2023 NBA Draft Thread

[UNCNYC]

Lots of talk about Brandon Miller but no mention of Baba Miller. He still very raw but has some potential. Only a freshman. Some mocks have him 1st round. He plays today 2:00 ACC NETWORK against georgia tech.

[SWedd523]

Is his nickname "Black Sheep"

[luciano-davidwesley]

If they get a wing/forward sized player with their first pick, I think Jordan Hawkins could be a really good target to try to move up for with their other 1st.

His projected offensive role as a movement/off-ball 3pt shooter with good athleticism is pretty valuable and he seems like a great fit here.

Defensively, I think his size/length is adequate at SG, but pretty meh and might limit him to being more fine than actually good, but I'm curious how he would fair on this team where he could be used as a point of attack defender against opposing PGs (LaMelo at SG on defense). His length looks more like an advantage against PGs and he looks like he has the athleticism and defensive motor to stay with smaller/quicker players. Hes around 6'4"-6'5" and his wingspan looks like its at least +4" to me.

Agreed. I'm a Hawkins fan too

[UNCNYC]

Not sure who's better between Bilal Coulibaly or Jordan Hawkins. Bravor is a big fan of Bilal

[JMAC3]

Scoot Henderson ~ Production over the last 1/3 of the season has been a bit uninspiring, but its still the best season yet from a Ignite prospect (main relevant comparison is Jalen Green). I have a suspicion he may have been playing safe recently more than anything, but I haven't watched any of his recent games, so I can't say. Hes had some injuries this season, including a pretty nasty random broken nose. Wouldn't be surprised if hes trying to avoid mixing it up at this point since there isn't anything to play for in the GLeague. I still have to knock him some, though, and don't see him as completely unassailable at #2 atm.

Spoiler:

Scoot Henderson - 19.1
per36 min: 21.5 pts ~ 6.0 reb ~ 7.5 ast ~ 1.4 stl ~ 0.5 blk ~ 3.9 tov
44.9% fg(17.7) ~ 32.8% 3pt(3.2) ~ 76.1% ft(3.5)

Jalen Green - 19.1
per36 min: 20.6 pts ~ 4.6 reb ~ 3.4 ast ~ 1.8 stl ~ 0.3 blk ~ 2.8 tov
46.9% fg(15.5) ~ 35.8% 3pt(6.6) ~ 78.6% ft(2.9

I think it is somewhat important to remember this is Scoot second year in the Gleague, something we haven't had a chance to see with Green, Kuminga etc... I would tend to think that Green/Kuminga would of had a better year if he had played a 2nd year in the gleague.

[JMAC3]

Ausar hit a game winning 3 tonight with 3 seconds left to put them up 2. His fourth 3 of the game giving him 24 points on the night.

Back to back finals mvps for him

[JMAC3]

And for the no talent group
https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/insider/story/_/id/35707557/2024-nba-mock-draft-why-bronny-james-projected-top-10-pick

The team they just beat 3-0 in finals (all close games) has the projected 16th and 17th picks on the team in 24 nba draft.

[JMAC3]

Also noticing a lot of guys in 2024 draft from Givony that might not enter this years draft.

Bilal Couliby
Kobe Bufkin
Julian Phillips
Noah Clowny
Nikola Durisic
Mo Gueue
Tyrese Proctor
Judah Mintz
Podziemski
Juan Nunez
Baba Miller
Amari Bailey
Daron Holmes
Trey Alexander

are all guys I have seen in 2023 mocks at some point, so if even half of these guys return to school or stay overseas that really hurts this upcoming draft.

[JMAC3]

Ausar hit a game winning 3 tonight with 3 seconds left to put them up 2. His fourth 3 of the game giving him 24 points on the night.

Back to back finals mvps for him

Read on Twitter

?s=20

[Snidely FC]

that's a good look at the one thing that gives me pause about Ausar which is the time it takes him to wind up his jump shot
is he going to get that off in the NBA?

I see the Thompson Twins as analogous to the Martin twins in college just from the standpoint that Amen like Cody is seen as a Lead Guard and therefore more versatile and valuable (higher draft ranking) though a lesser scorer; whereas Ausar like Caleb is seen as a SG scorer and better shooter. Because this team has Lamelo I don't see Amen getting to use his lead guard skills as much as he currently does. Witness Cody Martin who the Hornets moved from lead guard to small forward. I actually like Ausar as a better fit next to Lamelo. Obviously the Thompson Twins have higher upside than the Martins (who are two of my favorite players in the NBA). You do hope the shooting continues to come along but their size, athleticism and versatility really pop.

