Telepeer

2023 NBA Draft: Victor Wembanyama the best of the big men – by far

June 21, 2023

By AARON BEARD AP Basketball Writer

Victor Wembanyama has long been earmarked to be the No. 1 overall selection in the NBA draft, a player so unusual that he defies traditional categorization.

He headlines The Associated Press’ list of big men in the draft with a 7-foot-3 frame that eventually could help him dominate inside to go with his perimeter skills. Other than Wembanyama, the list of top big men prospects mostly features complementary players.

The AP previously noted the top guard prospects in the draft, along with forwards and international players (beyond Wembanyama) to watch. Here’s a look at the top big men likely to hear their names called Thursday night:

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA, France

STRENGTHS: An incomparable combination of skills and size have made the French star a generational prospect with can’t-miss expectations unseen since LeBron James. He can roam the perimeter, handle the ball and shoot off the dribble like a guard, but his length helps him score over defenders inside along with racking up blocked shots and deflections. And with San Antonio holding the top pick, he’ll soon be under the tutelage of a five-time NBA champion in Gregg Popovich.

Among his countless highlights, one play from April stands out: the sight of Wembanyama missing an off-the-dribble stepback 3-pointer – only to fly in and tip dunk his own miss.

CONCERNS: Essentially none. The 19-year-old could probably stand to add strength to handle physical defenders.

DERECK LIVELY II, Duke

STRENGTHS: The lean 7-foot-1 freshman arrived at Duke as 247sports’ second-ranked national recruit and came on in the season’s second half as a strong rim protector nimble enough to defend in open space. He ranked ninth nationally in blocked shots (2.41). The highlight came in a February win against rival North Carolina, when the first-round prospect dominated while scoring just four points thanks to 14 rebounds and eight blocks.

Duke coach Jon Scheyer said Tuesday that Lively’s role “directly translates” as a modern big capable of handling defensive switches and being a lob threat.

“I think that’s the hardest adjustment for a lot of college players: They’re used to always having the ball in their hands and always scoring,” Scheyer said. “… For him, it can be seamless. I know obviously you can talk about potential with him, but I think about readiness with him because of what he’s done this past year and who he is as a player.”

CONCERNS: The 19-year-old wasn’t a dominant rebounder despite his length (5.4 average, six double-digit outings in 34 games). His offensive game was limited beyond putbacks and alley-oops, including a scoreless game with no shot attempts in 36 minutes against a physical Tennessee team as Duke fell in the NCAA Tournament’s second round. Adding bulk to a 230-pound frame could help both areas.

TRAYCE JACKSON-DAVIS, Indiana

STRENGTHS: The Indiana senior was an Associated Press All-America first-team pick, mixing reliability, versatility and athleticism. He ranked sixth in Division I in rebounding (10.8) and eighth in double-doubles (18) while also ranking in the top 20 in scoring (20.9) with multiple post moves. And he stepped up his production heading into the March spotlight, averaging 24.7 points on 61.5% shooting in his final six games.

Defensively, he ranked fourth nationally in blocked shots (2.88) with a 7-1 wingspan, making him a well-rounded interior presence who could hear his name called in the back half of the first round.

CONCERNS: He’s a bit undersized (6-8, 240) for an interior-focused player who has shown little range outside of 15 feet. He’s a career 67.6% shooter at the foul line who never hit 70% in a season, and his 3-point history consists entirely of going 0 for 3 as a junior. He also is one of the oldest prospects at 23 years old.

OTHERS TO NOTE

NOAH CLOWNEY: The 6-10, 210-pound freshman became an every-game starter for an Alabama team that was the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. Clowney, who turns 19 next month, averaged 9.9 points and offers potential as a rebounder (8.0) with the ability to step outside (eight games with multiple 3-point field goals). That could help him land in the late first round.

JAMES NNAJI: The center from Nigeria turns 19 in August and has been playing in Spain, where his team lists him as 6-11 and 249 pounds. He offers intrigue as a raw developmental prospect with a 7-5 wingspan and defensive potential. Some mock drafts have him sneaking into the first round.

ADAMA SANOGO: The junior powered Connecticut to a fifth NCAA championship as the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player. He’s a bit undersized for a big (roughly 6-7 without shoes at the NBA combine) and is a second-round prospect, but he has a strong frame (roughly 255 pounds) and added a step-outside element to his game last year by making 19 of 52 3-point attempts (36.5%). His nearly 7-3 wingspan measured fifth-best at the combine.

OSCAR TSHIEBWE: The senior from Kentucky rode a relentless-rebounding mindset into being named the AP National Player of the Year in 2022 and a second-team All-American in 2023. It’s unclear whether the 23-year-old – measuring roughly 6-7 and 255 pounds with a better than 7-3 wingspan at the NBA combine – will be drafted. But he averaged national bests of 15.1 rebounds in 2022 and 13.7 in 2023 while racking up 48 double-doubles, so his motor might intrigue a team to take a flier.

NBA |

2023 NBA mock draft: Will Brandon Miller or Scoot Henderson go No. 2?

NBA |

2023 NBA Draft: Alabama’s Brandon Miller tops talented group of forwards

NBA |

2023 NBA Draft: Scoot Henderson headlines top guard prospects

NBA |

2023 NBA Draft: Victor Wembanyama isn’t the only French prospect worth watching

Orange County Register