With the 2023 NBA Draft, many questions are still popping up. I previously examined the 10 prospects who have improved their stock the most since the conclusion of their season. Now, I will look at the players with the biggest question marks. This doesn’t include Brandon Miller, whose issues are more character than ability.
NBA Rumors: 12 Potential Risky 2023 Draft Picks
Emoni Bates
Emoni Bates has reportedly made himself a potential second-round draft pick due to excelling during his workouts. The 20-year-old is talented but struggled mightily at Michigan State during his first year. Bates did score well at Eastern Michigan this past season despite shooting 40% from the field and 33% from beyond the arc.
Here is what The Athletic’s Seth Davis disseminated about Bates from six scouts:
“He’s not even on our board. Just too much of a circus. He has a scorer’s mentality but bad shot selection. He’s one of those athletic-looking guys that’s not really athletic. He has no interest in playing defense or utilizing his other abilities. He needs to learn how to play with other good players.”
Adam Flagler
Adam Flagler improved in each of his three seasons with Baylor. The 6-3 guard has improved his shooting, playmaking, and scoring during this stretch. Flagler, a potential second-round choice, averaged 15.6 points with a shooting slash line of .426/.400/.790. He produced one double-double and scored double-figures in 28 of 32 contests while compiling a 4.7 assist-to-1.7 turnover ratio.
Flagler is a potential late second-round draft pick. Here is what the scouts had to say:
“He’s a good shooter, not a great shooter. He’s not ready to play point at our level. Tough kid, has some ability to score, but there aren’t too many little guards playing in the NBA. The other question is, can he find a balance between scoring and making plays for his teammates? I like that he’s been in a winning situation. He has to overcome being a little smaller by being a dog, and by playing hard and smart and efficient.”
G.G. Jackson
G.G. Jackson was the youngest player in college basketball last season at South Carolina. Extraordinarily talented and athletic, the 6-9 forward struggled with his shot. Jackson also had issues with turnovers and defense.
Jackson is projected to go late in the first round or early second. Here is what scouts had to say about Jackson:
“Classic high-risk, high-reward. From a talent standpoint he could be first team all-NBA someday. He’s a jack of all trades, master of none right now. Plays with a decent motor. Doesn’t have a clear position yet. Played like a guy that was trying to make it to the NBA instead of trying to win games, but remember, he should have been a senior in high school. He went into a situation at South Carolina where he had to be the guy, and I don’t know that he was mature enough to handle it. He needs a team that will be patient with him.”
Colby Jones
Colby Jones developed into a 2023 NBA Draft second-round prospect this season, his third at Xavier. The 6-5 guard, who has improved every year, has an all-around game and plays both ends. He still does need to continue to develop his 3-point shot and improve his playmaking. Jones averaged 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while shooting 50.9% from the field and 37.8% from the 3-point line this past campaign.
Here is what scouts had to say about Jones:
“He leaves you wanting more. I’m trying to figure out what position he is. Good culture guy, all about the right stuff, but will his lack of overall talent catch up to him? He needs to become a more confident shooter. He doesn’t really pop for me. High IQ guy, good playmaker, good defender, has some toughness.”
Maxwell Lewis
Maxwell Lewis believes he is a first-rounder. But the reality is the 6-7 wing is likely a second-round selection with the possibility of going as high as the 20s. Lewis demonstrated that he could score in the WCC, averaging 17.1 points and topping the 20-point mark 13 times. However, he is not a great shooter, and turnovers are a problem. Plus, there are questions surrounding his defense or lack of.
Here is what the scouts have to say about Lewis:
“He’s a mystery man. Is he just a product of playing for a terrible team? He shot it very poorly the second half of the season. Has good length and physical features. He’s a little loose with the ball when he drives, but he’s a good finisher. He has a lot to learn about how to play the game, but if he puts on weight and gets some reps, I think you’ve got a good NBA player. Doesn’t move as great laterally as you want him to.”
Chris Livingston
Chris Livingston came on strong late in the season for Kentucky, scoring in double-figures five times and producing two double-doubles. But the 6-6 forward struggled shooting as he shot just 42.9% from the field and 30.5 % from the 3-point line.
Here’s what the scouts say:
“What does he do? He’s not a high-level 3-point shooter, he’s not a high-level creator off the bounce. He can rebound a little. Never did find himself this year at Kentucky. He’s not a consistent jump shooter. He’s just not very skilled. He has good competitiveness, love his character. Later in the season he started to realize who he is, which is a tough, slashing athlete. He’s not a shooter, but he can make shots. He has first-round talent, but he didn’t have a great year.”
