Top NBA Draft Prospects: Could French Star Join Wembanyama Inside Top 10?
French Wing Bilal Coulibaly Priced +200 to Go Top 10
On the eve of the NBA Draft, this much is certain: French phenom Victor Wembanyama is a lock to go first overall to San Antonio. Charlotte seems to have settled on former Alabama standout Brandon Miller at No. 2, but what happens after that is anyone’s guess.
The draft is rarely predictable and always fascinating. Projecting who goes where following the first few picks is often a fruitless exercise. Much is the same this year.
While oddsmakers seem fairly confident that prospects like Anthony Black (-3000) and Taylor Hendricks (-2500) will go inside the Top 10, the landing spot for others such as Gradey Dick and Cason Wallace is harder to gauge. With that in mind, let’s break down some of the top NBA Draft prospects, with their odds of being a top-10 pick.
Dereck Lively, Duke (-125)
Lively is sort of on an island in that he’s the only true center with a projected first-round grade. Although Lively’s freshman statistics were a tad underwhelming — he averaged 5.2 points and 5.4 rebounds — his 7-foot-2 size and supreme shot-blocking abilities are enough to entice NBA scouts.
Bilal Coulibaly, Metropolitans 92 (France) (+200)
Victor Wembanyama’s teammate in France has shot up NBA draft boards for his explosive athleticism and upside as a two-way star. Coulibaly, who doesn’t turn 19 until July, stands 6-8 and possesses a 7-2 wingspan, enamoring scouts with his physical tools. Coulibaly’s stats don’t stand out — he averaged 5.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks in LNB Pro A — but the potential is enormous, especially if he is able to improve his perimeter shooting.
Several projections have Coulibaly going slightly later in the lottery, but there’s a decent chance he sneaks into the top 10. Undoubtedly, he’s one of the top NBA Draft prospects.
Gradey Dick, Kansas (+200)
Dick can really shoot. He made 40% of his attempts from 3 in his lone season at Kansas, averaging 14.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.4 steals. At 6-6, Dick fits the projection of what NBA teams desire on the wing, with good size and the versatility to become an impactful player on both ends of the floor.
Still just 19, Dick offers plenty of upsides, especially for teams seeking more punch offensively.
Kobe Bufkin, Michigan (+200)
Bufkin has generated a lot of buzz with his pre-draft workouts. As such, Bufkin has seen his stock soar in recent weeks, generating chatter that he may go inside the top 10. Though he spent two years with Michigan, the 6-5 guard is still only 19. He shot 35.5% from 3 and averaged 14.0 points and 1.3 steals as a sophomore, showcasing the potential to be a high-level performer in the backcourt.
Oklahoma City has been popularly connected to Bufkin at 12, but he could just as easily go off the board before that. Both Washington (No. 8) and Utah (No. 9) are rumored to be in the market for point guards as they seek to climb the 2023 NBA standings. Bufkin certainly fits the bill.
Cason Wallace, Kentucky (+300)
The latest in a long line of one-and-done at Kentucky, Wallace averaged 11.7 points, 4.3 assists and 2.0 steals. The 6-4 guard built his reputation on the defensive end, offering the kind of ready-now abilities that should make him a lottery pick. He isn’t as advanced offensively, but Wallace still seems like a relatively safe choice given his skill set.
Jalen Hood-Schifino, Indiana (+1200)
Hood-Schifino is another fast riser. He averaged 13.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists in one season at Indiana, winning Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Although he wasn’t originally projected as a one-and-done prospect, Hood-Schifino burst into the conversation with his shot-making abilities and physical makeup. Standing 6-5 with a 6-10 wingspan, Hood-Schifino has the type of length and athleticism that teams covet from combo guards. It’s why he’s one of the top NBA Draft prospects.
At 12/1 odds to land inside the top 10, Hood-Schifino offers strong value on the betting market. In CBS Sports’ latest mock draft, Hood-Schifino is ticketed to go eighth overall to Washington.
Keyonte George, Baylor (+2800)
George can score. He fashioned his playmaking abilities at Baylor, where he averaged 15.3 points across 29 minutes per game and was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year. However, questions about his defense could cause the 6-4 guard to slide outside the lottery.
Jordan Hawkins, UConn (+4000)
Outside of Dick, Hawkins may be the best shooter in the draft. He shot 38.3% from 3, including 21-of-42 during the NCAA Tournament for the eventual national champions. The 6-5 guard is lethal off screens and has the range, footwork and body control to be a contributor from the get-go.
Several projections have Hawkins going either No. 14 to New Orleans or No. 16 to Utah.
Nick Smith Jr., Arkansas (+4000)
Knee issues limited Smith Jr. at Arkansas and may cause him to drop outside the lottery, closer to the 18-20 range. CBS Sports, for example, projects him to go No. 19 to Golden State. However, there’s no disputing his ability to score and create off the dribble.
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