March Madness has ended with the UConn Huskies winning the Championship after a fantastic 2023 NCAA Tournament. With the calendar turning to April, college basketball focuses on two things, the transfer portal, and the NBA Draft. With the NBA season not quite over, the order of the teams is not nearly as important as the order of the players. This season the tanking has been serious for a few select and talented prospects on this 2023 NBA Mock Draft.
2023 NBA Mock Draft: Post March Madness
1. Houston Rockets- Victor Wembanyama (Metropolitans 92) PF/C
Victor Wembanyama has dominated the top of mock drafts for over a year and that is not going to change heading into the final stages. The French prospect is a once-in-a-lifetime prospect with his size and skill set. He may even be a once-ever type of prospect and teams near the bottom of the standings have taken notice.
2. Detroit Pistons- Scoot Henderson (G League Ignite) PG
Much like Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson has long dominated the number two spot on lists for the 2023 NBA Mock Draft. While there has been some internet noise about him slipping in the draft, that seems to happen this time every year. Henderson is the second-best prospect in the draft and clearly the best guard.
3. San Antonio Spurs- Brandon Miller (Alabama Crimson Tide) SF
Considering this is the post March Madness mock, it is odd seeing the first college prospect go off the board as late as the third pick. Brandon Miller does come with some off-court questions, but his on-court ability showcases a wide range of NBA abilities. Could he slide some because of the fun incident? For now, it appears the answer is no.
4. Charlotte Hornets- Amen Thompson (Overtime Elite) PG/SG
The Overtime Elite program is relatively new and has not had a prospect like Amen Thompson. In many ways, he and his brother will set the tone for the new college basketball alternative. Guard play is vital in the NBA and because of that Thompson could sneak his way up to third overall this year.
5. Orlando Magic- Cam Whitmore (Villanova Wildcats) SF
Sometimes players are taken more on potential than what they did in college. While Whitmore was good for Villanova this season, early injuries and a new Head Coach got him off to a rocky start. The flashes that Whitmore has shown will get him drafted high, but he will have to prove it once he gets to the NBA.
6. Portland Trail Blazers- Ausar Thompson (Overtime Elite) SG/SF
Ausar has been overlooked somewhat because of his brother, but still, he finds himself in the top ten of this 2023 NBA Mock Draft. He could go as early as four or as late as ten with the way this draft is shaping up as we get closer to the date. The Overtime Elite program has started producing some top-level talent this year.
7. Washington Wizards- Anthony Black (Arkansas Razorbacks) SG
Anthony Black was on a crowded Arkansas roster this year, but still managed to shine bright on that roster. He has consistently been on 2023 NBA Mock Draft lists in the lottery and that shouldn’t change heading into draft day.
8. Indiana Pacers- Jarace Walker (Houston Cougars) PF
Houston’s season ended with disappointment but now focus for power forward Jarace Walker will shift to the NBA and his pro future. The attention for Houston this year was on star guard Marcus Sasser, but Walker did plenty to showcase his talents. Houston isn’t normally a spot for “one and done” talent, but Walker will change that.
9. Utah Jazz- Nick Smith Jr. (Arkansas Razorbacks) PG/SG
Nick Smith Jr has had his draft stock fall some, but that has mostly been from lack of play on the court due to an early injury. Potential is the name of the game sometimes when it comes to NBA teams taking a player. Smith Jr is a blank canvas that several teams could turn into a top-level player.
10. Oklahoma City Thunder- Gradey Dick (Kansas Jayhawks) SG/SF
Gradey Dick can shoot the ball and that is very valuable at the next level. While his shooting is the top skill he has, while at Kansas he also showcased that he will not get lost in other aspects of the game. The Kansas forward has some time to move up in the lottery with the right kind of showcase to NBA teams.
11. Dallas Mavericks- Brice Sensabaugh (Ohio State Buckeyes) SF
While Brice Sensebaugh has been on first-round boards for a while, recently he has shot up 2023 NBA Mock Draft boards. While an injury late in the year kept him out of the 2023 Big Ten Tournament, he is still a top prospect this season.
12. Orlando Magic (Via CHI)- Taylor Hendricks (UCF Knights) PF
The UCF Knights have proved to be a good mid-major program and sometimes they put players into the NBA. Taylor Hendricks could end up being one of the better players to come from the program and enter the NBA. His skillset could end up meshing well at the next level.
13. Utah Jazz (Via MIN)- Cason Wallace (Kentucky Wildcats) PG/SG
Cason Wallace was an early candidate to rise in mock drafts this year but Kentucky faltered and with that came some lackluster play from the whole team including Wallace. Despite that Kentucky is picking up steam and so is Wallace. Rising much higher in the draft may not happen, but he could work his way into the Lottery this year.
14. Atlanta Hawks- Keyonte George (Baylor Bears) SG
Earlier in the season Keyonte George was soaring up draft boards and looked to be a surefire top-ten selection. An ankle injury in February hampered his play and slowed him down in a noticeable way. While it is not believed to be a long-term issue, it has impacted his draft stock some for now.
