2023 NBA Draft

Consensus Mock Draft: Top becoming set, but players still pushing to get into Lottery

The Spurs will almost certainly grab Victor Wembanyama, the middle of the Lottery is unclear and Kobe Bufkin's stock is on the rise.

Some of the top draft prospects discuss who in the NBA their game gets compared to the most.

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Some notes in our latest look at the mock drafts from around the web before the 2023 NBA Draft presented by State Farm, where the San Antonio Spurs are on the clock with the No. 1 pick.

Remember, the Consensus Mock Draft is a compilation of the best mock drafts around the web. We bring them together to provide a solid estimate of how the Draft could play out (Last update: June 21, 11:54 p.m. ET):

  • We’re just hours from Draft night (8 ET, ABC/ESPN) and this will be our last scan of the mock drafts. Of course, a lot can change between now and then, so be sure to visit our 10 mocks (linked up below) to follow any last-second changes.
  • Not much has changed at the top of the Draft. We’re likely going to see a 1-2-3 of Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson (in that order), barring a team moving up to grab Scoot, or the Hornets surprising everyone and grabbing Henderson to pair with LaMelo Ball.
  • After those three, Amen Thompson is still the closest thing we have to a consensus as eight of the 10 mocks we survey have him going 4th overall to the Houston Rockets. A backcourt of Thompson and Jalen Green (with Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun in the frontcourt) could be something Houston could build around.
  • As we mentioned in our last update: keep an eye on Bilal Coulibaly, the young teammate of Wembanyama at Metropolitans 92. In the last week, Coulibaly has seen his stock soar with his improved play in the French finals and now appears in the lottery on seven of our 10 mock drafts. Word is clearly spreading and three mocks have him going to OKC at No. 12, while The Athletic and Bleacher Report see him landing in Dallas.
  • UCF’s Taylor Hendricks, one of the Draft’s best defenders, is a player who had been seeing his name all over the lottery. But Wednesday’s look has him settling solidly in the middle of the Lottery. He shows up as high as No. 7 (twice) but no lower than No. 10 to the Mavericks.
  • Michigan guard Kobe Bufkin has popped up suddenly since our last look, now appearing in nine of the 10 mock drafts. The long swingman with skills to shine on both ends appears as high as No. 8 to Washington (twice) and as low as No. 14 to New Orleans (CBS Sports). The Athletic is one of three mocks seeing him in OKC and calls him “just about a perfect fit as a complementary guard to play next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey due to his well-rounded game.” He’s definitely a player to watch with such a wide range of landing spots.
  • One player seeing his stock slip is Kentucky’s Cason Wallace, considered one of the better on-ball defenders in this draft. He still shows up in the lottery in four mocks, with SB Nation and Net Scouts seeing him going to Utah at No. 9. The Jazz, of course, hold two picks, so it’s possible they could be hoping he slips to them at No. 16.
  • Nine players appear in the lottery in all 12 mocks we survey: Wembanyama, Miller, Henderson, Amen and Ausur Thompson, Whitmore, Walker, Black and Hendricks.


MOST COMMON PICKS

No. 1 (Spurs): Victor Wembanyama (10)

No. 2 (Hornets): Brandon Miller (7)

No. 3 (Trail Blazers): Scoot Henderson (7)

No. 4 (Rockets): Amen Thompson (8)

No. 5 (Pistons): Cam Whitmore (4)

No. 6 (Magic): Ausar Thompson (8)

No. 7 (Pacers): Jarace Walker (8)

No. 8 (Wizards): Anthony Black (3)

No. 9 (Jazz): Taylor Hendricks (5)

No. 10 (Mavericks): Dereck Lively II (3)

No. 11 (Magic): Gradey Dick (7)

No. 12 (Thunder): Kobe Bufkin, Bilal Coulibaly (3)

No. 13 (Raptors): Kobe Bufkin (3)

No. 14 (Pelicans): Jalen Hood-Schifino, Jordan Hawkins (2)

Most common (above): Pick at which the player is most commonly projected, with number of mock drafts in parentheses. For example, Victor Wembanyama is projected to go 1st in 10 of the 10 mock drafts listed below.


