2023 NBA Draft Big Board + Prospect Rankings: Comparisons and Analysis for Each of the Top Prospects in the 2023 Draft

Our 2023 NBA Draft Big Board is an updated rankings system for Lineups’ 30 highest-rated NBA prospects. The NBA Draft Big Board includes prospects from all different types of developmental leagues, including the NCAA, the G-League, Overtime Elite, overseas leagues, and more. Measurements used for analysis include height, wingspan, and weight, though things such as age, projectability, skill, and NBA player comparisons and fit are also taken into account. Throughout the season, this NBA Draft Big Board page is constantly updated, reflecting injuries, level of play, and other potential catalysts that could help or hurt a prospect looking to make his NBA dreams come true. Further, keep an eye on our final NBA Mock Draft. Individual scouting reports on the players are linked through their names (below the table) as well for more in-depth analysis.

NBA Draft Big Board 2023

NBA Draft Big Board 2023: Prospect Rankings

1. Victor Wembanyama

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: Victor Wembanyama is likely the best NBA prospect that we have seen since LeBron James, and it is clear as day why that is the case. Jonathan Givony recently reported that Wembanyama stands 7-foot-4 without shoes with an outrageous 8-foot wingspan. Effectively, Victor will be the tallest and the longest player in the NBA when he is drafted while also showing glimpses of impressive shooting mechanics and effortless ball-handling, especially for his size. Wembanyama may also still be growing, which is a frightening thought; imagine if he becomes  7-foot-5 or 7-foot-6 barefoot with his skillset! The pressure is on Wembanyama to produce at the NBA level, but his performance in an overseas professional league as a teenager indicates that he is on a path to greatness.

https://twitter.com/Wemby_Muse/status/1659264639107203072?s=20

2. Scoot Henderson

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: Scoot Henderson would likely find himself as the No. 1 overall pick on most NBA Draft Big Boards, but he just so happens to be in the same draft as the most unique unicorn the NBA has ever seen. Henderson will be quite the consolation with the second or third pick, depending on team fit. Henderson’s physique and physical maturity remind me a lot of Anthony Edwards when he was a freshman in college; he’s strong, a freak athlete, and very in control of his movements around the court. The term “NBA ready” is a natural understatement for this high IQ, athletic, and physically imposing guard, who has flashes of Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook in his game. Check out the Swish YouTube Channel for more highlights on Scoot and other prospects!

3. Brandon Miller

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: Forgive me for getting excited any time I hear the words “a 6-foot-9 small forward” uttered in conjunction, but it will never stop. Not only does Miller boast fantastic size and length, but he also pairs that with elite athleticism and game-breaking dunks. It’s rare to find a prospect with this size and athleticism for his position, but pairing that with a quick first step, especially off of a jab step, and a mechanically sound jump shot is almost unfair. Miller’s sole weakness should be relatively fixable; he needs to improve on his touch and craftiness in the paint to become a masterful three-level scorer. His upside is similar to that of a player like Paul George, but his finishing ability around the rim will ultimately determine whether or not he reaches that level. 

4. Amen Thompson

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: Few players move with the unique fluidity of Amen Thompson. At 6-foot-7, Thompson has an impressive skill set that should translate nicely to the NBA. His craft around the rim, strong dribbling ability, and terrific vision and flash could eventually lead to Thompson being a secondary, or even primary, ball-handler at the next level. Amen and Ausar, his twin brother, have similar weaknesses: shooting. Amen’s ceiling could be limited if he does not develop a more consistent shot; however, it will still be high even without one due to his freakish athletic and innate playmaking abilities.

Amen Thompson is the definition on an IMPACT PLAYER 💥 pic.twitter.com/SeWhembctL

— Overtime Elite (@OvertimeElite) May 17, 2023

5. Cam Whitmore

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: Despite missing the first few weeks of the 2022-23 college basketball season, and consequently being eased back into the rotation, often logging between 20 and 30 minutes per game until later in the season, Cam Whitmore posted some impressive offensive numbers. Further, few, if any, players in this draft class boast the explosive vertical burst that Whitmore has, which is even more impressive given his Herculean physique. Due to his increasingly tight handle, quick first step, and three-level scoring upside, Whitmore should eventually turn into an All-Star at the next level. A continued refinement on fundamentals and footwork will help him get there.

6. Jarace Walker

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: Jarace Walker is yet another high-flying forward with an incredibly mature build for his age. Walker has shown flashes of get-it-and-go transition skills off the defensive glass due to a tight handle for his size, finishing skills around the rim, and flashes of secondary playmaking potential. Walker has tremendous offensive upside, but since we did not see much of it at Houston, we can only speculate based on the tools already in place. Still, few players at any level have an aptitude for defense the way Walker does, and it is well within his reach to eventually be able to guard 1-5, similar to a player like Bam Adebayo.

