While obviously unofficial, the first two spots in the 2023 NBA Draft have been all but secured.
Normally, spots crystallize as the season wanes on. Cade Cunningham with a game-sealing three here. Anthony Edwards with a 30-point scoring streak there. But it’s rare to have spots locked this early in the cycle.
But French phenom Victor Wembanyama and dynamo Scoot Henderson left no doubt when they faced off back in October, combining for 65 points in the most star-studded draft showcase of all time.
Now a handful of games through the collegiate season, a true No. 3 has yet to show and separate themselves from the pack. And while it isn’t likely that anyone can join the exclusive club currently occupied by Wembanyama and Henderson, there’s still a middle tier in between that has the potential for vast talent.
There’s a handful of names that can be thrown into the mix for now. Athletic specimen Amen Thompson, of the Overtime Elite, is one of the more popular names. At 6-foot-7, Thompson possesses some of the best verticality in recent memory, and has a knack for seeing the ball through the hoop.
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Baylor’s Keyonte George comes to mind as well. A fiery scorer and energetic player in general, George has shown off his playmaking chops enough to warrant some discussion among the upper ranks.
Brandon Miller, Alabama’s 6-foot-9 wing whose ability to light it up from the outside has taken the basketball world by storm, has garnered looks. And Houston’s Jarace Walker has wowed with his profile, frame and do-it-all style of play.
And then there’s Arkansas guard Nick Smith Jr. and Villanova’s Cam Whitmore, who has yet to play due to injury but could very well get selected in the upper echelon without seeing the court this season.
Players still have a long, long time to make their move and separate themselves accordingly. But it could very well come down to the order and need on draft night, but with so many talented players in the pool, that won’t be a bad thing for NBA teams.
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