Victor Wembanyama, who was voted number 1 at the evening event held in Brooklyn last June, was the most anticipated name and he keeps his promises. Behind him, we encounter many surprises, from Miller to Cason Wallace.
Wembanyama is already at its best
NBA drafts are always followed by careful analysis of the potential impact of players selected in their first year in the NBA. It is difficult to make a definitive decision six months after the elections, and even ninety days before the start of the regular season, but it is still possible to look at the statistics and have an idea. How are the new arrivals? in the world’s most prestigious basketball championship.
He was drafted first overall by the San Antonio Spurs and was universally regarded as one of the best. Potential basketball dominators of the coming yearsFrenchman Victor Wembanyama handles the pressure very well and has certainly lived up to expectations so far. At just 19 years old, the kid has shown a good blend of speed, plays and defensive reads: he is already one of the best in the world, averaging over 8 defensive rebounds per game, 3 blocks and 1.5 recoveries in half an hour of play. The best power forwards/centers in the league.
The future of the top 10 picks in the 2023 NBA draft
In these first weeks of the NBA, Wembanyama has also shown that he is a unique talent when it comes to scoring goals. diversity in the basket finishing process, marking when aiming for the scoreboard in one-on-one situations often proves nearly impossible. As far as we can see, what needs to be improved is game vision and pass reading ability.
Certainly, the 19-year-old native of Le Chesnay in northern France is currently averaging 18 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists per game: not bad for a season. The little boy who just arrived at the world basketball amusement park and it is fair to say that he found himself in a team where he was already considered among the reference points, but which was in the process of complete restructuring.
He was selected No. 2 in the draft after having an excellent college year at Alabama, La. guard Brandon Miller. The 21-year-old from Nashville is off to a good start in the championship with the Hornets: he is averaging 15 points per game as a regular starter and is approaching 40% from long-distance baskets.
He’s also doing pretty well in the build, with 2.3 assists per game. Defensively there is still a lot to work on, but the kid displays a personality and attitude that makes us imagine he can excel at a high level. One of the NBA’s toughest shooting guards.
Things are going a little worse for Scoot Henderson, the hero of his first start, as he lost to the Portland Trail Blazers with the number three pick. still seemed a little immatureI’m not ready to start a very tough championship like the NBA with a starting five.
Let’s remember, in a team that was in a complete rebuilding phase and was in the penultimate place in the Western Conference, coming off the bench was almost always used. Henderson averages 12.2 points2.8 assists and 4.7 rebounds: definitely too few. But be careful, he raises the level in the last block of matches and his success may only be a matter of time.
Even Amen Thompson, who was selected fourth overall by the Houston Rockets, has not yet reached his ideal height at the beginning of the NBA season. That leaves just 14.2 minutes per game and just 4.5 points for the guard born in 2003. Despite the uncertain start, Thompson still showed top-level athleticism, which is why he remains one of the top players according to scouts. Players with the most interesting prospects of the 2023 draft.
going to his place beyond expectations Ausar ThompsonDespite his outstanding shooting percentages, Detroit’s No. 5 pick proves that he is a creative playmaker and can create a lot of extra possessions for his team: the numbers speak of 11 offensive rebounds, 3.8 blocks and 1.8 recovered possessions per game. If Thompson changes his targeting, he could establish himself as a potential All Star Game player and therefore be at the top of the league.
From Black to Coulibaly, disappointments and NBA draft confirmations
19-year-old Anthony Black, who was selected with the 6th pick by the Orlando Magic, did not show very interesting numbers in this first part of the regular season: 5.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and a 30% three-point percentage. Even so, there’s still room for the boy from Las Colinas, Texas. He can improve a lot, especially on the offensive front.
Bilal Coulibaly, taken 7th overall by the Washington Wizards, is giving fans a reason to smile. disastrous franchise debut (only three wins). It was already known that the Frenchman brings with him physique and athleticism, but he is also proving that he is ready in the playmaking department: Coulibaly averages 9.1 points per game and shoots 41.8% from three-point range. These numbers added to stolen balls (one per game) bode well for the rest of the season.
Last in the roundup is Cason Wallace, who was Dallas’ No. 10 pick but ended up with Oklahoma. Wallace is scoring 7 points per game off the bench and shooting over 42% from three: if he manages to find more opportunities and give his legs more minutes. the child can go far. Picks No. 8 and 9, Jarace Walker and Taylor Hendricks, were not taken and therefore are not included in our report. Very few games were played due to Indiana and Utah sending them permanently to the G-League, the NBA’s development league, to gain experience.