7. Ausar Thompson

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: Ausar Thompson, like his twin brother Amen, is a freak athlete with a high-level feel for the game; he can make impressive reads off the bounce, take defenders on in isolation, and fly in for rebounds or game-breaking dunks. Ausar’s most compelling attribute, though, is his defense. At 6-foot-7, he has the foot speed and hip flexibility of a guard; it will be more than difficult to score on him at the next level. Currently, he does not necessarily project as a 3-and-D prospect due to a very inconsistent shot with dicey mechanics. It will take a few years with NBA-level shooting coaches and a strong work ethic to develop a passable shot. However, his defense, athleticism, and passing flashes alone make him a top prospect.

8. Bilal Coulibaly

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: Coulibaly is a long-term project, not quite ready to be plugged into an NBA rotation, but the tools, measurements, and raw athleticism he has are tantalizing and will likely propel him into the lottery on draft night. Bilal stands somewhere between 6-foot-6 and 6-foot-8, depending on the report, with a reported wingspan between 7-foot-1 and 7-foot-3, giving him a major plus wingspan. As far as athleticism goes, Coulibaly is amongst the highest leapers and most explosive athletes in this draft, and he pairs that with a straight-line speed that rivals even the fastest guards. Further, the fact that he’s only 18 years old and has displayed functional shooting mechanics and a strong aptitude for catch-and-shoot threes, as well as finishing around the rim on drives and in transition, entices NBA scouts and organizations. This is doubly the case, considering he has played at a professional level already at just 18 years www.

MAKE WAY 😤 @Bilaal_6

pic.twitter.com/orbAsich0v

— Comsport (@Agence_Comsport) April 8, 2023

9. Kobe Bufkin

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: Bufkin is another perfect example of how some players just need an extra year to develop into high-profile prospects. After averaging just ten minutes per game as a freshman, Bufkin returned to Michigan for his sophomore season with a much more polished game on both ends of the floor. You will have a hard time finding a perimeter defender with quicker hands than Bufkin, who has highlights picking the pockets of numerous other top prospects and NBA Draft hopefuls. Bufkin also is one of the best/craftiest finishers around the rim in this year’s draft class; he certainly could project as a three-level scorer at the next level with a bit more work on his isolation counters.

10. Taylor Hendricks

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: No one expected this lower-ranked four-star recruit to be a one-and-done player, but here we are! Hendricks skyrocketed up draft boards after putting together an all-around impressive freshman season, filled with numerous improvements to his ever-growing game. Hendricks displayed impressive rim-protecting and switchability on the defensive end while shooting just shy of 50% from the floor and 40% from behind the arc. Pretty remarkable shooting numbers for a 6-foot-9 freshman forward! Hendricks is a prospect with a lot of pro tools, but he probably won’t contribute much on Day 1. He’s a project, but he is well worth the wait!

11. Dereck Lively II

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: Dereck Lively finished his high school career ranking first in ESPN’s annual Top 100 High School Recruits list (ESPN 100), but much like fellow teammate Dariq Whitehead, he underperformed relative to expectations. Still, Lively is young and has plenty of room to grow, particularly on the offensive end, as he made huge strides defensively and on the glass as the year progressed. Lively projects as a modern-day big with enough functional athleticism and lower-body strength to bang inside with more traditional fives but also enough skill to shoot in pick-and-pop situations or potentially even take slow bigs off the dribble. His offensive upside will take time, but improved spacing and continual work in those areas could help this all come to fruition. Lively’s key to having a long NBA career, and seeing the floor quickly, is his defense, though.

12. Maxwell Lewis

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: One of the (somewhat) hidden gems in this draft is Maxwell Lewis, a 6-foot-7/6-foot-8 wing out of Pepperdine. Lewis’ terrific size and length (7-foot wingspan) give him the necessary tools to be an effective two-way wing player at the next level; however, his skills and upside could take him to a whole other level. Lewis will be just 20 years old on draft night and has shown an offensive blend of Brandon Ingram, O.G. Anunoby, and Pascal Siakam, three high-level wings with terrific size and shotmaking abilities. At the end of the day, though, Lewis’ impact at the next level will be largely predicated on his continued progression as a playmaker for others and isolation creator for himself; he has to be able to apply pressure at the rim on a more consistent basis if he wants to ensure his jump shot will be freed up. Luckily, he should have the combination of athleticism and talent to do just that.

