The 2023 NBA Draft has come to a close, with the next generation of talent set to take the league by storm. Plenty of the top predictions came through, but some surprise picks turned the draft board on its head.
Today, we're going to run through the No.1 overall selection, along with the best and worst picks from draft night and provide a full recap of both rounds.
No.1 Overall Pick: Victor Wembanyama - Spurs
It was no shock to see the 7-foot-4 center go as the No.1 overall pick. The French superstar center has been at the top prospect of every mock draft since declaring his eligibility earlier this year. With an incredible 8-foot wingspan, and praise comparable to LeBron James, he's set to make a huge impact for the Spurs next season.
But he's not just physically gifted... Wembanyama displays remarkable defensive and offensive skills. His performance in France has been nothing short of astounding, but he's shown that he can convert his talent to the American courts. The hype around him peaked in October last year when he put up a pair of performances against the Ignite in the NBA G-League - posting a ridiculous 73 points in 70 minutes.
Wembanyama also hasn't missed a beat since returning to France, but it's clear he'll be playing a different style of basketball in the NBA. His coach, Vincent Collet, said this was already expected due to the shorter 3-point line and higher physicality in Europe.
Defense is different [in the United States]. He has more room in the G League game. And probably the referees are protecting more. Sometimes they grab him in France, so that's something special that didn't happen [in Las Vegas]. I don't think he has to play to make seven threes each game.
Collet
If he can stay healthy, Wembanyama is highly likely to become a true NBA star.
Best Pick: Scoot Henderson - Trail Blazers
It may seem boring to choose our favourite pick in the top three, but Portland absolutely nailed this one.
Picking up another top-tier building block alongside Shaedon Sharpe, allows the Blazers to start their rebuilding phase without having to trade away Damian Lillard. Henderson will bring a dynamic athleticism and explosive playmaking ability to the team. He's honed his skills over the last two years in the G League, which should make for a smooth transition into the NBA.
Henderson may only be 6-foot-2 in height, but he plays like a giant on the court. He's a dynamic point guard whose presence is reminiscent of Russell Westbrook. Although Henderson is a strong scorer, he's not the best at shooting, especially from beyond the arc. He needs to work on that, but that'll likely be his go-to in preseason development.
Our bold prediction is that Henderson takes home Rookie of the Year next season. I know all eyes will be on Wembanyama but the role he'll play might not put him in a great spot to bag the award. At 7-foot-4, the Spurs are likely to limit his game and minutes load, while Henderson should start every game of the year and as a point-guard, should contribute to almost every point on the court, if not lead all rookies in scoring. Wins may come further down the road, but for now Portland fans will get the chance to admire his individual talents.
Worst Pick: Jett Howard - Magic
This pick was perhaps the biggest head scratcher of the night...
Sure, Howard is one of the best tough-shot makers on the board, but he is a serious liability on defense. At the 11th overall pick, there were plenty of other shooting guards available that weren't an issue at the other end of the court - like Jordan Hawkins and Gradey Dick. Howard was predicted to go towards the end of round 1 or even fall into round 2, certainly not just outside the top 10.
Full Draft:
| Pick | Player | Team |
| 1 | Victor Wembanyama | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2 | Brandon Miller | Charlotte Hornets |
| 3 | Scoot Henderson | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 4 | Amen Thompson | Houston Nuggets |
| 5 | Ausar Thompson | Detroit Pistons |
| 6 | Anthony Black | Orlando Magic |
| 7 | Bilal Coulibaly | Washington DC Wizards |
| 8 | Jarace Walker | Indiana Pacers |
| 9 | Taylor Hendricks | Utah Jazz |
| 10 | Cason Wallace | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| 11 | Jett Howard | Orlando Magic |
| 12 | Dereck Lively II | Dallas Mavericks |
| 13 | Gradey Dick | Toronto Raptors |
| 14 | Jordan Hawkins | New Orleans Pelicans |
| 15 | Kobe Bufkin | Atlanta Hawks |
| 16 | Keyonte George | Utah Jazz |
| 17 | Jalen Hood-Schifino | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 18 | Jaime Jaquez Jr | Miami Heat |
| 19 | Brandin Podziemski | Golden State Warriors |
| 20 | Cam Whitmore | Houston Nuggets |
| 21 | Noah Clowney | Brooklyn Nets |
| 22 | Dariq Whitehead | Brooklyn Nets |
| 23 | Kris Murray | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 24 | Olivier-Maxence Prosper | Dallas Mavericks |
| 25 | Marcus Sasser | Detroit Pistons |
| 26 | Ben Sheppard | Indiana Pacers |
| 27 | Nick Smith | Charlotte Hornets |
| 28 | Brice Sensabaugh | Utah Jazz |
| 29 | Julian Strawther | Denver Nuggets |
| 30 | Kobe Brown | Los Angeles Clippers |
| 31 | James Nnaji | Boston Celtics |
| 32 | Jalen Pickett | Denver Nuggets |
| 33 | Leonard Miller | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 34 | Colby Jones | Sacramento Kings |
| 35 | Julian Phillips | Chicago Bulls |
| 36 | Andre Jackson | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 37 | Hunter Tyson | Denver Nuggets |
| 38 | Jordan Walsh | Boston Celtics |
| 39 | Mouhamed Gueye | Charlotte Hornets |
| 40 | Maxwell Lewis | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 41 | Amari Bailey | Charlotte Hornets |
| 42 | Tristan Vukcevic | Washington DC Wizards |
| 43 | Rayan Rupert | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 44 | Sidy Cissoko | San Antonio Spurs |
| 45 | GG Jackson | Memphis Grizzlies |
| 46 | Seth Lundy | Atlanta Hawks |
| 47 | Mojave King | Indiana Pacers |
| 48 | Jordan Miller | Los Angeles Clippers |
| 49 | Emoni Bates | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 50 | Keyontae Johnson | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| 51 | Jalen Wilson | Brooklyn Nets |
| 52 | Toumani Camara | Phoenix Suns |
| 53 | Jaylen Clark | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 54 | Jalen Slawson | Sacramento Kings |
| 55 | Isaiah Wong | Indiana Pacers |
| 56 | Tarik Biberovic | Memphis Grizzlies |
| 57 | Pick Forfeited | Chicago Bulls |
| 58 | Pick Forfeited | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 59 | Trayce Jackson-Davis | Golden State Warriors |
| 60 | Chris Livingston | Milwaukee Bucks |
(Header Image Credit: Wendell Cruz - USA TODAY Sports)
