The top five players in the SEC for the 2023 NBA Draft

Christmas has come and gone, and with that, we are inching closer to June 22, the night of the 2023 NBA Draft. While we are still not at the time when NBA front offices truly start to narrow down their big boards, December was a huge month for data collection.

While October and the early parts of November were spent traveling to campuses and practices, NBA scouts traveled from coast to coast in the latter part of November and in December to watch games. A lot of NBA Draft preparation is done via thorough background checks and medical reports; live scouting players will never go out of style.

The early part of the 2022-23 season has started off with some excellent head-to-head matchups. Most of the players who are thought to be top 2023 NBA Draft prospects have had at least one and in some cases more, prime-time matchup. Player’s stories are being written.

We are still six months out from Adam Silver walking to the podium; however, here are the top five players in the SEC, in alphabetical order, for the 2023 NBA Draft.

PG Anthony Black (Arkansas)

Profile | 6-7, 198 | Jan. 2004 (18 y.o.)

2022-23 Stats: 12 games, 33.3 minutes, 12.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.6 blocks, 51.5 % FG, 39.4% 3P

The skinny: At 6-7, Black fits the archetype of the NBA lead guard. Early in the season, he has shown consistency in making reads in the half-court and knocking down the three. Has natural instincts on defense.

F GG Jackson (South Carolina)

Profile | 6-9, 215 | Dec 2004 (18 y.o.)

2022-23 stats: 12 games, 33.6 minutes, 16.6 points. 7.4 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.1 blocks, 41.7% FG, 36.2% 3P

The skinny: With Jackson, it still comes in flashes, but the flashes are really impressive. He has shown three-level shot-making ability with nice length and athletic pop. Decision-making questions still loom, but he’s been better than expected to this point.

F Brandon Miller (Alabama)

Profile | 6-9, 200 | Nov 2002 (20 y.o.)

2022-23 stats: 12 games, 33.9 minutes, 19.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.8 blocks, 41.6% FG, 44.2% 3P

The skinny: Miller’s size and shot-making fit an NBA archetype. Given his age, there are questions about his finishing at the rim, but 44% from three, with his rebounding and some defensive instincts, have him as one of the most talked about freshmen in the country.

SG Nick Smith, Jr. (Arkansas)

Profile | 6-5, 185 | April 2004 (18 y.o.)

2022-23 stats: 5 games, 23.8 minutes, 12.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.2 blocks, 38.9% FG, 30.0% 3P

The skinny: It’s been a mixed bag with Smtih so far. He missed the first month, played five games, and is now sitting with right knee management. Questions still remain about his three-point shooting and decision-making. However, while on the floor, Smith showed some crafty handle with real scoring chops.

PG Cason Wallace (Kentucky)

Profile | 6-4, 193 | Nov 2003 (19 y.o.)

2022-23 stats: 11 games, 32.4 minutes, 11.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.5 steals, 0.3 blocks, 50.0% FG, 50.0% 3P

The skinny: Cason Wallace is one of the top perimeter defenders in the class. He has also shown efficiency in both handling the ball and scoring it. He is playing mostly off-ball this season as Kentucky returns Sahvir Wheeler, who led the SEC in assists the last two seasons. In the one game Wallace played at PG, with Wheeler out, he finished with 15 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals on 7-11 from the field.

Others to watch

Ricky Council, IV (Arkansas), Julian Phillips (Tennessee), Will Richard (Florida), Noah Clowney (Alabama), Matthew Murrell (Ole Miss), Oscar Tsheibwe (Kentucky), Trevon Brazile (Arkansas)