13. Leonard Miller

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: Miller was one of the players who saw themselves rise up draft boards drastically at the end of the 2021-22 season, as his combination of athleticism and size (6-foot-10.5) was inherently enticing to NBA scouts. However, Miller participated in the NBA Combine’s 5v5s last year and looked a bit lost at times; the game was still a little too fast for him. Still, Miller opted for another year, this time with G-League Ignite, where he looked every bit the part of a future NBA player; he flashed his unique playmaking skills, elite body control and finishing abilities, strong rebounding, and efficiency inside the arc. Leonard’s impressive 18 points and 11 rebounds per game on a strong 56/33/79 shooting split showcased a giant step forward, which usually means that his ceiling has still not been reached, especially considering the fact that he is just 19 years www. Miller will have to continue improving his ball-handling and passing abilities, as well as his three-point shooting mechanics, which definitely need some work. However, he is a fabulous prospect who should be a lock for the first round.

14. Tristan Vukcevic

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: Vukcevic could very well be a late draft riser after measuring over 6-foot-11 without shoes; he could be closing in on 7-foot-1 with shoes while boasting an impressive 7-foot-3 wingspan as a clear-cut power forward who could play some at the five if needed. Vukcevic’s shooting is by far his greatest pro-ready asset, as he shot 40% this season in 40 games overseas; he can space the floor and, hopefully, improve his penetration off of closeouts in the future. Still, Tristan is by no means a finished product, as he still has to drastically improve his handle and overall defensive output.

15. Jordan Hawkins

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: As far as shooters go, there is none better in this draft than Jordan Hawkins. Hawkins’ ability to shoot in catch-and-shoot and off screens/movement situations makes him a lethal threat. Further, there is no prospect in the draft that can get their shot off as quickly/efficiently or hit as many shots without being square to the basket as Hawkins. While Hawkins has shown an ability to stay in front of opponents defensively, he will need to work on discipline and consistency, so he can be relied upon to defend 1s and 2s at the next level. The biggest area of improvement for Hawkins, and the one that could take this athletic shooter from a good prospect to a great prospect, is his finishing at and around the rim. If Hawkins can take a few pages from the book of someone like Jordan Poole in that regard, then the sky is the limit.

16. Anthony Black

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: After a successful freshman season at Arkansas, including knocking off the No. 1-seeded Kansas Jayhawks in the NCAA Tournament, Anthony Black will take his talents to the NBA. Black’s on-ball defense reminds us a lot of Lonzo Ball; he has lightning-quick hands, a quick first step, and terrific recovery, and he racks up a ton of blocks and impressive perimeter contests due to his length and timing. On the other end of the floor, Black utilizes his high IQ to look off defenders and make the proper reads in the pick-and-roll, another trademark of the aforementioned Ball’s game. Anthony can finish through contact off two feet or hit runners when there is a larger interior presence in front of him; however, his shooting ability is a fairly significant concern. If Black can improve form on his jump shot off the dribble and in catch-and-shoot situations, he could have a long NBA career.

17. Gradey Dick

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: There will be a team in the lottery that will love the fact that Gradey Dick is still available. Gradey has terrific size (6-foot-8) and functional athleticism that allows him to get open off the ball for good looks from deep, which is his forte. Due to his quick release, high release point, and size, he is difficult to block or even properly contest. Gradey also has a high ceiling as a multi-positional defender at the next level if he continues to get stronger and quicker. His biggest weakness right now is his handle and ability to score off the dribble. Luckily, he’s not going to be relied on as much of a playmaker in the NBA, so it won’t matter as much. An improvement in those areas would just be icing on the cake.

18. Cason Wallace

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: Cason Wallace is a 6-foot-4 combo guard from Texas who played for legendary coach John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats. Calipari is known for developing prospects into NBA-caliber players in a very short period of time, which definitely worked into Wallace’s ideal timeline. Wallace has several similarities to other hyper-competitive, athletic, and strong guards like Collin Sexton. We have seen guards like Wallace in recent years excel in college on the defensive end due to their overwhelming competitive spirit and combination of high defensive IQ, lateral speed, flexible hips, and strong chest. These things matter to NBA executives who are looking for lockdown defenders capable of playmaking on the offensive end, too. 

19. Keyonte George

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: Keyonte George may be one of my favorite off-guards in college this season; he has a strong handle that complements his slashing ability well and can finish around taller interior defenders. The most exciting attribute about George, though, is his shooting off the dribble and in catch-and-shoot situations. George has shown an aptitude for hitting tough shots in isolation situations, off of pick and rolls, or with a hand in his face off the catch. Still, Keyonte does have to improve on his shooting efficiency, as his sub-40% shooting from the field and sub-34% shooting from deep this season at Baylor was far from stellar.

