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USATSI

The 2022-23 college basketball season is officially in the books and the 2022-23 NBA regular season is now, too, so what better time than the present -- with the NBA postseason kicking into gear and the offseason starting for nearly half the league -- to pull out the crystal ball and look ahead to the NBA Draft

So with some relative clarity about how the draft landscape will look later this summer, at least before the lottery and before tiebreakers, today we're going to do exactly that. You'll notice that at the top there are familiar names who have been mainstays in our mocks -- Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson hang on to the top spots here despite buzz that Alabama's Brandon Miller may push for top-two status -- and there is also some new faces as well. It reflects what has been a fairly stable landscape of late with some risers and fallers but, on the whole, a pretty firm top group in a loaded class.

Some of the names will change in the coming weeks and months as the draft process plays out and as players get feedback about whether they will ultimately stay in the draft or return to school, but with the NBA Draft Combine and lottery less than a month away, there is space now to project ahead and try to nail down the bones and structure of what we think (think!) this year's draft may look like.

OK, let's get to it. 

Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
Victor Wembanyama C
France • 7'4" / 210 lbs
Projected Team
Detroit
PROSPECT RNK
1st
POSITION RNK
1st
PPG
21.4
RPG
9.9
BPG
3.1
3P%
30.4%
LeBron James said he is "like an alien." Stephen Curry thinks he is "like a cheat code." I think he's the "clear No. 1 in this class and it is not close." You can quote me on that one. The 7-foot-4 center/forward/guard/unicorn might be the best prospect basketball has ever seen.
Round 1 - Pick 2
Scoot Henderson PG
G League Ignite • 6'3" / 195 lbs
Projected Team
Houston
PROSPECT RNK
2nd
POSITION RNK
1st
PPG
16.5
RPG
5.3
APG
6.8
3P%
27.5%
Brandon Miller's rise this season combined with Henderson's stagnated development as a shooter makes this a tougher pick than it might've seemed a few months ago, but Henderson's still a gamble I'd take with joy. He's a fiery, swaggy competitor who has elite handles, major athletic pop and a creative mind that perfectly fits the NBA point guard position.
Round 1- Pick 3
Alabama • 6'7" / 200 lbs
Projected Team
San Antonio
PROSPECT RNK
3rd
POSITION RNK
1st
PPG
18.8
RPG
8.2
APG
2.1
3P%
38.4%
Off the court, NBA teams are likely to have questions about Miller after he was connected to, and on the scene of, a fatal shooting during the season. On the court, though, 6-9 forwards who have the scoring and creation ability Miller has don't slip out of the top five.
Round 1 - Pick 4
Villanova • 6'7" / 230 lbs
Projected Team
Charlotte
PROSPECT RNK
4th
POSITION RNK
2nd
PPG
12.5
RPG
5.3
APG
0.7
3P%
34.3%
Villanova had its worst season by win percentage in more than a decade in 2022-23, largely keeping Whitmore's star power hidden beneath the radar. I like him as much as any of the non Wemby/Henderson players in this class, though, and the combination of his powerful athleticism and shot-making at the wing position makes him very appealing.
Round 1 - Pick 5
Amen Thompson SF
Overtime Elite • 6'7" / 199 lbs
Projected Team
Portland
PROSPECT RNK
5th
POSITION RNK
3rd
PPG
16.4
RPG
5.9
APG
5.9
3P%
25%
Both Thompson twins might be top-10 picks in this class but I slightly favor Amen over his brother, Ausar, because of his playmaking and ability to make advanced reads. He's an elite athlete who could be the initiator for an NBA offense, and players with that profile at 6-6 are very, very valuable.
Round 1 - Pick 6
Baylor • 6'4" / 185 lbs
Projected Team
Orlando
PROSPECT RNK
6th
POSITION RNK
1st
PPG
15.3
RPG
4.2
APG
2.8
3P%
33.8%
The efficiency with which George produced at Baylor as a freshman leaves a little to be desired but the 19-year-old combo guard has the shot-making to be one of the best pure scorers in this class. Lots of promise here with his playmaking, too, and though he was turnover-prone, there's room for him in time to grow into one of the best guards in this class.
