Rank 4-1: Exploring the Most Promising 10 NBA Prospects of 2023

Building Blocks: Exploring the Most Promising 10 NBA Prospects of 2023

Counting down to the 4-1 rankings, continuing on from my earlier piece here.

4. Taylor Hendricks
6-9 forward | 19 years old | UCF

Taylor Hendricks, a four-star recruit from high school, chose to play for UCF in his home state. Standing out as an explosive athlete with good lateral movement, he possesses the versatility to play both the power forward and center positions.

Defensively, Hendricks showcases his ability to guard a wide range of positions, from point guards to power forwards, thanks to his quickness and instincts. His shot-blocking skills, particularly from the weak side, are impressive, and he demonstrates excellent timing in contesting shots.

While Hendricks needs to add strength to handle bigger centers in the NBA, his defensive fundamentals are solid. On the offensive end, he excels as a stretch 4, shooting over 40% from three-point range in catch-and-shoot situations. However, he has room for improvement in areas such as ball handling, playmaking, shot creation, and finishing at the rim.

Hendricks' positional versatility makes him a highly valuable asset in today's NBA, capable of seamlessly fitting into a team in need of a power forward. With his NBA-ready skills, he should be a top-seven pick in the draft.

NBA Player Comparisons: Jaren Jackson Jr, Trey Murphy

3. Amen Thompson
6-7 guard | 20 years old | Overtime Elite

Amen Thompson, the twin brother of Ausar Thompson, is a highly regarded prospect entering the NBA, probably will be the first ever prospect drafted out of Overtime Elite. Amen is a natural athlete, possessing exceptional leaping ability and explosive bursts off the ground, coupled with remarkable body control.

Offensively, Amen Thompson excels as a dynamic scorer, showcasing his strength and aggressiveness when attacking the rim. He possesses an impressive repertoire of finishing moves, including dunks, lay-ups, floaters, fakes, and hook shots, allowing him to convert in various situations near the basket. His athleticism and body control enable him to navigate through traffic and finish with authority.

While Thompson's ability to score around the rim is a notable strength, his shooting skills, particularly in catch-and-shoot situations, require improvement. In his time at Overtime Elite, his three-point shooting percentage was below 30%, indicating the need for refinement in his mechanics. Working with an NBA shooting coach could help enhance his shooting consistency and accuracy.

It's worth noting that unlike some comparisons drawn to players like Ben Simmons, Thompson demonstrates a willingness to attempt three-point shots, which forces the defense to respect his outside shooting ability.

Thompson's playmaking abilities are indeed a standout aspect of his game. He possesses a diverse set of passing skills, showcasing his ability to make creative and accurate passes in various situations on the court. His passing repertoire is versatile includes threading the needle with precise bullet passes, delivering well-timed lobs, and executing skip passes to find open teammates.

Thompson is an elite defender, showcasing his skills both on and off the ball. He excels at disrupting passing lanes, applying on-ball pressure, and displaying impressive shot-blocking abilities similar to Derrick White.

NBA Player Comparison: Ben Simmons, Lonzo Ball

2. Scoot Henderson
    6-2 guard | 19 years old | G League Ignite

Scoot Henderson is considered one of the top prospects in the draft, and many believe he could be the best player in this class outside of Victor. He possesses elite athleticism and utilizes it to control the offense, excelling as a driver who finishes well at the rim and makes smart passes to open shooters. His offensive arsenal includes an impressive array of moves, such as floaters, dunks, lay-ups, and Euro-steps. Henderson is known for his high motor and relentless style of play.

While his passing ability may not reach the level of the Thompson brothers or Anthony Black, Henderson has shown significant improvement in that aspect and possesses a high basketball IQ. He demonstrates the ability to anticipate plays before they develop.

Defensively, Henderson's smaller size may present challenges when guarding bigger guards or switching onto forwards. However, he is not considered a liability on that end of the court, thanks to his solid defensive fundamentals and strength at his position.

Although Henderson could refine his shooting mechanics, he has shown potential in that area, as reflected in his mid-range shooting numbers in the G-League. He could also work on drawing more fouls and getting to the free-throw line more frequently given his propensity to drive to the rim.

Overall, Henderson is regarded as an exceptional guard prospect and is compared to the likes of Kyrie Irving in terms of his impact potential.

NBA Player Comparison: Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose

1. Victor Wembanyama

   7-4 center | 19 years old | Metropolitans 92

What more can I say that hasn’t already been said about the most hyped NBA prospect since the great Lebron James in 2003? If you bet $100 on him going number 1 in the draft, you will win 1$. Wembanyama has been highlighted as this outworldly prospect since before his 15th birthday. We’ve all heard of unicorns, Lebron James called Wembanyama, an ‘alien’. Alien is right. We have never seen a prospect of that size (7’4) with that level of skill set offensively and defensively packed in one.

Wembanyama is an exceptional defensive talent, often drawing comparisons to Anthony Davis. His shot-blocking skills are truly unmatched, as he displays incredible timing, positioning, and awareness. Whether it's contesting shots at the rim or disrupting jumpers from the perimeter, Wembanyama's defensive impact is extraordinary.

What sets Wembanyama apart is his ability to limit fouls, averaging just 2 fouls per game in the French league. This allows him to stay on the court and continue to disrupt opponents without being hampered by foul trouble. Opposing teams are well aware of Wembanyama's defensive prowess, and his mere presence on the court forces them to alter their offensive strategies. With his shot-blocking abilities, Wembanyama has the potential to be a game-changer on the defensive end, much like Anthony Davis.

Wembanyama's length, agility, and flexibility make him a versatile defender capable of guarding multiple positions effectively. He can stay in front of quicker guards and has the ability to recover and contest shots even if he gets beat initially. His defensive skills and instincts allow him to make the right defensive plays and disrupt opponents' offensive strategies.

Offensively, Wembanyama's skill set is truly remarkable. Despite his towering 7'4" frame, he possesses guard-like abilities and versatility. He excels in creating his own shot and has displayed a wide range of offensive skills. He can knock down pull-up shots, shoot effectively in catch-and-shoot situations, finish at the rim with authority, excel in transition play, and thrive in isolation scenarios. His offensive repertoire is comparable to that of a guard or small forward, showcasing his unique combination of size and skill.

While Wembanyama's potential is undeniable, there are valid concerns regarding his body and durability. He has experienced several significant injuries since 2020, including a stress fracture and a muscle injury. These injuries raise questions about his ability to withstand the physical demands of the NBA.

In terms of his game, there are areas where Wembanyama can improve. His shooting consistency can be refined, his passing skills can be further developed, and his defense against big-bodied centers may need enhancement due to his higher center of gravity. However, these aspects are considered normal areas for improvement and do not present major red flags.

Given Wembanyama's demonstrated work ethic and dedication to improving his skills, it is reasonable to expect that he will address these areas and continue to develop as a player. With the right training and development, he has the potential to overcome these concerns and become a dominant force in the NBA.

NBA Player Comparison: There are really none. I want to say a mix of Giannis, Kevin Durant, Porzingis, but hard to pin point.