20. Jett Howard

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: Jett Howard is a 6-foot-8 guard/forward with impressive shooting and scoring abilities. Howard was the second-leading scorer for the Michigan Wolverines, only behind big man Hunter Dickinson. While Howard is a bit older than most freshmen, his play this season surpasses any concerns about age, which would be ridiculous to have anyway. Fluidity with and without the ball also makes up a massive part of Jett’s upside at the NBA level. He doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective, but he can certainly score at a high level with it, too.

21. Brice Sensabaugh

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: Sensabaugh should be a late-lottery to mid-first-round pick after shooting over 48% from the field and close to 41% from behind the arc in his freshman season at Ohio State. Similar to Hendricks, Sensabaugh was not projected to be a one-and-done prospect, as he was a lower four-star recruit in the 2022 class; however, his elite combination of size (6-foot-6), shooting (48/41/83 shooting split), strength (235 pounds), and ball-handling make him a surefire first-rounder. Sensabaugh may not be quite quick enough to play shooting guard at the next level, but he will be a perfect three and could even fill in as a small-ball four in some lineups.

22. GG Jackson

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: 6-foot-9 players with shooting ability, athleticism, and high upside as a scorer will never go out of style. GG Jackson, a freshman forward for South Carolina, is one of those players. Jackson has played well at the collegiate level, despite just turning 18 years old in mid-December. He will be the youngest player that is eligible to be drafted in the 2023 NBA Draft, and that alone gets NBA teams excited. Jackson’s biggest issues right now are his inability to create space on the perimeter against defenders and his mental fortitude and occasional selfish play, and poor body language; however, it is important to remember that he is young and still learning. Jackson is well worth taking a flier on and seeing what happens.

23. Brandin Podziemski

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: Brandin Podziemski is another late draft riser after putting together an impressive sophomore season at Santa Clara, averaging roughly 20 points, nine rebounds, and four assists on a 48/44/77 shooting split, which is exceptionally efficient when you’re shooting on volume at the collegiate level and being game-planned for every night. Podziemski followed up his strong year with an impressive pre-draft showing, excelling in the 5v5s on both ends of the floor and stuffing the stat sheet. His continued improvement defensively and in gaining separation and finishing around taller rim-protectors will be what takes him from just a shooting prospect to a more well-rounded NBA player.

24. Dariq Whitehead

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: After winning the Naismith Player of the Year award in high school, Dariq Whitehead suffered an untimely injury right before the season that forced him to miss several games, and he never quite returned to form. Whitehead’s evident strengths are his Anthony Edwards-level tough shot-making ability and craftiness in isolation that allows him to get just enough space to get his highly effective jump shot off. Whitehead shot a blistering 43% from deep, displaying mastery in all catch-and-shoot situations that will almost guarantee some level of NBA success. Further, Whitehead had moments defensively on-ball that were promising, but consistency will be imperative at the next level and can help him see minutes earlier than he otherwise would; his length and size can allow him to defend 2s and 3s successfully. Ultimately, the difference between Whitehead being an above-average NBA player and a borderline All-Star will undoubtedly be whether or not he can regain lost athleticism and burst from his lower extremity injury.

25. Jalen Hood-Schifino

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: After a relatively slow start to the 2022-23 campaign, Jalen Hood-Schifino stepped up in a major way for the Indiana Hoosiers when senior guard Xavier Johnson went down early in the season with a broken foot. Hood-Schifino picked up lead guard duties for the Hoosiers, facilitating out of the pick-and-roll, knocking down shots from the mid-range, and effectively being the co-star with Trayce Jackson-Davis. Hood-Schifino is a perfect modern-day combo guard for the NBA, with an ability to play on or off the ball; however, shooting consistency from deep and screen navigation and defensive consistency, particularly in the straight line, are minor concerns. Still, his mechanics are strong enough that NBA trainers can sort that out and add that to his ever-evolving game. Additionally, if Hood-Schifino continues to improve his finishing around the rim due to his below-the-rim athleticism, and his loose ends defensively, he should stick in the league.

26. Nick Smith Jr.

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: Nick Smith Jr was one of the more high-profile guards heading into college this season, evidenced by his speed, change of direction, and overall basketball IQ; however, injuries derailed his campaign and momentum quite a bit. Still, he poured in 13 points per game, but efficiency was continually an issue. Smith’s size is a plus as he stands at 6-foot-5 as a combo guard. Smith reminds me a lot of Markelle Fultz (lite) as a freshman; they each have a strange combination of herky-jerky movements that keep defenders on their heels and a smooth jump shot they can lean on when penetrating is not the ideal play. Smith has to improve as a playmaker for others, as his job at the next level will not be solely to score.

