NBA Draft 2023: The Chosen Ones
2023 NBA Draft Picks That Will Blow Your Lid Off
The 2023 NBA Draft came thundering into our lives, bringing with it a new constellation of basketball stars.
French phenomenon Victor Wembanyama, a 7-foot-4 skyscraper with a talent for defending, dribbling, and shooting, is now proudly donning a NBA championship zone.
Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets snagged Alabama’s bright star, Brandon Miller, as their No. 2 pick. They are undoubtedly looking to Miller’s shooting prowess to make a sweet honey of victory.
The Portland Trail Blazers rounded off the top three picks with Scoot Henderson, a seasoned pro from the G-league, ready to blaze new trails in the NBA.
A startling twist were 20-year-old identical twins Amen and Ausar Thompson ing the league as the fourth and fifth picks, respectively. Houston Rockets welcomed Amen, while Detroit Pistons embraced Ausar. It’s double trouble, NBA style!
Other Headline-Grabbers at the 2023 Draft Picks:
LeBron James and co. welcomed new recruits from the college ranks – Jalen Hood-Schifino and Mojave King. Hood-Schifino, plucked at No. 17, is a 20-year-old point guard with a knack for pick-and-roll handling and mid-range shooting. King, drafted at No. 47, is a G-League alum with high hopes.
The Warriors hit a slam dunk, scooping up Brandin Podziemski, the biggest riser in this class, at No. 19. A sensational shotmaker, Podziemski’s addition, following the dramatic off-season trade of Jordan Poole for Chris Paul, should pay dividends for the Warriors.
The Heat turned up the temperature by drafting Jaime Jaquez Jr., a UCLA product that embodies their relentless, winning culture. An 18th pick, Jaquez is a solid defender with a keen sense for the game.
The Magic decided to go big and bold with Anthony Black and Jett Howard as their top two picks. While Black, an Arkansas product, showcases a high-level game feel, Howard’s productive 3-point shooting provides some spark. But with grade-A prospects like Gradey Dick, Jordan Hawkins, and Cam Whitmore still up for grabs on the board at that time, one has to wonder…
Houston Rockets drafted Cam Whitmore 20th overall, despite a potential knee issue creating a buzz. Still, Whitmore shrugged off the concerns and is ready to rocket his career in Houston, although he probably could’ve been drafted higher up if not for the knee rumors.
Undrafts & Other Happenings
In other NBA draft odds, Metropolitans 92 managed to produce two top-seven picks in the NBA Draft – a feat that sounds more fiction than fact.
The Wizards, eager to get their hands on Bilal Coulibaly, even made a swap with the Pacers. Coulibaly, a 6-foot-6 wing, is prized for his defensive skills and quickness, even though his offensive game could use some polish.
Lastly, in the second-to-last pick of the draft, Trayce Jackson-Davis of Indiana was chosen by the Wizards, while Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe, Gonzaga’s Drew Timme, and UConn’s Adama Sanogo shockingly went undrafted.
The 2023 NBA Draft was a wild ride, and these picks are all set to make waves in the NBA.
Let the games begin!
| Team | Player | Traded |
|---|---|---|
| Spurs | Victor Wembanyama | Metropolitans 92 |
| Hornets | Brandon Miller | Alabama |
| Blazers | Scoot Henderson | G League Ignite |
| Rockets | Amen Thompson | Overtime Elite |
| Pistons | Ausar Thompson | Overtime Elite |
| Magic | Anthony Black | Arkansas |
| Pacers | Bilal Coulibaly | Metropolitans 92 |
| Wizards | Jarace Walker | Houston |
| Jazz | Taylor Hendricks | UCF |
| Mavericks | Cason Wallace | Kentucky |
| Magic | Jett Howard | Michigan |
| Thunder | Dereck Lively II | Duke |
| Raptors | Gradey Dick | Kansas |
| Pelicans | Jordan Hawkins | Connecticut |
| Hawks | Kobe Bufkin | Michigan |
| Jazz | Keyonte George | Baylor |
| Lakers | Jalen Hood-Schifino | Indiana |
| Heat | Jaime Jaquez Jr. | UCLA |
| Warriors | Brandin Podziemski | Santa Clara |
| Rockets | Cam Whitmore | Villanova |
| Nets | Noah Clowney | Alabama |
| Nets | Dariq Whitehead | Duke |
| Blazers | Kris Murray | Iowa |
| Kings | Olivier-Maxence Prosper | Marquette |
| Grizzlies | Marcus Sasser | Houston |
| Pacers | Ben Sheppard | Belmont |
| Hornets | Nick Smith Jr. | Arkansas |
| Jazz | Brice Sensabaugh | Ohio State |
| Pacers | Julian Strawther | Gonzaga |
| LA Clippers | Kobe Brown | Missouri |
| Team | Player | Traded |
|---|---|---|
| Pistons | James Nnaji | FC Barcelona |
| Pacers | Jalen Pickett | Penn State |
| Spurs | Leonard Miller | G League Ignite |
| Hornets | Colby Jones | Xavier |
| Celtics | Julian Phillips | Tennessee |
| Magic | Andre Jackson Jr. | Connecticut |
| Thunder | Hunter Tyson | Clemson |
| Kings | Jordan Walsh | Arkansas |
| Hornets | Mouhamed Gueye | Washington State |
| Nuggets | Maxwell Lewis | Pepperdine |
| Hornets | Amari Bailey | UCLA |
| Wizards | Tristan Vukcevic | Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade |
| Blazers | Rayan Rupert | NZ Breakers |
| Spurs | Sidy Cissoko | G League Ignite |
| Grizzlies | Gregory Jackson II | South Carolina |
| Hawks | Seth Lundy | Penn State |
| Lakers | Mojave King | G League Ignite |
| Clippers | Jordan Miller | Miami |
| Cavaliers | Emoni Bates | Eastern Michigan |
| Thunder | Keyontae Johnson | Kansas State |
| Nets | Jalen Wilson | Kansas |
| Suns | Toumani Camara | Dayton |
| Timberwolves | Jaylen Clark | UCLA |
| Kings | Jalen Slawson | Furman |
| Pacers | Isaiah Wong | Miami |
| Grizzlies | Tarik Biberovic | Fenerbahce Beko |
| Wizards | Trayce Jackson-Davis | Indiana |
| Bucks | Chris Livingston | Kentucky |
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