Which college freshmen could hear their name called first in the 2023 NBA Draft?

The 2022 high school class was an interesting one. Originally, players like Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Emoni Bates, Amen Thompson, Ausar Thompson, Leonard Miller, and Jalen Duren were all a part until they each reclassified or opted to go an alternative pro route. However, even with that much top-ranked talent leaving the class, there were some intriguing pieces that remained for NBA Draft talk.

I wanted to look through the landscape of college basketball and see which freshmen could end up going in the 2023 NBA Draft before the rest. This year, more than any in the past five or so years, is primed for a player to come out of nowhere and possibly enter this conversation. However, we will continue to track that as the year goes on.

While this piece is centered around one-and-done prospects, the 2022 class has some players further down the rankings who could emerge as multi-year college players with first-round-type upside. Guys like Pittsburgh’s Jorge Diaz, Ohio State’s Brice Sensabaugh, Central Florida’s Taylor Hendricks, and Dayton’s Mike Sharavjamts could have bright futures with continued progression.

But for now, entering college basketball, here are the college freshmen who have the most likely chance of coming off the board first.

Cam Whitmore (Villanova)

birthday: July 8, 2004

Cam Whitmore’s functional explosion is unrivaled by most in this class. Where Whitmore stands out is with his physical traits. The Villanova freshman is listed as 6-foot-7 and 232 pounds, and his frame could put on more weight and strength with a college strength and conditioning program.

Whitmore’s production, even while being so young, is intriguing. During Nike EYBL Circuit games, Whitmore averaged 15.7 points and 7.7 rebounds while shooting 50.3 percent from the field. Whitmore will need to develop the jump shot, which is both a set shot at the current time and streaky. He has a good release, it is repeatable off the catch, but it can be slow. He will need to continue working on his balance off the bounce. Whitmore is a good straight-line driver; he handles with patience and purpose but will need to develop counters as defenders cut off his path.

Whitmore is a smart off-ball cutter and a natural offensive rebounder. His upside could come as a switchable four. The Villanova freshman can guard up and down a lineup and has natural off-ball shot-blocking ability. One of the more intriguing pieces with Whitmore is with a July 2004 birthday; he will still be 18 years old on NBA Draft night. This is one where physical tools meet production and are paired with natural upside.

Brandon Miller (Alabama)

birthday: November 22, 2002

Brandon Miller is a shot-maker; that is what he does and what he has done for his entire basketball career. Where he developed over the last 18 months was with his motor. Miller showed during his Peach Jam run to the championship that when he was revved up, he was as tough to cover as anyone in the country.

Miller also showed that when his motor was running, the secondary stats also accompanied his scoring. In the championship game of Peach Jam, Miller finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds. During the Nike EYBL Circuit, Miller averaged 1.9 blocks per game.

But let’s not get sidetracked; why Brandon Miller is in the conversation for the first college freshman off the board on draft night is because of his shot-making. The Alabama freshman is listed at 6-foot-9 and 200 pounds. Miller has an advanced mid-post game where he has excellent footwork, patience, and balance. He is a smooth spot shooter with deep range, and he can get to his spots in an efficient manner off the bounce.

In Nate Oats pace and space system, Miller could be in line for some big outputs this season. He scored over 2,100 career points in high school and was a two-time Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year.

Nick Smith (Arkansas)

birthday: April 18, 2004

Nick Smith’s rise to the top of his class started at Peach Jam when he exploded for 31 points for Brad Beal Elite in the championship game. Smith continued that hot streak throughout his senior season at Little Rock (AR) North Little Rock when he averaged 26.5 points and 7.3 assists.

At 6-foot-5, Smith has long arms (6-9 wing span) and a crafty handle. His handle gets him where he wants to go on the court. Where Smith is at his best is in the mid-range, from about five to 18 feet. He has an array of floaters, pull-ups, and fadeaways in his bag from this range. There will need to be some development in college as well. Smith struggles to finish at the rim, and the balance and release on his three-point shot can cause him to be inconsistent. At this point, Smith is a scorer, and that is fine. It will be interesting if he can develop his court vision to become more of a combo or even slide over to the point.

Strength will go a long way in Smith’s development. He has high-level explosive burst in straight lines, and he has fluid hips and change of direction. Smith’s ball handling is advanced. He has an array of hesitations and counters that flow naturally as he gets to his comfort spots. Smith is young and has a projectable frame. He is in a system at Arkansas that will allow him to continue to improve where he needs work leading up to the NBA Draft.

Others to watch

Dereck Lively (Duke)

GG Jackson (South Carolina)

Dariq Whitehead (Duke)

JJ Starling (Notre Dame)

Cason Wallace (Kentucky)

Jalen Hood Schifino (Indiana)

Jarace Walker (Houston)

Dillon Mitchell (Texas)

Baba Miller (Florida State)