More Kentucky basketball recruiting links: Where UK’s signees project in the NBA Draft
Fresh off of an opportunity to see some of the best high school basketball players in the country at the Hoophall Classic a few days ago, ESPN’s NBA Draft analysts posted a (very, very) early mock draft for 2023 over the weekend.
French 7-footer Victor Wembanyama is No. 1 in the 2023 NBA mock draft from ESPN, followed by the G League’s Scoot Henderson, Arkansas signee Nick Smith Jr., and Duke signees Dereck Lively II and Kyle Filipowski in the No. 4 and 5 spots, respectively.
The top player with a Kentucky connection on the list is UK recruit Cason Wallace, who ESPN projects as the No. 12 overall player in the 2023 draft, making him a potential one-and-done prospect. Fellow UK recruit Chris Livingston is No. 25 on the list, and current Wildcats freshman Daimion Collins is No. 37 overall.
The 2023 mock draft does not include UK freshman Shaedon Sharpe, who’s future with the program beyond this season remains unclear. In the write-up accompanying the mock draft, ESPN analyst Jonathan Givony said Sharpe is expected by most NBA teams to enter the 2022 draft, where ESPN ranks him as the No. 6 overall prospect.
Top Kentucky basketball recruiting links
McDonald’s Game picks: Two UK recruits make it; Full rosters for 2022
Why the rankings drop?: Analyst explains tumble of Kentucky recruits
Shaedon Sharpe update: Calipari and Antigua talk about his progress
Remember D.J. Jeffries?: The former UK commit faces UK on Tuesday
Duke is gearing up for another No. 1-ranked class in the 2023 cycle
Kentucky Kernel: Calipari should stick to his guns on Shaedon Sharpe
No mention of UK in early update on top-five sophomore Derik Queen
Is Texas Tech the leader for possible Kentucky target Elijah Fisher?
Bracketology: Kentucky is No. 4 on ESPN board | No. 5 on CBS Sports
Early targets: Kentucky already interested in these star 2024 recruits
Shaedon Sharpe debuts at No. 8 in the Yahoo NBA mock draft for ‘22
Rivals.com: Oregon the team to beat for UK target Kwame Evans Jr.?
DJ Wagner scored 25 points in Saturday win (with video highlights)
Harlan County sophomore scored 66 points in a game on Saturday
Sports Illustrated: SEC basketball means more than it ever has
7-foot-1 center John Bol might be a player to watch in 2024 class
Watch: Here’s some new video highlights of 2024 center John Bol
Louisville among early visits for Huntington Prep’s Maki Johnson
More Next Cats links: Reed Sheppard had another good weekend
This story was originally published January 24, 2022 at 7:00 AM.
