Atlanta Hawks select Kobe Bufkin in 2023 NBA Draft

Former Michigan guard Kobe Bufkin is finally off to the NBA, set to begin his pro career after two seasons with the Wolverines. And Bufkin will get his start with the Atlanta Hawks after being selected with the No. 15 pick in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft.

In two seasons a Michigan, Bufkin made enormous strides with his game. After not starting and averaging three points per game off the bench as a freshmen, he grew into a complete scorer his sophomore season.

In 2022-23, Bufkin started all 33 games for Michigan, averaging 14 points per game to go with 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists. His biggest improvement came from behind the 3-point arc, where he increased both his volume and shooting percentage at the same time. Bufkin shot 3.7 3s a game in 2022-23 at a 35.5% clip — up from 1.3 a game at a 22.2% make percentage.

The one-year ascension was enough for the 6-foot-4 shooting guard to jump from mid-level draft prospect to a borderline lottery pick. The 19 year old has been invited to the green room for draft night.

Bufkin came to Michigan as a highly touted recruit, ranked four stars all four major services. He was the No. 44 overall prospect nationally and the second-best recruit in the state of Michigan in the 2021 signing class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking (Emoni Bates was No. 1). He was a McDonald’s All-American out of high school and, at 19, is one of the youngest players in his class.

Playing at Grand Rapids Christian (MI) High School, Bufkin had interest from the Wolverines, Michigan State, and a bevy of big-time programs.

He chose Michigan and following two seasons in Ann Arbor where he flashed immense growth — and upside — Bufkin is now an NBA player.

What NBA Draft experts are saying about Bufkin

With his relative youth and scoring upside, NBA evaluators are high on Bufkin.

It starts with his ability to use his length and body control to score at the basket, coupled with what has been deemed “credible” shooting from 3. The pluses don’t stop there, as he’s a plus rebounder and capable ball handler. His size and length gives him a chance to be a versatile defender, too.

“Finding a prospect with so few holes, flashy skills, and above-average size at a premium position is rare,” reads a league scouting report via RotoWire.

Bufkin might not walk into an NBA locker room and change the course of a franchise, but the outlook is strong that he can be a high-level contributor in the near future.

“Bufkin may be locked into a sizable role by the later stages of his rookie season and could become a reliable sixth man sooner than later,” the scouting report said.