impact because there are a lot of areas he needs to refine to be a good player. Not to say we're gonna draft based on need, but considering we only have 1 pick this year and none next year I think we're gonna be safer in our pick with a high floor, decently high ceiling guy (JHS, Hendricks)

[WuTang_CMB]

Raps likely range is 12-15

We will get a good player but Masai needs to hit

In that range, Hendricks, JHS, C Wallace, Rupert would all fit our mold

Read on Twitter

Scroll down for the Big Board.

1. Victor Wembanyama (1)

2. Scoot Henderson (2)

3. Brandon Miller (3)

4. Jarace Walker (4)

5. Cam Whitmore (5)

6. Ausar Thompson (6)

7. Amen Thompson (7)

8. Jett Howard (8)

9. Keyonte George (9)

10. Nick Smith Jr. (10)

I want to give Nick Smith Jr. some quick love here, because he’s been COOKING lately. I like Smith a lot coming into the year, and he can easily climb back up my board if he keeps playing like this. He posted back-to-back 20+ point games against Georgia and Alabama. While he only totaled three assists in those two games, his passing vision and slick, live-dribble deliveries reminded me why I was more bought into that element of his game prior to the start of the season. I still have concerns about his frame, interior finishing, and rim pressure capabilities.Only 9.1% of his shots in the halfcourt have come at the basket.

11. Gradey Dick (11)

12. Cason Wallace (12)

13. Taylor Hendricks (13)

14. Jalen Hood-Schifino (14)

15. Brice Sensabaugh (15)

16. Anthony Black (16)

17. Rayan Rupert (unranked)

Rayan Rupert, welcome to The Expanding Big Board!

The 18-year-old French native is currently playing in the NBL for the New Zealand Breakers. The league’s Next Stars program has been a pathway for current NBA players such as LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey, Ousmane Dieng, and RJ Hampton. It’s not an easy pathway, though—the NBL is a tough, physical professional league. As a result, many of those players struggled with efficiency playing in the NBL. The same can be said for Rupert, and it’s been a knock on him. He’s scoring 7.6 PPG with a 38.3 FG% and 33.3 3FG%, but the context is important

Pretty much bang on with my range. See if it holds up. Still lots of time for players to sky rocket/fall. JDub OKC was projected 2nd rounder around this time last season and then jumped the mocks to late teens. Ended up selected 12th and having one of the best rookie seasons. We need to find that.

[WuTang_CMB]

Brice Sensabaugh is my pick. More I watch the more I like. Hope he's still there when we pick.

Can't defend. Good scorer but soured on him lately

[WuTang_CMB]

yahoo sports recent mock:

1. Houston Rockets: C Victor Wembanyama
2. San Antonio Spurs: G Scoot Henderson
3. Detroit Pistons: G/F Brandon Miller
4. Charlotte Hornets: G Amen Thompson
5. Orlando Magic: F Jarace Walker
6. Indiana Pacers: G Ausar Thompson
7. Orlando Magic: G Nick Smith Jr.
8. Oklahoma City Thunder: G Anthony Black
9. Washington Wizards: G Gradey Dick
10. New Orleans Pelicans: G Keyonte George
11. Portland Trail Blazers: G Jett Howard

12. Toronto Raptors: G Cam Whitmore
Ht./Wt.: 6-7, 205 pounds | Class: Freshman | Villanova

Whitmore has a strong frame and is a powerful guard who can punch it in the lane against stronger defenders. Villanova continues to struggle this season and Whitmore doesn't have much help offensively. There are times when he strings together good offensive stretches, hitting catch-and-shoot 3s, finishing in transition and creating for others off the first step. He's at his best with the ball in his hands but has shown development on the wing over the course of the season.

https://sports.yahoo.com/2023-nba-mock-draft-6-how-brandon-miller-ranks-as-a-prospect-plus-full-projections-after-all-star-break-192113567.html

Yahoo have the worst mocks. Whitmore isn't falling to 12.