15. Toronto Raptors- Rayan Rupert (New Zealand Breakers) SG/SF
The New Zealand Breakers are no strangers to producing NBA talent and Rayan Rupert is set to be the next big name from the NBL team. His height and wingspan make him an ideal NBA wing heading into the draft.
16. New Orleans Pelicans- Kris Murray (Iowa Hawkeyes) SF/PF
Much like his brother Keegan, Kris Murray was handed a larger role this season and made the most of it. While his draft stock may not rise as high as his brothers did, it has still shot well into the first round of this 2023 NBA Mock Draft.
17. Los Angeles Lakers- Jett Howard (Michigan Wolverines) SG/SF
Jett Howard and his spot in the draft are hard to pin down at times. He looks like an NBA prospect and clearly has the talent to play at that level. The NBA legacy player will make the NBA and will get the chance to prove himself just like his father did.
18. Houston Rockets (Via LAC)- Dereck Lively II (Duke Blue Devils) C
Coming out of high school Dereck Lively II was expected to be a lottery pick, but after the first half of the season, he was not projected to be a first-rounder. He found his groove in the second half of the season and his rim protection proved to be his go-to asset. That should make him a first-round selection.
19. Golden State Warriors- Jordan Hawkins (UConn Huskies) SG
The NCAA Champion is headed to the NBA and looks like an ideal fit as a reserve wing that could one day be a starter one day in the league. Hawkins was a force for the Huskies this year and could work his way into the lottery.
20. Miami Heat- GG Jackson ( South Carolina Gamecocks) PF/C
GG Jackson has been effectively the sole focus of the South Carolina program this year. With that comes more touches, but also more defensive attention. He has shown flashes of what made him the top recruit in 2023 before he reclassified to the 2022 recruiting class. It is important to remember he is one of the younger players heading to the draft and will grow with age.
21. Brooklyn Nets (Via PHO)- Colby Jones (Xavier Musketeers) SG/SF
Colby Jones continues to move up the 2023 NBA Mock Draft boards and his performance in March continued to showcase his NBA talent. He should solidly be a lock for the first round after continuing to showcase his fit as a wing in the NBA.
22. Brooklyn Nets- Maxwell Lewis (Pepperdine Waves) SF
In nearly every draft there seems to be a mid-major talent that breaks onto the scene and works their way into the top 20 of the draft. Maxwell Lewis has proved why he is that player this season with his play at Pepperdine. While not a lock for the top 20, he should easily be a first-round pick this year.
23. Sacramento Kings- Dariq Whitehead (Duke Blue Devils) SG/SF
Dariq Whitehead has fallen despite good production with Duke this season. An injury to his ankle wasn’t as serious as some feared, but it did keep him out for some time. Whitehead came back and helped prove his ankle would be fine and he should be a first-round selection.
24. Portland Trail Blazers (Via NYK)- Marcus Sasser (Houston Cougars) PG/SG
Marcus Sasser returned to college to improve his draft stock and did exactly that with a phenomenal year at Houston. While he did accomplish that goal, his team’s goal did not go as planned. Sasser will make for an interesting NBA prospect.
25. Indiana Pacers (Via CLE)- Terquavion Smith (North Carolina State Wolfpack) SG/SF
Terqavion Smith returned to North Carolina State this season to improve his NBA Draft stock. While it appeared he was doing that, he closed the season with some questionable play. He still has time to sneak up the 2023 NBA Mock Draft boards but for now, his stock is trending down and he will need to adjust.
26. Memphis Grizzles- Leonard Miller (G League Ignite) SF
Miller has seen his star decline some in the 2023 NBA Mock Draft, but he is still a solid pro prospect that already has some G League experience. Playoff teams will take a look at him as a guy they can plug in early when needed.
27. Charlotte Hornets (Via DEN)- Jalen Wilson (Kansas Jayhawks) PF/SF
Jalen Wilson came back to Kansas after winning a National Championship to improve his draft stock for this year. Making it into the first round would be great for the top Kansas player from this past season.
28. Utah Jazz (Via PHI)- Jalen Hood-Schifino (Indiana Hoosiers) SG/SF
Indiana broke onto the March seen this year mostly thanks to the play of some talented players including Jalen Hood-Schifino. Wing players and depth are vital for the NBA and players like him get drafted in the first.
29. Indiana Pacers (Via BOS)- Jeremy Roach (Duke Blue Devils) PG
Veteran guards sometimes go in the late first for teams that could use some depth in case of injuries or roster shakeups. Jeremy Roach is a gritty player that can grow into an on-court leader one day in the NBA.
30. Los Angeles Clippers (Via MIL)- James Nnaji (Barcelona) C
James Nnaji was once considered a lock for the lottery this draft cycle and that talent is still there, but he will have to develop more before he is ready for the league. An overseas or NBA G League stash seems likely.