Round 1 - Pick 7
Kentucky • 6'3" / 195 lbs
Projected Team
Indiana
PROSPECT RNK
7th
POSITION RNK
2nd
PPG
11.7
RPG
3.7
APG
4.3
3P%
34.6%
Kentucky guards underwhelming in college and becoming stars in the NBA has been something of a regular occurrence, and Wallace profiles as someone who can keep that tradition alive. He didn't dominate as a freshman but he showed off a ton of versatility on offense while routinely making highlight reel plays as a difference-maker on the defensive side of the floor.
Round 1 - Pick 8
Ausar Thompson SF
Overtime Elite • 6'6" / 205 lbs
Projected Team
Washington
PROSPECT RNK
8th
POSITION RNK
4th
PPG
16.3
RPG
7.1
APG
6.1
3P%
29.8%
Thompson had a big season with OTE this past year and has the physical tools and makeup that NBA teams so desperately crave at the wing spot. He's a big athlete like his twin brother, Amen, and brings polish and pizazz to the position as someone with big upside.
Round 1 - Pick 9
Houston • 6'7" / 235 lbs
Projected Team
Utah
PROSPECT RNK
11th
POSITION RNK
1st
PPG
11.2
RPG
6.8
APG
1.8
3P%
34.7%
This feels like the absolute floor for Walker, one of the most physically ready prospects in this draft class. He plays with relentless energy on both ends and projects cleanly as a do-it-all power forward who can stretch the floor.
Round 1 - Pick 10
Arkansas • 6'2" / 185 lbs
Projected Team
Dallas
PROSPECT RNK
9th
POSITION RNK
2nd
PPG
12.5
RPG
1.6
APG
1.7
3P%
33.8%
A nagging knee injury cost Smith Jr. real exposure to showcase himself on a big stage this season as he played in less than half of Arkansas' games, only to return and struggle down the stretch. But the No. 1 recruit from the 2022 class, an immensely talented scorer and slasher, is still someone I'd be giddy to gamble on in this range.
Round 1 - Pick 11
Arkansas • 6'7" / 200 lbs
Projected Team
Orlando
PROSPECT RNK
10th
POSITION RNK
3rd
PPG
12.8
RPG
5.1
APG
3.9
3P%
30.1%
If Black makes it to No. 11 on draft night, then I think you'd have to take him here regardless of roster situation. He's a connector-type prospect with a big frame who plays selflessly. Defends multiple positions, extremely savvy, does a little of everything that affects winning.
Round 1 - Pick 12
Kansas • 6'6" / 205 lbs
Projected Team
Oklahoma City
PROSPECT RNK
12th
POSITION RNK
5th
PPG
14.1
RPG
5.1
APG
1.7
3P%
40.3%
Dick missed 14 of his 20 shot attempts in his final two games vs. ranked opponents to end the season, a gripe I hear constantly from KU fans. But in the NBA he will demand less attention and his skill set as a result should shine. If he's a third or fourth option who is asked only to play in transition and knock down 3-pointers I think he can be among the best in that role in this class.
Round 1 - Pick 13
Connecticut • 6'5" / 190 lbs
Projected Team
Toronto
PROSPECT RNK
14th
POSITION RNK
3rd
PPG
16.2
RPG
3.8
APG
1.3
3P%
38.8%
Hawkins shined for UConn in its run to the national championship with his stellar sharpshooting on full display. He hit nearly 40% from 3-point range on the season and rated in the 97th percentile this season as a spot-up shooter, according to Synergy data. His off-ball movement and shooting ability in various situations makes him a really exciting wing prospect.
Round 1 - Pick 14
Iowa • 6'8" / 220 lbs
Projected Team
New Orleans
PROSPECT RNK
15th
POSITION RNK
2nd
PPG
20.2
RPG
7.9
APG
2
3P%
33.5%
The younger brother of 2022 lottery pick Keegan Murray, Kris Murray had a breakout season for Iowa averaging north of 20 points per game while showing off range as a 3-point shooter. He's a combo forward who brings versatility, polish and size to a position that NBA teams prioritize versatility, polish and size.