[UNCNYC]

Also noticing a lot of guys in 2024 draft from Givony that might not enter this years draft.

Bilal Couliby
Kobe Bufkin
Julian Phillips
Noah Clowny
Nikola Durisic
Mo Gueue
Tyrese Proctor
Judah Mintz
Podziemski
Juan Nunez
Baba Miller
Amari Bailey
Daron Holmes
Trey Alexander

are all guys I have seen in 2023 mocks at some point, so if even half of these guys return to school or stay overseas that really hurts this upcoming draft.

Thanks for the update... Thats the reason why I scout / post so many players because so many return to school etc... But we are in luck because even if all those guys return there are still some great choices...

1-15 -
Keyonte George, Anthony Black, Jalen Hood Schifino, *Gradey Dick,
Jalen Wilson, Brandon Miller,

16-30 -
Ajay Mitchell, Max Lewis,
Jett Howard, Jordan Miller, Grant Nelson, Azuolas Tubelis,

31-45 -
Craig Porter JR., Mojave King, Agustin UBAL, "KJ" Simpson JR,
Keyontae Johnson, *Colby Jones, Drew Peterson, Jaime Jacquez, Tristan Da Silva, Clifford Omoruyi,

46-60 -
*Reece Beekman, *Reese Dixon-Waters, Dalton Knecht, Kevin McCullar,
Trey Townsend, Roko Prkacin, Patrick Gardner, PJ Hall, Justice Sueing, *Andre Jackson,

and there are a few more...

[Braggins]

Heres a statistical breakdown of the top NCAA freshman. I'll update after the tournament and continue to add more players/upperclassmen. I'll add Scoot/Wemby/Thompsons if I can find pace adjusted stats for them.

Im using ESPN height/weight listings for now, even though I'm pretty sure at least a couple of these guys are adding an extra inch to their shoe-on measurements.

* All volume stats are per 75 possessions *

Brandon Miller ~ SF/PF ~ 6'9" 200
Alabama (SEC) ~ Fr ~ 11/20/2002 (20.6)
24.0 pts ~ 9.8 reb ~ 2.3 ast ~ 1.1 stl ~ 1.1 blk ~ 2.5 tov ~ 2.9 pf
51.0% 2pt(8.0) ~ 40.4% 3pt(9.0) ~ 85.0% ft(5.8) ~ 60.7% ts
123.1 ORtg ~ 92.8 DRtg ~ +12.2 bpm (+8.1/+4.1) ~ 0.90 ast/tov

Anthony Black ~ PG ~ 6'7" 198
Arkansas (SEC) ~ Fr ~ 1/20/2004 (19.4)
15.8 pts ~ 6.3 reb ~ 5.1 ast ~ 2.4 stl ~ 0.6 blk ~ 3.8 tov ~ 3.0 pf
52% 2pt(8.0) ~ 32.1% 3pt(3.2) ~ 69.6% ft(6.3) ~ 55.6% ts
105.3 ORtg ~ 96.1 DRtg ~ +6.7 bpm (+2.8/+3.8) ~ 1.33 ast/tov

Gradey Dick ~ SF/SG ~ 6'8" 205
Kansas (B12) ~ Fr ~ 11/20/2003 (19.6)
18.8 pts ~ 6.5 reb ~ 2.2 ast ~ 1.9 stl ~ 0.4 blk ~ 1.7 tov ~ 2.9 pf
48.4% 2pt(6.8) ~ 40.6% 3pt(7.7) ~ 85.2% ft(3.5) ~ 58.5% ts
116.7 ORtg ~ 98.6 DRtg ~ +7.7 bpm (+4.7/+3.1) ~ 1.28 ast/tov

