France’s Victor Wembanyama will go No. 1 to the San Antonio Spurs in Thursday’s NBA draft.
Unless something drastic happens, the Spurs are setting up their present and future with the player many believe is a generational, franchise-transforming player.
The second pick remains a choice between Alabama forward Brandon Miller and G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson.
“That’s a difficult decision,” ESPN’s Jay Bilas said. “I would lean toward Miller because of the shooting. In a league that values shooting, he can really shoot it.”
It is a deep draft among lottery picks beyond Wembanyama, Miller and Henderson.
“I have Cam Whitmore of Villanova rated fourth,” Bilas said, adding, “After that, there are a number of really good players available. The Thompson twins (Amen and Ausar) are both really talented and can absolutely play.”
Here’s our mock draft ahead of Thursday’s big night for the NBA and top prospects:
1. SAN ANTONIO SPURS: Victor Wembanyama, Metropolitans 92
Forward/center, 19 years old, 7-4, 230 pounds, France
2022-23 stats: 21.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.1 blocks, 2.5 assists, 0.7 steals
With his size and skill set, Wembanyama is one of the most lauded prospects of the past three decades. Execs believe he is the kind of player who will turn a team into a title contender.
2. CHARLOTTE HORNETS: Scoot Henderson, G League Ignite
Guard, 19 years old, 6-2, 196 pounds
2022-23 stats: 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.1 steals
Henderson, who at 17 became the youngest player in G League history in 2021, is the total package. He is a master at midrange, can knock down a shot from behind the arc and finish at the rim, while getting it done on the defensive end. He can immediately impact any team.
3. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: Brandon Miller, Alabama
Small forward, 20 years old, 6-9, 200 pounds, freshman
2022-23 stats: 18.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals
The national freshman of the year, Miller’s long, lanky frame and athleticism will translate quickly at the next level, though he needs to become a more efficient shooter in the pros.
4. HOUSTON ROCKETS: Cam Whitmore, Villanova
Forward, 18 years old, 6-7, 235 pounds, freshman
2022-23 stats: 12.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 1.4 steals
A physical wing and active offensive player who likes contact, Whitmore operates from the perimeter with his jump shot or his dribble-drive to the basket but is also comfortable playing off the basketball. He has power and finesse when finishing at the rim.
5. DETROIT PISTONS: Amen Thompson, Overtime Elite
Guard, 20 years old, 6-7, 215 pounds
2022-23 stats: 16.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 2.3 steals
He is an outstanding athlete with great size and strength for a guard and flourishes in transition with his leaping ability. He can finish at the rim with either hand. Twin brother Ausar is also a projected lottery pick.
6. ORLANDO MAGIC: Jarace Walker, Houston
Forward, 19 years old, 6-8, 245 pounds, freshman
2022-23 stats: 11.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 blocks
A versatile forward with a soft touch inside, the American Athletic Conference freshman of the year will be an immediate help on defense, where his 7-foot-2 wingspan can cause all sorts of problems for opposing players.
7. INDIANA PACERS: Ausar Thompson, Overtime Elite
Guard, 20 years old, 6-7, 215 pounds
2022-23 stats: 16.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 2.4 steals, 1.1 blocks
Like his brother, Ausar has great size, especially when he plays point guard. He also has strength and athleticism. But they are not mirror images of each other. He can beat defenders with the dribble, can direct the offense, and he improved his jump shot this season.
8. WASHINGTON WIZARDS: Anthony Black, Arkansas
Guard, 19 years old, 6-7, 210 pounds, freshman
2022-23 stats: 12.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.1 steals
Black is a floor general who sets his teammates up for success with sharp passes. He can also attack the basket or pull up from beyond the arc. He is another big guard in the draft.
9. UTAH JAZZ: Taylor Hendricks, UCF
Power forward/center, 19 years old, 6-9, 215 pounds, freshman
2022-23 stats: 15.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.7 blocks, 0.9 steals
Don’t be fooled by his slender frame: Hendricks, who will face up more than play with his back to the basket, can finish inside through contact. He’s also a versatile defender.
10. DALLAS MAVERICKS: Gradey Dick, Kansas
Guard, 19 years old, 6-8, 205 pounds, freshman
2022-23 stats: 14.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.4 steals
A lethal catch-and-shoot threat from long distance − he shot 40% on nearly six 3-point attempts per game − Dick has terrific size on the perimeter and will be even more of a scoring threat as a slasher if he can put on 10-15 pounds of muscle.
11. ORLANDO MAGIC: Derrick Lively II, Duke
Center, 19 years old, 7-1, 230 pounds, freshman
2022-23 stats: 5.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, 1.1 assists
An athletic rim protector − he has a 7-foot-7 wingspan − who hasn’t really lived up to the hype on offense, Lively is an intriguing prospect because of what he can do defensively.
12. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: Bilal Coulibaly, Metropolitans 92
Forward, 18 years old, 6-7, 190 pounds, France
2022-23 stats: 5.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.1 blocks
Playing on the same team as Wembanyama, scouts have taken notice, and while his stats don’t stand out, he is a skilled wing who continued to improve throughout the season and has skyrocketed up draft boards. He had 16 points on 7-for-12 shooting in a recent France semifinals game.
13. TORONTO RAPTORS: Cason Wallace, Kentucky
Guard, 19 years old, 6-4, 195 pounds, freshman
2022-23 stats: 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.0 steals
You can rely on Wallace for highlight reel-worthy steals and chase-down blocks, but he can also get it done on the offensive end with his ability to knock down a shot.
14. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS: Jalen Hood-Schifino, Indiana
Guard, 20 years old, 6-6, 215 pounds, freshman
2022-23 stats: 13.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 0.8 steals
Hood-Schifino can pull up from anywhere on the court, particularly from midrange. He just needs to work on consistency to take the next step in the NBA.
15. ATLANTA HAWKS: Kobe Bufkin, Michigan
Guard, 19 years old, 6-5, 190 pounds, sophomore
2022-23 stats: 14.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.3 steals
A second year in college proved to be huge for Bufkin, who can score from all over and is especially good at attacking the rim and finishing through contact. He’s a tough on-ball defender, too.
16. UTAH JAZZ: Nick Smith Jr., Arkansas
Guard, 19 years old, 6-5, 185 pounds, freshman
2022-23 stats: 12.5 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists
One of the top players coming out of high school in 2022, Smith was limited to just 17 games because of knee problems. However, scouts are enamored with his shooting. Consistency and playmaking are areas that require attention.
17. LOS ANGELES LAKERS: Jordan Hawkins, UConn
Guard, 21 years old, 6-5, 190 pounds, sophomore
2022-23 stats: 16.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists
Hawkins thrives behind the 3-point line: He can catch and shoot or pull up off the dribble. And he’s always moving off the ball to create a shot for himself.
18. MIAMI HEAT: Keyonte George, Baylor
Shooting guard, 19 years old, 6-4, 185 pounds, freshman
2022-23 stats: 15.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals
The Big 12 Freshman of the Year will give teams an instant playmaker, someone who can finish through contact and get his shot off quickly without much room.
19. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: Leonard Miller, G League Ignite
Forward, 19 years old, 6-10, 210 pounds
2022-23 stats: 18.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 blocks, 0.9 steals
Miller is a versatile big man who can push the ball up the floor and finish beautifully at the rim. He uses his size to outrebound opponents, averaging a double-double this season.
20. HOUSTON ROCKETS: Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Marquette
Forward, 20 years old, 6-8, 215 pounds, junior
2022-23 stats: 12.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 51.2% FG
For Prosper, it starts on defense where he is versatile enough to defend guards, wings and bigs, even centers in a small-ball lineup. He is active defensively, uses his feet and works hard to get in position. There is room for offensive improvement, but he can drive to the rim and finish.
21. BROOKLYN NETS: Jett Howard, Michigan
Guard-forward, 19 years old, 6-8, 215 pounds, freshman
2022-23 stats: 14.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists
A versatile playmaker who loves the pressure of a big moment and has a high basketball IQ, Jett is the son of former NBA All-Star and Michigan coach Juwan Howard.
22. BROOKLYN NETS: Kris Murray, Iowa
Forward, 22 years old, 6-8, 215 pounds, junior
2022-23 stats: 20.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists
A high IQ player who understands the difference between a bad, good and great shot, Murray is a lefty with a 6-foot-11 wingspan who can excel at both small and power forward. He’s the twin of Sacramento Kings’ Keegan Murray, who was an All-Rookie performer in 2022-23.
23. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: Noah Clowney, Alabama
Forward, 18 years old, 6-10, 210 pounds, freshman
2022-23 stats: 9.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 0.9 blocks
A raw prospect with tons of upside, Clowney can score inside with both hands and space the floor with a consistent outside shot that defenses have to respect. A 7-foot-2 wingspan makes him a tough defender and solid rebounder.
24. SACRAMENTO KINGS: Ben Sheppard, Belmont
Guard, 21 years old, 6-6, 190, senior
2022-23 stats: 18.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 41.5% 3-point
Sheppard impressed scouts and executives at the NBA Draft Combine with his shooting touch on 3-pointers and mid-range shots. He is active off the ball, knows how to find open spots and uses screens. He’s another player who has moved up draft boards with his post-college workouts and performances.
25. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: Maxwell Lewis, Pepperdine
Forward, 20 years old, 6-7, 205 pounds, sophomore
2022-23 stats: 17.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.8 steals
Lewis is a threat around the perimeter and has the potential to be a 3-and-D player with his ability to catch and shoot and pull up off the dribble.
26. INDIANA PACERS: Brandin Podziemski, Santa Clara
Guard, 20 years old, 6-5, 205, sophomore
2022-23 stats: 19.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 43.8% 3-point
Starting his college career at Illinois, Podziemski transferred to Santa Clara for his sophomore year and was named co-West Coast Conference player of the year. He has risen up draft boards, showing off his ability to make 3s and score at the rim.
27. CHARLOTTE HORNETS: Colby Jones, Xavier
Guard, 21 years old, 6-6, 200 pounds, junior
2022-23 stats: 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.3 steals
A tough, team-oriented player, Jones is solid as a shooter, passer and defender and moves well without the ball on offense.
28. UTAH JAZZ: Brice Sensabaugh, Ohio State
Forward, 19 years old, 6-6, 235 pounds, freshman
2022-23 stats: 16.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists
One of the best pure scorers in the draft, Sensabaugh − who surprised many with his immediate production at the college level − is a strong, powerful player who can score in and out of the paint and finish through contact.
29. INDIANA PACERS: Dariq Whitehead, Duke
Forward, 18 years old, 6-7, 215 pounds, freshman
2022-23 stats: 8.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists
Whitehead was hurt early this season, but when he’s healthy, he’s a do-everything guy who likes physical play, especially when he’s attacking the rim. A 6-foot-9 wingspan helps him on defense, too.
30. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS: Jaime Jaquez Jr., UCLA
Guard, 22 years old, 6-7, 225 pounds, senior
2022-23 stats: 17.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals
Jaquez is reliable at the midrange and uses his impressive footwork to get defenders in the air with pivots and fakes. He is also a spark plug on the defensive end and will fight for rebounds.
