CHICAGO — The 2023 NBA Draft can be remembered ceaselessly for the participant set to go No. 1 total. Victor Wembanyama, the 7’5 French tremendous prospect hailed as the very best expertise to enter the league since at the very least LeBron James, will begin his profession with the San Antonio Spurs after the franchise grew to become the fortunate winners of the draft lottery. Whereas Wembanyama finishes out a dominant season in France, the remainder of the gamers on this draft class headed to Chicago for the annual draft mix.

Gamers come to the mix to get measured, interview with groups, run by way of drills, and — for these hoping to safe a spot within the first or second rounds — compete in scrimmages. Traditionally, the NBA mix doesn’t actually make-or-break a prospect the way in which the NFL Draft mix usually does, however there have been some main success tales. Simply final 12 months, we hailed Santa Clara’s Jalen Williams because the mix’s large winner earlier than he went on to turn into a lottery decide and the one of many NBA’s greatest rookies for the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.

Listed here are the main takeaways from a visit to Chicago to see the 2023 NBA Draft mix.

Winner: Olivier-Maxence Prosper

Marquette ahead Olivier-Maxence Prosper was a standout in each side: measurements, testing, and the scrimmage. Prosper began his school profession at Clemson, then transferred to Marquette the place he spent two years in a high-energy glue man function. The NBA is at all times on the lookout for large forwards who can defend and have projectable capturing expertise, and the prospect generally known as O-Max matches the invoice.

We’ll begin with the dimensions: Prosper measured at practically 6’7 barefoot, 212 kilos, with a 7’1 wingspan. He crushed the athletic testing with a 40.5-inch max vertical and an much more spectacular 35-inch standing soar. When he took the ground within the scrimmage, all he did was drop 21 factors and 7 rebounds by attacking the basket and attending to the foul line.

Prosper was considered one of solely 5 gamers in school basketball to end with at the very least 38 dunks and 38 three-pointers. Scouts will love his capability to defend three by way of 5 on a swap, his rebounding, and the truth that he dunks every little thing in shut. His swing talent is his three-point shot — he hit 31.6 % of his threes on 193 makes an attempt in his school profession — however he appears to have good contact as a 75 % free throw shooter.

Did we point out Prosper will nonetheless be 20 years outdated on draft night time? Usually pegged in the midst of the second spherical on mock drafts coming into the mix, you possibly can guess that O-Max can be shifting up boards.

Winner: Ben Sheppard and Seth Lundy

Ben Sheppard was a four-year capturing guard at Belmont who impressed together with his capturing capability and high-IQ play. He measured with good measurement for a capturing guard at 6’5.25 barefoot, 195 kilos, and a 6’7.75 wingspan, after which regarded like probably the most spectacular participant on the court docket throughout scrimmages on Thursday.

Sheppard’s motion capturing can be his greatest enchantment to groups. He improved his three-point proportion yearly of his school profession, and hit 41.6 % of his threes as a senior. His actual signature talent could also be his capability to make the proper play each time he will get the ball, and compete on each possession. He appears like a significant second spherical sleeper proper now.

Talking of shooters: meet Penn State’s Seth Lundy. The senior opened eyes for his capturing capability and stout body on one of many higher Penn State groups in program historical past, and he regarded the a part of an NBA function participant throughout scrimmages this week.

Lundy measured at 6’4 barefoot, 214 kilos, with a 6’10.25 wingspan. His robust and stocky body permits him to compete as a bodily defender, and his size lets his problem pictures towards greater offensive gamers. The actual enchantment for Lundy although is his three-point capturing. He confirmed NBA groups he’s among the finest shooters more likely to be out there within the second spherical throughout scrimmages.

Lundy hit 40 % of his threes on 230 makes an attempt this 12 months. Groups at all times need excessive quantity shooters with the dimensions to defend wings. Lundy matches the invoice.

Loser: Pretend wingspans

The tape measure doesn’t lie. Usually occasions, the mix represents the primary time groups can get correct measurements on prospects, and yearly a number of gamers find yourself being smaller than anticipated. Duke’s Dereck Energetic II was the participant whose measurements I used to be most enthusiastic about — he’s been stated to have a 7’7 wingspan that many are skeptical of — however he determined to not measure on the mix. Alas!

