The 2023 NBA Draft takes place on June 22 and contrary to popular belief, Victor Wembanyama isn't the only player in the class.
Here are 10 under-the-radar prospects whose stock should rise as we inch closer to the draft.
The 6-foot-9 small forward averaged 19.2 points for Eastern Michigan last season. He was a bit streaky from deep, shooting 33% in 2022-23 but did have two games in which he made eight and nine threes, respectively.
Emoni Bates flashes are absolutely nuts pic.twitter.com/Jid3qFDRJM
— Cooper Klein (@Alley_Oop_Coop) May 15, 2023
Emoni Bates is one of the toughest shot takers and makers in this class pic.twitter.com/lA7tV0xq1V
— Stone Hansen (@report_court) May 15, 2023
Teammate Scoot Henderson received most of the attention, but Cissoko showed that he fits in the NBA as well. This past season, he displayed great passing skills, including one sequence when Cissoko (No. 25) recorded a block on one end and delivered a sharp pass on the other.
This is the Sidy Cissoko sell distilled to a single sequence. Strength and length defensively to handle physical on-ball assignments mixed with solid feel and delivery with a varied passing vocabulary pic.twitter.com/l5zlnAzcSZ
— Bryce Hendricks (@BryceHendrick14) May 17, 2023
He had another incredible assist when he slung this pass out to a cutting Henderson.
SIDY CISSOKO to SCOOT HENDERSON! @gleagueignite
— NBA (@NBA) February 19, 2023
LIVE NOW on NBA TV!
➡️: https://t.co/oCpSSszkV5 pic.twitter.com/mX6FnxJa2a
In 28 starts in the G League, Cissoko averaged 12.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists on 45.5% shooting.
Jackson-Davis fits the modern NBA with his length and switchability on defense. He also has a high motor, never as evident as on this play against Eastern Michigan when Davis-Jackson (No. 23) blocked a shot and sprinted down the court for a dunk.
Trayce Jackson-Davis doing it all for the Hoosiers
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) November 10, 2021
(via @br_CBB)
pic.twitter.com/sFDpydDYle
He averaged 20.9 points and 10.8 rebounds while shooting 58.1% during his senior year in 2022-23.
Jaquez is a big guard at 6-foot-6. He used his size to his advantage at UCLA and could punish smaller defenders in the NBA as well.
Jaime Jacquez Jr. is one of the better college players.
— Ersin Demir (@EDemirNBA) September 13, 2022
Insane footwork here in a post-up with the shot clock winding down.
Ranked in the 93rd (!!) %ILE in scoring efficiency in post-ups last season.
His bread and butter. pic.twitter.com/mXG4v4SGK7
He might struggle against quicker guards while on defense, but he also proved to be a capable defender with the Bruins, reacting well after getting beat to the rim.
Jaime Jacquez Jr. ranks in the 51st %ILE in guarding opponents at the rim.
— Ersin Demir (@EDemirNBA) September 14, 2022
Gets beat on the drive here, but does a good job recovering with the block at the rim. pic.twitter.com/IBt15pu4CK
Johnson will be his point guard's best friend in the NBA. Wildcats guard Markquis Nowell connected with Johnson on multiple alley-oops in big moments this season.
KEYONTAE JOHNSON FOR THE GAME
— SLAM University (@slam_university) January 18, 2023
Poster oop-dunk for the win is tuff. pic.twitter.com/oNGAdF4qxC
Markquis Nowell to Keyontae Johnson.
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) March 24, 2023
Kansas State has shown all season it will throw lobs under any circumstances. Jerome Tang’s team is always aggressive and comfortable in the moment.pic.twitter.com/btkehp9H2G
The fifth-year senior shot 40.5% from three in 2022-23 as he returned to action after collapsing on-court while at Florida in 2020.
The forward from Sweden wasn't used often as a freshman but showcased his natural abilities in limited opportunities.