Top 14 (below): To calculate the consensus, we award 14 points for every mock draft in which the player went first overall, 13 for second, continuing to one point for the final lottery pick. The player with the highest point total represents the top overall selection, which is as follows:


1. Victor Wembanyama | San Antonio Spurs

Metropolitans 92 (France) | Position: C | Height: 7-3
Status: International
Most Common: 1 (10)

One of the league’s best prospects in decades who possesses the combination of size, athleticism and all-around talent to potentially become an NBA legend


2. Brandon Miller | Charlotte Hornets

Alabama | Position: F | Height: 6-9
Status: Freshman
Most Common: 2 (7)

Possesses the size, playmaking ability and shooting skills to become an elite swingman in the NBA.  


3. Scoot Henderson | Portland Trail Blazers

G League Ignite | Position: G | Height: 6-2
Status: G League
Most Common: 3 (7)

Athletic, quick point guard who can get to the rim and finish with authority. Good shooter and excellent, active defender who should step right in as a starting point guard in the NBA.


4. Amen Thompson | Houston Rockets

City Reapers | Position: G/F | Height: 6-7
Status: Overtime Elite
Most Common: 4 (8)

Elite playmaker who can create his own shot and has the athleticism to make an impact on both ends of the floor.


5. Ausar Thompson | Detroit Pistons

City Reapers | Position: G/F | Height: 6-6
Status: Overtime Elite
Most Common: 6 (5)

Has incredible quickness and athleticism, which are only more dangerous thanks to his tight handle which allows him to create separation. 


6. Jarace Walker | Indiana Pacers

Houston | Position: G | Height: 6-7
Status: Freshman
Most Common: 7 (8)

Strong, bruising big man who thrives on defense and has the raw skills to become a versatile playmaker and scorer.


7. Cam Whitmore | Orlando Magic

Villanova | Position: F | Height: 6-6
Status: Freshman
Most Common: 5 (4)

Has the strength, explosiveness and shot-making ability to provide instant offense but is also a willing passer and high motor to be a two-way threat in the NBA.


8. Anthony Black | Washington Wizards

Arkansas | Position: G | Height: 6-6
Status: Freshman
Most Common: 6 (4)

A selfless playmaker who has excellent court vision and feel for the game. Versatile defender who will help any team on both ends of the floor.


9. Taylor Hendricks | Utah Jazz

UCF | Position: F | Height: 6-8
Status: Freshman
Most Common: 9 (5)

Long, athletic big man who will have an impact on both ends of the floor, whether catching lobs or locking down players with his length and hops.


10. Gradey Dick | Dallas Mavericks

Kansas | Position: F | Height: 6-6
Status: Freshman
Most Common: 11 (7)

One of the Draft’s best shooters who can also score off cuts and off-the-ball movement. Puts in the effort on defense, despite being a potential liability.


11. Dereck Lively II | Orlando Magic

Duke | Position: C | Height: 7-1
Status: Freshman
Most Common: 10 (3)

Lively demonstrated at Duke that he’s capable of being an easy lob target and defensive anchor with his long wingspan, and he may settle into a role as a traditional pick-and-roll big.


12. Kobe Bufkin | Oklahoma City Thunder

Michigan | Position: G | Height: 6-4
Status: Sophomore
Most Common: 12 (3)

Bufkin is a do-it-all combo guard specializing in scoring at the basket. Bufkin makes good decisions with the ball in his hands, is a great rebounder for a guard, and has a size that yields natural versatility.


13. Bilal Coulibaly | Toronto Raptors

Metropolitans 92 (France) | Position: F | Height: 6-8
Status: International
Most Common: 12 (3)

Coulibaly is an 18-year-old wing with great athleticism, impressive hops and defensive upside. His offensive game is raw and his shooting is unproven, but he’s an active cutter and can explode to the rim. 


14. Cason Wallace | New Orleans Pelicans

Kentucky | Position: G | Height: 6-2
Status: Freshman
Most Common: 9 (2)

Point guard with the combination of passing IQ, shooting versatility and defensive instincts who can contribute right away.


