The NBA Draft is tonight. Victor Wembanyama is going first overall to the San Antonio Spurs. The 18 year old center is a generational talent. He is a stretch five who can handle it, take it to the rack and play with his back to the basket. He can also shoot it from 15 feet out and the three point line.
After Wembanyama gets picked, that’s when the Draft really starts. Here’s our one and only mock draft.
1. San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama, C, Metropolitan 92’s: Generational talent is 7’5 and has the skill set of a small forward. Also a force on the defensive end as an elite run protector.
2. Charlotte Hornets: Brandon Miller, PF, Alabama: Off the court concerns aside, Miller is a volume scorer who can win off the dribble and shoot it consistently. He’ll be a day one starter for Charlotte.
3. Portland Trailblazers: Scoot Henderson, SG, Ignite G-League: 6-2 guard is explosive. He attacks the rim and has an array of moves off the dribble. Henderson has elite upside.
4. Houston Rockets: Amen Thompson, SG, Overtime Elite: Athletic two guard who defends and is an elite level passer and playmaker.
5. Detroit Pistons: Ausar Thompson, SG, Overtime Elite: Like his twin brother, Ausar is long, athletic and can defend. Ausar is the better shooter of the two.
6. Orlando Magic, Anthony Black, SG, North Carolina: Talented 6-7 guard can play the point or the two guard. He’ll need some time to develop but Black has major upside.
7. Indiana Pacers: Jarace Walker, F, Houston: Big, wide body four would give the Pacers some much needed toughness along the front court.
8. Washington Wizards: G/F Taylor Hendricks, UCF: Versatile player who can defend multiple positions, play multiple positions and shoot the ball consistently.
9. Utah Jazz: Bilal Coulibaly, SF, Metropolitans 92 (France): Coulibaly is the youngest player in this draft. He is 6-9 but has a 7-2 wingspan. Freakishly athletic, he can play multiple positions.
10. Dallas Mavericks: Cam Whitmore, SG, Villanova: Tough, physical two guard who can also play small forward. Whitmore can defend but he is also a consistent shooter.
11. Orlando Magic: Gradey Dick, SG, Kansas: Dick is arguably the best shooter in this draft. He has great range and can come screens or the pick and roll and consistently make shots.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jordan Hawkins, G, UConn: National champion is one of the best pure shooters in this draft. He will be a great fit with the Thunder’s young core.
13. Toronto Raptors: Kobe Bufkin, PG, Michigan: Bufkin finished strong last season at Michigan and has looked good in the pre-draft process. He would be the successor to Fred Van Vleet.
14. New Orleans Pelicans: Jalen Hood-Schifino, G, Indiana: Talented two guard can play both the point and off the ball. With his length, Hood-Schifino could develop into an elite defender.
15: Atlanta Hawks: Cason Wallace, PG, Kentucky: Hawks add depth to their backcourt with the defensive minded Wallace.
16. Utah Jazz (via Timberwolves): Dereck Lively II, C, Duke: Lively could go higher. The big man is a stretch five who can score around the basket and play elite defense.
17. Los Angeles Lakers: Keyonte George, SG, Baylor: Volume scorer who could be a good bench piece for the Lakers.
18. Golden State Warriors: Brandin Podziemskic G, Santa Clara: Versatile guard who can shoot the ball consistently and fits what the Warriors do offensively.
20. Houston Rockets (via Clippers): Nick Smith, G, Arkansas: A three level scorer who when healthy would be another good core piece for the Rockets.
21. Brooklyn Nets: Ben Sheppard, SG, Belmont: Terrific ball handler who can create off the dribble or set others up off of pick and roll.
22. Brooklyn Nets: Leonard Miller, SF, G League Ignite: Small forward who improved last season and has the skill set to be an effective scorer from all three levels.
23. Portland Trail Blazers: Noah Clowney, C/PF, Alabama: A long and athletic big who can protect the rim and chip in on offense with his shot making ability.
24. Sacramento Kings: Kris Murray, PF, Iowa: A shot-making and off-ball scoring talent who can play off the ball and with his back to the basket.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Jaime Jaquez Jr. F, UCLA: A natural shooter who can score in all three levels. At 22, he is one of the oldest players in the draft but one of the most polished.
26. Indiana Pacers: Jett Howard, SF, Michigan: Howard has some question marks regarding his game but there is no denying his talent.
27. Charlotte Hornets: Dariq Whitehead, F, Duke: Injury issues aside, the skill set is elite. Whitehead is a creator and a finisher at the rim. Needs to stay healthy.
28. Utah Jazz: Jordan Walsh, SF, Arkansas: A defense first prospect who plays with great energy. Limited offensively would lead to him falling out of the first round.
29. Indiana Pacers: Rayan Rupert, SG/SF, New Zealand Breakers: Rupert has a 7-2 wingspan and is a creative shot maker who can develop into a scorer.
30. Los Angeles Clippers: Brice Sensabaugh, SG/SF, Ohio State: Big wide body who can score. Injury concerns will impact his stock.