Brice Sensabaugh
Brice Sensabaugh had a tremendous freshman campaign, earning all-freshmen honors. Sensabaugh scored 16.3 points, hauled down 5.4 boards a game, and averaged 1.8 3-pointers a contest. He also shot 48% from the field and 40.5% from long distance. The biggest knock on the 6-6 forward is that he doesn’t play defense.
Sensabaugh is projected to be a mid or late-first-round draft pick. The following is what scouts say about Sensabaugh:
“He’s a very good scorer, but I worry about his body. His lack of defensive ability is a question, or maybe it’s a lack of a desire to play D. I don’t know if the way he scores will translate. He doesn’t rebound, doesn’t defend, not a good passer. He can really shoot, but he’s not a guy that gets all the way to the rim.”
Julian Strawther
Julian Strawther scores and shoots the ball well. The 6-7 wing averaged 15.2 points and 6.2 boards a contest while shooting 46.9% from the field and 40.8% from long distance. He drained 1.5 treys at a 38.5% clip during his three-year collegiate carer. However, there are questions abound about his motor.
Strawther is expected to go in the middle or late second round. Here’s what the scouts had to say about Strawther:
“I don’t think he’s as aggressive as he needs to be, but he’s got size, he can shoot it. He’s a plug-and-play guy for a team that’s looking for one. You want him to be a better defender and a better rebounder. He’s a below-average athlete for an NBA wing. It’s questionable if he’s going to be able to get his shot off at our level. He’s got a low release, and he’s a little slow laterally.”
Azuolis Tubelis
Azuolis Tubelis has been tremendous at the collegiate level. The 6-11 Lithuanian has improved every year and is coming off his best season as he compiled 19.8 points, 9.1 boards, and 2.0 assists. However, there are significant questions surrounding his defense. Tubelis shot 31.3% from beyond the 3-point line last year and made less than 30% from long distance for his career.
Tubelis is slated to go in the second round. Here is what scouts have to say about Tubelis:
“Just not good enough. He’s skilled, but his athleticism is just OK. He’s going to struggle defensively. I don’t see him getting drafted. If he can improve his shooting he has a chance to be a backup big. Banging in the paint will be a problem for him. I don’t think he’s the toughest guy in the world. He’s going to have to be a knockdown shooter in order to make it.”
Jordan Walsh
Jordan Walsh is very talented but didn’t have a great freshmen campaign at Arkansas. The 6-7 forward compiled 7.1 points and 3.9 caroms while shooting 43.3% from the field and 27.8% from the 3-point line.
Walsh is projected to go in the mid or late second round. The following is what scouts have to say about Walsh:
“I don’t understand why this kid stayed in the draft. He can facilitate and pass but he needs to become a much better shooter. Good point of attack defender, but offensively he just can’t score. He’s worth a two-way for sure. He’s a good on-ball defender, but he’s not a lockdown guy yet. He’s just all athlete right now. I don’t think he really knows what he’s doing when he’s on the floor.”
Jalen Wilson
Jalen Wilson was one of the best offensive college players last season. The 6-8 Wooden Award finalist compiled 20.3 points, 8.3 caroms, and 2.2 assists. However, he attempted 16 shots a game and posted a shooting slash line of .430/.337/.799.
Wilson is likely to go late in the second round. The following is what scouts had to say about Wilson:
“I don’t think he’s athletic enough. He plays really hard so the game doesn’t look easy. He didn’t play great in Chicago. He’s a good college player, good system guy, but he doesn’t do anything that stands out. Talent is gonna catch up with him. He was a high-usage guy in college, but I don’t know if his game translates to the NBA. I don’t think he’s a great finisher at the basket. He’s not a dunker. He’s a three/four tweener, because he’s not big enough to play the four full-time.”
Jett Howard
Jett Howard is one of the best shooters in the draft. A Big Ten All-Freshman selection, Howard compiled 14.2 points on 41.4% shooting from the field and 2.7 threes at a 36.8% clip at Michigan. However, there are many other questions about his game.
Howard is expected to go between picks No. 17 and 28. The following is what scouts had to say about Howard:
“I think he’s sliding in the draft right now. His lack of rebounding is extremely concerning. He doesn’t go in to fight for rebounds. He’s kind of lazy off the ball defensively. He just doesn’t know how to use all his tools right now. Skilled, high IQ, good size for a two guard, but he has average athleticism. Is he a two or a three? I wonder if the kid works hard enough.”
