The 2023 NBA Draft is going to be an exciting one for NBA franchises across the league because the chance to draft a top prospect is extremely high for those picking among the top 10. We all know that the San Antonio Spurs are taking French superstar Victor Wembanyama with the No. 1 overall pick because the center is a one-in-a-generation talent. Of course, we have seen how some games don’t translate well into the NBA, so we still have to wait and see how well Wembanyama can impact the game as a rookie.
Otherwise, the rest of the 2023 Draft is extremely stacked with talent and teams will be considering every option possible in terms of the new youngster coming into their team. Now, trades are always possible which means not every team might be keeping their selection, but the way the 10 picks get selected could be predicted based on each player’s talent, s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s, and potential impact in the league.
It is time to predict the first 10 draft selections in the 2023 NBA Draft in order. While we have some big names, including Victor Wembanyama clearly getting picked at the top, the way the rest of the draft shapes out could be somewhat surprising.
No. 10 Overall Pick: Keyonte George – Dallas Mavericks
Keyonte George is a highly-touted basketball prospect as a 6’4″ shooting guard who is known for his athleticism, scoring ability, and defensive prowess. Many scouts and analysts believe that he has the potential to be a top pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and will likely be taken by the Dallas Mavericks with the No. 10 overall pick. He has a quick first step, excellent ball-handling ability, and a deadly jump shot.
He is also a tenacious defender who can guard multiple positions on the court. Additionally, he has a high basketball IQ and is a natural leader on the court. Keyonte George’s potential as a marketable player could also make him an attractive pick, as he has a strong social media presence and has already garnered a significant following among basketball fans. No doubt that part of George’s game will fit well alongside media stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
No. 9 Overall Pick: Anthony Black – Utah Jazz
Anthony Black is another exciting basketball prospect who has been making waves in the basketball world. Earning his flowers from his days with the Coppell High School basketball team in Texas, Anthony Black is likely to be drafted by the Utah Jazz due to his exceptional athleticism. He is known for his speed, agility, and explosiveness, which make him a formidable opponent on the court. In addition, he has a great basketball IQ and is able to read the game well, making him a valuable asset to any team.
Anthony Black has already caught the attention of several NBA scouts and coaches, who have been impressed by his performance on the court. He has been invited to participate in several high-profile basketball camps and tournaments, where he has had the opportunity to showcase his s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s and compete against other top prospects. His athleticism as a 6’7” guard makes him an excellent option for a Jazz team that has promising players, including Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, and Talen Horton-Tucker.
No 8. Overall Pick: Taylor Hendricks – Washington Wizards
Even if the rebuilding Washington Wizards did not end up with a top-five pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, they lost enough to earn the chance to draft Taylor Hendricks. Taylor Hendricks is an athletic, floor-spacing, shot-blocking forward who earned ACC All-Freshman and All-ACC second-team honors in his one season at Central Florida. These amounts of accolades make him an interesting player outside of the top five.
Hendricks is 6’8”, which means he can be plugged into the Wizards lineup effectively without losing a step. With size, athleticism, and rebounding ability, perhaps the most promising aspect of Hendricks’ game is his long-range shooting. It can be expected that the forward can shoot over 37% from deep in the NBA because his stroke is consistent, and the Wizards would be lucky to rebuild with him following the blockbuster Bradley Beal trade.
No. 7 Overall Pick: Cam Whitmore – Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers have a very exciting roster led by All-Star Tyrese Haliburton and All-Rookie Team member Bennedict Mathurine. No doubt, a 6’7” forward who is only 18 years old makes perfect sense for the Pacers with the No. 7 overall pick. Cam Whitmore is a talented basketball player who has been gaining attention from NBA scouts and analysts in recent months, which is why he will likely be taken in the top 10 in the draft.
Whitmore is known for his athleticism, versatility, and ability to play multiple positions on the court. The forward also has an above-average basketball IQ and is able to make smart decisions on the court. His size and strength also make him a formidable opponent on both ends of the court. A long-term trio of Haliburton, Mathurine, and Whitmore could be the cornerstones of a rebuilding franchise that is still immediately competitive, as they aren’t far off from being a .500 team.
No. 6 Overall Pick: Ausar Thompson – Orlando Magic
Ausar Thompson is one-half of the talented Thompson twins, who will both be selected in the top 10 of the 2023 NBA Draft by most projections. Ausar has the same kind of dazzling athleticism as his brother but prefers to play off the ball rather than on it. He attacks with a sure grip and has a nice finish around the hoop. Offensively, he looks very clean and does not force anything from what scouts are seeing.