MOCK DRAFTS

ESPN.com

1. Victor Wembanyama
2. Brandon Miller
3. Scoot Henderson
4. Amen Thompson
5. Ausar Thompson
6. Anthony Black
7. Jarace Walker
8. Cam Whitmore
9. Taylor Hendricks
10. Dereck Lively II
11. Gradey Dick
12. Bilal Coulibaly
13. Kobe Bufkin
14. Jordan Hawkins

Last updated: June 21


The Ringer

1. Victor Wembanyama
2. Brandon Miller
3. Scoot Henderson
4. Amen Thompson
5. Ausar Thompson
6. Anthony Black
7. Jarace Walker
8. Kobe Bufkin
9. Cam Whitmore
10. Taylor Hendricks
11. Dereck Lively II
12. Bilal Coulibaly
13. Keyonte George
14. Noah Clowney

Last updated: June 21


The Athletic

1. Victor Wembanyama
2. Brandon Miller
3. Scoot Henderson
4. Amen Thompson
5. Ausar Thompson
6. Cam Whitmore
7. Jarace Walker
8. Anthony Black
9. Taylor Hendricks
10. Bilal Coulibaly
11. Gradey Dick
12. Kobe Bufkin
13. Jalen Hood-Schifino
14. Dereck Lively II

Last updated: June 21


Yahoo Sports

1. Victor Wembanyama
2. Scoot Henderson
3. Brandon Miller
4. Amen Thompson
5. Cam Whitmore
6. Ausar Thompson
7. Jarace Walker
8. Anthony Black
9. Taylor Hendricks
10. Dereck Lively II
11. Gradey Dick
12. Kobe Bufkin
13. Jalen Hood-Schifino
14. Bilal Coulibaly

Last updated: June 21


Bleacher Report

1. Victor Wembanyama
2. Brandon Miller
3. Scoot Henderson
4. Amen Thompson
5. Jarace Walker
6. Anthony Black
7. Taylor Hendricks
8. Ausar Thompson
9. Cam Whitmore
10. Bilal Coulibaly
11. Gradey Dick
12. Dereck Lively II
13. Kobe Bufkin
14. Jalen Hood-Schifino

Last updated: June 21


NetScouts Basketball

1. Victor Wembanyama
2. Scoot Henderson
3. Brandon Miller
4. Amen Thompson
5. Cam Whitmore
6. Ausar Thompson
7. Jarace Walker
8. Anthony Black
9. Cason Wallace
10. Taylor Hendricks
11. Gradey Dick
12. Kobe Bufkin
13. Bilal Coulibaly
14. Jordan Hawkins

Last updated: June 21


CBS Sports (Gary Parrish)

1. Victor Wembanyama
2. Brandon Miller
3. Scoot Henderson
4. Cam Whitmore
5. Amen Thompson
6. Ausar Thompson
7. Jarace Walker
8. Jalen Hood-Schifino
9. Taylor Hendricks
10. Anthony Black
11. Gradey Dick
12. Bilal Coulibaly
13. Jett Howard
14. Kobe Bufkin

Last updated: June 21


CBS Sports (Kyle Boone)

1. Victor Wembanyama
2. Brandon Miller
3. Scoot Henderson
4. Amen Thompson
5. Cam Whitmore
6. Anthony Black
7. Jarace Walker
8. Ausar Thompson
9. Taylor Hendricks
10. Cason Wallace
11. Jett Howard
12. Leonard Miller
13. Kobe Bufkin
14. Jalen Hood-Schifino

Last updated: June 21


SB Nation

1. Victor Wembanyama
2. Scoot Henderson
3. Amen Thompson
4. Brandon Miller
5. Cam Whitmore
6. Ausar Thompson
7. Jarace Walker
8. Taylor Hendricks
9. Cason Wallace
10. Anthony Black
11. Gradey Dick
12. Jett Howard
13. Dariq Whitehead
14. Brice Sensabaugh

Last updated: June 21


USA Today/FTW

1. Victor Wembanyama
2. Brandon Miller
3. Scoot Henderson
4. Amen Thompson
5. Jarace Walker
6. Ausar Thompson
7. Taylor Hendricks
8. Kobe Bufkin
9. Anthony Black
10. Dereck Lively II
11. Cam Whitmore
12. Gradey Dick
13. Jordan Hawkins
14. Cason Wallace

Last updated: June 21

* * *

ESPN Insider: Jonathan Givony/Jeremy Woo

The Ringer: Kevin O’Connor

The Athletic: Sam Vecenie

Bleacher Report: Jonathan Wasserman

Yahoo Sports: Krysten Peek

NetScouts Basketball: Carl Berman

CBS Sports: Kyle Boone, Gary Parrish

SB Nation: Ricky O’Donnell

USA Today / FTW: Bryan Kalbrosky

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