Comparison Player is a rough pairing of what a player can be with improvements to their game.
Picks #1 - #10
#1 - AJ Dybantsa drafted by the Washington Wizards
Dybantsa is a decorated 6′9″ Forward out of BYU with a league-ready build. AJ is a born finisher, whether it’s from mid-range jumpers or powering through lanes, his self-shot creation is A-tier.
AJ is a high-usage, multi-level scorer who’s ready to show the league the type of shots he can create. Slotting straight into the starting five for Washington, expect to see this kid fly.
Comparison Player - Jaylen Brown.
#2 - Darryn Peterson drafted by the Utah Jazz
Peterson is a 6′5″ score-first Guard. With a prowess for shot creation and great ability to absorb contact, expect to see Peterson driving to the basket successfully. The crazy thing is, Peterson shot nearly the highest volume of three-point attempts in college basketball last year too.
Peterson also helps share some defensive workload, rarely fouling and generating a solid amount of steals. This kid is a full all-round talent - exciting.
Comparison Player - Devin Booker
#3 - Cameron Boozer drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies
Boozer is a 6′9″ Forward/Centre out of Duke. Son of Carlos, the name comes with expectations that Cam is ready to fulfil. This big man separates himself with his ability to pass the ball & read the floor like a guard would. From driving to the basket & drawing fouls to shooting at a decent clip from beyond the arc - Cam is ready to shine.
Defensively, Cam’s strong 6′9″ frame is a great rim protector and perimeter defender. With active hands & a high defensive IQ, Boozer will genuinely affect the court at both ends.
Comparison Player - Alperen Sengun
#4 - Caleb Wilson drafted by the Chicago Bulls
Wilson is a 6′10″ Forward out of North Carolina. An explosive athlete, Wilson is ready to dominate on both sides of the glass. From a lob threat to a block lord, Wilson has the power and style to grow in the league.
Wilson has been described as a 'Transition Terror' by his prowess on both sides of the court. With room for growth in his deep game & shot-making ability, Wilson could truly become a wrecking ball in the league.
Comparison Player - Scottie Barnes
#5 - Keaton Wagler drafted by the LA Clippers
Wagler is a 6′6″ Guard out of Illinois. He is a four-star recruit who prioritises skill and feel over athleticism and power. Wagler has a smooth quick-release jumper and is good at finishing from anywhere in the half-court.
Wagler has been described as having 'veteran-like leadership' and extremely high basketball IQ, using the playbook to his advantage and nailing set plays. Should be an interesting fit at LA.
Comparison Player - CJ McCollum
#6 - Mikel Brown Jr drafted by the Brooklyn Nets
Brown Jr is a 6′5″ Guard out of Louisville. Brown still has a few years of development ahead, but has shown elite shot-making and three-level scoring in flashes. Active hands aid on defence as well with a solid number of steals per game.
Comparison Player - Keyonte George
#7 - Darius Acuff Jr drafted by the Sacramento Kings
Acuff Jr is a 6′3″ Guard out of Arkansas. A five-star prospect with a massive array of awards, Acuff is an elite offensive guard. With three-level scoring and lead playmaking, this is the type of young guard every team wants.
Acuff molded his game off Allen Iverson, and is looking to be an extremely strong addition to the Kings roster. Watch this kid.
Comparison Player - Jamal Murray
#8 - Kingston Flemings drafted by the Atlanta Hawks
Flemings is a 6′3″ Guard out of Houston. A speedy, athletic, technical guard who caught lots of eyes at the collegiate level. Able to choose his shots, Flemings has extremely high level scoring IQ for his age.
Kingston is set to have immediate impact on the league with his strong ability on both ends of the court. Known nearly more for his elite defense than his amazing offense, Kingston is going to bolster this Hawks team off the jump.
Comparison Player - De'Aaron Fox
#9 - Morez Johnson Jr drafted by the Dallas Mavericks
Johnson is a 6′9″ Forward/Centre out of Michigan. A four-star Recruit who's ready to fit perfectly into small-ball 5 or a strong 4 slot. Johnson has an effective defensive game but developing his offense will be what sets him apart and cements him a spot in the league.
Comparison Player - Isaiah Stewart
#10 - Brayden Burries drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks
Burries is a 6′4″ Guard out of Arizona. With a great blend of size, toughness & shooting, Burries has future All-Star calibre potential. Strong on & off the ball, he should fit well into the Bucks’ new-look lineup.
Burries entered the league on crazy shooting stats. 49.1% from the field with 39.1% from three-point range. Expect this kid to flourish when pulling up.
Comparison Player - Derrick White
Picks #11 - #30
Picks #11–#30 feature shorter summaries, with a closer look at a few standout prospects.
#11 - Yaxel Lendeborg drafted by the Golden State Warriors
Lendeborg is a decorated 6′10″ Forward out of Michigan. Elite production on both ends of the floor is what’s most known for Yaxel. A proven ability to finish from anywhere and great physical defensive traits.
Comparison Player - Aaron Gordon
#12 - Aday Mara drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder
Mara is a 7'4 Centre out of Michigan. A straight-up big dude who’s ready to make a big impact. Built for defense but with a strong floater game, Mara should be a nice 2nd or 3rd core replacement for Chet & I Hart.
