NBA Mock Draft 2023: Projections for Prospects With Most Star Potential

The San Antonio Spurs are on the clock with the No. 1 pick of the 2023 NBA draft.

While they can't make their pick official until June 22, they will assuredly be taking French phenom Victor Wembanyama, who has perhaps the most buzz of any draft prospect since LeBron James entered the Association two decades back.

Wembanyama's star potential speaks for itself. If he hits his ceiling, he might break basketball given his all-purpose skill set featuring everything from shot-blocking and above-the-rim finishing to ball-handling and three-point shooting.

Push past Wembanyama, though, and there are other potential stars in this draft. We'll spotlight two of them after piecing together a mock first round.

2023 NBA Mock Draft

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CHICAGO,IL - MAY 16: CEO R. C. Buford, Lauren Kate Holt, Managing Partner Peter J. Holt and J.B. Richter of the San Antonio Spurs accept the 1st Pickduring the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery at McCormick Place on May 16, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

1. San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama, PF/C, Metropolitans 92

2. Charlotte Hornets: Brandon Miller, SF, Alabama

3. Portland Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson, PG, G League Ignite

4. Houston Rockets: Amen Thompson, PG/SG, Overtime Elite

5. Detroit Pistons: Cam Whitmore, SF, Villanova

6. Orlando Magic: Ausar Thompson, SG/SF, Overtime Elite

7. Indiana Pacers: Jarace Walker, PF, Houston

8. Washington Wizards: Anthony Black, PG/SG, Arkansas

9. Utah Jazz: Gradey Dick, SG/SF, Kansas

10. Dallas Mavericks: Taylor Hendricks, PF, UCF

11. Orlando Magic (via CHI): Jordan Hawkins, SG, UConn

12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Cason Wallace, PG/SG, Kentucky

13. Toronto Raptors: Nick Smith Jr., PG/SG, Arkansas

14. New Orleans Pelicans: Keyonte George, SG, Baylor

15. Atlanta Hawks: GG Jackson, PF, South Carolina

16. Utah Jazz (via MIN): Dariq Whitehead, SG/SF, Duke

17. Los Angeles Lakers: Jett Howard, SG/SF, Michigan

18. Miami Heat: Leonard Miller, SF/PF, G League Ignite

19. Golden State Warriors: Kris Murray, PF, Iowa

20. Houston Rockets: Jalen Hood-Schifino, PG/SG, Indiana

21. Brooklyn Nets (via PHO): Brice Sensabaugh, SG, Ohio State

22. Brooklyn Nets: Rayan Rupert, SG/SF, NZ Breakers

23. Portland Trail Blazers (via NYK): James Nnaji, C, Barcelona

24. Sacramento Kings: Colby Jones, PG/SG, Xavier

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Dereck Lively II, C, Duke

26. Indiana Pacers (via CLE): Maxwell Lewis, SF, Pepperdine

27. Charlotte Hornets (via DEN): Bilal Coulibaly, SG/SF, Metropolitans 92

28. Utah Jazz (via PHI): Noah Clowney, PF/C, Alabama

29. Indiana Pacers (via BOS): Ben Sheppard, SG, Belmont

30. Los Angeles Clippers (via MIL): Kobe Bufkin, SG, Michigan

Brandon Miller, SF, Alabama

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LOUISVILLE, KY - MARCH 24: Alabama Crimson Tide forward Brandon Miller (24) during the San Diego State Aztecs versus the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Sweet Sixteen Round of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship South Regional on March 23, 2023, at KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, KY. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Earlier this season, all mock drafts opened with Wembanyama at the top and Henderson in the No. 2 slot. Miller threw that conversation off-course with his first-team All-American campaign at Alabama.

The 6'9", 200-pound swingman boasts the size-skill combo every NBA team hopes to have on the wings. He can run offense, make passes on the move, shred nets from anywhere and defend multiple positions. His plug-and-play potential is both obvious and significant.

"Miller is the archetypal player every NBA team is currently searching for," ESPN's Jonathan Givony wrote. "He's an easy fit on any roster thanks to his ability to play shooting guard through power forward."

Miller's versatility and physical tools give him a relatively high floor, but don't mistake that as a lack of upside. He could be the Association's next all-purpose star wing.

Scoot Henderson, PG, G League Ignite

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COLLEGE PARK, GA - MARCH 8th: Scoot Henderson #0 of the G-League Ignite reacts after a play against the College Park Skyhawks on March 8th, 2023 at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)

The fact Henderson lost his hold on the No. 2 spot suggests this wasn't a banner year for the explosive guard. And it wasn't. He battled injuries and inconsistent shooting before being shut down in early March.

However, his elite talent still surfaced early and often this season.

Even amid the struggles, he wrapped the campaign with per-game averages of 17.6 points, 6.4 assists and 5.1 rebounds. He is a highlight waiting to happen, and his passing can be just as electric as his finishing.

"He already has a feel for drawing in defenders to open up opportunities for teammates," The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor wrote. "He can make accurate kickout passes or creative interior feeds under the rim. It's easy to see him growing into a guard who can settle an offense as much as energize one."

When compiling player comps for Henderson, O'Connor cited both Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook. Both are among the most explosive point guards in league history, and they each won an MVP award. That tells you everything you need to know about Henderson's high-end range of possible outcomes.