[WuTang_CMB]

https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-mock-draft-victor-wembanyama-scoot-henderson-brandon-miller-thompson-twins-jarace-walker-keyonte-george/


Decent mock

10. KG
11. Cason Wallace
12. Dick
13. Jett
14. GG
15. Max Lewis

Hendricks/Rupert I think will go higher when all said is done

[Dalek]

Cam Whitmore on the Raptors seems like a move we'd make if we traded Pascal and committed to rebuilding. I don't see him as a guy that will have immediate impact because there are a lot of areas he needs to refine to be a good player. Not to say we're gonna draft based on need, but considering we only have 1 pick this year and none next year I think we're gonna be safer in our pick with a high floor, decently high ceiling guy (JHS, Hendricks)

I am not sure what you see as missing for Cam Whitmore, but maybe you have dove more deeply into him as a prospect.

From what I have watched, he is a very good defender with NBA size and strength. Not sure where Yahoo got its measurements, but ESPN and others have him at 230 lbs. I think at worst he is 220 lbs. and 6'7. Very OG like for his frame and defensive agility:

Read on Twitter

The dunks look like college OG, too:

Read on Twitter

The outside shot is going to be fine from the corners and given the bad spacing on Villanova, I am not surprised about his 33% from three. His off-the dribble game looks pretty solid and he loves taking contact at the rim. To me, him and Walker are the two most Raptor-type players who I could see being plugged into the bench right away. Whitmore only lacks passing skill, but to me he is in the top tier of picks in the this class.

[planetmars]

Brice Sensabaugh is my pick. More I watch the more I like. Hope he's still there when we pick.

Can't defend. Good scorer but soured on him lately

Hard to say. He's built like an oxe and looks like he has a decent wingspan. He's also only 19. But he's a 3-level scorer. One of the better bucket getters in the draft. No idea why he's mocked so low.

[WuTang_CMB]

Brice Sensabaugh is my pick. More I watch the more I like. Hope he's still there when we pick.

Can't defend. Good scorer but soured on him lately

Hard to say. He's built like an oxe and looks like he has a decent wingspan. He's also only 19. But he's a 3-level scorer. One of the better bucket getters in the draft. No idea why he's mocked so low.

I love the mid range scoring but he's not a great burst athlete and that will hurt him at the next level. So many guys dominate college level because of their bigger physique but then struggle once they meet their matches in the NBA. I'd put him in that category. Main thing defensively is that he is a poor defender thus far on and off ball.

[Indeed]

We need a S&T for another pick in the worst way.

I think this is a weak draft, I prefer someone from last year's 1st round prospects over this year.
I wonder which year they will remove the One And Done rule, I assume the pick on that year would be something we prefer.

That's interesting. I thought there were far more bad first rounders last year:
Jabari Smith Jr. was picked way too high and I am not even sure he makes top five in this class; Sharpe barely averages 8 PPG in Portland and was drafted based on limited film; and then there were: Ousmane Dieng, Johnny Davis, Ochai Agbaji, Dalen Terry, Mark Williams, Jalen Duren, Jake Laravia all in the top 20 who mostly sit in the G-League.

One thing this draft has is far more translatable shooters and guys who can create their shot and pass. I also think the positionless forward options are going to be great. Depth-wise, I think this draft will exceed last year's draft. To me, Toronto should try to get an early second if it can because there will be talent there.

Well, there are players performing well, and there are players who can't put it together (yet), in the first round.
And I am unsure there are more translatable shooters as compare to last year. Agbaji (39.6% from 3s), AJ Griffin (39.2% from 3s), Tari Eason (34.7% from 3s), Braun (39.1% from 3s), Baldwin (46.8% from 3s), Jaylin Williams (48% from 3s).

[DreamTeam09]

looking at likely where we end up, 15-17 range, Hendricks/Sasser/Wallace are probably the best gets in that range... I want someone explosive