Round 1 - Pick 15
Indiana • 6'5" / 215 lbs
Projected Team
Atlanta
PROSPECT RNK
13th
POSITION RNK
4th
PPG
13.5
RPG
4.1
APG
3.7
3P%
33.3%
NBA teams are always on the hunt for combo guard/creators like Hood-Schifino, and he flashed enough on both ends at Indiana to push for a potential lottery spot in this year's draft. Great frame, really good defensively, and knows how to attack and make plays off the bounce. His shot needs to become more developmentally consistent but the tools here are undeniable.
Round 1 - Pick 16
UCF • 6'9" / 215 lbs
Projected Team
Utah
PROSPECT RNK
17th
POSITION RNK
3rd
PPG
15.1
RPG
7
APG
1.4
3P%
39.4%
Hendricks has been a meteoric riser this season launching from off the radar to in the mix as a potential top-10 pick in the class. He projects as a stretch big who can excel as the roll man and has excellent shooting touch inside and out.
Round 1 - Pick 17
Duke • 6'6" / 220 lbs
Projected Team
L.A. Lakers
PROSPECT RNK
16th
POSITION RNK
6th
PPG
8.3
RPG
2.4
APG
1
3P%
42.4%
Whitehead had a topsy-turvy season at Duke and didn't quite live up to expectations as a five-star, consensus top-five recruit, in part because of injuries and in part because of inconsistencies. But there's enough pedigree and production here to like in this range given how well he shot the ball, and there should be hope that his pre-injury burst returns as he gets further removed from them.
Round 1 - Pick 18
Duke • 7'1" / 230 lbs
Projected Team
Miami
PROSPECT RNK
24th
POSITION RNK
2nd
PPG
5.2
RPG
5.4
APG
1.1
BPG
2.4
The stats above don't do justice to how impactful Lively was at the end of the season for Duke and how impactful he can be as an NBA player. He's an above-the-rim threat on both ends of the floor who can be a game-changer defensively protecting the basket.
Round 1 - Pick 19
South Carolina • 6'9" / 210 lbs
Projected Team
Golden St.
PROSPECT RNK
32nd
POSITION RNK
5th
PPG
15.4
RPG
5.9
APG
0.8
3P%
32.4%
I'm not ranking Jackson this high on the Big Board but I won't be surprised if he goes higher than expected and jumps into this range. The former No. 1 overall recruit in his class reclassified and is one of the youngest players in the class. NBA teams love youth with room to grow, and Jackson presents an intriguing developmental case.
Round 1 - Pick 20
Indiana • 6'9" / 245 lbs
Projected Team
Houston
PROSPECT RNK
31st
POSITION RNK
4th
PPG
20.9
RPG
10.8
APG
4
Big men who don't shoot 3-pointers don't pop off the page as definite first-rounders, and yet Jackson-Davis by most measures appears to be an anomaly. He's a dominant interior scorer and rebounder who shows great touch and makes great plays as a passer. You can funnel some of your offense through him. A nice bet on someone who isn't Domantas Sabonis but has lots of Domantas Sabonis-like traits.
  From Phoenix Suns
Round 1 - Pick 21
Ohio State • 6'5" / 235 lbs
Projected Team
Brooklyn
PROSPECT RNK
18th
POSITION RNK
7th
PPG
16.3
RPG
5.4
APG
1.2
3P%
40.5%
As a four-star prospect ranked 85th in his class, Sensabaugh wasn't even on the one-and-done radar entering the season. But his production with Ohio State is tough to ignore. Uses his big frame well and smashed in his role as a rotation piece hitting 40.5% of his 3-pointers on the year.