Loser: Scoot Henderson’s possibilities of going No. 2 total

The primary level of intrigue within the 2023 NBA Draft is what the Charlotte Hornets do with the second decide. To me, G League Ignite level guard Scoot Henderson is clearly the second greatest participant on this class behind Wembanyama, however the franchise might have issues about how he matches with star guard LaMelo Ball. Based on ESPN’s Jonathon Givony, the sense within the gymnasium on the mix is that Alabama freshman wing Brandon Miller is more likely to be Charlotte’s second-overall decide as a substitute of Henderson.

Personally, I really feel just like the Hornets’ expertise base is so weak that they want the very best participant no matter place. I additionally just like the match between Ball and Henderson, at the very least somewhat bit: Scoot is extra of a scorer who does his injury within the mid-range, whereas Ball is a gifted playmaker who will shoot threes at quantity. It’s honest to marvel how impactful Henderson can be off the ball offensively when Ball is cooking — he hasn’t proven the power to shoot threes at quantity — and the protection will even be a priority.

Nonetheless, I fear about Miller’s capability to create offense off the bounce, and consider him because the fifth greatest prospect on this class behind Cam Whitmore and Amen Thompson, as properly. It’s going to be an interesting determination for Charlotte.

Loser: The Blazers possibilities of making a decide at No. 3, reportedly

It’s no secret that Damian Lillard desires the Portland Path Blazers to construct a aggressive crew instantly. After the Blazers landed at No. 3 total within the lottery, all the thrill in Chicago was about Portland buying and selling that decide for a younger All-Star caliber participant. Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes reported that the Path Blazers will store the decide:

Portland, in an effort to proceed constructing a contending roster round its star Damian Lillard, is predicted to make the decide out there for a commerce, league sources inform Bleacher Report.

Probably the most talked-about commerce in Chicago centered on Portland sending the No. 3 decide to the Brooklyn Nets for wing Mikal Bridges. Lillard would seemingly adore that kind of transfer, however I’m not shopping for it for a number of causes. For one, Bridges alone wouldn’t make Portland a contender — they would wish so as to add a stud large man, as properly. I additionally consider Portland’s entrance workplace, which now consists of former ESPN draft ace Mike Schmitz, can be trying to construct the very best crew long-term reasonably than looking for out quick-fixes.

I’m guessing Portland takes Scoot Henderson at No. 3 total if he’s out there. I additionally consider that may anger Lillard. I believe the Nets would conform to a bundle constructed round flipping Bridges for Henderson, however I’m skeptical that Portland is actually going to flip a stud 19-year-old to appease a celebrity about to show 33 years outdated.

Winner: Tristan Vukcevic, Brandin Podziemski, and Amari Bailey additionally impressed in scrimmages

Want a stretch 5 on this class? 7-foot Actual Madrid middle Tristan Vukcevic confirmed off his versatile offensive talent throughout a standout Wednesday scrimmage by scoring 21 factors in simply 16 minutes. Vukcevic barely performed for Actual Madrid this season, so his determination to play within the scrimmage might pay actual dividends.

Santa Clara guard Brandin Podziemski is also monitoring as a primary spherical decide. The 6’5 level guard left Illinois after his freshman season and shined this 12 months as an enormous playmaking guard who can run pick-and-roll, stuff the stat sheet, and has the dimensions to verify a number of positions.

Chicago native Amari Bailey additionally confirmed out in his hometown. Bailey was thought of a prime recruit after starring alongside Bronny James at Sierra Canyon highschool, however he’s remade his recreation as a troublesome, bodily function participant who can fill within the cracks for a crew within the backcourt. Bailey might want to show he can shoot threes with quantity, however his capability to defend backcourt positions and collapse opposing defenses by beating his man off the dribble and making the proper play will give him an opportunity to earn a job within the league down the road.

Try our new 2023 NBA mock draft with the lottery outcomes accomplished. Preserve visiting SB Nation for extra draft protection.