The probable first picks of the 2023 NBA draft – Part. 1 – Play.it USA

Month after month, the NBA Mock Drafts have adapted to the players’ performances while maintaining the two fixed points we have talked about in recent months, Victor Wembanyama at No. 1 and Scoot Henderson at No. 2, an order that should be confirmed in light of the roster of San Antonio, the team that won the lottery.

But who will be chosen after them?

Rather than doing another Mock, as everyone is trusted on par with a horoscope, we prefer to look at the players who are most likely to be picked in the first round of the NBA draft in a sort of Combine pending call order that will give more information to the General Managers .

Brandon Miller (Alabama – 6’9” – Ala)

Almost certainly the first choice among “normal” players, we have seen Miller knows how to exploit blocks to penetrate or to build a shot from outside that must be respected given his 38% from 3pts; the good season in which he only 3 times didn’t reach double figures in the points and 2 times he didn’t grab at least 5 rebounds, was “tainted” by the poor performance during the Tournament (8/41 from the field).

Amen Thompson (Overtime Elite – 6’7” – Play/Guardia)

He essentially dominated the OverTime Elite as he finished the regular season with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists while averaging 27 minutes and further improving his production in the playoffs. Ameiz, as he is called in the registry office, combines an elevation out of the norm, playmaking ability (game vision and passing ability), penetration ability and the possibility of closing it with both hands but if he fails to going to the iron the sore points begin because in the season he shot 23% from 3pts and 64% from free throws, percentages that are unacceptable at any level.

Ausar Thompson (Overtime Elite – 6’7” – Guard/Wing)

Compared to his twin, Ausar is a different player. Excellent defender with much faster feet with a versatility that allows him to mark the ball carrier but also to contain taller players if the coach opts for a small quintet. In attack he is more a finisher than a builder and although he shoots better than his brother (30% from 3pts and 67% with free throws) he too has ample room for improvement especially in the selection of games because in OTE he had over 3 losses per game.

Taylor Hendricks (UCF – 6’9” – Ala)

Hendricks is the prototype winger today’s NBA is looking for. Offensively, his physique allows him to receive and build a shot in the paint combined with a concrete 3pt shot (39%) even with a man in the face while defensively he has excellent timing on the defender which allowed him to give almost 2 blocks per game and grab 7 rebounds.

Jarace Walker (Houston – 6’8” – Ala)

Anyone looking for an area defender can’t fail to focus on Walker who combines very long arms (7’2” wingspan), lateral movement speed and athleticism with a massive physique. It is understandable that these excellent defensive characteristics are combined with difficulties under the other basket where he is not capable of building a shot in the post but can be used in pick-and-pops given that this season he had a good percentage of 3pts (34, 7% on over 100 shots).