27. Trayce Jackson-Davis

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: Few players benefit from staying in college as long as Trayce Jackson-Davis, but with his eye-popping senior season, he went from a likely late-second-rounder to a surefire late-first or early-second-rounder, at worst. Jackson-Davis boasts a lot of skills and attributes that NBA teams want: passing, ball-handling, screening, finishing, rim-protection, switchability, strength, agility, vertical athleticism, and length. The one glaring issue with TJD’s game is his shooting; he shot fewer than five three-pointers during his collegiate career, and as a slightly undersized center prospect, that has caused teams to second-guess his stock. However, Jackson-Davis stepped up and shot well in the pre-draft process and has functional shooting ability with halfway decent mechanics, so he could add this to his game at the next level. If he does that, then he will have a terrific NBA career.

28. Marcus Sasser

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: There aren’t a ton of spots in the NBA for 6-foot-2 guards, but Sasser will likely occupy one of them. Sasser is an All-American player who has consistently shown impressive shot-making and scoring abilities for the Houston Cougars; he can shoot it from anywhere, and having a hand in his face does not deter him at all. Additionally, Sasser is crafty and shifty and can snake his way into the paint to finish around much taller defenders. There is little doubt that Sasser will find himself a role at the next level, but it needs to be at an ideal landing spot that will let him continue to work on counters and other ways to be an effective, consistent scorer when he has longer, uber-athletic defenders on him. Concerns about Sasser’s age, size, and vertical athleticism will keep him outside of the lottery, but he could be taken by a team that needs a win-now guard at the end of the first round or the beginning of the second.

29. Colby Jones

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: If there is anything we have learned from this season, it is that upperclassmen, NBA-ready prospects still have immense value. Look no further than Christian Braun, who played a huge rotational role for the Denver Nuggets in their championship run. Jones could be that type of player this season for a team at the end of the first round; he can make plays for others, finish around the rim, and has shown catch-and-shoot upside, especially at the NBA level. Jones is a competitor who should easily fit into a contender’s rotation from Day 1. Players who work hard defensively and bring a winning culture to the locker room will always be coveted.

30. Kris Murray

NBA Draft Big Board Analysis: Much like the Thompson brothers mentioned before, Kris is also a twin, and his twin happens to be the No. 4 overall selection in last year’s draft, Keegan Murray. Unironically, Kris boasts many of the same skills and attributes as Keegan; he also happens to be the same size at 6-foot-8. Kris has a smooth jump shot and glides with the same effortless strides as his twin brother. Ultimately, think of Kris as a rotational version of Keegan; he is just a bit less effective athletically and as a scorer than his brother, but he should still be a solid role player at the next level.

NBA Draft Big Board 2023: Risers and Fallers

In the NBA Draft Big Board: Risers and Fallers section, we detail the biggest risers and fallers from week to week based on interviews, individual workouts (Pro Days), hype, additional information, and further highlights, especially for professional overseas prospects still playing. Check out the NBA Draft Big Board risers and fallers below!

• Bilal Coulibaly

Coulibaly underwent his own official measurements recently since the French league he has been playing in was still in-season; things went about as well as you could expect for the 18-year-old who has been skyrocketing up draft boards across the league. Coulibaly measured at 6-foot-8 in shoes, which is roughly two inches taller than many predicted he would be, and he could still be growing. It is a scary thought for an already uber-athletic forward who plays well-above the rim and can defend multiple positions on the other end of the floor. Bilal has a high floor as a star-stopper on defense, especially with his height, length (7-foot-3 wingspan), and lateral and vertical athleticism. His ceiling could be as high as NBA All-Star if he continues to grow and develop his skill set. Currently, Coulibaly is limited to straight-line slashes, catch-and-shoot threes, and finishing off of cuts; however, if he were to add a strong handle to his repertoire, he could shoot over anyone and get around anyone.

• Leonard Miller

It is strange to see people fall “out of love” with a 6-foot-11 forward with playmaking upside who dominated offensively and on the boards against professionals in the G-League this past season. Not to mention, Miller is still a teenager! Miller might be one of the most undervalued players in the 2023 NBA Draft after garnering perhaps too much hype last spring. Now, there is an overcompensation in the opposite direction. Miller can handle the ball, finish at the rim, and has solid passing vision; he also could be a versatile defensive player at the NBA level if he keeps working! If Miller falls out of the lottery, he would be amongst the biggest steals in the draft.

*last updated June 19, 2023

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