Round 1 - Pick 22
Leonard Miller SF
G League Ignite • 6'10" / 210 lbs
Projected Team
Brooklyn
PROSPECT RNK
20th
POSITION RNK
9th
PPG
16.9
RPG
10.1
APG
1.7
Miller tested the NBA Draft waters and had some first-round buzz before ultimately withdrawing and committing to the G League Ignite. Now he's built upon that momentum as a scorer and rebounder who, while still a tad raw, has the physical tools and size to warrant mid-to-late lottery consideration.
Round 1 - Pick 23
Michigan • 6'6" / 215 lbs
Projected Team
Portland
PROSPECT RNK
23rd
POSITION RNK
5th
PPG
14.2
RPG
2.8
APG
2
3P%
36.8%
This is a bit of a plunge from where I last had Howard -- which was late lottery -- but I'm still very much in on him as a top-30 player in this class. Really good shooter with an excellent frame who has touch on floaters, in the mid-range and from beyond the 3-point line.
Round 1 - Pick 24
Rayan Rupert PG
France • 6'6" / 185 lbs
Projected Team
Sacramento
PROSPECT RNK
22nd
POSITION RNK
5th
PPG
6.6
RPG
2.5
APG
1.0
3P%
25%
Rupert is a toolsy prospect with a great frame and a defensive baseline that presents promise, but he remains very raw in terms of what he can bring to the table on the offensive end. If his shot comes around there's a lot to like, but there's not much right now that suggests he can be an NBA player anytime soon. Definitely a developmental prospect.
Round 1 - Pick 25
Michigan • 6'5" / 195 lbs
Projected Team
Memphis
PROSPECT RNK
27th
POSITION RNK
8th
PPG
14
RPG
4.5
APG
2.9
3P%
35.5%
A second-year player for Michigan, Bufkin blossomed into a bona fide first-round talent this past season. He has a nice combination of scoring and creation that might make him an appealing two-way guard in the league.
Round 1 - Pick 26
Xavier • 6'6" / 207 lbs
Projected Team
Indiana
PROSPECT RNK
29th
POSITION RNK
9th
PPG
15
RPG
5.7
APG
4.4
3P%
37.8%
One of my favorite prospects in this class. Jones is one of those players who can fade in and out of games, then you look up and he has 10 points, seven assists and eight rebounds. Impacts winning in a variety of ways.
Round 1 - Pick 27
Kansas • 6'6" / 220 lbs
Projected Team
Charlotte
PROSPECT RNK
28th
POSITION RNK
10th
PPG
20.1
RPG
8.3
APG
2.2
3P%
33.7%
Wilson was the best player in the best league last season, making a leap to stardom at Kansas. He's made steady improvements as a shooter over the years and has always been an excellent rebounder at his size and position. Teams may be scared off by his age -- he's a four-year player -- but the developmental trajectory he's on has me buying his NBA stock.
Round 1 - Pick 28
UCLA • 6'6" / 226 lbs
Projected Team
Utah
PROSPECT RNK
37th
POSITION RNK
13th
PPG
17.8
RPG
8.2
APG
2.4
3P%
31.7%
Another four-year player who may be overlooked by teams looking for youth. Jaquez doesn't wow with athleticism, but he's a smooth operator who has the smarts and skill to stick as a role player.
Round 1 - Pick 29
NC State • 6'4" / 160 lbs
Projected Team
Indiana
PROSPECT RNK
38th
POSITION RNK
14th
PPG
17.9
RPG
3.6
APG
4.1
3P%
33.6%
Smith is a twitchy athlete who I thought was a first-round talent a year ago before withdrawing and returning to NC State. He basically held steady production-wise but his improvement as a passer and decision-maker has unlocked even more upside for him.
Round 1 - Pick 30
UCLA • 6'3" / 185 lbs
Projected Team
L.A. Clippers
PROSPECT RNK
26th
POSITION RNK
7th
PPG
11.2
RPG
3.8
APG
2.2
3P%
38.9%
After Peyton Watson was snagged in the first round last year after an underwhelming one-and-done season at UCLA, I find it highly unlikely Bailey and his five-star pedigree slip further in this draft. He was admittedly streaky, but he flashed some scoring punch down the stretch for the Bruins and has nice flash as an athlete that could make him a slasher/scorer type in the league.