Taylor Hendricks ~ PF ~ 6'9" 210
Central Florida (AAC) ~ Fr ~ 11/22/2003 (19.6)
20.8 pts ~ 9.0 reb ~ 1.9 ast ~ 1.2 stl ~ 2.3 blk ~ 1.9 tov ~ 2.8 pf
54% 2pt(8.9) ~ 41.3% 3pt(6.2) ~ 79.6% ft(4.6) ~ 60.6% ts
125.8 ORtg ~ 97.4 DRtg ~ +8.6 bpm (+6.1/+2.5) ~ 1.00 ast/tov

Jarace Walker ~ PF ~ 6'8" 240
Houston (AAC) ~ Fr ~ 9/4/2003 (19.8)
19.4 pts ~ 11.7 reb ~ 3.0 ast ~ 1.7 stl ~ 1.7 blk ~ 2.5 tov ~ 3.5 pf
52.8% 2pt(11.6) ~ 35.8% 3pt(4.7) ~ 61.7% ft(3.5) ~ 54.1% ts
115.8 ORtg ~ 86.3 DRtg ~ +8.3 bpm (+4.4/+4.0) ~ 1.21 ast/tov

Cam Whitmore ~ SF/SG ~ 6'7" 232
Villanova (BEast) ~ Fr ~ 7/8/2004 (18.9)
21.4 pts ~ 8.6 reb ~ 1.2 ast ~ 2.5 stl ~ 0.7 blk ~ 2.8 tov ~ 2.9 pf
55.7% 2pt(9.7) ~ 34.7% 3pt(7.1) ~ 73.3% ft(4.4) ~ 56.8% ts
104.6 ORtg ~ 100.2 DRtg ~ +5.7 bpm (+3.0/+2.7) ~ 0.42 ast/tov

Keyonte George ~ SG ~ 6'4" 185
Baylor (B12) ~ Fr ~ 11/8/2003 (19.6)
24.5 pts ~ 6.5 reb ~ 4.4 ast ~ 1.7 stl ~ 0.2 blk ~ 4.6 tov ~ 3.2 pf
43.7% 2pt(8.9) ~ 34.9% 3pt(10.7) ~ 79.4% ft(7.0) ~ 53.5% ts
106.6 ORtg ~ 104.5 DRtg ~ +6.5 bpm (+5.2/+1.3) ~ 0.96 ast/tov

Cason Wallace ~ PG ~ 6'4" 193
Kentucky (SEC) ~ Fr ~ 11/07/2003 (19.6)
16.6 pts ~ 5.0 reb ~ 5.9 ast ~ 2.7 stl ~ 0.8 blk ~ 2.9 tov ~ 3.5 pf
51.2% 2pt(7.9) ~ 35.6% 3pt(5.8) ~ 76.2% ft(3.1) ~ 54.9% ts
114.2 ORtg ~ 100.3 DRtg ~ +8.0 bpm (+3.9/+4.1) ~ 2.00 ast/tov

Gregory(GG) Jackson II ~ SF/PF ~ 6'9" 215
South Carolina (SEC) ~ Fr ~ 12/17/2004 (18.5)
21.8 pts ~ 8.6 reb ~ 1.2 ast ~ 1.1 stl ~ 1.2 blk ~ 3.9 tov ~ 2.0 pf
41.2% 2pt(12.9) ~ 32.3% 3pt(7.7) ~ 67.2% ft(5.7) ~ 47.0% ts
92.7 ORtg ~ 109.9 DRtg ~ -0.2 bpm (+1.0/-1.2) ~ 0.31 ast/tov

Nick Smith Jr ~ SG ~ 6'5" 185
Arkansas (SEC) ~ Fr ~ 4/18/2004 (19.3)
23.4 pts ~ 2.9 reb ~ 3.1 ast ~ 1.6 stl ~ 0.3 blk ~ 2.3 tov ~ 2.7 pf
42.6% 2pt(13.2) ~ 34.0% 3pt(7.4) ~ 78.0% ft(5.6) ~ 49.9% ts
104.7 ORtg ~ 101.6 DRtg ~ +2.8 bpm (+2.6/+0.2) ~ 1.38 ast/tov

Jett Howard ~ SF ~ 6'8" 215
Michigan (B10) ~ Fr ~ 9/14/2003 (19.8)
20.4 pts ~ 4.0 reb ~ 2.9 ast ~ 0.5 stl ~ 1.0 blk ~ 1.8 tov ~ 3.1 pf
50.0% 2pt(5.9) ~ 37.1% 3pt(10.3) ~ 80.0% ft(3.8) ~ 56.6% ts
113.8 ORtg ~ 106.0 DRtg ~ +5.5 bpm (+4.5/+1.0) ~ 1.58 ast/tov