Comparison Player - Ryan Kalkbrenner
#13 - Nate Ament drafted by the Miami Heat - Traded to Milwaukee Bucks
Ament is a 6′10″ Forward out of Tennessee. With a strong blend of height, ball handling, playmaking & drawing fouls - Ament fits the mould as a great pick-and-roll big man. Keep an eye on him.
Comparison Player - Andrew Wiggins
#14 - Hannes Steinbach drafted by the Charlotte Hornets
Steinbach is a 6′10″ Forward out of Washington / Germany. Steinbach is a defensive-minded big who needs significant development to build a long NBA career.
Comparison Player - Isaiah Stewart
#15 - Dailyn Swain drafted by the Chicago Bulls
Swain is a 6′7″ Forward out of Texas. Swain is a two-way wing with a great ability to get to the rim and finish. A great all-round combination of size & touch. Quality.
Comparison Player - Deni Avdija
#16 - Bennett Stirtz drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies - Traded to Oklahoma City Thunder
Stirtz is a 6′4″ Guard out of Iowa. Stirtz still has a long way to go to be a star in the league but is an up-and-coming floor general. Good upside but still developing.
Comparison Player - Ty Jerome
#17 - Ebuka Okorie drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder - Traded to Memphis Grizzlies
Okorie is a 6′1″ Guard out of Stanford. As a downhill threatening scorer with strong rim finishing - Okorie could grow into a great talent. An off-the-dribble weapon with good floor spacing. Keep an eye on Okorie.
Comparison Player - Isiah Thomas
#18 - Christian Anderson drafted by the Charlotte Hornets
Anderson is a 6′1″ Guard out of Texas Tech. Anderson was the MVP at the 2022 U16 FIBA leading Germany to Gold. A knockdown shooter with unlimited range. Between shot-making and assists, Anderson seems to be a steal of the draft.
Comparison Player - Payton Pritchard
#19 - Allen Graves drafted by the Toronto Raptors
Graves is a 6′8″ Forward out of Santa Clara. A defence-first forward who specialises in Steals & Blocks. A true multi-layer defender who can be used to create great space on the floor. Graves still needs offensive development but can see him being used in set situations in clutch time.
Comparison Player - Tari Eason
#20 - Jayden Quaintance drafted by the San Antonio Spurs
Quaintance is a 6′9″ Forward/Centre out of Kentucky. A Defensive-minded big man who can provide aid on both sides of the glass. Only 18 years old, so much room for growth. With the Spurs this kid could become electric.
Comparison Player - Jalen Duren
#21 - Karim Lopez drafted by the Detroit Pistons - Traded to Memphis Grizzlies
Lopez is a 6′8″ Forward out of New Zealand Breakers / Mexico. Lopez is a physical downhill driver with the ability to get to the rim. A well-rounded player who has massive potential.
Comparison Player - Aaron Gordon
#22 - Labaron Philon Jr drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers
Philon Jr is a 6′3″ Guard out of Alabama. Philon has a do-it-all offensive toolkit. There are defensive question marks, but he has plenty of room to grow.
Comparison Player - Mike Conley
#23 - Zuby Ejiofor drafted by the Atlanta Hawks
Ejiofor is a 6′9″ Forward/Centre out of St. John’s. A multi-level defender with strong glass-crashing ability. Typical big man on both ends.
Comparison Player - Al Horford
#24 - Cameron Carr drafted by the New York Knicks - Traded to LA Lakers
Carr is a 6′5″ Guard out of Baylor. A mix of shooting & athleticism makes Carr a clean fit for a modern NBA Wing. Expect him in garbage time or G-League time at LA.
Comparison Player - Trey Murphy
#25 - Sergio De Larrea drafted by the LA Lakers - Traded to Dallas Mavericks
Larrea is a 6′6″ Guard out of Valencia, Spain. A big guard with a trustworthy jumper with good passing vision. Interested to see how he goes.
Comparison Player - Josh Giddey
#26 - Tarris Reed Jr drafted by the Denver Nuggets - Traded to San Antonio Spurs
Reed Jr is a 6′10″ Centre out of Connecticut. A Strong passing big man that needs a chunk of work. Good fit at Spurs organisation for development.
Comparison Player - Andrew Bogut
#28 - Chris Cenac Jr drafted by the Boston Celtics
Cenac Jr is a 6′11″ Forward / Centre out of Houston. A raw offensive prospect with plenty of room to grow. A Mix of rebounding ability and assists could make this guy something special.
Comparison Player - Kel’el Ware
#29 - Alex Karaban drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers - Traded to Sacramento Kings
Karaban is a 6′7″ Forward out of Connecticut. A Floor-spacing general that can immediately help this Kings team. Ability to shoot with low turnover %, he’s a great pick at #29.
Comparison Player - Mike Miller
#30 - Koa Peat drafted by the Dallas Mavericks - Traded to Phoenix Suns
Peat is a 6′7″ Forward out of Arizona. A strong ball handler with athleticism to affect both ends of the court. Needs to improve from three-point range to keep up with the modern game.
Comparison Player - Aaron Gordon
That’s a Wrap!
There's still some gems to be found in that second round - never count them out!
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