The San Antonio Spurs got the crown jewel of the 2023 NBA draft in Victor Wembanyama, the Charlotte Hornets selected Brandon Miller and the Portland Trail Blazers nabbed Scoot Henderson. Will this year’s top three NBA prospects be instant impact players in the league?
USA TODAY Sports predicts NBA rookies who could have immediate impacts in their first season.
Round 1
Pick No. 1
San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama is a generational talent and was a no-brainer for the Spurs to pick at No. 1 overall. The Frenchman was regarded as the best NBA prospect since LeBron James. Wembanyama is 7-foot-4 with an eight-foot wingspan. He has ball handling ability of a guard and is comfortable shooting from outside, plus he’s a really good shot blocker.
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Wembanyama dominated on France’s top professional level. He led the league in points per game (21.6), rebounds (10.4) and blocks (3.0). He’s instantly the best player on the Spurs and the face of their franchise.
The Spurs big man is the odds-on favorite to win NBA Rookie of the Year.
Round 1
Pick No. 2
Charlotte Hornets
Brandon Miller
There was a pre-draft debate whether the Hornets should select Brandon Miller or Scoot Henderson. Charlotte made the correct personnel decision by picking Miller No. 2 overall. With LaMelo Ball at point guard, Miller should fit seamlessly running the wing.
Miller is an athletic small forward who has a nice shooting stroke and has the ability to be a solid defender. He was the second-best prospect in the draft and has the potential to be a multi-time All-Star. The Alabama product should start right away in Charlotte.
Round 1
Pick No. 3
Portland Trail Blazers
Scoot Henderson
Scoot Henderson, Miller and Wembanyama were the consensus top three NBA prospects entering the 2023 draft.
Henderson is an athletic playmaking point guard. He averaged 16.5 points, 6.5 assists and 5.4 rebounds for the G League Ignite.
The 6-foot-2 guard will immediately make an impact on a Blazers squad that is seemingly headed toward a rebuild.
Round 1
Pick No. 12
Oklahoma City Thunder (Traded to Dallas Mavericks)
Dereck Lively
The Mavericks traded the No. 10 pick and Davis Bertans to the Thunder for No. 12. Dallas used the pick to select Duke center Dereck Lively. Lively fills a need for a Mavs team that lacked size last season with Dwight Powell starting at center. The 7-foot-1 center is a good shot blocker who moves his feet well. He can be an impact player on the defensive side of the floor in his first year.
Round 1
Pick No. 14
New Orleans Pelicans
Jordan Hawkins
Jordan Hawkins averaged 16.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists as a sophomore on Connecticut’s national title winning team. Hawkins is a knockdown shooter from midrange and behind the arc. He’s instinctive off the ball and knows how to get open, in similar fashion to former UConn great Richard Hamilton.
Hawkins is a prototypical shooting guard who should be a solid contributor for New Orleans as a rookie.
Round 1
Pick No. 20
Houston Rockets
Cam Whitmore
Cam Whitmore was a lottery talent that fell to No. 20. He averaged 12.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game as a freshman at Villanova and was named Big East Freshman of the Year.
The Villanova product is a strong and athletic forward who aggressively attacks the rim.
Houston also drafted Amen Thompson of Overtime Elite at No. 4. Thompson and Whitmore teaming up with Jalen Green, Jabari Smith and Kevin Porter creates an intriguing young and athletic combination in H-Town.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on Twitter @TheTylerDragon.