Interestingly enough, Ausar Thompson is an above-average shot blocker for a wing and has the ability to lock down guys on the perimeter. Defensively, he seems to know how to be a factor, and again, at 6’7” and 207 lbs, his athleticism gives him a ton of room to develop his game on both ends of the floor. Since he can play both the shooting guard and small forward positions well, he will have no issues translating his game into the NBA.
No. 5 Overall Pick: Jarace Walker – Detroit Pistons
Jarace Walker is a highly-touted basketball prospect who has been turning heads with his impressive s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s and athleticism. At 6’8″ and 220 pounds, he has the size and strength to compete at the highest level of basketball, which is why he will likely be taken in the top five of a talented draft class. Walker is a versatile player who can play multiple positions on the court. He has a great feel for the game and is able to make smart decisions with the ball in his hands.
Walker is a strong rebounder and has a knack for getting to the basket and finishing through contact. Perhaps most importantly, Walker has the ability to shoot the ball from beyond the arc. He has a smooth stroke and is able to knock down shots from all over the court. This makes him a valuable asset in today’s NBA, where shooting is at an all-time premium. Overall, Jarace Walker has all the tools to be a successful NBA player. He has the size, athleticism, and s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 set to compete at the highest level, and his work ethic and desire to improve make him a valuable asset to any team.
No. 4 Overall Pick: Amen Thompson – Houston Rockets
Amen is the second of the Thompson twins, who are both expected to go in the top 10, and both played for the Overtime Elite in their second seasons. At 6’7”, Amen Thompson is a giant guard who frequently causes mismatches on the wing which makes him a perfect player in the modern NBA thanks to his breakaway speed and tremendous hops. For a Houston Rockets team that wants to start improving offensively, Amen Thompson is the best pick for them outside of the top three.
Thompson can also score easily near the rim while moving quickly with the ball in his hands, ready to put any defender standing in his way on a poster. At this time, the only thing separating him from his brother is his ability as a playmaker, although that could come in time because his athleticism and seemingly high basketball IQ look off the charts right now. Once that improves, Thompson could fit a long-term All-Star core alongside Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr.
No. 3 Overall Pick: Scoot Henderson – Portland Trail Blazers
Scoot Henderson is one heck of a talent that is getting overshadowed due to Victor Wembanyama’s elite potential. Henderson is a 6’3″ point guard who possesses a unique combination of speed, agility, and court vision. Henderson has been playing basketball since he was a young 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 and has honed his s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s over the years, which made him a stand-out player for the Kell High School basketball team in Marietta, Georgia.
Henderson has been compared to some of the best point guards in the NBA, including Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook. He has a quick first step and can get to the basket with ease which means he will have no issue finishing around the rim. Henderson is also an excellent passer and has a great understanding of the game. With Damian Lillard on the team, Scoot can learn the ropes from one of the all-time greats or be involved in a blockbuster deal for an All-Star. Either way, the Portland Trail Blazers will benefit from drafting him No. 3 overall.
No. 2 Overall Pick: Brandon Miller – Charlotte Hornets
Brandon Miller is a promising basketball player who will almost certainly be taken as a top five pick in the 2023 Draft. Standing at 6’8″, Miller is a versatile forward who can play both inside and outside. He has a great combination of size, athleticism, and s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 that makes him a valuable asset on the court. From his days in high school, Miller has already shown that he has what it takes to compete at the next level. He has a great work ethic and is constantly working to improve his game.
Miller has a solid understanding of the game and is able to make smart decisions on the court. He has a great shooting touch and can knock down shots from beyond the arc, along with being a strong rebounder with a great ability to finish around the rim. All these reasons, along with an impressive private workout with Michael Jordan, mean that Miller will be taken No. 2 overall by the Hornets by all accounts. Since Charlotte has a cornerstone guard in LaMelo Ball, giving the point guard a swingman who can score effortlessly and continue the franchise overhaul makes perfect sense with the No. 2 overall pick.
No. 1 Overall Pick: Victor Wembanyama – San Antonio Spurs
Obviously, Victor Wembanyama will be drafted No. 1 overall by the San Antonio Spurs. The Frenchman is reportedly 7’4” and has guard-like s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s to match his height, meaning he could be an unstoppable offensive force once he gets his NBA reps on the court. Quite frankly, we have never seen a player as long and s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed as Wembanyama and it is only fitting he gets to start his career with the San Antonio Spurs franchise.
The Spurs managed to get the absolute best out of Hall of Fame big men David Robinson and Tim Duncan, with the latter ranking among the top 10 players to have ever played in terms of career accolades. If Gregg Popovich, who has a three-year deal coming, gets his hands on Wembanyama, the rookie will likely end up winning Rookie of the Year barring injury, and will have a Hall of Fame career someday. Fans are waiting patiently for the young man’s NBA debut because it will certainly be exciting to watch.