Brice Sensabaugh ~ SF/SG ~ 6'6" 235
Ohio St (B10) ~ Fr ~ 10/30/2003 (19.7)
30.8 pts ~ 9.8 reb ~ 2.2 ast ~ 1.1 stl ~ 0.7 blk ~ 3.8 tov ~ 4.7 pf
51.6% 2pt(14.6) ~ 41.5% 3pt(8.6) ~ 83.0% ft(6.0) ~ 59.1% ts
115.4 ORtg ~ 103.9 DRtg ~ +9.2 bpm (+8.4/+0.8) ~ 0.58 ast/tov

[Snidely FC]

Watch on YouTube

[LofJ]

Maxwell Lewis is a solid all around player and a pretty good passer. There are a lot of guys like that in this year's draft. We need to come away with at least one if not two of those guys.

The wing playmaker archetype is one of the most coveted player types in the league, the more you have on your roster the better. If we don't land in the top 3 I hope Kupchak takes whoever he thinks is the best prospect between Amen/Ausar Thompson and Anthony Black. And maybe even double up with the Denver pick and take Maxwell Lewis or Colby Jones.

We also need a tall guy that can shoot to replace McDaniels. There are some good options there too in Tubelis at Arizona, Leonard Miller in the G- league, and the forgotten Emoni Bates.

Even if we don't land Wembanyama, Scoot, or Brandon Miller if we can come out of the draft with 2 or 3 of the above guys I'd be pretty excited.

[UNCNYC]

I love Colby Jones... I had him rated for years.. I This year has a lot of SF which is good.

Sucks tonight. Craig Porter JR plays at 7:00 ESPNU. What sucks is it's the same time the TAR HEELS play.

Tar Heels go against Reece Beekman who is a favorite of mine. I think we could use him to replace Rozier.

[UNCNYC]

Here is one player to keep an eye on. He is a local kid. Plays for Wake Forest. I think he has lottery talent. He started to play really well at the end of this season so I woudn't be surprised if he he was rated high next year. Maybe he comes out this year who knows...

If I had to give a UNCNYC noone saw coming list it would be

Pick 1 - Nikola Durisic or Jalen Wilson
Pick 2 - Craig Porter JR
Pick 3 - Bobi Klintman
Pick 4 - Augustin UBAL

Bobi Klintman

Watch on YouTube

[Braggins]

Freshman 1st round conference tourney highlights

AB dominant two-way performance.

Watch on YouTube

Whitmore physically overwhelmed a terrible GTown team (Ewing got fired), but followed it up with a stinker in the 2nd game.

Watch on YouTube

Shooter

Watch on YouTube

two-way impact

Watch on YouTube

Nick Smith Jr did a better job of playing off Black and not trying to do too much himself.

Watch on YouTube

EDIT: Not a tournament game, but Scoot had some nice highlights in this one.

Watch on YouTube

[JMAC3]

Black was great until the last 3 mins of the game outside of his shooting.

Nick Smith starting to show why he was a high prospect with his ability to put the ball in the hole. Scored in double figures 6 games straight including 3 over 24 points.

I like Hendricks, but he is in no mans land for us as a virtual lock to go between 8-18.
Kind of the same with Dick. We will probably be picking too high or too late to really be in consideration for him.

[UNCNYC]

I been hella upset after the TAR HEELS loss but here are todays games featuring some of my favorite players

Toledo VS Ohio on now CBSSN ( RayJ Dennis )

Miami VS DOOK - 7:00 - ESPN ( Jordan Miller )

Wichita ST VS Tulane - 9:00 - ESPNU ( Craig Porter JR )

UC Riverside VS UC Santa Barbara - 11:30 - ESPNU ( Ajay Mitchel VS Zyon Pullin )

Virginia VS NC State - 9:00 - ESPN ( Reece Beekman VS Taquavian Smith )

[UNCNYC]

Great late night games on now on ESPNU

PG'S galore.

Jalen Cook VS Craig Porter JR

Followed by

Ajay Mitchel VS Zyon Pullin

Jalen Cook just did a move that should be on sports center