The Athletic's Sam Vecenie said it best when he described Klintman as "very fluid." The moment never looked too big for Klintman (No. 34), whether he was faced with knocking down a three-pointer or attacking the basket.
Terrific under-the-radar prospect to track: Wake Forest W/F Bobi Klintman. Hasn't gotten a ton of publicity, but a legit potential 2024 1st rounder.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) March 3, 2023
All the tools modern NBA teams look for. 6-10 wing, can handle, shoot, really pass. Very fluid. Great upside bet. Super talented pic.twitter.com/Skg9Mf24Kn
A change of scenery — and a bigger opportunity — did wonders for Podziemski. After playing 16 games and 4.3 minutes per game last year at Illinois, Podziemski (No. 22) transferred to Santa Clara where he started 32 games in 2022-23 and averaged 19.9 points while shooting 43.8% from deep.
Late to the party but finally finished my Brandin Podziemski deep dive and it's impossible to come away unimpressed. His combination of footwork, balance, change of pace, and scoring touch is some of the best in this class. Great shooter and improved his passing all year. pic.twitter.com/aViai9yhD4
— Tyler Metcalf (@tmetcalf11) May 11, 2023
He is a crafty finisher in the lane but excels from deep. At the NBA Draft Combine, he was nearly automatic.
Santa Clara’s Brandin Podziemski (@brandinpodziem2) made 18 of 25 threes in the Star Drill (72%) ranking 3rd at the NBA Draft Combine
— Jack Benjamin (@JackBenjaminPxP) May 15, 2023
His max vertical of 39 inches (tied for 6th best) is the same as Jalen Williams (@JdubPSCEO) last year@SantaClaraHoopspic.twitter.com/Z5sjht29RJ
Sasser has some of the best handles of any guard in this class. Against Wichita State, he did a masterful job of keeping the basketball on a yo-yo on this drive.
Marcus Sasser really keeps the ball on a string ✨ @UHCougarMBK pic.twitter.com/2QTr4jby7R
— ESPN (@espn) March 3, 2023
He also showed off against Auburn by loosening up the defense before knocking down a three.
— … (@WatchThisV2) March 19, 2023
Sasser deserves a spot in the league based on this Euro step alone.
Marcus Sasser FLOATED on this euro step @UHCougarMBK pic.twitter.com/hBaw23yi7I
— ESPN (@espn) February 6, 2023
If there's a clutch gene, Strawther has it.
JULIAN STRAWTHER WITH THE DAGGER
— ESPN (@espn) January 13, 2023
Gonzaga comes back to win it‼️ pic.twitter.com/vjSQ3vSP48
JULIAN STRAWTHER FOR THE WIN
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 24, 2023
GONZAGA IS GOING TO THE ELITE 8 pic.twitter.com/UYWfOMZKeJ
The 6-foot-7 guard has the length to guard multiple positions and the shooting prowess to be a difficult matchup on offense. In 69 games the past two seasons, Strawther shot 39% from deep, and not always on easy attempts.
Casual 4-point play from @ZagMBB's Julian Strawther pic.twitter.com/NcCnVFafIY
— CBS Sports College Basketball (@CBSSportsCBB) February 17, 2023
Vukcevic shot 37.3% from deep in 40 games with KK Partizan in the Serbian league during the 2022-23 season. He also displayed nice touch around the rim and projects as a stretch-five in the NBA.
While Ndiaye is playing valuable minutes today, did NBA draft early entrant Tristan Vukcevic (03’ - 6’11) also get some legit playing time in 4th Q of game 3. Here some of his actions, adding shot creation and good perimeter defense in his 7mins on the court. https://t.co/CTLMDoToyt pic.twitter.com/CXYLYgkHVK
— Florian Kurth (@FloKurth) May 10, 2023
Tristan Vukcevic knocks down a pair of triples!
— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) May 17, 2023
Microsoft @Surface #NBACombine on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/wLEF8SHNvE
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